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| 禁止 [2025/08/13 00:44] – created xiaoer | 禁止 [2025/08/18 21:59] (current) – created xiaoer |
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| ====== jìnzhǐ: 禁止 - To Prohibit, Forbid, Ban ====== | ====== jìnzhǐ: 禁止 - Prohibit, Forbid, Ban ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** jinzhi, 禁止, prohibit in Chinese, what does jinzhi mean, forbid in Chinese, Chinese signs, ban in Chinese, no smoking Chinese, do not enter Chinese, Chinese rules, Chinese regulations | * **Keywords:** jinzhi, 禁止, prohibit, forbid, ban, Chinese for not allowed, what does jinzhi mean, Chinese rules, Chinese signs, HSK 4 vocabulary, don't do in Chinese, Chinese regulations |
| * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **禁止 (jìnzhǐ)**, a formal Chinese verb for "to prohibit" or "forbid." This essential HSK 4 term is most commonly seen on official signs, public notices, and in legal documents throughout China. Understand its authoritative tone and discover why it's used for rules like "No Smoking" or "No Entry," and how it differs from more casual ways of saying "don't." | * **Summary:** The Chinese term 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) is a formal verb meaning "to prohibit," "to forbid," or "to ban." It is primarily used in official contexts, such as on public signs, in legal documents, and company regulations to state that an action is not allowed. Understanding 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) is key to navigating public spaces and formal rules in China, as it communicates a clear and non-negotiable instruction from an authority. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jìnzhǐ | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jìnzhǐ |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | * **Part of Speech:** Verb |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To prohibit, forbid, or ban an action, typically by rule, regulation, or law. | * **Concise Definition:** To prohibit or forbid an action, typically by an authority. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **禁止 (jìnzhǐ)** is the word for an official, impersonal prohibition. Think of it as the language of signs and rules. When you see **禁止** on a sign, it's not a friendly suggestion—it's a direct command from an authority (the government, a property owner, etc.) stating that an action is not allowed. It’s the reason you can’t smoke in the subway or park your car in front of a fire hydrant. | * **In a Nutshell:** Think of `禁止` as the official "No" or "Prohibited." You won't use it to tell a friend "Don't touch my phone." Instead, you'll see it on signs in a museum saying "No Photography" or in a contract stating certain actions are banned. It's a strong, impersonal, and formal word that establishes a rule. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **禁 (jìn):** This character means "to prohibit" or "to restrict." It's composed of 示 (shì), which originally depicted an altar, and two 木 (mù) characters, meaning "tree." One can imagine an ancient sacred grove or forest that was off-limits or forbidden to enter, giving it the sense of a restricted area. | * **禁 (jìn):** This character means "to prohibit" or "to forbid." It is composed of two parts: 林 (lín), meaning "forest," and 示 (shì), which is related to altars or showing/revealing. Historically, it may have referred to sacred, restricted groves or areas that were taboo to enter. |
| * **止 (zhǐ):** This is a simple pictograph of a foot. Its meaning is "to stop." | * **止 (zhǐ):** This character is a pictogram of a foot (趾) and means "to stop." It visually represents the act of halting movement. |
| * The two characters combine literally to mean "prohibit and stop," creating a powerful and unambiguous term for forbidding an action. | * When combined, **禁止 (jìnzhǐ)** literally means "prohibit and stop." This pairing creates a powerful and unambiguous command to cease a particular activity, reinforcing its role as a formal prohibition. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| * **Clarity and Authority:** The use of **禁止 (jìnzhǐ)** reflects a cultural emphasis on clarity, order, and respect for authority. In public spaces, rules are not meant to be ambiguous. **禁止** removes all doubt about what is and is not permitted, ensuring social harmony and safety. There is no attempt to soften the message with polite language like "We kindly ask you not to..." because the primary goal is direct and effective communication of a rule. | * `禁止` is a direct reflection of the importance of public order, rules, and social harmony in Chinese culture. It is a top-down communication from an authority (e.g., the government, a company, property management) to the general public, and it is expected to be obeyed without question. The widespread use of `禁止` on signs underscores a societal value for clear boundaries and regulated public behavior to ensure a smooth-functioning environment. |
