ne smem + Infinitive

Not Being Allowed to Do Something

Level 4

Ne smem with an infinitive expresses lack of permission or a prohibition.

How It Works

Ne smem with an infinitive expresses lack of permission or a prohibition. Do not use it merely to mean an action is unnecessary.

Ne smeš kaditi prohibits smoking; ni ti treba kaditi says smoking is unnecessary, a very different message. Smem is conjugated by person, while kaditi stays infinitival. Keep that semantic contrast clear in instructions.

Examples (3)

  1. Tukaj ne smem parkirati.

    I am not allowed to park here.

  2. Ne smeš kaditi.

    You must not smoke.

  3. Otroci ne smejo vstopiti.

    Children may not enter.

How It Connects

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

ne smem + InfinitiveLevel 4Not Being Allowed to Do Something

Learn This First

Contrast necessity with lack of permission before translating English must not.

Words in This Pattern

nesmeti