「〜を踏みとる」- Prohibition (Must Not...)
Explanation
Grammar: Noun +
The structure 〜を踏みとる is used in Japanese to express prohibition, indicating that a certain action must not or should not be performed. It is often used in commands, warnings, or advice to stop a specific behavior, similar to "must not..." or "should not..." in English.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 〜を踏みとる | + Noun | Indicates prohibition of the action or situation represented by the noun. It is often used in imperative or negative sentences to clearly state that a certain behavior is not allowed. |
Basic Usage
In more complex sentences, 〜を踏みとる can be combined with other grammatical structures to express more nuanced prohibitions. For example, it can be paired with polite forms like 「ないでください」 to soften the tone of the prohibition.
Examples
部長 は京都 へ行 ったの踏 み と る 日記 を読 むんじゃない。- Buchou wa Kyoto e itta no fumitoru nikki o yomun janai.
- You must not read the diary about the manager's trip to Kyoto.
重要 な資料 を踏 み と る 紛失 しないでください。- Juuyou na shiryou o fumitoru funshitsu shinaide kudasai.
- Please do not lose the important documents.
教室 で携帯電話 を踏 み と る 使用 しないでください。- Kyoushitsu de keitai denwa o fumitoru shiyou shinaide kudasai.
- Please do not use your cell phone in the classroom.
Deep Dive
When using 〜を踏みとる to express prohibition, the tone is often strong and is suitable for situations where a behavior needs to be strictly prohibited. This structure is commonly used in formal settings such as meetings, announcements, or written communications to emphasize the strict prohibition of a specific action.
Examples
この 秘密 を踏 み と る 漏 らすな。- Kono himitsu o fumitoru morasu na.
- Do not leak this secret.
この 規則 を踏 み と る 破 るな。- Kono kisoku o fumitoru yaburu na.
- Do not break this rule.
Comparison and Differences
Comparing 〜を踏みとる with Other Prohibition Structures
| Grammar Structure | Meaning | Example | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜てはいけない | Must not do something | More common in casual conversations, with a lighter tone. | |
| 〜ないでください | Please do not do something | A more polite form of prohibition, with a softer tone. |
Common Mistakes
- Misinterpreted as impolite: Some people think 〜を踏みとる is too strong or impolite, but it is actually appropriate in formal settings, especially when emphasizing prohibition.
- Confused with other prohibition forms: It is often confused with 〜てはいけない or 〜ないでください. While they all express prohibition, their tones and appropriate contexts differ.
Summary
〜を踏みとる is a formal expression of prohibition, emphasizing that a certain behavior must not be performed. By understanding its usage and how it differs from other prohibition structures, you can more accurately convey the meaning of prohibition in formal settings.