A2 Modal Verbs 1 min read آسان

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'olmaz' after an infinitive verb to say something is forbidden, socially unacceptable, or physically impossible.

  • Add 'olmaz' after the -maq/-mək verb form. Example: 'Girmək olmaz' (No entry).
  • Use 'olar' for the opposite (permission). Example: 'Girmək olar' (You may enter).
  • To ask for permission, use 'Olar?' or 'Olmaz?' for a polite 'Is it okay?'.
Verb Stem + -maq/-mək + olmaz 🚫

The 'Olmaz' Structure (Fixed Form)

Subject (Dative) Verb (Infinitive) Modal English Meaning
Mənə
getmək
olmaz
I am not allowed to go
Sənə
getmək
olmaz
You are not allowed to go
Ona
getmək
olmaz
He/she is not allowed to go
Bizə
getmək
olmaz
We are not allowed to go
Sizə
getmək
olmaz
You (pl/formal) are not allowed to go
Onlara
getmək
olmaz
They are not allowed to go
(General)
çəkmək
olmaz
Smoking/drawing is not allowed

Common Short Forms and Responses

Context Short Form Full Meaning
Direct Refusal
Olmaz!
It is not allowed!
Quick Question
Olar?
Is it allowed? / May I?
Surprised Question
Olmaz?
Is it really not allowed?
Suggestion
Olmaz ki...
Wouldn't it be possible that...

Meanings

The primary function of 'olmaz' is to express that an action is prohibited by law, social norms, or physical constraints.

1

Legal/Official Prohibition

Used on signs or in official contexts to state that something is against the rules.

“Burada maşın saxlamaq olmaz.”

“Şəkil çəkmək olmaz.”

2

Social Impropriety

Used to tell someone that their behavior is rude or culturally inappropriate.

“Belə demək olmaz!”

“Böyüklərin sözünü kəsmək olmaz.”

3

Physical Impossibility

Used to indicate that an action simply cannot be performed due to circumstances.

“Bu qapını açmaq olmaz, kilidlidir.”

“İndi getmək olmaz, yağış yağır.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Prohibition (Olmaz)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Permission)
Infinitive + olar
Girmək olar (You may enter)
Negative (Prohibition)
Infinitive + olmaz
Girmək olmaz (No entry)
Question (Asking)
Infinitive + olar?
Girmək olar? (May I enter?)
Negative Question
Infinitive + olmaz?
Girmək olmaz? (Is it not allowed?)
Personal Prohibition
Dative + Infinitive + olmaz
Mənə yemək olmaz (I'm not allowed to eat)
Formal Prohibition
Infinitive + qadağandır
Siqaret çəkmək qadağandır (Smoking is forbidden)
Short Answer (Yes)
Olar
Yes, you may.
Short Answer (No)
Olmaz
No, you may not.

طیف رسمیت

رسمی
Burada siqaret çəkmək qadağandır.

Burada siqaret çəkmək qadağandır. (Public space)

خنثی
Burada siqaret çəkmək olmaz.

Burada siqaret çəkmək olmaz. (Public space)

غیر رسمی
Çəkmə, olmaz!

Çəkmə, olmaz! (Public space)

عامیانه
Bura çəkməli yer deyil, qardaş.

Bura çəkməli yer deyil, qardaş. (Public space)

The World of Olmaz

Olmaz

Legal

  • Park etmək olmaz No parking

Social

  • Söz kəsmək olmaz Don't interrupt

Health

  • Şəkər yemək olmaz No sugar allowed

Physical

  • Açmaq olmaz Cannot be opened

Olar vs. Olmaz

Olar (Green Light)
Danışmaq olar You may speak
Olmaz (Red Light)
Danışmaq olmaz You must not speak

Can I do it?

1

Is there a sign?

YES
Look for 'Olmaz'
NO
Ask 'Olar?'
2

Is it polite?

YES
Olar
NO
Olmaz

Common 'Olmaz' Signs

🚇

Transport

  • Söykənmək olmaz
  • Siqaret çəkmək olmaz
🖼️

Museum

  • Toxunmaq olmaz
  • Şəkil çəkmək olmaz
🏥

Hospital

  • Səs salmaq olmaz
  • Girmək olmaz

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Girmək olmaz.

No entry.

2

Olmaz!

