מותר / אסור

Permission and Prohibition

Level 3

מותר means it is allowed and אסור means it is forbidden in these constructions. A ל-form can identify the person concerned.

How It Works

The Action

Use an actual infinitive: מותר לדבר, it is allowed to speak; אסור לצלם, photography is forbidden. The impersonal word does not take the personal agreement pattern of רוצה or יכול.

The Person Concerned

Add לי, לך, לה or another ל-form when relevant: אסור להם להיכנס. The person is identified through that ל-form, not by turning אסור into a plural agreeing with them.

Permission, Ability or an Instruction

מותר לי can say I have permission, while אני יכול can say I have the ability or possibility. אל תצלמי directly tells one woman not to photograph. אסור לצלם states a prohibition without selecting one addressee. These are different messages even when they concern the same action.

Examples (4)

  1. מותר לי להיכנס.

    I am allowed to enter.

    לי identifies the person with permission.

  2. מותר לנו לדבר כאן.

    We are allowed to speak here.

    The impersonal מותר stays unchanged.

  3. אסור לצלם כאן.

    Photography is forbidden here.

    The prohibition names an action with an infinitive.

  4. אסור להם להיכנס.

    They are not allowed to enter.

    להם identifies the people concerned.

Common Mistakes

  • Giving impersonal permission a plural form for its experiencer.

    מותרים לנו לדבר כאן.
    מותר לנו לדבר כאן.

    In this impersonal action construction, keep מותר and name us with לנו.

How It Connects

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

מותר / אסורLevel 3Permission and Prohibition

Learn This First

Express permission or prohibition for an infinitive activity.