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N4

Rules and Prohibitions with 〜こと

About 8 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core idea

In written rules, notices, and formal instructions, verbs + こと can mean 'must do' or 'do not do.' It sounds impersonal and official.

  1. Target signal

    授業中は携帯電話を使わないこと。

    Do not use mobile phones during class.

    ない-form + こと creates a prohibition in written rules.

    Vocabulary notes
    授業中じゅぎょうちゅう
    during class
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    ない
    not; there is not

  2. Compare in context

    図書館では静かにすること。

    Be quiet in the library.

    Dictionary form + こと creates a required action.

    Vocabulary notes
    にする〜にする
    to choose; to decide on
    図書館としょかん
    library
    静かにしずかに
    quietly

Section 2 of 3

Formation and patterns

Use dictionary form + こと for required behavior and ない-form + こと for prohibition. This pattern is especially common in posted rules and written guidance.

  1. Target signal

    提出物は金曜日までに出すこと。

    Turn in assignments by Friday.

    This is notice-style Japanese, not a personal request.

    Vocabulary notes
    金曜日きんようび
    Friday
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    まで
    until; up to

  2. Preview

    ここに車を止めないこと。

    Do not park a car here.

    Stop or park verbs often appear in posted rules.

    Vocabulary notes
    ここに
    here
    ここ
    here
    こと
    thing; matter; fact

Section 3 of 3

Reading and nuance

Compared with 〜てください, 〜こと is firmer and more formal. It often appears without a subject because the rule applies generally.

  1. Target signal

    面接の前に、受付で名前を書くこと。

    Before the interview, write your name at reception.

    The subject is omitted because the rule applies generally.

    Vocabulary notes
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    前にまえに
    before
    受付うけつけ
    reception desk

  2. Preview

    非常口の前に物を置かないこと。

    Do not place things in front of the emergency exit.

    This style is common in signs and manuals.

    Vocabulary notes
    かな
    I wonder; maybe
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    ない
    not; there is not

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how 〜こと changes the meaning before you check the translation.

授業中は携帯電話を使わないこと。 図書館では静かにすること。 提出物は金曜日までに出すこと。 ここに車を止めないこと。 面接の前に、受付で名前を書くこと。 非常口の前に物を置かないこと。

Show English translation

Do not use mobile phones during class. Be quiet in the library. Turn in assignments by Friday. Do not park a car here. Before the interview, write your name at reception. Do not place things in front of the emergency exit.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how 〜こと changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how 〜こと changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of 〜こと in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which sentence is a formal written rule?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (〜こと).

＿＿＿は携帯電話を使わないこと。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1図書館では静かにすること。
  2. 2提出物は金曜日までに出すこと。
  3. 3授業中は携帯電話を使わないこと。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of 〜こと in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

Which sentence is a formal written rule?