Must Not: Expressing Prohibition with -(으)면 안 되다
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)면 안 되다 to express that an action is prohibited or not allowed.
- Attach -면 안 되다 to vowel-ending verb stems (e.g., 가다 -> 가면 안 돼요).
- Attach -으면 안 되다 to consonant-ending verb stems (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹으면 안 돼요).
- Use this to deny permission or state a rule (e.g., 여기에서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요).
Overview
Prohibition is a fundamental communicative act. In Korean, the most versatile and widely used grammatical pattern for expressing "must not" or "it is not allowed" is -(으)면 안 되다 (romanization: _-(eu)myeon an doeda_). This structure effectively conveys that a specific action or state is impermissible, undesirable, or against a rule.
Its utility spans from official directives to strong personal advice, making it an essential component for any elementary learner.
At its core, -(으)면 안 되다 is a logical construction built from three distinct elements: the conditional ending -(으)면 (meaning "if" or "when"), the negative adverb 안 ("not"), and the verb 되다 (meaning "to become," "to be possible/okay," or "to work"). When these components combine, the literal interpretation becomes "if [action/state], it is not okay/possible." This inherent conditional logic is crucial for understanding its nuanced application, as it establishes a consequence (it's not okay) tied to a premise (the action).
Unlike direct imperatives like "don't do X," which often carry a stronger, more personal command, -(으)면 안 되다 presents the prohibition as a more objective statement of fact or a general rule. This makes it suitable for a broader range of contexts, from formal regulations to polite warnings. Its prevalence in daily Korean communication underscores its importance for A2 learners aiming for functional fluency.
How This Grammar Works
안 되다. The -(으)면 part indicates a condition, establishing a hypothetical scenario. The subsequent 안 되다 then asserts that the outcome of that condition is unfavorable, prohibited, or simply not permissible.먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹으면 안 되다 (if you eat, it's not okay), translating to "You must not eat" or "Eating is not allowed."되다, is the conjugated element that determines the politeness level and tense of the entire expression. The preceding -(으)면 clause remains constant in its form, with only 되다 undergoing conjugation. This is a common characteristic in Korean grammar where the final predicate carries the burden of formality and temporality.되다 is therefore paramount for accurate usage of -(으)면 안 되다.되다 in various speech styles, which then dictates the overall tone of the prohibition:되다 Conjugation | Example (하다 -> 하면) | English Translation |됩니다 | 하면 안 됩니다 | You must not do (formal, strong prohibition) |돼요 | 하면 안 돼요 | You must not do (standard, general prohibition) |돼 | 하면 안 돼 | You must not do (casual, familiar prohibition) |돼 is used for 되어요 in the standard polite and casual forms. This contraction is a critical point for learners, as discussed in the "Common Mistakes" section. The choice of politeness level depends entirely on your relationship with the listener and the context of the situation.안 됩니다 is appropriate for public announcements or strict regulations, 안 돼요 for most daily interactions, and 안 돼 for close friends or subordinates.Formation Pattern
-(으)면 안 되다 is governed by the final sound of the verb or adjective stem. This follows the standard Korean conjugation rules for conditional clauses, primarily differentiating between stems ending in a vowel versus a consonant.
-면 안 되다. There is no need for the buffer vowel 으 because the vowel sound allows for smooth phonetic connection.
하 | 하다 | 하면 | 하면 안 돼요 | You must not do. |
가 | 가다 | 가면 | 가면 안 돼요 | You must not go. |
오 | 오다 | 오면 | 오면 안 돼요 | You must not come. |
보 | 보다 | 보면 | 보면 안 돼요 | You must not see/watch. |
ㄹ), you attach -으면 안 되다. The 으 acts as a crucial phonetic buffer, preventing awkward consonant clusters and aiding pronunciation. This is consistent with many other Korean grammar forms that require a buffer vowel after consonant-final stems.
먹 | 먹다 | 먹으면 | 먹으면 안 돼요 | You must not eat. |
앉 | 앉다 | 앉으면 | 앉으면 안 돼요 | You must not sit. |
읽 | 읽다 | 읽으면 | 읽으면 안 돼요 | You must not read. |
찾 | 찾다 | 찾으면 | 찾으면 안 돼요 | You must not find/look for. |
ㄹ (L-final stems):
ㄹ-final stems distinctly. For -(으)면, the ㄹ behaves like a vowel-final stem, meaning you attach -면 directly without the 으 buffer. This is because the ㄹ itself can function somewhat like a fluid connection, preventing the need for an additional vowel.
