外出禁止
gaishutsu kinshi
The English phrase "you're grounded" can be expressed in Japanese as 外出禁止 (gaishutsu kinshi).
In English, "you're grounded" is a complete sentence, but the Japanese equivalent is often used as a noun phrase or as a command to state the punishment. It refers to a punishment where a child is forbidden from leaving the house or socializing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase can be adjusted in tone by adding different endings. Adding だ to the end creates a blunt, informal declaration, which is typically how a parent would speak to a child. Adding です to the end makes the phrase grammatically polite, though it remains a statement of a rule or punishment.
How does it change in a sentence?
For example, 外出禁止だ or 外出禁止です.
How do you pronounce it?
gaishutsu kinshi
Did you know?
- In many Japanese households, a more common way to 'ground' a child psychologically is to tell them to 反省 (hansei), which literally means to 'reflect' on one's mistakes.
- The phrase 外出禁止 uses the same word for 'forbidden' as one finds on official 'No Smoking' signs, making a household punishment sound like a formal government decree.
- Instead of physical confinement, Japanese parents often target specific modern activities, using phrases like ネット禁止 (netto kinshi) for 'internet forbidden' to ground a child.
Examples in context
- 外出禁止だよ！No going out!
- 今日は外出禁止です。Kyou wa gaishutsu kinshi desu.You are grounded today.
- そんなことをしたら外出禁止だよ。Sonna koto o shitara gaishutsu kinshi dayo.If you do something like that, you're grounded.
- 週末は外出禁止に決定した。Shuumatsu wa gaishutsu kinshi ni kettei shita.I've decided you are grounded for the weekend.
Example conversation
A mother is scolding her son for coming home late.
- 陽葵 Himariこんなに遅かったら外出禁止よ。Konna ni osokattara gaishutsu kinshi yo.You're grounded for coming home this late.
- 陽太 Yotaえっ、そんなのひどすぎるよ。E, sonna no hidosugiru yo.What, that's way too harsh.
- 陽葵 Himari反省しなさい、陽太。Hansei shinasai, Hinata.Think about what you did, Hinata.
- 陽太 Yotaわかったよ、ごめんね。Wakatta yo, gomen ne.Alright, I'm sorry.
