Translation guide
Describes areas, actions, or topics that are off-limits, prohibited, or not allowed. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific terms for physical boundaries, rule violations, and metaphorical restrictions.
Indicating a place where entry or access is prohibited, such as in sports, construction sites, or restricted zones.
Standard phrase for 'no entry' or 'off-limits' area. Used on signs and in spoken warnings.
This area is out of bounds.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports contexts like golf or skiing to mean 'out of bounds'.
The ball went out of bounds.
Literally 'outside the grounds', used for sports or events where something goes beyond the designated area.
The ball flew out of bounds.
Means 'outside the territory/zone', used in technical or formal contexts like military or legal boundaries.
The act was carried out out of bounds.
Referring to actions, topics, or behavior that are not allowed or considered unacceptable.
General way to say something is prohibited or forbidden. Can be used for rules, topics, or actions.
That topic is out of bounds here.
Loanword meaning 'taboo', used for socially forbidden topics or actions.
Means 'not permitted' or 'unforgivable', often used for moral or social transgressions.
Such behavior is out of bounds.
Specifically 'rule violation', used in games, sports, or formal settings.
Describing something that exceeds what is considered reasonable, appropriate, or within scope.
Literally 'outside the range/scope', used for topics, responsibilities, or parameters that are not included.
That question is out of bounds for my role.
Means 'going too far' or 'excessive', used when behavior or remarks cross a line.
Means 'out of the ordinary' or 'beyond common sense', implying something is socially unacceptable or bizarre.
That proposal is out of bounds.
Directly translating 'out of bounds' as 「境界の外」 is unnatural. Use context-appropriate phrases like 立ち入り禁止 for physical areas or 禁止 for rules.
立ち入り禁止 is the general term for off-limits areas (construction sites, private property). アウトオブバウンズ is a sports term (golf, skiing) and sounds technical. Using アウトオブバウンズ for a restricted building would be odd.
政治の話はタブーだ。
Talking about politics is out of bounds.
That's out of bounds.
His jokes are out of bounds.