prohibido bañarse
/pɾoibido baɲaɾse/from spelling rules
The English phrase "no swimming" is expressed in Spanish as prohibido bañarse.
prohibido bañarse is the standard way to express a prohibition on swimming in public spaces like beaches or pools in Spanish-speaking countries.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of prohibido (prohibited) and the reflexive verb bañarse (to bathe oneself).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use the phrase No te metas al agua which translates to don't get in the water. In Spain, No está permitido nadar means swimming is not allowed and No se puede nadar means swimming is not allowed.
How does it change in a sentence?
While bañarse is common, nadar can be used to specifically refer to the act of swimming through water rather than just bathing or wading.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoibido baɲaɾse/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'no swimming' is a general ban, Spanish signs often distinguish between nadar (the physical stroke) and bañarse (the act of being in the water). A sign using bañarse bans even standing or wading in the shallow end.
- The word baño is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'bath', but in Spanish, it is also the universal word for 'bathroom'. This creates a playful double meaning when talking about bañarse in nature.
- In many Spanish-speaking coastal regions, you may see signs that say prohibido el baño, using the noun for 'bath' instead of the verb. This makes the prohibition sound more like a formal legal decree than a simple instruction.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, pero no se permite nadar en esta área.Excuse me, but swimming is not allowed in this area.
- Está prohibido bañarse en esta zona.Swimming is prohibited in this area.
- El cartel dice prohibido bañarse.The sign says no swimming.
- Es peligroso y está prohibido bañarse aquí.It is dangerous and swimming is prohibited here.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are walking along a beach near a rocky cove.
- MateoMira, Elena, hay un cartel.Look, Elena, there is a sign.
- ElenaDice prohibido bañarse por las corrientes.It says no swimming because of the currents.
- MateoTienes razón, mejor no entramos.You are right, better we don't go in.
- ElenaSí, es más seguro buscar otra playa.Yes, it is safer to look for another beach.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
