Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ～ものではない (monode wa nai) expresses a general expectation that an action should not be done, or that it is not something one does. This expectation often stems from societal norms, ethical principles, or widely accepted wisdom. It conveys a mild prohibition or strong advice against a particular action.
Unlike direct commands or strict prohibitions like ～てはいけない (te wa ikenai - must not), ～ものではない presents a more impersonal statement. It describes what is generally considered inappropriate, unacceptable, or ill-advised. This pattern suggests that a particular action goes against established norms or proper conduct, rather than being a personal order from the speaker.
Think of ～ものではない as defining a general boundary for behavior. Using this pattern is akin to stating, "This action is outside the bounds of what is generally considered proper or right." It often reflects a collective wisdom or shared understanding within a group or society. English translations include "should not," "is not something one does," "it is not appropriate to...", or "one ought not to..."
This pattern often carries a didactic or advisory nuance. While it can be used to gently scold an individual, its primary use is to reflect on proper conduct for people in general. For instance, a parent might tell a child, "嘘を言うものではない" (One should not tell lies). Here, the parent isn't issuing a direct command to that specific child, but rather stating a universal truth about appropriate behavior. This emphasizes a universal principle, distinct from a personal opinion or a rule enforced by an authority.
This grammar point is particularly useful for discussing etiquette, morality, common courtesy, and general wisdom passed down through generations. While it carries a tone of expectation, it is generally softer than a direct command; its aim is to guide rather than strictly forbid. It often appears in formal contexts or when discussing abstract principles. However, it can also be used in more casual settings to express disapproval of commonly inappropriate behavior.
Structure & Formation
The most common and fundamental structure for ～ものではない is to attach it directly to the dictionary form of a verb.
Verb + ものではない
| Word Type | Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | Verb + ものではない | 諦めるものではない | One should not give up. |
As noted, it attaches directly to the dictionary form of a verb:
Verbs: Simply use the dictionary form (also known as plain form or non-past affirmative form).
話す → 話すものではない
食べる → 食べるものではない
する → するものではない
While less common for the direct meaning of "should not," ～ものではない can also be seen with other parts of speech. In such cases, they are typically reformulated into a verbal phrase first.
- い-adjectives: When an い-adjective is involved, it often needs to be verbalized. For example, to say 'one should not be shy/ashamed,' instead of directly using 恥ずかしい, you'd use its verbal form: 恥ずかしがるものではない.
- な-adjectives: Similarly, な-adjectives usually require verbalization. For instance, to express 'one should not think superficially,' you'd use a verb like 考える with the adjective: 安易に考えるものではない.
- Nouns: Direct attachment to nouns for the 'should not' meaning is very rare. While nouns can combine with
～である(to be) beforeものではない, this construction often leads to the different grammar point～というものではない, meaning "it's not necessarily the case that...". Therefore, for the 'should not' meaning, always prioritize attaching to the dictionary form of a verb.
Example Sentences
General Social Norms & Etiquette
電車の中では、大声で話すものではない。
Densha no naka de wa, oogoe de hanasu monode wa nai.
One should not speak loudly inside the train.
人の悪口を言うものではない。
Hito no waruguchi wo iu monode wa nai.
One should not speak ill of others.
人前で鼻をかむものではない。
Hitomae de hana wo kamu monode wa nai.
One should not blow their nose in front of others.
約束は軽々しく破るものではない。
Yakusoku wa karugarushiku yaburu monode wa nai.
One should not break promises lightly.
Moral & Ethical Principles
弱い者いじめをするものではない。
Yowai mono ijime wo suru monode wa nai.
One should not bully the weak.
試験でカンニングをするものではない。
Shiken de kanningu wo suru monode wa nai.
One should not cheat on a test.
他者のプライバシーを侵害するものではない。
Tasha no puraibashī wo shingai suru monode wa nai.
One should not invade others' privacy.
嘘を言うものではない。
Uso wo iu monode wa nai.
One should not tell lies.
Common Sense & Wisdom
簡単に諦めるものではない。
Kantan ni akirameru monode wa nai.
One should not give up easily.
人が困っているときに見捨てるものではない。
Hito ga komatte iru toki ni misuteru monode wa nai.
One should not abandon people when they are in trouble.
必要以上に物を無駄にするものではない。
Hitsuyō ijō ni mono wo muda ni suru monode wa nai.
One should not waste things more than necessary.
秘密は簡単に漏らすものではない。
Himitsu wa kantan ni morasu monode wa nai.
One should not easily reveal secrets.