열 | 열다 | 열면 | 열면 안 돼요 | You must not open. |
놀 | 놀다 | 놀면 | 놀면 안 돼요 | You must not play. |
만들| 만들다 | 만들면 | 만들면 안 돼요 | You must not make. |
ㄷ irregular verbs:
ㄷ is followed by a vowel, the ㄷ changes to ㄹ. Since -(으)면 starts with a vowel (으), this irregularity applies. After the ㄷ changes to ㄹ, the stem effectively becomes an ㄹ-final stem, and thus -으면 attaches.
듣 | 듣다 | 들 | 들으면 | 들으면 안 돼요 | You must not listen. |
걷 | 걷다 | 걸 | 걸으면 | 걸으면 안 돼요 | You must not walk. |
ㅂ irregular verbs:
ㅂ, when followed by a vowel, the ㅂ changes to 우 (or 오 in some rare cases like 돕다). This new 우/오 ending is a vowel, so you then attach -면 (as per the vowel-final rule).
춥 | 춥다 | 추우 | 추우면 | 추우면 안 돼요 | It must not be cold. |
맵 | 맵다 | 매우 | 매우면 | 매우면 안 돼요 | It must not be spicy. |
어렵| 어렵다 | 어려우 | 어려우면 | 어려우면 안 돼요 | It must not be difficult. |
ㅅ irregular verbs:
ㅅ-final stems are followed by a vowel, the ㅅ drops. However, unlike ㅂ irregulars, the preceding vowel remains, and the 으 from -(으)면 is still required, effectively making it a vowel-final stem that receives -으면 (because the 으 was already there).
낫 | 낫다 | 나 | 나으면 | 나으면 안 돼요 | You must not recover. |
잇 | 잇다 | 이 | 이으면 | 이으면 안 돼요 | You must not connect. |
낫다 and 잇다 are less common in prohibition contexts, understanding the ㅅ irregular pattern solidifies your grasp of general Korean conjugation, which directly applies here. Always be mindful of these irregularities as they are foundational to correct Korean grammar application.
When To Use It
-(으)면 안 되다 makes it applicable in numerous daily situations where a prohibition or strong negative sentiment about a conditional action is expressed. Its primary function is to state rules or general conditions under which something is impermissible. This differs subtly but significantly from direct commands.- 1Stating General Rules and Regulations: This is the most common use case. Whether in public spaces, institutions, or official documents,
-(으)면 안 되다is the standard way to inform people about what is not permitted. It presents the prohibition as an objective fact, not a personal order.
도서관에서 떠들면 안 돼요.(_Doseogwan-eseo tteodeulmyeon an dwaeyo._) – You must not make noise in the library. (A general rule for libraries.)여기에 주차하면 안 됩니다.(_Yeogie juchahamyeon an doemnida._) – You must not park here. (A sign or formal instruction.)
- 1Giving Strong Advice or Warnings: When you want to advise someone strongly against an action, or warn them of negative consequences,
-(으)면 안 되다is highly effective. It implies that the action would lead to an undesirable outcome.
너무 늦게 자면 안 돼.(_Neomu neutge jamyeon an dwae._) – You shouldn't sleep too late. (Friendly, concerned advice.)그 사람을 믿으면 안 돼요.(_Geu saram-eul mideumyeon an dwaeyo._) – You must not trust that person. (A warning about someone's character.)
- 1Expressing Undesirable Outcomes or Wishes: This pattern can also be used to express a strong desire that a certain negative event not occur. The "if" clause often becomes a hypothetical future event that the speaker wishes to avoid.
내일 비가 오면 안 되는데…(_Naeil biga omyeon an doenunde…_) – It shouldn't rain tomorrow… (Expressing a hope that rain won't happen, often with-(으)면 안 되는데to add a sense of worry or mild complaint.)시험에 떨어지면 안 돼요.(_Siheom-e tteoreojimyeon an dwaeyo._) – I must not fail the exam. (Expressing personal resolve or anxiety about a negative outcome.)
- 1Describing Inappropriate States or Qualities (with Adjectives): As noted, this pattern also works with adjectives. Here, it signifies that a particular state or quality is unacceptable or should not be present.
음식이 너무 매우면 안 돼요.(_Eumsigi neomu maewumyeon an dwaeyo._) – The food must not be too spicy. (Stating a preference or condition for the food.)교실이 시끄러우면 안 됩니다.(_Gyosiri sikkeureoumyeon an doemnida._) – The classroom must not be noisy. (A rule about the state of the classroom.)
