Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-(으)면 안 되다
must not, not allowed to
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Expresses prohibition: 'must not, not allowed to'. Used for rules and for refusing permission (아니요, 들어가면 안 돼요).
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가면 안 돼요 |
| 찍다 | → 찍으면 안 돼요 |
| 만들다 | → 만들면 안 돼요 |
| 듣다 | → 들으면 안 돼요 |
Examples
박물관 안에서 사진을 찍으면 안 돼요.
You can't take pictures inside the museum.
감기에 걸렸으니까 찬물을 마시면 안 돼요.
You have a cold, so you shouldn't drink cold water.
Compared with similar patterns
-지 마세요 is a direct request ('please don't'); -(으)면 안 되다 states the rule. -아/어도 되다 is the opposite (permission). -지 않으면 안 되다 is a double negative meaning 'must'.