禁止

• Pinyin: jìn zhǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 禁 = 林 (forest) + 示 (altar/spirit) — forbidden, sacred ground + 止 = pictograph of a foot stopping, meaning to halt

Meaning

To prohibit; to forbid; to ban. A formal verb indicating that something is not allowed.

Used in official rules, laws, signs, and regulations. More formal and authoritative than 不让 or 不准. Very common on public signs (禁止吸烟, 禁止停车). Can be followed directly by a verb phrase to state what is forbidden.

Examples

1. 这里禁止吸烟，请到外面去。 Smoking is prohibited here; please go outside.
2. 学校禁止学生在教室里吃东西。 The school forbids students from eating in the classroom.
3. 法律禁止在公共场所乱扔垃圾。 The law prohibits littering in public places.

Usage Guide

Context: rules, signs, laws, regulations

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 图书馆里禁止大声说话。(Talking loudly is prohibited in the library.)
• 这个地区禁止钓鱼。(Fishing is prohibited in this area.)

Don't Say

• 妈妈禁止我吃糖 (禁止 is overly formal for family rules — say 妈妈不让我吃糖 for a more natural tone)

Origin & History

Composed of 禁 (to forbid, from 林 forest + 示 altar, originally a sacred grove where entry was forbidden) and 止 (to stop), reinforcing the meaning of halting an action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal