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ものではない
N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
mono dewa nai
shouldn’t do something; it’s impossible
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🃏 Flashcard
ものではない
mono dewa nai
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shouldn’t do something; it’s impossible
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading mono dewa nai
Post ID 51065
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

shouldn’t do something; it’s impossible

📖 How to use it

Expresses that something should not be done, or that it is impossible.

Attaches to Attach to the plain form of a verb (dictionary form) for the 'should not' meaning, and to the potential form (dictionary form with られる/える) for the 'impossible' meaning. Also attaches to ない-stem? No, only to verbs in plain form or potential form.

This pattern has two main uses. First, it conveys a strong recommendation not to do something, based on social or moral norms. It's like saying 'one should not' or 'it's not the kind of thing to do.' For example, 人を騙すものではない means 'You shouldn't deceive people.' This is often used in advice or admonishment.

Second, it can express that something is impossible or beyond one's ability, especially when used with potential verbs. For instance, そんなにたくさん食べられるものではない means 'It's impossible to eat that much.' In this case, it emphasizes that the action is not feasible.

The tone is somewhat formal and literary, more common in written language or formal speech. In casual conversation, you'd more likely hear ~べきではない (for should not) or ~わけがない (for impossible). But ものではない is still used in set expressions and written advice.

約束を破るものではない。
Yakusoku o yaburu mono de wa nai.
You shouldn't break promises.
人の前で大声で笑うものではない。
Hito no mae de oogoe de warau mono de wa nai.
You shouldn't laugh loudly in front of others.
一人で全部やろうとするものではない。
Hitori de zenbu yarou to suru mono de wa nai.
You shouldn't try to do everything by yourself.
Not べきではない べきではない also means 'should not' but is more direct and prescriptive. ものではない suggests 'it is not the nature of things' or 'it's not customary'—more of a social norm. For example, 借りたものは返すべきだ (you should return what you borrowed) vs. 借りたものは返すものだ (it's natural to return what you borrowed). The latter sounds more like a general truth.
Register Formal and somewhat literary; used in written advice, essays, or formal speech, but not typical in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ものではない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ものではない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ものではない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ものではない mean? ▼
Shouldn’t do something; it’s impossible
What JLPT level is ものではない? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ものではない in a sentence? ▼
Attach ものではない (mono dewa nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ものではない formal or casual Japanese? ▼
ものではない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember ものではない long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.