Ne smiješ zatvoriti vrata dok djeca dolaze.

not

Breakdown of Ne smiješ zatvoriti vrata dok djeca dolaze.

• dok: while
• dijete: child
• dolaziti: to come

Questions & Answers about Ne smiješ zatvoriti vrata dok djeca dolaze.

What does the phrase Ne smiješ actually convey?

It’s the 2nd person singular present of smjeti (to be allowed/permitted). Ne smiješ means “you’re not allowed to / you must not,” i.e., a prohibition based on rules or permission. Positive: Smiješ zatvoriti vrata = “You’re allowed to close the door.”

How is ne smiješ different from ne možeš?

• Ne smiješ = you’re not allowed (prohibition).
• Ne možeš = you can’t/are unable (lack of ability or possibility). Example: Ne smiješ zatvoriti vrata (rule forbids it) vs Ne možeš zatvoriti vrata (you’re unable, e.g., they’re jammed).

Where does the negation go with a modal — can I say Smiješ ne zatvoriti vrata?

Normally the negation goes on the modal: Ne smiješ zatvoriti vrata = you must not close the door.
If you say Smiješ ne zatvoriti vrata, it means “you’re allowed not to close the door” (permission to refrain), which is a different meaning.

Why is the perfective zatvoriti used here instead of the imperfective zatvarati?