禁止
kinshi[kʲĩɰ̃ɕi]
The English word prohibition is translated into Japanese as 禁止 (kinshi). If unsure, use 禁止. Wiktionary also lists 差し止め (sashitome).
Meaning: act of prohibiting (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 禁止 | kinshi | [kʲĩɰ̃ɕi] (narrow) |
| 差し止め | sashitome |
禁止 is the most straightforward and commonly used word for prohibition and carries a formal tone. It is used for general bans or prohibitions, such as 'no smoking' or 'entry prohibited'. Other related terms include 制限, which is a term associated with restrictions that can also imply a sense of prohibition and 禁じる, a verb form used to express active prohibition and conveys a sense of strong discouragement or explicit disapproval. For a list of prohibited items or rules, the term 禁止事項 is used.
Which one should you use?
While 禁止 is used for general bans, 差し止め is used specifically in a legal context to refer to a court-ordered injunction or the halting of an action.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kinshi
Did you know?
- The word 禁止 is composed of two characters: 禁 meaning 'to forbid' and 止 meaning 'to stop'. Interestingly, 止 is a pictograph of a foot, suggesting that a prohibition is literally a command to stop one's feet from moving forward.
- The word 禁じ手 refers to a 'prohibited move' in a game like Go or Shogi. In a broader sense, it is used as an idiom for a 'forbidden tactic' or a move that is too powerful or unfair to be allowed in a social or political struggle.
- Japanese has a specific word, 禁欲, which combines 'prohibition' with 'desire'. It translates to 'asceticism' or 'abstinence' and describes the active prohibition of one's own physical urges for spiritual goals.
Examples in context
- 禁煙ですNo smoking
- 入ることを禁じますDo not enter
- 飲食不可No food or drinks allowed
- 営業お断りしますNo soliciting
- 写真はダメですNo photos allowed
- キャンプが禁止されていますCamping is prohibited
- 触ってはいけませんYou must not touch
- ここは立ち入り禁止です。Koko wa tachiiri kinshi desu.Entry is prohibited here.
- 飲酒禁止の看板があります。Inshu kinshi no kanban ga arimasu.There is a sign prohibiting drinking.
- その行為は禁止されています。Sono koui wa kinshi sarete imasu.That act is prohibited.
Example conversation
Daigou and Himari are walking in a park.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、ここで犬を歩かせるのは禁止だよ。A, koko de inu o arukaseru no wa kinshi dayo.Oh, walking dogs is prohibited here.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当？看板が見当たらないよ。E, hontō? Kanban ga miataranai yo.What, really? I don't see a sign.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこにあれがあるよ。Asoko ni are ga aru yo.It's right over there.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。急いで戻ろう。Hontō dane. Isoide modorō.You're right. Let's head back quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prohibition” translations and entries 禁止, 差し止め, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