-(으)면 안 되다 is your go-to pattern. It frames the prohibition within a conditional context, making it a powerful tool for explaining the boundaries of permissible behavior or states in Korean.Common Mistakes
-(으)면 안 되다, particularly concerning contractions and differentiating its usage from similar negative expressions. Addressing these common pitfalls is key to achieving native-like fluency.- 1
안 되vs.안 돼(Spelling Contraction): This is arguably the most frequent and persistent mistake, even among native Korean speakers. The confusion arises because되and돼sound identical to many. The correct polite ending is안 돼요, and the casual ending is안 돼. The general rule is that돼is a contraction of되어. Therefore, if you can replace돼with되어and the sentence still makes sense, then돼is correct.
하/해 replacement rule. If you are unsure whether to use 되 or 돼, try replacing it with 하 or 해. If 하 sounds natural, use 되. If 해 sounds natural, use 돼.- Test 1:
안 돼요vs.안 되요? - Replace
되with하:안 하요(Incorrect, doesn't sound natural) - Replace
돼with해:안 해요(Correct, sounds natural) - Conclusion:
안 돼요is correct because안 해요works.
- Test 2:
안 되면vs.안 돼면? - Replace
되with하:안 하면(Correct, sounds natural) - Replace
돼with해:안 해면(Incorrect, doesn't sound natural) - Conclusion:
안 되면is correct because안 하면works.
되/돼 distinction correctly in all contexts, including -(으)면 안 되다.- 1Confusing
-(으)면 안 되다with-지 마세요: Both patterns express prohibition, but their nuances are distinct.-지 마세요(or-지 마라casually) is a direct imperative, a command from the speaker to the listener. It is more personal and often carries a stronger, more confrontational tone. For example,가지 마세요("Don't go") is a direct order.
-(으)면 안 되다 states a general rule or condition. It frames the prohibition as an objective fact or a societal expectation, rather than a personal command. 가면 안 돼요 ("You must not go" or "Going is not allowed") feels less like a direct order and more like a statement about the inadmissibility of the action within a given context. When you are reminding someone of a rule or the general inappropriateness of an action, -(으)면 안 되다 is preferred. When you are personally telling someone not to do something, -지 마세요 is used.담배를 피우지 마세요.(_Dambaereul piji maseyo._) – Don't smoke. (A direct command from speaker to listener.)여기에서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요.(_Yeogieseo dambaereul piumyeon an dwaeyo._) – You must not smoke here. (Stating a general rule about smoking in this location.)
- 1Overuse of Formal Speech: While
안 됩니다is correct, using it in casual settings or with close acquaintances can sound overly stiff, authoritative, or even rude. Learners sometimes default to formal speech out of politeness, but context-appropriate politeness involves selecting the right speech level. For most daily interactions,안 돼요is the safest and most natural choice.
- 1Incorrect Irregular Verb Application: Failing to apply the
ㄷ,ㅂ, andㅅirregular verb rules during the-(으)면attachment phase can lead to grammatically incorrect forms. Reviewing and practicing these irregular conjugations in general will greatly improve accuracy when forming-(으)면 안 되다constructions.
하/해 trick, understanding the contextual differences between -(으)면 안 되다 and -지 마세요, and being mindful of speech levels and irregular verbs, learners can effectively overcome the most common obstacles associated with this essential grammar point.Real Conversations
To truly grasp -(으)면 안 되다, observing its natural application in various conversational contexts is crucial. This pattern appears in formal settings, casual chats, and even subtle expressions of personal wishes.
Scenario 1
A student (학생) is about to eat food in a lecture hall. A teaching assistant (조교) stops them.
조교: 죄송하지만, 강의실에서는 음식을 먹으면 안 돼요. (_Jo-gyo: Joesonghajiman, ganguisir-eseoneun eumsigeul meogeumyeon an dwaeyo._)
TA
학생: 아, 죄송합니다. 몰랐어요. (_Haksaeng: A, joesonghamnida. Mollasseoyo._)
Student
Here, 먹으면 안 돼요 is used to state a general rule in a polite, objective manner.
Scenario 2
Two friends, Minji (민지) and Jisoo (지수), are talking about a difficult exam.