公の場で感情的になるものではない。
Ōyake no ba de kanjōteki ni naru monode wa nai.
One should not get emotional in public.
目上の人に失礼な口の聞き方をするものではない。
Meue no hito ni shitsurei na kuchi no kikikata wo suru monode wa nai.
One should not speak rudely to superiors.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing with direct prohibition (～てはいけない)
～ものではない states what is generally considered inappropriate, while ～てはいけない is a direct command or prohibition, often from an authority figure. Using ～ものでない where a direct rule is needed can sound preachy or weak.
❌ この店ではタバコを吸うものではない。
✅ この店ではタバコを吸ってはいけない。
Explanation: While smoking in a store is generally frowned upon, if there's a specific rule or sign, ～てはいけない is more appropriate for expressing a direct prohibition. ～ものではない implies a general societal expectation, not a specific ban.
Mistake 2: Using for personal, subjective preferences
～ものではない is used for general norms or principles, not for individual likes or dislikes. It refers to what "one" in general should not do, not what "I" specifically prefer not to do.
❌ わたしは納豆を食べるものではない。
✅ わたしは納豆を食べない方がいい。
Explanation: Eating natto is a matter of personal taste, not a universal societal norm. For personal preferences or mild advice, patterns like ～ない方がいい (it's better not to) are more suitable.
Mistake 3: Incorrect conjugation of the preceding verb
The verb preceding ～ものではない must always be in its dictionary (plain) form. Using other forms like the ます-form or た-form is incorrect for this usage.
❌ 遅刻しましたものではない。
✅ 遅刻するものではない。
Explanation: The verb must be in dictionary form (する). しました is past tense and honorific, which does not fit the grammatical structure. Even if the action has already happened, the statement about what generally should not happen uses the dictionary form.
Mistake 4: Using with adjectives or nouns directly without proper verbalization
As mentioned in the structure section, ～ものではない primarily attaches to verbs. While you can express similar ideas with adjectives or nouns, they usually require an intermediate verb phrase.
❌ 失礼なものではない。
✅ 失礼なことをするものではない。
Explanation: Instead of directly attaching to the な-adjective 失礼だ, it is more natural to form a verbal phrase like 失礼なことをする (to do something rude) before attaching ものではない.
Cultural Notes
The use of ～ものではない is deeply ingrained in Japanese communication. It reflects the society's strong emphasis on harmony (和) and collective responsibility. This pattern serves as a key linguistic tool for conveying 常識 (common sense or social norms) and モラル (morality).
You will frequently encounter this pattern in educational contexts, such as parents teaching their children proper manners, or teachers guiding students on appropriate behavior in school. For example, a parent might tell their child, "嘘を言うものではない" (One should not tell lies) or "人の嫌がることをするものではない" (One should not do things that others dislike). These are not just rules, but fundamental principles for living harmoniously in society.
In formal settings or when discussing broader societal issues, ～ものではない is often used to express a general consensus about what is ethically or socially unacceptable. It enables speakers to articulate a viewpoint without sounding overly aggressive or dictatorial. This pattern appeals to a shared understanding of right and wrong, rather than imposing a personal judgment.
While powerful, its impersonal nature means it can sometimes sound a bit preachy if directed too pointedly at an individual in a casual conversation. In such cases, more indirect or milder expressions might be preferred, especially when offering personal advice. However, when discussing general principles of conduct, its tone is fitting and widely accepted.
JLPT Tips
For the JLPT N2 exam, a solid understanding of ～ものではない's nuance is crucial. Always pay close attention to the context in which it appears. This pattern frequently features in sentences discussing general societal expectations, common sense, or ethical principles, rather than specific rules or personal commands.
When you encounter a question involving this grammar point, try to identify if the sentence is expressing a universal truth or a general piece of advice that applies to anyone, rather than a direct order to a specific person. Look for clues in the surrounding text that indicate a reflective or didactic tone. The most important aspect is to recognize its impersonal and general nature.
Distinguishing ～ものではない from similar-sounding patterns like ～てはいけない and ～べきではない will be crucial. Remember: ～てはいけない is for explicit rules/prohibitions, ～べきではない for strong moral obligations, and ～ものではない for general social norms or common sense about what is inappropriate. Practice translating these subtly different meanings into English to solidify your understanding.
Also, ensure you can correctly identify the dictionary form of verbs. Incorrect conjugation is a common trap in grammar questions. Always double-check that the verb directly preceding ～ものではない is in its plain, dictionary form. Finally, practice with various example sentences to develop a natural feel for when and where this pattern fits into Japanese conversation and writing.