| * **Comparison to Western "Politeness":** In American or British culture, signs might say "Please refrain from smoking" or "Thank you for not parking here." This phrasing softens the command. In contrast, **禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān - No Smoking)** is direct and absolute. This isn't seen as rude in Chinese culture; rather, it's considered efficient and clear. It signals that the rule is serious and backed by an institution, not a personal request. Following these posted rules is a basic expectation of civic behavior. | * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In English, we use a variety of phrases like "No Smoking," "Do Not Enter," or "Prohibited." `禁止` is the formal equivalent of "Prohibited" or "Forbidden." However, a key difference is that `禁止` is almost exclusively used in these impersonal, regulatory contexts. In English, "forbidden" can carry a dramatic or personal connotation (e.g., "a forbidden romance"). `禁止` lacks this emotional weight; it is purely a statement of a rule. For informal, personal requests like "Don't do that," a Chinese speaker would use `别 (bié)` or `不要 (búyào)`, never `禁止`. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| * **Official Signs and Notices:** This is the most common context for **禁止**. You will see it everywhere in public, from train stations and airports to parks, museums, and office buildings. | * `禁止` is most commonly encountered in written form on signs, notices, and official documents. |
| * **Formal Rules and Regulations:** It is used in legal texts, company policy handbooks, school regulations, and other formal documents to state what is forbidden. | * **Public Signage:** This is the most common use. You will see signs like `禁止吸烟` (No Smoking) and `禁止停车` (No Parking) everywhere from restaurants to subway stations. |
| * **Formal Spoken Contexts:** A police officer, a security guard, or an official might use it when giving a formal command, but it is very rare in everyday, casual conversation. | * **Rules and Regulations:** Company handbooks, park rules, and legal statutes frequently use `禁止` to list disallowed activities. For example, a library's rules might state `图书馆内禁止吃东西` (Eating is prohibited inside the library). |
| * **Connotation:** The connotation is neutral to stern and always formal and authoritative. It is never used informally among friends or family. For that, you would use **别 (bié)** or **不准 (bù zhǔn)**. | * **Formality:** It is always formal and impersonal. Using it in casual conversation would sound very strange, overly dramatic, or even comical. |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 公共场所**禁止**吸烟。 | * 此处**禁止**吸烟。 |
| * Pinyin: Gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ **jìnzhǐ** xīyān. | * Pinyin: Cǐchù **jìnzhǐ** xīyān. |
| * English: Smoking is prohibited in public places. | * English: Smoking is prohibited here. |
| * Analysis: This is a classic example of a widely enforced public rule. You will see signs with **禁止吸烟** all over China. | * Analysis: This is a classic example you would see on a sign in a public place like a restaurant, office building, or hospital. It's a standard, formal notice. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 此处**禁止**停车，违者拖走。 | * 为了安全，施工现场**禁止**入内。 |
| * Pinyin: Cǐchù **jìnzhǐ** tíngchē, wéizhě tuōzǒu. | * Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, shīgōng xiànchǎng **jìnzhǐ** rùnèi. |
| * English: No parking here. Violators will be towed. | * English: For safety reasons, entry to the construction site is forbidden. |
| * Analysis: A common warning on traffic signs. The second clause, "violators will be towed," reinforces the authority of the **禁止** command. | * Analysis: This sentence explains the reason for the prohibition, which is common on warning signs. `禁止入内` (jìnzhǐ rùnèi) means "No Entry." |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 博物馆内**禁止**拍照。 | * 博物馆里**禁止**使用闪光灯拍照。 |
