If you've already read the article on "allowed" (-са болот), you'll feel right at home here. The word болбойт is simply the negative form of the verb болот (it's okay / will be).
In English, "forbidden" or "not allowed" tends to sound strict. In Kyrgyz, болбойт covers both prohibition ("you can't") and situational impossibility ("it won't work," "that's not going to fly").
🧠 The Logic and Literal Translation
We use the conditional mood ("if") again. Literally: "If I do this, it will not be (okay / good)."
In other words, the action is disapproved of or won't lead to the desired result.
🧮 The Formula
Conditional mood + болбойт
The conditional suffix — chosen according to vowel harmony:
- -са-се-со-сө (бар-са, кир-се, ал-са, көр-сө)
Personal endings:
| Person | Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Мен (I) | -м | кирсем болбойт |
| Сен (you, sg.) | -ң | кирсең болбойт |
| Сиз (you, formal) | -ңыз | кирсеңиз болбойт |
| Ал (he/she) | — | кирсе болбойт |
| Биз (we) | -к | кирсек болбойт |
| Силер (you, pl.) | -ңар | кирсеңер болбойт |
| Сиздер (you, formal pl.) | -ңыздар | кирсеңиздер болбойт |
| Алар (they) | — | киришсе болбойт |
For the 3rd person (ал) no personal ending is added. For алар, the plural suffix -ыш/-иш is used.
💡 Examples
- Кир (enter) + се + м + болбойт = Кирсем болбойт (I'm not allowed to come in)
кирсем болбойткирrootсеconditionalмIболбойтnot allowed (lit. won't be)→ I'm not allowed to come in
- Айт (say) + са + ң + болбойт = Айтсаң болбойт (You're not allowed to say it)
- Ич (drink) + се + болбойт = Бул сууну ичсе болбойт (This water must not be drunk)
- Кет (leave) + се + к + болбойт = Кетсек болбойт (We're not allowed to leave)
Mini-dialogues
— Тамеки чексем болобу? — Can I smoke?
— Жок, болбойт. Бул жерде тамеки тартууга болбойт. — No, you can't. Smoking isn't allowed here.
— Эртең келсем болобу? — Can I come tomorrow?
— Болбойт, бүгүн бүтүрүш керек. — No, it needs to be done today.
⚠️ Important Nuances
1. Болбойт vs. Албайм — the main trap!
| Construction | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -а албайм | Physical inability | Бара албайм (I can't get there — my legs hurt) |
| -са болбойт | Prohibition / won't work | Барсам болбойт (I'm not allowed to go — exam tomorrow) |
«Мен бара албайм, бутум ооруп жатат» — I can't go, my leg hurts (physically unable)
«Мен барсам болбойт, эртең экзамен» — I shouldn't go, I have an exam tomorrow (it's not permitted / not a good idea)
2. General rules and signs
For strict "absolutely forbidden" rules, the -са form isn't used. There are two ways:
Official language (signs, laws)
Formula: Infinitive (-уу) + dative case (-га/-гө) + болбойт
- Тамеки тартууга болбойт — Smoking is prohibited
- Кирүүгө болбойт — No entry
кирүүгө болбойткирrootүүinfinitiveгөdative caseболбойтnot permitted→ no entry
This sounds very dry and official.
Conversational language (general rule)
Formula: Root + suffix (-ган/-ген) + dative case (-га/-ге) + болбойт
- Тамеки тартканга болбойт — You can't smoke here
- Киргенге болбойт — Going in isn't allowed
This sounds softer, but still states a general rule.
For everyday situations with friends, just use the simple form: «Мен тамеки тартсам болбойт, таштадым» (I can't smoke — I quit)!
See also:
- Modality "allowed" — permission (-са болот)
- Conditional Mood — the -са form
- Vowel Harmony — choosing the right suffix variant
- Modality "can" — physical ability