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March 24, 2026
禁止jìnzhǐ(jin4zhi3)
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) means to prohibit or forbid something. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as signs or regulations, to indicate that an action is not allowed. This word carries a sense of authority and is often associated with rules or laws.
Frequency#2613DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, signs that read 禁止 are prevalent in public spaces, such as parks and museums, emphasizing the importance of adhering to social norms and regulations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'gin' bottle that is 'forbidden' in a bar because it's banned. The character 禁 combines the radical for 'gate' (阝) and the character for 'to stop' (止), suggesting a gate that stops people from passing through, representing prohibition.
Meanings of 禁止
jìnzhǐ(jin4zhi3)
1to prohibit
2to forbid
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About 禁止
禁止Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2613Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 禁止
Podcast: 禁止
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AI Study Notes for 禁止
Quick Contrast
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) vs 阻止 (zǔzhǐ): use 禁止 for formal prohibitions, while 阻止 is more about stopping an action in progress.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'gin' bottle that is 'forbidden' in a bar because it's banned. The character 禁 combines the radical for 'gate' (阝) and the character for 'to stop' (止), suggesting a gate that stops people from passing through, representing prohibition.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; it uses the fourth tone (jìn), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān - no smoking) or 禁止拍照 (jìnzhǐ pāizhào - no photography).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 禁止 connects with other verbs of action and negation. Focus on using it in various contexts, such as rules or personal boundaries, to strengthen your understanding of its applications.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, signs that read 禁止 are prevalent in public spaces, such as parks and museums, emphasizing the importance of adhering to social norms and regulations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 禁止 with 不能 (bù néng), thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, saying '我禁止你去' (wǒ jìnzhǐ nǐ qù - I prohibit you from going) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我不让你去' (wǒ bù ràng nǐ qù - I won't let you go).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 禁止
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Grammar Patterns of 禁止
禁止 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
We were forbidden, under pain of imprisonment, to use our native language.
10
他已经张贴了一张“禁止钓鱼”的告示牌。
tā yǐ jīng zhāng tiē le yī zhāng“ “ jīn zhǐ diào” yú ” de gào。
He has posted a sign up that says "No Fishing"
Cultural Notes for 禁止
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, signs that read 禁止 are prevalent in public spaces, such as parks and museums, emphasizing the importance of adhering to social norms and regulations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, prohibitions are often communicated less formally, with less emphasis on explicit signs compared to the direct authority implied in Chinese prohibitive language.
Frequently Asked Questions about 禁止
It's better to avoid using 禁止 in casual contexts as it sounds too formal; instead, use 不能 (bù néng) for 'cannot'.
Yes, 禁止 is primarily used to prohibit actions, not objects or people.
