Questions & Answers about Здесь нельзя стрелять.
Why do we use the imperfective verb стрелять here instead of a perfective equivalent?
When нельзя is followed by an imperfective verb like стрелять, it means the action is strictly forbidden or not allowed. If you used a perfective verb here, нельзя would instead mean that the action is "impossible" (for example, meaning you physically cannot make a clear shot from this location).
There is no subject like "you" or "people" in this sentence. Is this typical?
Yes, Russian frequently uses impersonal constructions for general rules and prohibitions. While English naturally says "You can't shoot here" or uses a noun like "Shooting is not allowed," Russian simply pairs the word нельзя directly with an infinitive.
Could I use запрещено instead of нельзя in this sentence?
Yes, здесь запрещено стрелять means the exact same thing but sounds more formal and official, much like a printed warning sign you would see in a restricted area. Нельзя is the most natural and common way to express a general prohibition in spoken Russian.
Doesn't the verb стрелять also have a colloquial slang meaning?
It does! In everyday informal speech, стрелять can mean to beg or "bum" something small from someone, most commonly cigarettes (стрелять сигареты) or spare change. In this specific sentence, however, it is used in its literal sense of firing a weapon.
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