민지: 지수야, 밤새서 공부하면 안 돼. 건강 망쳐. (_Minji: Jisoo-ya, bamsaeseo gongbuhamyeon an dwae. Geongang mangchyeo._)
Minji
지수: 알겠어. 근데 걱정돼서 잠이 안 와. (_Jisoo: Algesseo. Geunde geokjeongdwaeseo jami an wa._)
Jisoo
Minji uses 밤새서 공부하면 안 돼 to give strong, concerned advice to her friend, employing the casual 안 돼.
Scenario 3
A colleague (동료) is preparing a presentation and is worried about making a mistake.
동료: 이번 발표는 정말 중요해요. 실수하면 안 돼요. (_Dongnyo: Ibeon balpyoneun jeongmal jungyohaeyo. Silsuhamyeon an dwaeyo._)
Colleague
Here, 실수하면 안 돼요 expresses the speaker's strong internal resolve or anxiety about avoiding a negative outcome. It's not a rule directed at someone else, but an internal imperative.
Scenario 4
On a notice board in a park:
잔디밭에 들어가면 안 됩니다. (_Jandibat-e deureogamyeon an doemnida._)
You must not enter the grass. (Prohibited on the lawn.)
This formal usage (안 됩니다) is typical for public signs and formal regulations, emphasizing strict prohibition.
These examples illustrate how -(으)면 안 되다 adapts its tone and specific function based on context and the relationship between speakers, while consistently conveying the core meaning of prohibition or inadmissibility.
Quick FAQ
-(으)면 안 되다.-(으)면 안 되다 with adjectives?Yes, absolutely. When used with adjectives, it expresses that a certain state or quality is not permissible, desirable, or suitable. The meaning shifts from prohibiting an action to stating that a condition or attribute should not exist. For example, if you are ordering coffee, you might say 너무 뜨거우면 안 돼요. (_Neomu tteugeoumyeon an dwaeyo._) – "It must not be too hot." This sets a condition for the desired state of the coffee, indicating that the state of "being too hot" is unacceptable.
While grammatically correct, directly using -(으)면 안 돼요 or -(으)면 안 됩니다 towards an elder or superior can indeed sound impolite or overly direct, especially if it implies giving them a directive. It can come across as telling them what they cannot or should not do. In Korean culture, such directness can be perceived as disrespectful. Instead, it's often softer to phrase it as a suggestion or a question, or to use more indirect expressions. For instance, instead of 여기서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요. (telling an elder not to smoke), you might say 죄송하지만, 이곳은 금연구역입니다. (_Joesonghajiman, igoseun geumyeon-guyeokimnida._) – "Excuse me, but this is a non-smoking area." This states the rule objectively without directly addressing the elder's action.
-(으)면 안 되다 primarily focuses on present or future prohibitions. To express regret about a past action – "I shouldn't have done X" – Korean uses different constructions. A common way is -(으)면 안 됐어요 (_-(eu)myeon an dwaesseoyo_), which literally means "it shouldn't have been like that" or "it wasn't supposed to be like that." This can convey regret about a past state or outcome. However, a more direct and common pattern for expressing regret about one's own past actions is -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 (e.g., 안 갈걸 그랬어요 – "I shouldn't have gone") or -(으)지 말았어야 했어요 (e.g., 가지 말았어야 했어요 – "I should not have gone"). These specifically convey a sense of a missed opportunity or a wrong choice made in the past.
-(으)면 안 되다?The direct opposite meaning, "it is allowed to do X" or "you may do X," is expressed using -(으)면 되다 or -(아/어/여)도 되다. -(으)면 되다 (e.g., 먹으면 돼요 – "You just need to eat" or "It's okay if you eat") focuses on sufficiency or possibility, implying that if you do X, everything will be fine. -(아/어/여)도 되다 (e.g., 먹어도 돼요 – "You may eat" or "It's okay to eat") explicitly grants permission. Understanding these contrasting patterns helps solidify your grasp of the nuances of permission and prohibition in Korean.
안 대 instead of 안 돼 in casual writing or online?This is a form of informal, phonetic spelling common in online communication, particularly texting or social media. It's similar to how English speakers might use "u" instead of "you" or "lol" for "laughing out loud." 대 is an informal simplification of 돼 (which, as established, is 되어). While widely understood in casual contexts, it is strictly incorrect in formal writing, academic work, or any situation requiring standard Korean orthography. As a learner, always strive to use the correct 돼 for both reading and writing to avoid embedding incorrect habits.
