không được + Verb

Not Allowed to

Level 2

Place không được before a verb to say that an action is not permitted, or that you missed the chance to do it.

How It Works

Understanding the nuances of không được + V will help you sound much more natural in Vietnamese.

1. Expressing Prohibition
When used to forbid an action, it is stronger and more objective than Don't (which is a request or advice), but slightly less severe than Prohibited (which is strictly forbidden by law). It is commonly used for workplace rules, public signs, or parents scolding children.

  • Ở đây không được chụp ảnh. (Taking photos is not allowed here.)

2. Expressing Missed Opportunity
Many learners only learn the "must not" meaning, but native speakers frequently use this pattern as a declarative statement to express missing out on a positive experience ("didn't get to").

  • Hôm nay tôi bận nên không được gặp anh ấy. (I was busy today so I didn't get to meet him.)

CRITICAL DISTINCTION: Word Order Matters
English speakers often confuse this pattern with Cannot Manage To. The placement of được completely changes the meaning:

  • không được + V: Not allowed to (Prohibition) / Didn't get to (Opportunity)
  • không + V + được: Cannot (Physical inability, lack of skill, or circumstantial impossibility)

For example, Tôi không được uống bia means "I am not allowed to drink beer" (e.g., doctor's orders), whereas Tôi không uống bia được means "I cannot drink beer" (e.g., I have a low tolerance).

Examples (4)

  1. Ở đây không được hút thuốc.

    Smoking is not allowed here.

    Word by Word: Here not allowed smoke.

    A standard, objective rule prohibiting an action in a specific location.

  2. Trẻ con không được nói chuyện với người lạ.

    Children must not talk to strangers.

    Word by Word: Children not allowed talk with person strange.

    Used as a strong command or rule set by an authority figure (like a parent).

  3. Hôm qua tôi bận nên không được đi xem phim.

    I was busy yesterday, so I didn't get to go see the movie.

    Word by Word: Yesterday I busy so not get go watch movie.

    Demonstrates the 'missed opportunity' meaning. The speaker wanted to go but couldn't.

  4. Tôi đang uống thuốc nên không được uống rượu.

    I am taking medication, so I am not allowed to drink alcohol.

    Word by Word: I currently drink medicine so not allowed drink alcohol.

    Shows prohibition applied to oneself due to an external rule or circumstance (doctor's orders).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'không được' before the verb when you mean you cannot eat it (tolerance).

    Different MeaningTôi không được ăn cay.
    Tôi không ăn cay được.

    This sentence is fine, but it usually means 'I am not allowed to eat spicy food'. To say you cannot manage to eat spicy food, put được after the verb: 'Tôi không ăn cay được'.

  • Using 'không được' for polite requests.

    Xin lỗi, không được ồn ào.
    Xin lỗi, xin đừng làm ồn.

    Không được sounds like a strict rule or an order. If you want to politely ask someone not to do something, use xin đừng (please don't).

How It Connects

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

không được + VerbLevel 2Not Allowed to

Learn This First

To understand 'không được + V' (not allowed to), you first need to know the basic negator 'không' and the modal verb 'được', which signifies permission or the ability to do something. This pattern simply combines them to express prohibition.

Words in This Pattern