prohibido
/pɾoiˈbido/
The English phrase 'not allowed' is translated into Spanish as prohibido.
prohibido is used to describe an action or item that is forbidden by a rule or law. If you wish to refer to the concept of a prohibition as a noun, use prohibición.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of 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 using the phrase Está prohibido with an infinitive verb (such as hablar or fumar), it functions as a neutral impersonal expression and stays in the masculine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoiˈbido/
Did you know?
- The word prohibido shares a linguistic root with the English word 'prohibit', both deriving from the Latin 'prohibere', which literally means 'to hold in front' or 'to hinder'.
- In some regions, the phrase está prohibidísimo is used by adding the suffix -ísimo to emphasize that something is strictly forbidden or absolutely not allowed.
- While prohibido is the standard term for forbidden, the phrase no se permite is frequently used in polite or high-end establishments to sound less aggressive.
Examples in context
- Está prohibido hablar en la biblioteca.Talking in the library is not allowed.This sentence is useful for showing how to use prohibido with an infinitive verb to state that talking is not allowed in a library.Tatoeba #520867 by Shishir, translation #270676 by brauliobezerra
- Está prohibido cazar en parques nacionales.Hunting is not allowed in national parks.This sentence shows how to use prohibido to state that hunting is not allowed in national parks.Tatoeba #1415229 by marcelostockle, translation #913531 by CK
- Aparcar ahí está prohibido. Te van a multar.You are not allowed to park there. They are going to give you a fine.This sentence uses prohibido to explain that parking in a certain spot is not allowed and may result in a fine.Tatoeba #5306509 by wallebot, translation #5336198 by Amittai
- No está permitido fumar en esta zona.Smoking is not allowed in this area.
- No se permite la fotografía dentro del museo.Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
- Prohibido comer en el teatro.Eating is prohibited in the theater.
- No puedes entrar sin un boleto.You can't enter without a ticket.
- Tus padres no te dejan salir tarde.Your parents don't let you go out late.
- Aquí no se puede fumar.Here, you can't smoke.
- No está autorizado/a tomar fotos sin permiso.Taking pictures is not authorized without permission.
- No tienes permiso para usar mi teléfono.You don't have permission to use my phone.
- Está vetado cantar en esta zona.Singing is banned in this area.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are standing in front of a museum entrance.
- Elena¿Podemos sacar fotos aquí, Javier?Can we take photos here, Javier?
- JavierNo, creo que está prohibido.No, I think it is prohibited.
- ElenaEs una lástima, es un lugar muy bonito.That is a shame, it is a very beautiful place.
- JavierSí, pero hay que respetar las reglas.Yes, but we must respect the rules.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prohibido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