| * Pinyin: Bówùguǎn nèi **jìnzhǐ** pāizhào. | * Pinyin: Bówùguǎn lǐ **jìnzhǐ** shǐyòng shǎnguāngdēng pāizhào. |
| * English: Photography is forbidden inside the museum. | * English: Using flash photography is prohibited inside the museum. |
| * Analysis: A standard rule in museums or galleries to protect the exhibits. | * Analysis: This specifies a particular action that is banned within a certain location. It's a common rule in places that want to protect artifacts or maintain a certain atmosphere. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 为了安全，施工现场**禁止**无关人员入内。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, shīgōng xiànchǎng **jìnzhǐ** wúguān rényuán rùnèi. | |
| * English: For safety reasons, unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering the construction site. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence shows **禁止** used in a formal safety warning. "入内 (rùnèi)" means "to enter." | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 法律**禁止**任何形式的歧视。 | * 法律**禁止**任何形式的歧视。 |
| * Pinyin: Fǎlǜ **jìnzhǐ** rènhé xíngshì de qíshì. | * Pinyin: Fǎlǜ **jìnzhǐ** rènhé xíngshì de qíshì. |
| * English: The law prohibits any form of discrimination. | * English: The law prohibits any form of discrimination. |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of **禁止** in a legal context, referring to a law's power to forbid something. | * Analysis: This example demonstrates the use of `禁止` in a legal context, showing its high level of formality and authority. |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 考试时**禁止**使用手机。 | * 考试期间**禁止**交头接耳。 |
| * Pinyin: Kǎoshì shí **jìnzhǐ** shǐyòng shǒujī. | * Pinyin: Kǎoshì qījiān **jìnzhǐ** jiāotóujiē'ěr. |
| * English: The use of mobile phones is prohibited during the exam. | * English: Whispering and cheating are forbidden during the exam. |
| * Analysis: A typical rule you would hear or read before taking a test in China. | * Analysis: `交头接耳` is an idiom for whispering or talking secretly. This shows `禁止` used with an idiomatic phrase in the context of official rules (school/exam rules). |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 严**禁**在森林里生火。 | * 本区域**禁止**乱扔垃圾，违者罚款。 |
| * Pinyin: Yán**jìn** zài sēnlín lǐ shēnghuǒ. | * Pinyin: Běn qūyù **jìnzhǐ** luàn rēng lājī, wéizhě fákuǎn. |
| * English: It is strictly forbidden to start a fire in the forest. | * English: Littering is prohibited in this area. Violators will be fined. |
| * Analysis: Note the use of **严禁 (yánjìn)**, which is an even stronger version of **禁止**, meaning "strictly prohibited." It emphasizes the seriousness of the rule. | * Analysis: This notice not only states the prohibition but also the consequence of breaking the rule, making the instruction even stronger. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 图书馆内**禁止**大声喧哗。 | * 公司规定，上班时间**禁止**玩手机游戏。 |
| * Pinyin: Túshūguǎn nèi **jìnzhǐ** dàshēng xuānhuá. | * Pinyin: Gōngsī guīdìng, shàngbān shíjiān **jìnzhǐ** wán shǒujī yóuxì. |
| * English: Making loud noises is forbidden inside the library. | * English: Company policy prohibits playing mobile games during work hours. |
| * Analysis: A common rule to maintain a quiet environment. **喧哗 (xuānhuá)** means "to make a racket or uproar." | * Analysis: This illustrates how `禁止` is used in corporate or organizational policies to enforce workplace discipline. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 公司**禁止**员工泄露客户信息。 | * 湖边立着一块牌子，上面写着“**禁止**游泳”。 |
| * Pinyin: Gōngsī **jìnzhǐ** yuángōng xièlòu kèhù xìnxī. | * Pinyin: Hú biān lìzhe yīkuài páizi, shàngmiàn xiězhe "**jìnzhǐ** yóuyǒng". |
| * English: The company prohibits employees from leaking client information. | * English: There is a sign by the lake that says "No Swimming." |
| * Analysis: An example from a corporate policy, where **禁止** establishes a firm rule for employees. | * Analysis: This sentence describes the sign itself, a common way learners might talk about seeing a `禁止` notice. |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 该区域**禁止**无人机飞行。 | * 政府发布了新规定，**禁止**销售一次性塑料袋。 |
| * Pinyin: Gāi qūyù **jìnzhǐ** wúrénjī fēixíng. | * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ fābùle xīn guīdìng, **jìnzhǐ** xiāoshòu yīcìxìng sùliào dài. |
| * English: Drone flight is prohibited in this area. | * English: The government issued a new regulation, banning the sale of single-use plastic bags. |
