Definitions

jìn (verb) to prohibit; to forbid
jīn (verb) to endure

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 禁 is a phono-semantic compound, with the phonetic component 林 on top and the radical 示 (associated with spirits or altars) at the bottom. Its original meaning referred to establishing restricted zones around sacred ritual sites to prevent unauthorized access. From this religious origin, the sense broadened to mean prohibiting or forbidding (a verb), and also denotes confinement, bans, or restricted areas such as imperial palace grounds (a noun).

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里止停车。

Zhèlǐ jìnzhǐ tíngchē.

Parking is prohibited here.

学校止学生带手机。

Xuéxiào jìnzhǐ xuéshēng dài shǒujī.

The school prohibits students from bringing mobile phones.

这个区域是区。

Zhège qūyù shì jìnqū.

This area is a restricted zone.

他有食物忌。

Tā yǒu shíwù jìnjì.

He has food taboos.

法律严毒品交易。

Fǎlǜ yánjìn dúpǐn jiāoyì.

The law strictly prohibits drug trafficking.

这种行为被视为忌。

Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi bèi shì wéi jìnjì.

This kind of behavior is considered taboo.

政府颁布了酒令。

Zhèngfǔ bānbù le jìnjiǔ lìng.

The government issued a prohibition on alcohol.

在敏感时期,网络言论受到严格锢。

Zài mǐngǎn shíqī, wǎngluò yánlùn shòudào yángé jìngù.

During sensitive periods, online speech is strictly controlled.