禁止

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jìnzhǐ: 禁止 - To Prohibit, Forbid, Ban

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: jinzhi, 禁止, prohibit in Chinese, what does jinzhi mean, forbid in Chinese, Chinese signs, ban in Chinese, no smoking Chinese, do not enter Chinese, Chinese rules, Chinese regulations
  • Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 禁止 (jìnzhǐ), a formal Chinese verb for “to prohibit” or “forbid.” This essential HSK 4 term is most commonly seen on official signs, public notices, and in legal documents throughout China. Understand its authoritative tone and discover why it's used for rules like “No Smoking” or “No Entry,” and how it differs from more casual ways of saying “don't.”

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): jìnzhǐ
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To prohibit, forbid, or ban an action, typically by rule, regulation, or law.
  • In a Nutshell: 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) is the word for an official, impersonal prohibition. Think of it as the language of signs and rules. When you see 禁止 on a sign, it's not a friendly suggestion—it's a direct command from an authority (the government, a property owner, etc.) stating that an action is not allowed. It’s the reason you can’t smoke in the subway or park your car in front of a fire hydrant.

Character Breakdown

  • 禁 (jìn): This character means “to prohibit” or “to restrict.” It's composed of 示 (shì), which originally depicted an altar, and two 木 (mù) characters, meaning “tree.” One can imagine an ancient sacred grove or forest that was off-limits or forbidden to enter, giving it the sense of a restricted area.
  • 止 (zhǐ): This is a simple pictograph of a foot. Its meaning is “to stop.”
  • The two characters combine literally to mean “prohibit and stop,” creating a powerful and unambiguous term for forbidding an action.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • Clarity and Authority: The use of 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) reflects a cultural emphasis on clarity, order, and respect for authority. In public spaces, rules are not meant to be ambiguous. 禁止 removes all doubt about what is and is not permitted, ensuring social harmony and safety. There is no attempt to soften the message with polite language like “We kindly ask you not to…” because the primary goal is direct and effective communication of a rule.
  • Comparison to Western “Politeness”: In American or British culture, signs might say “Please refrain from smoking” or “Thank you for not parking here.” This phrasing softens the command. In contrast, 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān - No Smoking) is direct and absolute. This isn't seen as rude in Chinese culture; rather, it's considered efficient and clear. It signals that the rule is serious and backed by an institution, not a personal request. Following these posted rules is a basic expectation of civic behavior.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Official Signs and Notices: This is the most common context for 禁止. You will see it everywhere in public, from train stations and airports to parks, museums, and office buildings.
  • Formal Rules and Regulations: It is used in legal texts, company policy handbooks, school regulations, and other formal documents to state what is forbidden.
  • Formal Spoken Contexts: A police officer, a security guard, or an official might use it when giving a formal command, but it is very rare in everyday, casual conversation.
  • Connotation: The connotation is neutral to stern and always formal and authoritative. It is never used informally among friends or family. For that, you would use 别 (bié) or 不准 (bù zhǔn).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 公共场所禁止吸烟。
    • Pinyin: Gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ jìnzhǐ xīyān.
    • English: Smoking is prohibited in public places.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of a widely enforced public rule. You will see signs with 禁止吸烟 all over China.
  • Example 2:
    • 此处禁止停车，违者拖走。
    • Pinyin: Cǐchù jìnzhǐ tíngchē, wéizhě tuōzǒu.
    • English: No parking here. Violators will be towed.
