禁区

• Pinyin: jìn qū
• Hanzi breakdown: 禁 = 林 (forest) + 示 (altar) — to prohibit, forbidden; 区 = area, zone

Meaning

Restricted area; forbidden zone. A place where entry or certain activities are prohibited.

Used for physically restricted areas (military zones, nuclear facilities) and metaphorical forbidden topics or areas (discussion taboos, ethical boundaries). In sports, refers to the penalty area in football/soccer.

Examples

1. 这里是军事禁区，闲人免进。 This is a military restricted zone; unauthorized persons are not allowed.
2. 涉及个人隐私的问题是采访中的禁区。 Questions involving personal privacy are off-limits in interviews.
3. 前锋在禁区内被放倒，裁判判罚点球。 The forward was brought down in the penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty kick.

Usage Guide

Context: security, sports, figurative speech

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 进入禁区。(Enter the restricted area.)
• 这个话题是禁区。(This topic is off-limits.)

Don't Say

• 禁区的房间 (Don't use 禁区 for regular rooms — use 禁止进入的房间; 禁区 implies a larger zone or sensitive area)

Origin & History

Composed of 禁 (to prohibit; forbidden) + 区 (area; zone). Together meaning a zone where something is prohibited.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal