нельзя́
- 1.
one must not, it is not allowed, one should not, it is forbidden
Здесь нельзя́ кури́ть.
You can't smoke here.
With imperfective infinitive it states a ban; often used alone as a flat 'no!'
- 2.
one cannot, it is impossible
Тако́е нельзя́ забы́ть.
Such a thing cannot be forgotten.
States that something is impossible rather than forbidden.
Usage info
Always use нельзя́ to negate мо́жно (never не мо́жно)
a) Using perfective with нельзя means that the action is impossible: Дверь нельзя открыть = The door cannot be opened (it doesn't open).
b) Using imperfective with нельзя means that the action is prohibited or undesirable: Здесь нельзя курить = No smoking.
Examples
Во́лка нельзя приручи́ть.
A wolf cannot be tamed.
Нельзя ходи́ть по гости́нице го́лым.
You can't go naked in this hotel.
Нельзя пригото́вить яи́чницу, не разбив яи́ц.
You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Typical usagePRO
Prohibition: basic patterns
нельзя́ + инфинити́в
must not; it’s not allowed to + verb
здесь нельзя́ + инфинити́в
not allowed here to + verb
нельзя́ так де́лать
you can’t/shouldn’t do that
With a person (dative)
кому́ нельзя́ + инфинити́в
someone must not/cannot + verb (dative + infinitive)
мне нельзя́ сла́дкого
I shouldn’t have sweets (for health reasons)
ему́ нельзя́ сади́ться за руль
he must not get behind the wheel; he may not drive
Emphasis and limits
ни в ко́ем слу́чае нельзя́ + инфинити́в
under no circumstances must one + verb
ника́к нельзя́ + инфинити́в
there’s absolutely no way to + verb (allowed/possible)
пока́ нельзя́ + инфинити́в
not allowed/possible yet to + verb
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Contributions
Iron edited translation 1 month ago.
nrimanliyev edited translation 2 months ago.
Sandy edited usage info 3 years ago.
