prohibido
/pɾoiˈbido/
The English word 'banned' is translated into Spanish as prohibido.
prohibido is used to describe something that is banned or prohibited. It carries a strong sense of official or legal prohibition. If you want to refer to the concept of 'a ban' or 'a prohibition' itself, use the noun prohibición. While prohibido is the standard term, you might use censurado/a if the context involves the banning of artistic or intellectual expression.
Which one should you use?
prohibido is the standard translation for 'banned', but it is stronger and more official than the phrase no permitido, which simply means 'not allowed'. For a formal tone specifically regarding a ban, you can also use vetado/a.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, prohibido must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: use prohibida for feminine singular nouns, prohibidos for masculine plural nouns and prohibidas for feminine plural nouns. However, when making an impersonal statement or stating a general rule, such as 'It is banned to smoke', always use the masculine singular form está prohibido regardless of the action being described.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoiˈbido/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a way to warn people that something is banned is to use the sign Prohibido el paso, which literally translates to 'forbidden the way' to mean 'no entry'.
- In some contexts, fruta prohibida (forbidden fruit) is used metaphorically to describe any tempting but off-limits desire, mirroring the biblical story.
- While prohibido is a legal term, the word vetado is often used in sports and politics to describe someone who is 'blacklisted' or banned from a specific venue.
Examples in context
- Está prohibido cazar en parques nacionales.Hunting is banned in national parks.This sentence shows how to say hunting is banned in national parks using prohibido.Tatoeba #1415229 by marcelostockle, translation #680336 by Source_VOA
- Está prohibido fumar en los restaurantes de California.Smoking is banned in restaurants in California.This sentence uses prohibido to say smoking is banned in California restaurants.Tatoeba #745044 by Shishir, translation #680337 by Source_VOA
- Ahora fumar está prohibido en todos los vuelos nacionales.Smoking is now banned on all domestic plane flights.This sentence demonstrates the use of prohibido regarding smoking bans on domestic flights.Tatoeba #1993074 by marcelostockle, translation #19939 by fishda
- El acceso al club está vetado para menores de edadAccess to the club is banned for minors
- Está prohibido fumar en esta áreaSmoking is banned in this area
- El libro fue censurado en varios paísesThe book was banned in several countries
- El equipo fue excluido del torneoThe team was banned from the tournament
- El uso de dispositivos electrónicos no está permitido en claseThe use of electronic devices is not allowed in class
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a sign near a restricted area.
- Mateo¿Puedes pasar por allí?Can you go through there?
- SofíaNo, el paso está prohibido.No, passage is banned.
- Mateo¿Es una zona restringida?Is it a restricted area?
- SofíaSí, Mateo, no podemos entrar.Yes, Mateo, we cannot enter.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prohibido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
