Translation guide
The English verb "forbid" means to officially or authoritatively prohibit someone from doing something or to make something impossible. In Japanese, the most common and versatile equivalent is 禁じる (kinjiru), but other expressions like 禁止する (kinshi suru) and 許さない (yurusanai) are used depending on context, formality, and nuance. This guide covers how to express prohibition naturally in Japanese.
To say that someone is not allowed to do something, often by rule, law, or authority.
The most direct and common verb for 'forbid'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese. Often appears in the passive form 禁じられている (kinjirarete iru) to state that something is forbidden.
Smoking is forbidden here.
A more formal or official term, often used in rules, signs, and legal contexts. It is a suru-verb and can sound bureaucratic.
Literally 'not forgive/permit', used when someone in authority (parent, boss) forbids an action. Stronger emotional nuance than 禁じる.
A common grammatical pattern meaning 'must not do'. Used in everyday speech to forbid actions. The plain form is 〜てはいけない, and the polite form is 〜てはいけません.
You must not take photos here. (Photography is forbidden here.)
To say that circumstances or conditions make something impossible or prevent it from happening.
Used for situations where circumstances do not allow something. Often with inanimate subjects.
To express that a person in authority (parent, teacher, boss) forbids someone from a specific action.
Pattern: Person に Action を禁じる. Used when a person forbids another person from doing something.
To express a strong wish that something does not happen, often used in set phrases.
Literally 'such a thing must not happen'. Used to express 'God forbid' or 'heaven forbid'.
禁じる (kinjiru) is the most general and neutral verb for 'forbid'. 禁止する (kinshi suru) is more formal and official, often seen on signs and in legal documents. 許さない (yurusanai) implies a personal, often emotional, refusal to permit something, and can be used for both people and circumstances.
Fishing is forbidden in this area. (neutral statement)
The school rules forbid the use of mobile phones.
Underage drinking is forbidden by law.
Fireworks are forbidden in this park.
My father forbade me from going out late at night.
嘘をついてはいけない。
You must not tell lies.
Time did not permit it. (Time forbade it.)
My position forbids such remarks.
Simply means 'cannot do', often used when external factors prevent an action. Less formal than 許さない.
This weather forbids departure. (We cannot depart in this weather.)
The doctor forbade me from drinking alcohol.
The teacher forbade the students from eating and drinking in the classroom.
Pattern: Person に Action を許さない. Stronger, more emotional. Often used by parents or strict authority figures.
My mother forbade me from breaking curfew.
God forbid he should have an accident.
An interjection meaning 'No way!' or 'God forbid!'. Used to strongly deny an undesirable possibility.
God forbid, he would never do such a thing.
Fishing is prohibited in this area. (official sign)
My father forbade me from going fishing. (personal authority)
Avoid directly translating 'forbid someone to do' as 〜するために禁じる. Instead, use the patterns 〜に〜を禁じる or 〜が〜するのを禁じる.
He forbade me to go.