Not allowed!

3

Şəkil çəkmək olmaz.

No photos.

4

Burada olmaz.

Not here.

1

Burada maşın saxlamaq olmaz.

You cannot park here.

2

Mənə dondurma yemək olmaz.

I am not allowed to eat ice cream.

3

Dərsdə danışmaq olmaz.

You must not talk in class.

4

Bunu etmək olmaz, ayıbdır.

You shouldn't do this, it's shameful.

1

Bu sənədlərə baxmaq olmaz.

One is not allowed to look at these documents.

2

Həkim dedi ki, mənə qaçmaq olmaz.

The doctor said that I am not allowed to run.

3

Olmaz ki, sabah gələsiniz?

Is it not possible for you to come tomorrow?

4

İcazəsiz çölə çıxmaq olmaz.

It is not allowed to go out without permission.

1

Qanunla bu ərazidə ov etmək olmaz.

By law, hunting is not allowed in this area.

2

Belə bir vəziyyətdə susmaq olmaz.

In such a situation, one must not remain silent.

3

Uşaqlara qarşı belə sərt davranmaq olmaz.

One should not behave so harshly towards children.

4

Bu suyu qaynatmadan içmək olmaz.

This water must not be drunk without boiling.

1

Dövlət sirrini yaymaq qətiyyən olmaz.

It is strictly forbidden to spread state secrets.

2

Onun xətrinə dəymək olmaz, o çox həssasdır.

One must not offend him; he is very sensitive.

3

Bu məsələdə tələsmək olmaz, hər şeyi ölçüb-biçməliyik.

We must not rush in this matter; we must weigh everything.

4

Olmaz ki, hər şeyi olduğu kimi qəbul edək?

Can't we just accept everything as it is?

1

Milli dəyərlərimizə xələl gətirəcək hərəkətlərə yol vermək olmaz.

Actions that would damage our national values must not be permitted.

2

Təbiətin qanunlarına qarşı çıxmaq olmaz.

One cannot go against the laws of nature.

3

Bu qədər məsuliyyətsizliyə göz yummaq olmaz.

One cannot turn a blind eye to this much irresponsibility.

4

Hər oxuyana molla demək olmaz.

One shouldn't call everyone who reads a 'mullah' (Proverb: Don't judge by appearances).

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

Expressing Prohibition (Olmaz) در مقابل Olmaz vs. Qadağandır

Both mean 'forbidden', but 'qadağandır' is very formal and usually written.

Expressing Prohibition (Olmaz) در مقابل Olmaz vs. Bilməz

Learners use 'bilməz' (cannot) for permission.

Expressing Prohibition (Olmaz) در مقابل Olmaz vs. Yox

Using 'yox' to negate an action.

اشتباهات رایج

Mən olmaz getmək.

Mənə getmək olmaz.

You must use the dative case 'Mənə' and put 'olmaz' at the end.

Girmək yox.

Girmək olmaz.

'Yox' means 'no' or 'there is not', but 'olmaz' is the specific word for prohibition.

Sən olmaz danışmaq.

Sənə danışmaq olmaz.

Again, the person must be in the dative case.

Olmaz şəkil çəkmək.

Şəkil çəkmək olmaz.

The modal 'olmaz' usually comes at the very end of the sentence.

Mənə olmaz yemək şəkər.

Mənə şəkər yemək olmaz.

The object (şəkər) must come before the infinitive verb.

Burada park olar?

Burada maşın saxlamaq olar?

You need a verb (saxlamaq) with 'olar/olmaz', not just a noun.

Ona olmaz gəlir.

Ona gəlmək olmaz.

Never use a conjugated verb (gəlir) with 'olmaz'. Use the infinitive.

Mən bilmirəm girmək.

Mənə girmək olmaz.

Using 'bilmirəm' means 'I don't know how to enter', not 'I'm not allowed'.

Olmaz ki sən gəlmirsən?

Olmaz ki sən gələsən?

In the 'Olmaz ki' construction, the following verb should be in the optative/subjunctive.

Qadağandır girmək.

Girmək qadağandır.

While 'qadağandır' is correct, the word order is usually Verb + Qadağandır.

Olmazdı belə etmək.

Belə etmək olmazdı.

Past tense prohibition requires the suffix on 'olmaz', but the word order remains.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

Burada ___ olmaz.

