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〜ものではない

you shouldn't (it's not done)

Verb dictionary form + ものではない (casual: もんじゃない)

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ものではない states a social rule: something people shouldn't do. 人の悪口を言うものではない, "you shouldn't speak ill of others".

It's the negative of ものだ (N3) in its "social norm" use. It's what parents, teachers and elders say when correcting behaviour, and it sounds like a general principle rather than a personal order.

The polite form is ものではありません; in speech, it's もんじゃない.

Compare べきではない, which is the speaker's opinion. ものではない appeals to common sense: "that's just not done". It's often said to children, and it can sound old-fashioned or preachy between adults.

Examples

  • 人ひとの悪口わるくちを言いうものではない。

    You shouldn't speak ill of others.

  • 目上めうえの人ひとに、そんな言いい方かたをするものではない。

    You shouldn't talk to your elders like that.

  • 食たべ物ものを無駄むだにするものではない。

    You shouldn't waste food.

  • 人ひとの手紙てがみを勝手かってに読よむものではありません。

    You shouldn't read other people's letters without permission.

  • 子こどもが夜遅よるおそくまで遊あそぶものではない。

    Children shouldn't stay out playing so late.

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