Надо, Можно, Нельзя: Modal Predicatives Explained

Words like надо, можно and нельзя are called modal particles in Russian. They are a special type of word that expresses modality, which is the attitude of the speaker towards the possibility, necessity, or permissibility of an action or state of being.

These words don’t change form to agree with a subject, as verbs do. Instead, they remain constant, and the person or thing experiencing the state is usually indicated by the dative case.

For example, with “надо” (it is necessary), you might say “Мне надо идти” (I need to go), where “мне” is the dative form of “I”. The sentence literally translates to “To me it is necessary to go.” This structure is common across these predicatives.

These words form the main predicate of a sentence without needing a linking verb like “to be”. In the present tense, you simply use the predicative word itself. For past or future, you add было (was) or будет (will be).

See Also: Impersonal Sentence Structures in Russian

Надо and Нужно

Let’s explore “надо” and “нужно“, two closely related Russian predicatives that both express necessity or obligation.

“Надо” and “нужно” are often used interchangeably, and both roughly translate to “it is necessary” or “one must”. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage.

While very similar, “нужно” is sometimes considered slightly more formal or bookish than “надо”. In everyday speech, “надо” is extremely common and versatile.

Что тебе надо? – What do you need/want?

These words are often followed by an infinitive verb to specify the necessary action: “Надо учиться” (It’s necessary to study). They can also be used with nouns: “Нам нужны деньги” (We need money).

In past or future tense, you add было (was) or будет (will be):

“Нужно было уйти раньше” (It was necessary to leave earlier).

More examples to illustrate the usage of “надо” and “нужно” in various contexts.

With “надо”:

• Надо сходить в магазин. (We need to go to the store.)
• Надо спешить, иначе опоздаем на поезд. (We need to hurry, otherwise we’ll miss the train.)
• Тебе надо больше отдыхать. (You need to rest more.)
• Надо бы позвонить родителям. (I/We should call my/our parents.)
• Мне надо закончить этот проект к пятнице. (I need to finish this project by Friday.)

With “нужно”:

• Нужно внимательно прочитать инструкцию. (It’s necessary to read the instructions carefully.)
• Ему нужно купить новый костюм для собеседования. (He needs to buy a new suit for the interview.)
• Нам нужно обсудить этот вопрос. (We need to discuss this matter.)
• Нужно подготовиться к экзамену. (It’s necessary to prepare for the exam.)

If you would like to learn more about the use of “нужно” and “надо”, you can download my free PDF guide that will help you understand the topic.

Можно and Нельзя

“Можно” expresses permission, possibility, or capability. It roughly translates to “it is possible”, “one may”, or “it is allowed” in English.

At its core, “можно” indicates that an action is permissible or feasible. It’s often used to ask for permission or to grant it. The beauty of “можно” lies in its conciseness – it can convey complex ideas of permission or possibility in a single word.

In use, “можно” is typically followed by an infinitive verb. For example, “Можно войти?” means “May I come in?” Here, the person asking permission is implied rather than stated explicitly.

When indicating who is permitted to do something, again, the dative case is used. “Мне можно идти?” translates to “Am I allowed to go?” Literally, it’s closer to “Is it possible for me to go?”

“Можно” is particularly useful in polite requests. “Можно вопрос?” (“May I ask a question?”) is a common, courteous way to interject in a conversation.

Here are more examples to illustrate the varied uses of “можно” in Russian:

• Можно здесь сесть? (May I sit here?)
• В этом парке можно гулять с собаками? (Are dogs allowed in this park?)
• Можно мне ещё чашку чая? (Could I have another cup of tea?)
• Здесь можно фотографировать? (Is photography allowed here?)
• Можно заплатить картой? (Is it possible to pay by card?)
• Вам можно есть острое? (Are you allowed to eat spicy food?)
• Детям до 16 лет можно смотреть этот фильм? (Are children under 16 allowed to watch this movie?)
• Можно мне взять выходной в пятницу? (May I take Friday off?)
• Можно ли здесь припарковаться? (Is it possible to park here?)
• Из этого окна можно увидеть Эйфелеву башню. (You can see the Eiffel Tower from this window.)
• Сегодня можно не надевать галстук. (You don’t have to wear a tie today.)
• Можно говорить потише? Ребёнок спит. (Could you speak more quietly? The child is sleeping.)

In negative constructions, “нельзя” (cannot, must not) is used instead of a negated “можно”. For instance, “Здесь нельзя курить” means “Smoking is not allowed here.”

In some contexts, “нельзя” can express impossibility rather than prohibition. “Эту задачу нельзя решить” means “This problem cannot be solved” or “It’s impossible to solve this problem”.

See Also: How to Use Negation Sentences in Russian

Here are more examples to illustrate the various uses of “нельзя” in Russian:

• Здесь нельзя парковаться. (Parking is not allowed here.)
• Нельзя открывать окна во время движения поезда. (It’s forbidden to open windows while the train is moving.)
• Этот фильм нельзя смотреть детям до 18 лет. (This movie cannot be watched by children under 18.)
• В библиотеке нельзя громко разговаривать. (You must not talk loudly in the library.)
• Нельзя переходить улицу на красный свет. (One must not cross the street on a red light.)
• Врач сказал, что мне нельзя заниматься спортом в этом месяце. (The doctor said I’m not allowed to do sports this month.)
• Нельзя войти в здание без пропуска. (It’s not possible to enter the building without a pass.)
• В самолете нельзя пользоваться мобильным телефоном. (Mobile phones cannot be used on the plane.)
• Нельзя прикасаться к экспонатам в музее. (It’s not allowed to touch the exhibits in the museum.)
• Нельзя так себя вести в общественных местах. (One shouldn’t behave like this in public places.)

So there you have it! As you can see, the topic isn’t overly complex if you delve into it properly.

If you have any questions about the use of “можно,” “нужно,” and “нельзя,” feel free to ask them in the comments section.