Meanings of 禁止
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Podcast: 禁止
Podcast: 禁止
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AI study notes for 禁止
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) vs 阻止 (zǔzhǐ): use 禁止 for formal prohibitions, while 阻止 is more about stopping an action in progress.
Be cautious with the tone; it uses the fourth tone (jìn), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān - no smoking) or 禁止拍照 (jìnzhǐ pāizhào - no photography).
As an HSK Level 4 word, 禁止 connects with other verbs of action and negation. Focus on using it in various contexts, such as rules or personal boundaries, to strengthen your understanding of its applications.
Learners often confuse 禁止 with 不能 (bù néng), thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, saying '我禁止你去' (wǒ jìnzhǐ nǐ qù - I prohibit you from going) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我不让你去' (wǒ bù ràng nǐ qù - I won't let you go).
Pronunciation of 禁止
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Component characters
How to say to prohibit in Chinese
“to prohibit” in Chinese is禁止
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) means to prohibit or forbid something. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as signs or regulations, to indicate that an action is not allowed. This word carries a sense of authority and is often associated with rules or laws.
When to use 禁止
Be cautious with the tone; it uses the fourth tone (jìn), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān - no smoking) or 禁止拍照 (jìnzhǐ pāizhào - no photography).
禁止 or something close to it
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) vs 阻止 (zǔzhǐ): use 禁止 for formal prohibitions, while 阻止 is more about stopping an action in progress.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 禁止 with 不能 (bù néng), thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, saying '我禁止你去' (wǒ jìnzhǐ nǐ qù - I prohibit you from going) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我不让你去' (wǒ bù ràng nǐ qù - I won't let you go).
Write 禁止
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Grammar patterns of 禁止
禁止 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
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____将书带出阅览室。
It is forbidden to take books out of the reading room.
Example sentences for 禁止 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 禁止
In Western cultures, prohibitions are often communicated less formally, with less emphasis on explicit signs compared to the direct authority implied in Chinese prohibitive language.
Frequently asked questions about 禁止
It's better to avoid using 禁止 in casual contexts as it sounds too formal; instead, use 不能 (bù néng) for 'cannot'.
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