Not supposed to Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈnɑt/ /səˈpoʊzd/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ

NAHT suh-POHZD tuh

UK

nˈɒt/ /spoʊst/ /tˈuː

NOT spohst TOO

Definition

Used to say that something is not allowed, expected, or correct in a situation. It can show rules, expectations, or obligations.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used to talk about rules, expectations, or what is considered correct. Often appears as 'You are not supposed to...' or 'I'm not supposed to...'. It suggests obligation or prohibition, but in a soft or indirect way. Not as strong as 'must not'. Informal to neutral register.

• Spanish: no se supone que - no deberías
• Portuguese (BR): não é para - não deveria
• Portuguese (PT): não é suposto - não devia
• Chinese (Simplified): 不应该 - 不允許
• Chinese (Traditional): 不應該 - 不允許
• Hindi: नहीं करना चाहिए - अपेक्षित नहीं है
• Arabic: من المفترض ألا - ليس من المفروض أن
• Bengali: উচিত নয় - অনুমতি নেই - করা যাবে না
• Russian: не должен - нельзя - не положено
• Japanese: してはいけない - するべきではない
• Vietnamese: không được phép - không nên
• Korean: 하면 안 된다 - 하면 안 돼
• Turkish: yapmaması gerekir - yapmamalı
• Urdu: نہیں کرنا چاہیے - اجازت نہیں ہے
• Indonesian: tidak seharusnya - tidak boleh

Example Sentences

You are not supposed to eat in class.

basic

I'm not supposed to be here after 8 p.m.

basic

Children are not supposed to play with matches.

basic

Hey, you’re not supposed to tell anyone my secret!

natural

We're not supposed to park here, but there's nowhere else nearby.

natural

If he’s not supposed to be working today, why is he at the office?

natural