Нельзя
The word нельзя means “it is forbidden”. In this sense it is used with imperfective verbs:
| Нельзя говорить по-французски на занятиях русского языка. | You aren't allowed to speak French in Russian class. |
| В библиотеке нельзя говорить громко. | Speaking loudly in the library isn't allowed. |
If you mention the person who is not allowed to do something, that person goes in the dative case:
| Сынок, сколько раз я говорил, что тебе нельзя материться? | Son, how many times have I told you that you are not allowed to swear? |
| Женя, твоим друзьям нельзя курить в квартире. Скажи им, чтобы они вышли на балкон. | Evgeni, your friends aren't allowed to smoke in the apartment. Tell them to go out on the balcony. |
Нельзя can also mean “it is impossible”. In that sense it is used with perfective verbs:
| Нельзя открыть окно. Оно прибито гвоздями. | You can't open the window. It's nailed shut. |
| Жанне нельзя будет включить мотор. Я вынул аккумулятор. | Zhanna won't be able to start the motor. I took out the battery. |
| Нельзя понять непонимаемое. | You can't understand the incomprehensible. |
| Нельзя переварить картон... если только ты не хомяк. | You can't digest cardboard... unless you're a hamster. |
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