Conjugation of -(으)면 안 되다
| Verb Stem | Ending | Result | Polite Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가
|
-면
|
가면 안 되다
|
가면 안 돼요
|
|
먹
|
-으면
|
먹으면 안 되다
|
먹으면 안 돼요
|
|
보
|
-면
|
보면 안 되다
|
보면 안 돼요
|
|
읽
|
-으면
|
읽으면 안 되다
|
읽으면 안 돼요
|
|
쓰
|
-면
|
쓰면 안 되다
|
쓰면 안 돼요
|
|
듣
|
-으면
|
들으면 안 되다
|
들으면 안 돼요
|
Meanings
This grammar pattern is used to express that an action is forbidden, prohibited, or that permission is not granted.
Prohibition
Stating that an action is against the rules or prohibited.
“주차장에 차를 세우면 안 돼요.”
“수업 시간에 떠들면 안 돼요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Prohibition)
|
Verb + (으)면 안 되다
|
먹으면 안 돼요
|
|
Formal
|
Verb + (으)면 안 됩니다
|
먹으면 안 됩니다
|
|
Casual
|
Verb + (으)면 안 돼
|
먹으면 안 돼
|
|
Past (Hypothetical)
|
Verb + (으)면 안 됐어요
|
먹으면 안 됐어요
|
|
Question
|
Verb + (으)면 안 돼요?
|
먹으면 안 돼요?
|
|
Negative (Permission)
|
Verb + -아/어도 돼요
|
먹어도 돼요
|
Formality Spectrum
들어오면 안 됩니다. (General)
들어오면 안 돼요. (General)
들어오면 안 돼. (General)
들어오지 마. (General)
Prohibition Logic
Rules
- 금지 Prohibited
Social
- 예의 Etiquette
Examples by Level
여기에서 먹으면 안 돼요.
You must not eat here.
뛰면 안 돼요.
You must not run.
전화를 하면 안 돼요.
You must not make calls.
사진을 찍으면 안 돼요.
You must not take photos.
밤 10시 이후에 소리를 크게 하면 안 돼요.
You must not make loud noises after 10 PM.
수업 시간에 자면 안 돼요.
You must not sleep during class.
길에서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요.
You must not smoke on the street.
허락 없이 물건을 가져가면 안 돼요.
You must not take items without permission.
공공장소에서 욕을 하면 안 됩니다.
You must not use profanity in public places.
운전 중에 휴대폰을 사용하면 안 돼요.
You must not use a mobile phone while driving.
음식물을 가지고 지하철을 타면 안 돼요.
You must not board the subway with food.
개인적인 질문을 너무 많이 하면 안 돼요.
You must not ask too many personal questions.
규정을 어기면 안 됩니다.
You must not violate the regulations.
환경을 오염시키면 안 돼요.
You must not pollute the environment.
타인의 사생활을 침해하면 안 돼요.
You must not infringe on others' privacy.
안전 장비 없이 작업하면 안 됩니다.
You must not work without safety equipment.
법적인 절차를 무시하면 안 됩니다.
One must not ignore legal procedures.
공적인 자리에서 감정을 드러내면 안 돼요.
One must not show emotions in a public setting.
역사적 사실을 왜곡하면 안 됩니다.
One must not distort historical facts.
권력을 남용하면 안 돼요.
One must not abuse power.
윤리적 기준을 저버리면 안 됩니다.
One must not abandon ethical standards.
문화적 다양성을 폄하하면 안 돼요.
One must not disparage cultural diversity.
자연의 섭리를 거스르면 안 됩니다.
One must not go against the laws of nature.
언어의 미묘한 차이를 간과하면 안 돼요.
One must not overlook the nuances of language.
Easily Confused
Both translate to 'cannot' in English.
These are opposites (permission vs. prohibition).
Both are prohibitions.
Common Mistakes
가면 안 되요
가면 안 돼요
먹으면 안
먹으면 안 돼요
가면 안 된다
가면 안 돼요
먹다 안 돼요
먹으면 안 돼요
가면 안 할 수 없어요
가면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 되세요
먹으면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 될 거예요
먹으면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 되는 것 같아요
먹으면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 되게 해요
먹으면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 되시나요?
먹으면 안 되나요?
먹으면 안 되도록 되어 있습니다
먹으면 안 됩니다
먹으면 안 될 리가 없어요
먹으면 안 돼요
먹으면 안 되게끔 하세요
먹으면 안 됩니다
Sentence Patterns
여기에서 ___ (으)면 안 돼요.
___ (으)면 안 됩니다.
밤에 ___ (으)면 안 돼요.
수업 시간에 ___ (으)면 안 돼요.
Real World Usage
여기에서 떠들면 안 돼요.