Mənə ___ yemək olmaz.

___ sözünü kəsmək olmaz.

Olmaz ki, ___?

Real World Usage

Baku Metro constant

Qapılara söykənmək olmaz.

Family Dinner very common

Ağzında yemək varkən danışmaq olmaz.

Hospital Visit common

Palataya girmək olmaz.

Driving very common

Burada sola dönmək olmaz.

Social Media occasional

Şərhlərdə təhqir yazmaq olmaz.

Job Interview occasional

Gecikmək olmaz.

🎯

The 'Olar' Shortcut

Always remember that 'Olar' is the key to everything. Want to sit? 'Olar?' Want to enter? 'Olar?' It's the most useful word for a traveler.
⚠️

Don't use 'Yox'

Avoid saying 'Girmək yox'. It sounds like 'Entering no' and is a very common beginner mistake. Stick to 'olmaz'.
💬

The 'Ayıb' Connection

In Azerbaijan, 'olmaz' is often followed by 'ayıbdır' (it's shameful). This explains *why* it's not allowed—it's a social taboo.
💡

Dative Case

If you are talking about yourself, always use 'Mənə'. 'Mənə olmaz' = 'I'm not allowed'.

Smart Tips

Just say the verb + 'Olar?'. It's the fastest way to be polite.

Mən bura gəlirəm? Girmək olar?

Look for the word 'olmaz' or 'qadağandır'. They both mean 'Stop!'.

No parking sign Dayanmaq olmaz

Use 'Mənə ... olmaz' to explain allergies or doctor's orders.

Mən şəkər yemirəm. Mənə şəkər olmaz.

Start your sentence with 'Olmaz ki...'.

Biz sabah görüşək? Olmaz ki, sabah görüşək?

تلفظ

ol-MAZ

Stress on 'olmaz'

The stress in 'olmaz' falls on the second syllable: ol-MAZ.

get-MƏK

Infinitive stress

In the infinitive (e.g., getmək), the stress is on the suffix: get-MƏK.

Command/Prohibition

Olmaz! ↘

Falling intonation indicates a firm rule or command.

Polite Question

Olar? ↗

Rising intonation at the end turns it into a request for permission.

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

OLMAZ ends with 'Z', which looks like a 'No Entry' zigzag or a sleeping person (Zzz) you shouldn't wake up!

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a giant red octagon (stop sign) with the word OLMAZ written in white letters. Every time you see a rule, visualize this sign blocking the path.

Rhyme

Olar is okay, it's a sunny day. Olmaz is no, you cannot go!

Story

A traveler arrives in Baku and tries to park his car. A policeman points to a sign and says 'Olmaz!' The traveler tries to take a photo of a beautiful building. A guard says 'Olmaz!' Finally, he asks a waiter 'Olar?' pointing to a chair. The waiter smiles and says 'Olar!'

شبکه واژگان

olmazolarqadağandıricazəmümkünayıbgünah

چالش

Walk around your house and identify 5 things you 'olmaz' (e.g., 'Pəncərədən tullanmaq olmaz' - No jumping out the window).

نکات فرهنگی

Prohibitions are often framed as 'Ayıbdır' (It is shameful). Using 'olmaz' in these cases reinforces social harmony and respect for tradition.

In the Baku Metro, 'olmaz' is heard constantly through automated announcements, making it one of the first words foreigners learn.

In Tabriz, you might hear 'olmaz' used with a slightly different accent, often sounding more like 'olmazdı' in the past or conditional, reflecting Persian influence.

Derived from the Old Turkic verb 'bol-' (to become), which became 'ol-' in Oghuz Turkic. 'Olmaz' is the negative aorist form.

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

Burada şəkil çəkmək olar?

Sizə hansı yeməkləri yemək olmaz?

Dərsdə nələri etmək olmaz?

Olmaz ki, biz bu gün görüşək?

موضوعات نگارش

Write about the rules in your office or school using 'olmaz'.
Describe a time you wanted to do something but it was 'olmaz'.
Compare social rules in your country vs. Azerbaijan using 'olmaz'.

اشتباهات رایج

Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح

Test Yourself

Choose the correct way to say 'No smoking here'. چند گزینه‌ای

Burada ___ olmaz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: siqaret çəkmək
We must use the infinitive form (-maq/-mək).
Fill in the blank to say 'I am not allowed to eat sugar'.

