Japanese word

いけない

Pronunciation

Romajiikenai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivewrong

Example

うそをつくのはいけないことです。u so o tsu ku no wa i ke na i ko to de su

Lying is wrong.

Illustration for いけない (wrong)

More examples

困っている友達を笑ってはいけないです。koma tte i ru tomo dachi o wara tte wa i ke na i de su

You must not laugh at a friend who is in trouble.

Core concept

Marks something as not acceptable, whether because it is morally wrong, unsuitable, or outside an allowed standard.

Common phrases

  • してはいけないshi te wa i ke na i

    must not do ___

  • なければいけないna ke re ba i ke na i

    must ___

  • いけないことi ke na i ko to

    something wrong

Similar words

悪いwarui: Describes a person, action, or situation as bad, wrong, or harmful.
まずいmazui: Describes something as problematic, awkward, or likely to lead to trouble.

Definition in Japanese

物事が正しくなく、受け入れたり許したりできないさま。mono goto ga tada shi ku na ku u ke i re ta ri yuru shi ta ri de ki na i sa ma

Word origin

The form いけない (ikenai) combines 行く (iku, "go") with ない (nai, "not"), shifting from the idea of not being able to go to the idea of something being unacceptable.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese dialogue, いけない (ikenai) can stand alone as a short warning, so no noun needs to follow it.

Other meanings

  • badi-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word