Meanings of 禁止
By ear
Play it, then pick what 禁止 means.
About 禁止
Podcast: 禁止
Podcast: 禁止
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Drill the tone of 禁止 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 禁止 to You
Let me explain 禁止 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 禁止 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 禁止?
Learning Lab
Knowing 禁止 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 禁止 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____将书带出阅览室。
It is forbidden to take books out of the reading room.
Example Sentences for 禁止 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 禁止?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
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'.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 禁止?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.