olmaz

Olmaz as Prohibition

Level 3

[Verb Stem] + -maq/-mək + olmaz
Used to say 'one must not', 'it is not allowed', or 'it is impossible'.

How It Works

In Azerbaijani, olmaz is the most common way to set boundaries or state rules. It is less direct than a command and instead appeals to a general truth or external regulation.

1. Structure:
The pattern always uses the full infinitive form of the verb. You must follow vowel harmony:

  • Use -maq olmaz after back vowels (a, ı, o, u).
  • Use -mək olmaz after front vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü).

2. Usage Contexts:

  • Prohibition: Used on signs or in speech to forbid actions (e.g., 'No smoking').
  • Social Norms: Used to teach children or explain etiquette (e.g., 'Don't interrupt').
  • Permission: It is the standard negative response to the question Olar? (May I?).

3. Impersonal Nature:
Unlike English 'You cannot', olmaz does not change based on the person. It is a general statement that applies to everyone.

Examples (5)

  1. Burada siqaret çəkmək olmaz.

    Smoking is not allowed here.

    Word by Word: Here cigarette to-pull it-becomes-not.

    A standard way to state a rule or prohibition in a public place.

  2. Böyüklərin sözünü kəsmək olmaz.

    One must not interrupt elders.

    Word by Word: Elders' word-their to-cut it-becomes-not.

    Here, it expresses a social norm or moral expectation rather than a legal rule.

  3. Bu qapıdan girmək olmaz.

    You cannot enter through this door.

    Word by Word: This door-from to-enter it-becomes-not.

    Indicates that entry is physically or legally restricted.

  4. Yalan danışmaq olmaz.

    One should not tell lies.

    Word by Word: Lie to-speak it-becomes-not.

    A general moral rule often taught to children.

  5. A: Olar? B: Xeyr, olmaz!

    A: May I? B: No, you may not!

    Word by Word: A: It-becomes? B: No, it-becomes-not!

    Shows how 'olmaz' is used as a direct one-word refusal of permission.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the verb stem without the infinitive suffix.

    Gəl olmaz.
    Gəlmək olmaz.

    Olmaz must always follow the full infinitive (-maq/-mək). Using just the stem is grammatically incorrect.

  • Trying to conjugate 'olmaz' for a specific person.

    Sən getmək olmazsan.
    Sənə getmək olmaz.

    Olmaz is impersonal. To specify who is prohibited, use the dative case for the person (e.g., 'Sənə' - to you), but 'olmaz' itself never changes.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

olmazLevel 3Olmaz as Prohibition

Learn This First

To understand 'olmaz' as a prohibition, learners need to recognize it as the negative aorist form of the verb 'olmaq'. It is syntactically identical to the 'olar' (permission) pattern, where an infinitive or action phrase acts as the subject of the negative existential-like predicate.

Words in This Pattern

olmazolmaq