Meaning
严禁 means to strictly forbid or prohibit something, emphasizing that the prohibition is severe and must be taken seriously. It combines 严 (strict, severe) with 禁 (to prohibit), creating a formal, official-sounding term that conveys zero tolerance for the forbidden action.
Usage
This is a formal expression commonly seen in official notices, regulations, signs, and written announcements. It appears frequently on warning signs in public places (like 严禁吸烟 - No Smoking) and in legal or administrative documents. Native speakers rarely use this in casual conversation, preferring simpler terms like 不能 or 不许 instead.
Examples
- 01这里严禁拍照，请大家配合。, .Photography is strictly prohibited here, please cooperate.
- 02学校严禁学生在宿舍使用电炉。.The school strictly forbids students from using electric stoves in the dormitory.
Characters
Common collocations
- 严禁吸烟Smoking Strictly Prohibited
- 严禁入内Strictly No Entry
- 严禁携带strictly prohibited to carry
- 严禁使用strictly prohibited to use
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 严 (strict) with 禁 (to prohibit), a straightforward compound that intensifies the prohibition by emphasizing its strictness and severity.