| * Analysis: A modern example of **禁止** being applied to new technology and regulations. | * Analysis: Here, `禁止` is used to mean "to ban" in the context of a government policy or law affecting commerce. |
| | * **Example 10:** |
| | * 出于版权保护，**禁止**录音和录像。 |
| | * Pinyin: Chūyú bǎnquán bǎohù, **jìnzhǐ** lùyīn hé lùxiàng. |
| | * English: For copyright protection, audio and video recording are prohibited. |
| | * Analysis: This is a typical announcement or sign you would see at a concert, movie theater, or performance. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **Mistake 1: Using 禁止 in Casual Conversation.** | * **The Biggest Mistake: Using `禁止` in Casual Conversation.** |
| * This is the most common mistake for learners. You would never tell your friend, "**禁止**吃我的薯片！" (Forbid you to eat my chips!). It sounds robotic, overly formal, and even ridiculous. | * English speakers often want to translate "don't" directly. However, using `禁止` to tell a person what to do is incorrect and sounds unnatural. |
| * **Incorrect:** 我**禁止**你玩电脑游戏。(Wǒ **jìnzhǐ** nǐ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.) - I forbid you to play computer games. | * **Incorrect:** 你朋友想抽烟，你说：“我**禁止**你在这里抽烟！” (Nǐ péngyǒu xiǎng chōuyān, nǐ shuō: "Wǒ **jìnzhǐ** nǐ zài zhèlǐ chōuyān!") This sounds like you are a dictator. |
| * **Correct (Casual):** **别**玩电脑游戏了。(**Bié** wán diànnǎo yóuxì le.) - Don't play computer games. | * **Correct (Informal):** “请**不要**在这里抽烟。” (Qǐng **búyào** zài zhèlǐ chōuyān. - "Please don't smoke here.") or more directly, “**别**抽烟！” (**Bié** chōuyān! - "Don't smoke!") |
| * **Correct (Authoritative, e.g., parent to child):** 我**不准**你玩电脑游戏。(Wǒ **bù zhǔn** nǐ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.) - I don't allow you to play computer games. | * **Rule of Thumb:** If you are speaking directly to a person in a casual or semi-formal situation, use `不要 (búyào)` or `别 (bié)`. If you are writing a sign or a formal rule, use `禁止`. |
| * **Mistake 2: Confusing 禁止 (jìnzhǐ), 不准 (bù zhǔn), and 别 (bié).** | |
| * **禁止 (jìnzhǐ):** Formal, impersonal, used for official rules and laws. Think "PROHIBITED." | |
| * **不准 (bù zhǔn):** Strong, but can be personal. Used by someone with direct authority over another (e.g., parent, boss, teacher). Think "Not Allowed" or "Must Not." | |
| * **别 (bié):** Informal, used in everyday speech among anyone. It's a command, a request, or a suggestion. Think "Don't." | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[严禁]] (yánjìn) - Strictly Prohibited. An intensified version of **禁止**, used for rules with very serious consequences. | * [[严禁]] (yánjìn) - Strictly prohibit. This is an even stronger, more severe version of `禁止`, often used for rules related to safety and security. |
| * [[不准]] (bù zhǔn) - Not allowed / Must not. A strong, often personal command from an authority figure. | * [[不准]] (bù zhǔn) - Not allowed; forbidden. Similar to `禁止` but can sometimes be used by a person in a position of authority (e.g., a parent to a child, a boss to an employee) more directly than `禁止`. |
| * [[不许]] (bù xǔ) - Not permitted. Very similar in meaning and usage to **不准**. | * [[不得]] (bùdé) - Must not; may not. This is a very formal term used almost exclusively in legal texts, contracts, and written regulations. It's less common on public signs. |
| * [[别]] (bié) - Don't. The most common, informal negative imperative used in daily conversation. | * [[别]] (bié) - Don't. This is the most common informal, imperative negative. Used in everyday speech to tell someone not to do something. |
| * [[允许]] (yǔnxǔ) - To permit, to allow. The direct antonym of **禁止**. | * [[不要]] (búyào) - Don't. Another very common informal, imperative negative. Interchangeable with `别` in most cases. |
| * [[可以]] (kěyǐ) - Can, may be allowed to. A common way of expressing permission. | * [[允许]] (yǔnxǔ) - To permit, to allow. The direct antonym of `禁止`. |
| * [[规定]] (guīdìng) - Rule, regulation. A rule is the policy that often contains **禁止** clauses. | * [[规定]] (guīdìng) - Regulation, rule; to stipulate. A regulation is often the source of a `禁止` instruction. |
| * [[警告]] (jǐnggào) - Warning. A word often found on signs alongside **禁止**. | * [[警告]] (jǐnggào) - A warning. Warning signs often appear alongside `禁止` notices. |
| * [[法律]] (fǎlǜ) - Law. The ultimate authority that **禁止** certain behaviors in a society. | |