음식을 먹으면 안 됩니다.
회의 중에 나가면 안 돼요.
꽃을 꺾으면 안 돼요.
늦게 전화하면 안 돼.
숙제를 안 하면 안 돼요.
Check the stem
Don't use honorifics
Use for rules
Be polite
Smart Tips
Use '안 됩니다' instead of '안 돼요' in professional settings.
Ask '여기에서 하면 안 돼요?' to confirm a rule.
Look for the verb and add '-면 안 돼요' to understand the sign.
Use '안 돼' for a casual, friendly tone.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄴ' in 안 flows into the 'ㄷ' of 되다.
Falling
먹으면 안 돼요↘
Firm prohibition.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '안' as 'No' and '되다' as 'Okay.' If you do it, it's 'No Okay' (Not okay).
Visual Association
Imagine a red 'X' sign over an action. Every time you see that X, say '-(으)면 안 돼요!'
Rhyme
If you do it, it's not okay, just say '-(으)면 안 돼요' today!
Story
Min-su was running in the library. The librarian pointed at him and said, '뛰면 안 돼요!' Min-su stopped immediately. He learned that rules are important.
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, look around your room and identify 3 things you 'must not' do (e.g., '침대에서 먹으면 안 돼요').
Cultural Notes
Koreans often use this to show concern for others' safety, not just to be bossy.
Derived from the conditional '-(으)면' (if) and the verb '되다' (to become/to be okay).
Conversation Starters
여기에서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
도서관에서 음식을 먹으면 돼요?
수업 시간에 질문하면 안 되나요?
회사에서 개인적인 전화를 하면 안 되나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
피우___
수업 시간에 자면 안 돼요.
Find and fix the mistake:
먹으면 안 되요
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
You must not run.
Answer starts with: 뛰면 ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 여기에서 사진 찍어도 돼요? B: 아니요, ___.
떠들다
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises피우___
수업 시간에 자면 안 돼요.
Find and fix the mistake:
먹으면 안 되요
안 / 먹으면 / 돼요
You must not run.
가다
A: 여기에서 사진 찍어도 돼요? B: 아니요, ___.
떠들다
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercises위험하니까 거기로 ___ 안 돼. (It's dangerous so you shouldn't go there. - 가다)
You shouldn't drink alcohol today.
You must not take a photo here.
Choose the sentence that is appropriate for a formal public announcement.
Match correctly:
음악을 듵으면 안 돼요.
밤에 창문을 ___ 안 돼요. (You shouldn't open the window at night. - 열다)
You must not look at the answers first.
You shouldn't cry.
Context: Your friend wants to text her ex. You say:
날씨가 춥으면 안 돼요.
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Yes, e.g., '내가 하면 안 돼요?' (Can I not do it?).
It can be formal if you use '안 됩니다'.
Yes, '먹으면 안 됐어요' (It was not allowed).
It is a spelling rule.
No, use '수 없다'.
Not if used correctly with polite endings.
Yes, it is very common.
Treat it like a vowel-ending verb.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No se puede + infinitive
Spanish uses the impersonal 'se', while Korean uses the conditional 'if'.
Il est interdit de...
Korean is more flexible with formality levels.
Man darf nicht...
Korean focuses on the outcome of the action.
〜てはいけない
The grammatical particles differ.
不可以...
Korean is more verb-centric.
ممنوع
Korean uses a conditional verb structure.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Short Negation with 안 (Don't/Not)
Overview Korean negation allows you to express what is not, what you don't do, or what isn't true. Among the various neg...
If & When: The (으)면 Ending
Overview In Korean, the connective ending `(으)면` (eumyeon/myeon) is a foundational grammatical structure that expresse...
Related Grammar Rules
No choice but to... (-ㄹ/을 수밖에 없다)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다` is a powerful expression of inevitability. It conveys that du...
Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)
Overview Korean, like English, distinguishes between habitual or general actions and actions that are actively in progre...
To the Absolute Max: (-ㄹ/을 대로)
Overview Korean grammar employs `-(ㄹ/을) 대로` to express that a state or action has reached its absolute **utmost limi...
Just/Only: Emphatic Limitation (-ㄹ/을 뿐이다)
Overview At the B2 CEFR level in Korean, you're moving beyond basic sentence construction to express nuanced ideas, subt...
Logically Likely: -ㄹ/을 법하다
Overview `-(으)ㄹ 법하다` is a Korean grammar pattern that expresses a logical likelihood, plausibility, or reasonable e...
