禁足
jīnzú
The English word "grounded" (meaning confined to one's room as a punishment) is translated into Chinese as 禁足 (jīnzú).
禁足 is most commonly used in the context of a punishment for children or teenagers. While it can function as a verb to mean "to ground someone,"
Meaning: confined to one's room for some misdemeanor (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 禁足 is composed of 禁, meaning "prohibit" or "forbid" and 足, meaning "foot". Literally, it means to prohibit one's feet from moving or leaving.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the passive state of being grounded, you often add the particle 被 before the verb, resulting in 被禁足.
How do you pronounce it?
jīnzú
Did you know?
- The term 禁足 was historically used in the imperial palace to describe the confinement of officials or consorts who had fallen out of favor with the emperor.
- In a modern digital context, if you want to say someone is 'grounded' from the internet, you wouldn't use 禁足, but rather say they are 断网 (duàn wǎng), meaning 'cut off from the network'.
- A more colloquial way to describe being 'stuck' at home as a punishment is to say one is 被关禁闭 (bèi guān jìnbì), which sounds much more severe, like being in solitary confinement.
Examples in context
- 他因为迟到被禁足了。Tā yīnwèi chídào bèi jìnzú le.He was grounded for being late.
- 由于考试不及格，他被禁足一周。Yóuyú kǎoshì bù jígé, tā bèi jìnzú yī zhōu.He was grounded for a week because of failing the exam.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a party on the phone.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你周六来参加派对吗？Jùnjié, nǐ zhōuliù lái cānjiā pàiduì ma?Junjie, are you coming to the party on Saturday?
- 俊杰 Junjie我不行，我被禁足了。Wǒ bùxíng, wǒ bèi jìnzú le.I can't, I am grounded.
- 佳怡 Jiayi真的吗？为什么？Zhēnde ma? Wèishéme?Really? Why?
- 俊杰 Junjie因为我昨晚回家太晚了。Yīnwèi wǒ zuówǎn huíjiā tài wǎn le.Because I came home too late last night.