___ şəkər yemək olmaz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mənə
The person must be in the dative case.
Correct the sentence: 'Girmək yox.' Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Girmək yox.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Girmək olmaz.
'Olmaz' is the correct word for prohibition.
Put the words in order: [olmaz] [danışmaq] [ucadan] Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ucadan danışmaq olmaz.
The verb phrase comes first, and 'olmaz' goes at the end.
Match the Azerbaijani to English. جفت کردن

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-May I enter? 2-No entry.
'Olar' is for permission, 'olmaz' is for prohibition.
Is this statement true or false? True False Rule

'Olmaz' changes its ending for 'Mən' (I) and 'Biz' (We).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Olmaz' is a fixed form and does not conjugate for person.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Olar keçim? B: Xeyr, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: olmaz
The negative response to 'Olar?' is 'Olmaz'.
Build a sentence meaning 'It is not allowed to speak in the library'. Sentence Building

Kitabxanada / danışmaq / olmaz

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kitabxanada danışmaq olmaz.
Place the location first, then the action, then 'olmaz'.

Score: /8

تمرین‌های عملی

8 exercises
Choose the correct way to say 'No smoking here'. چند گزینه‌ای

Burada ___ olmaz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: siqaret çəkmək
We must use the infinitive form (-maq/-mək).
Fill in the blank to say 'I am not allowed to eat sugar'.

___ şəkər yemək olmaz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mənə
The person must be in the dative case.
Correct the sentence: 'Girmək yox.' Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Girmək yox.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Girmək olmaz.
'Olmaz' is the correct word for prohibition.
Put the words in order: [olmaz] [danışmaq] [ucadan] Sentence Reorder

ucadan / olmaz / danışmaq

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ucadan danışmaq olmaz.
The verb phrase comes first, and 'olmaz' goes at the end.
Match the Azerbaijani to English. جفت کردن

1. Girmək olar? 2. Girmək olmaz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-May I enter? 2-No entry.
'Olar' is for permission, 'olmaz' is for prohibition.
Is this statement true or false? True False Rule

'Olmaz' changes its ending for 'Mən' (I) and 'Biz' (We).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Olmaz' is a fixed form and does not conjugate for person.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Olar keçim? B: Xeyr, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: olmaz
The negative response to 'Olar?' is 'Olmaz'.
Build a sentence meaning 'It is not allowed to speak in the library'. Sentence Building

Kitabxanada / danışmaq / olmaz

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kitabxanada danışmaq olmaz.
Place the location first, then the action, then 'olmaz'.

Score: /8

سوالات متداول (8)

'Yox' means 'no' or 'there isn't'. 'Olmaz' specifically means 'it is not allowed' or 'it shouldn't happen'.

No. For skills, use the potential mood: 'Mən piano çala bilmirəm'. 'Olmaz' would mean you are forbidden from playing.

It depends on intonation. A sharp 'Olmaz!' can be blunt, but 'Burada olmaz' is a standard way to state a rule.

Use the past tense of 'olmaq': 'Mənə olmazdı'.

It's a way to suggest something politely, like 'Couldn't we...?' or 'Is it not possible that...?'

Yes, 'olmaz' almost always follows the infinitive form of the verb.

Yes, Turkish uses 'olmaz' in a very similar way, though they also use 'yasak' (forbidden) frequently.

Yes, in contexts like 'Bu qapını açmaq olmaz' (It's impossible to open this door).

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

No se puede / Prohibido

Azerbaijani 'olmaz' is much more common in casual speech than 'No se puede'.

French moderate

Il ne faut pas / Interdit

Azerbaijani uses the same word 'olmaz' for both social advice and strict signs.

German high

Man darf nicht / Verboten

German requires a subject ('man'), while Azerbaijani can just use the infinitive + 'olmaz'.

Japanese high

...te wa ikemasen

Japanese has many levels of politeness for this rule, whereas 'olmaz' is quite universal.

Arabic moderate

Mamnu' (ممنوع)

Arabic 'Mamnu'' is a noun/adjective, while 'olmaz' is a verb form.

Chinese high

Bu ke yi (不可以)

Chinese puts the modal before the verb, while Azerbaijani puts it after.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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