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いけない

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Japanese

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Alternative spelling
行けない

Etymology

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Negative form of 行ける (ikeru), the potential form of 行く (iku).

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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いけない (ikenai-i (adverbial いけなく (ikenaku))

  1. bad, naughty
    いけない()
    Ikenai ko da ne.
    You're a naughty child.
  2. (ては~) it's bad if...
    宿(しゅく)(だい)をしなくてはいけない
    Shukudai o shinakute wa ikenai.
    I have to do my homework.
    (literally, “It's bad if I don't do my homework.”)
    ポイ()してはいけない
    Poisute shite wa ikenai.
    Please don't litter.
    (literally, “It's bad to litter.”)

Usage notes

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The “it's bad if …” sense is similar to ならない (naranai) or だめ (dame), but appeals to morals instead of rules. ならない (naranai) is used for something you're not allowed to do, and いけない (ikenai) is used for something that you shouldn't do because it brings about an unwanted result. However, this doesn't mean that いけない (ikenai) (e.g. in ~てはいけない (~te wa ikenai)) makes it a request instead of a demand.

Inflection

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Synonyms

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Interjection

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いけない (ikenai

  1. Oh no!
    いけない()(こく)する!
    Ikenai, chikoku suru!
    Oh no! I'm going to be late!