    • Analysis: A common warning on traffic signs. The second clause, “violators will be towed,” reinforces the authority of the 禁止 command.
  • Example 3:
    • 博物馆内禁止拍照。
    • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn nèi jìnzhǐ pāizhào.
    • English: Photography is forbidden inside the museum.
    • Analysis: A standard rule in museums or galleries to protect the exhibits.
  • Example 4:
    • 为了安全，施工现场禁止无关人员入内。
    • Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, shīgōng xiànchǎng jìnzhǐ wúguān rényuán rùnèi.
    • English: For safety reasons, unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering the construction site.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows 禁止 used in a formal safety warning. “入内 (rùnèi)” means “to enter.”
  • Example 5:
    • 法律禁止任何形式的歧视。
    • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ jìnzhǐ rènhé xíngshì de qíshì.
    • English: The law prohibits any form of discrimination.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 禁止 in a legal context, referring to a law's power to forbid something.
  • Example 6:
    • 考试时禁止使用手机。
    • Pinyin: Kǎoshì shí jìnzhǐ shǐyòng shǒujī.
    • English: The use of mobile phones is prohibited during the exam.
    • Analysis: A typical rule you would hear or read before taking a test in China.
  • Example 7:
    • 严禁在森林里生火。
    • Pinyin: Yánjìn zài sēnlín lǐ shēnghuǒ.
    • English: It is strictly forbidden to start a fire in the forest.
    • Analysis: Note the use of 严禁 (yánjìn), which is an even stronger version of 禁止, meaning “strictly prohibited.” It emphasizes the seriousness of the rule.
  • Example 8:
    • 图书馆内禁止大声喧哗。
    • Pinyin: Túshūguǎn nèi jìnzhǐ dàshēng xuānhuá.
    • English: Making loud noises is forbidden inside the library.
    • Analysis: A common rule to maintain a quiet environment. 喧哗 (xuānhuá) means “to make a racket or uproar.”
  • Example 9:
    • 公司禁止员工泄露客户信息。
    • Pinyin: Gōngsī jìnzhǐ yuángōng xièlòu kèhù xìnxī.
    • English: The company prohibits employees from leaking client information.
    • Analysis: An example from a corporate policy, where 禁止 establishes a firm rule for employees.
  • Example 10:
    • 该区域禁止无人机飞行。
    • Pinyin: Gāi qūyù jìnzhǐ wúrénjī fēixíng.
    • English: Drone flight is prohibited in this area.
    • Analysis: A modern example of 禁止 being applied to new technology and regulations.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake 1: Using 禁止 in Casual Conversation.
    • This is the most common mistake for learners. You would never tell your friend, “禁止吃我的薯片！” (Forbid you to eat my chips!). It sounds robotic, overly formal, and even ridiculous.
    • Incorrect: 我禁止你玩电脑游戏。(Wǒ jìnzhǐ nǐ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.) - I forbid you to play computer games.
    • Correct (Casual): 别玩电脑游戏了。(Bié wán diànnǎo yóuxì le.) - Don't play computer games.
    • Correct (Authoritative, e.g., parent to child): 我不准你玩电脑游戏。(Wǒ bù zhǔn nǐ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.) - I don't allow you to play computer games.
  • Mistake 2: Confusing 禁止 (jìnzhǐ), 不准 (bù zhǔn), and 别 (bié).
    • 禁止 (jìnzhǐ): Formal, impersonal, used for official rules and laws. Think “PROHIBITED.”
    • 不准 (bù zhǔn): Strong, but can be personal. Used by someone with direct authority over another (e.g., parent, boss, teacher). Think “Not Allowed” or “Must Not.”
    • 别 (bié): Informal, used in everyday speech among anyone. It's a command, a request, or a suggestion. Think “Don't.”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 严禁 (yánjìn) - Strictly Prohibited. An intensified version of 禁止, used for rules with very serious consequences.
  • 不准 (bù zhǔn) - Not allowed / Must not. A strong, often personal command from an authority figure.
  • 不许 (bù xǔ) - Not permitted. Very similar in meaning and usage to 不准.
  • 别 (bié) - Don't. The most common, informal negative imperative used in daily conversation.
  • 允许 (yǔnxǔ) - To permit, to allow. The direct antonym of 禁止.
  • 可以 (kěyǐ) - Can, may be allowed to. A common way of expressing permission.
  • 规定 (guīdìng) - Rule, regulation. A rule is the policy that often contains 禁止 clauses.
  • 警告 (jǐnggào) - Warning. A word often found on signs alongside 禁止.
  • 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The ultimate authority that 禁止 certain behaviors in a society.