verb / noun HSK 4
to prohibit · to forbid · to ban · taboo · prohibition
Meaning
禁 means to prohibit, forbid, or ban something. It can function as both a verb (to forbid) and a noun (a prohibition or taboo). This character is commonly seen in warning signs, regulations, and formal contexts where restrictions are being communicated.
Usage
禁 is frequently used in compound words and appears prominently on prohibition signs (like 禁止 jìnzhǐ). It carries a formal, authoritative tone and is common in written regulations, laws, and public signage. Native speakers often encounter it in compounds rather than used alone.
Examples
- 01这里禁止停车。.Parking is prohibited here.
- 02图书馆严禁大声喧哗。.Loud noise is strictly prohibited in the library.
Common collocations
- 禁止吸烟no smoking
- 禁止入内no entry, keep out
- 严禁拍照photography strictly prohibited
- 违禁品contraband, prohibited items
Antonyms
Origin
The character 禁 originally depicted a sacred forest (林) with an altar (示), representing a forbidden or sacred place where entry was restricted. This visual etymology reflects the concept of prohibition and taboo.