Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“Must not,” “should not,” “it is forbidden to,” “one is not allowed to.”
🎯 Primary Function
To express a strong prohibition, a strict rule, or a command that something must not be done. It conveys a sense of obligation not to perform an action.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (て-form) + はならない
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Widely used in official documents, laws, regulations, school rules, public notices, and moral guidelines.
Informal Situations
Rarely used. It sounds very stiff and admonitory if used informally.
Written Language
Very common in written rules, contracts, and legal texts.
Spoken Language
Less common in daily conversation, but can be heard in formal speeches, warnings from authority figures (e.g., teachers, police), or in highly serious contexts.
💡 Common Applications
Rules and Regulations
Often seen in public signs, school handbooks, or workplace rules.
Example: ここにゴミを捨ててはならない。(Do not throw trash here.)
Moral/Ethical Imperatives
Used to convey a strong sense of right and wrong, often in a lecturing or guiding tone.
Example: 人を差別してはならない。(One must not discriminate against people.)
Warnings/Instructions
Can be used in emergency instructions or critical advisories.
Example: この機械には素手で触れてはならない。(You must not touch this machine with bare hands.)
Frequency
Moderate in formal written contexts, low in informal spoken language.
Difficulty
Intermediate to advanced (JLPT N2).
Example Sentences
法律を破ってはならない。
You must not break the law.
試験中に携帯電話を使用してはならない。
You must not use mobile phones during the exam.
ここでは喫煙してはならない。
Smoking is prohibited here.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Strong Prohibition:
「てはならない」 expresses a very strong and absolute prohibition, often implying a rule, law, or moral imperative. It is much stronger than 「～てはいけない」 or 「～てはだめだ」.
Example: 敷地内への無断立ち入りをしてはならない。(Unauthorized entry onto the premises is forbidden.)
Formal and Impersonal:
This expression is highly formal and often used impersonally, as if stating a universal rule rather than a personal command. It’s common in official documents.
Example: 公務員は職務上知り得た秘密を漏らしてはならない。(Public servants must not divulge secrets learned through their duties.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it in casual conversation with friends or family.
✅ 「友達にうそをついてはならない。」 (Incorrect in casual speech) -> 「友達にうそをついちゃだめだよ。」 or 「友達にうそをついちゃいけないよ。」
「てはならない」 sounds overly strict and preachy in informal settings. Use softer expressions like 「～てはいけない」 or 「～てはだめだ」 for casual prohibitions.
❌ Applying it to personal desires or suggestions rather than strict rules.
✅ 「今日は雨だから、外出してはならない。」 (Incorrect for a personal suggestion) -> 「今日は雨だから、外出しない方がいいよ。」
It implies a strict rule, not a recommendation or personal preference.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Very formal and authoritative. It doesn’t convey politeness in the sense of deference, but rather the strictness of a rule.
Social Situations: Primarily used in situations requiring strict adherence to rules, such as workplaces, schools, public places, or legal contexts. Not for everyday interactions.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in its meaning or usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
てはならない vs. てはいけない
「てはならない」 is a stronger, more formal, and often impersonal prohibition, used for rules and laws. 「てはいけない」 is a more general prohibition, commonly used in daily conversation by parents to children, or in less formal rules.
When to use: Use 「てはならない」 for official rules, laws, or strong moral imperatives. Use 「てはいけない」 for more common, everyday prohibitions, warnings, or advice.
てはならない vs. てはだめだ
「てはだめだ」 is even more informal than 「てはいけない」, often used with children or close acquaintances, implying “it’s no good if you do this.” It’s a softer, more personal prohibition.
When to use: Use 「てはならない」 for strict, formal rules. Use 「てはだめだ」 in very casual contexts where you’re telling someone “it’s no good” or “don’t do that.”
てはならない vs. べからず
「べからず」 is an archaic and even stronger, more absolute prohibition, almost like an ancient decree. It’s rarely used in modern spoken Japanese except for specific fixed expressions or very old texts.
When to use: 「てはならない」 is the standard modern formal prohibition. 「べからず」 is mostly encountered in historical contexts or proverbs (e.g., 入るべからず – No entry).
📝 Conjugation Notes
Simply attach 「はならない」 to the て-form of any verb.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced smoothly as “te wa naranai.” The “wa” particle here is pronounced “ha” in writing but “wa” in speech.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「ならない」 as “cannot become (the case),” so “doing X cannot become the case” or “doing X is not allowed/forbidden.” Associate it with “rules” and “regulations.”
Vocabulary List
法律
hōritsu
law
破る
yaburu
to break (a rule, promise, etc.)
試験中
shiken-chū
during the exam
携帯電話
keitai denwa
mobile phone
使用する
shiyō suru
to use
喫煙する
kitsuen suru
to smoke
理由
reason
Kanji List
法
hō
law, method
律
ritsu
law, rhythm
破
ya(buru)
to break
試
shi
test, try
験
ken
examine, effect
中
chū
middle, during
携
kei
portable, carry
帯
tai
belt, zone, wear
電
den
electricity
話
wa(su)
talk, story
喫
kitsu
consume, eat, drink
Practice Exercises
図書館では静かに＿＿＿＿＿＿。
してはいけない
するべきだ
してはならない
してもいい
(Choose the most appropriate phrase for a strict school rule) 学校でいじめを＿＿＿＿＿＿。
してはいけない
してはならない
しちゃだめだ
しないほうがいい
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