prohibido
/pɾoiˈbido/
The English phrase prohibited translates to Spanish as prohibido.
Prohibido is the most straightforward and widely used term for prohibited in Spanish. It is an adjective derived from the verb prohibir (to prohibit).
Meaning: forbidden (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While prohibido is the standard term, you may encounter Prohíbese in formal settings, such as in legal or contractual language.
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 using the specific phrase Está prohibido to mean 'It is prohibited to [do something]', the adjective remains in the masculine singular form prohibido regardless of the action that follows.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoiˈbido/
Did you know?
- The word prohibido comes from the Latin prefix pro-, meaning 'before' or 'away', and habere, meaning 'to hold', literally meaning 'to hold away'.
- In older Spanish literature, you might find the word proscrito used as a stronger version of prohibido, specifically for people who are banned or exiled from their country.
- In some highly formal or legal Spanish documents, you might encounter vedado instead of prohibido. This is used to describe something that is 'forbidden' or 'restricted' in a more technical sense.
Examples in context
- Está prohibido sacar fotos acá.Taking photos here is prohibited.This sentence shows how to use prohibido to say taking photos is not allowed.Tatoeba #523811 by hayastan, translation #707151 by papabear
- Está prohibido estacionar aquí.Parking is prohibited here.This sentence shows how to use prohibido to say parking is not allowed.Tatoeba #1072350 by hayastan, translation #61622 by CK
- Tú tienes prohibido fumar aquí.You are prohibited from smoking here.This sentence shows how to use prohibido to say a person is prohibited from smoking.Tatoeba #5146615 by albrusgher, translation #16719 by CC
- Prohibido fumarNo smoking
- Acceso prohibidoAccess prohibited
- Está prohibido aparcar aquíParking is prohibited here
- El acceso a esta área está vetadoAccess to this area is prohibited
- Se prohíbe la reproducción sin permisoReproduction without permission is prohibited
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are walking through a park.
- Daniel¿Es prohibido entrar en esta zona?Is it forbidden to enter this area?
- ElenaSí, el paso está prohibido para nosotros.Yes, access is forbidden for us.
- DanielEs una lástima, Elena.It is a shame, Elena.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, buscaremos otro camino.Don't worry, we will look for another way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prohibited” translations and entries prohibido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
