Translation guide
The English word 'ban' can be expressed in Japanese through verbs meaning 'to prohibit', nouns for official bans, and various expressions for banning someone from a place or activity. The most common and versatile word is 禁止 (kinshi), but the best choice depends on what is being banned and the level of formality.
彼はその店を出入り禁止になった。
He was banned from the store.
To express that something is officially prohibited by rules, laws, or authorities.
The most common and general word for 'ban' or 'prohibition'. Used for rules, laws, and signs. Can be used as a noun or with する (suru) to mean 'to ban/prohibit'.
ここでの喫煙は禁止されています。
Smoking is banned here.
その国は輸入を禁止した。
That country banned imports.
A slightly more formal verb meaning 'to forbid' or 'to ban'. Often used in official contexts or written rules.
校則で携帯電話の使用を禁じている。
School rules ban the use of mobile phones.
A 'ban order' or 'prohibition decree', often used for government-issued bans.
政府は輸出禁止令を出した。
The government issued an export ban.
To say that someone is not allowed to enter a place or participate in something.
Literally 'entry and exit prohibited'. Commonly used for banning someone from a store, restaurant, or venue.
彼はその店を出入り禁止になった。
He was banned from that store.
Means 'to banish' or 'to expel'. Stronger than a simple ban; implies being driven out or exiled.
彼はチームから追放された。
He was banned from the team.
Literally 'to shut out'. Used for barring someone from a place, often with a nuance of locking them out.
To say something is not allowed in a less formal way, often in conversation.
A very common casual way to say something is not allowed. Often used as '〜はダメ' (〜 wa dame).
ここで写真を撮るのはダメだよ。
Taking photos is banned here.
A casual way to say 'to make something banned', often used when someone decides to ban something.
このゲームは禁止にしよう。
Let's ban this game.
To refer to banning media or artistic content.
Short for 発売禁止 (hatsubai kinshi), meaning 'banned from sale'. Used for books, magazines, or other publications.
その本は発禁になった。
That book was banned.
Specifically means 'banned from screening', used for films.
その映画は上映禁止になった。
That movie was banned.
To refer to banning someone from a website, game, or online service.
The English loanword 'ban' is commonly used in online contexts, often written in katakana or English letters.
チートを使ったらBANされた。
I got banned for cheating.
Means 'account suspension', often used as a more formal term for banning an account.
規約違反でアカウント停止になった。
My account was banned for violating the terms.
禁止 (kinshi) is a noun and can be used with する (suru) to make a verb. It is the most common and versatile. 禁じる (kinjiru) is a verb that sounds more formal and is often used in written rules or official statements.
法律で禁止されている。
It is banned by law.
法律で禁じられている。
It is forbidden by law.
In casual speech, Japanese often uses ダメ (dame) or 禁止 (kinshi) rather than a direct verb equivalent. Saying 'I ban you' directly would sound unnatural; instead use phrases like 出入り禁止 (deiri kinshi) for banning a person from a place.
政府は外国車の輸入を禁止した。
The government banned the import of foreign cars.
彼は喧嘩でクラブを出入り禁止になった。
They banned him from the club for fighting.
The drunk was banned from the bar.