Inklingo
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prohibido

/proh-ee-BEE-doh/

forbidden

A simple red barrier arm is lowered completely across a dirt path in a green field, indicating that the way forward is forbidden.

As an adjective, prohibido means forbidden or against the rules.

prohibido(Adjective)

mA1

forbidden

?

Something that is against the rules

,

prohibited

?

Formal term for not allowed

Also:

banned

?

Regarding objects or activities

📝 In Action

Fumar está estrictamente prohibido en este hospital.

A1

Smoking is strictly forbidden in this hospital.

Es una zona prohibida; no puedes pasar.

A2

It is a prohibited zone; you cannot enter.

La entrada de perros está prohibida en la playa.

A1

The entry of dogs is prohibited on the beach.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vetado (vetoed/banned)
  • ilegal (illegal)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • entrada prohibida – no entry / entry prohibited
  • acceso prohibido – no access

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement is Key

Since 'prohibido' is an adjective here, it must match the thing it describes. If you are talking about 'la fruta' (feminine), you must say 'la fruta prohibida'.

With Ser or Estar

It usually pairs with 'estar' when referring to a temporary state, but most often with 'estar' or 'ser' when announcing a permanent rule: 'Está prohibido'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting Gender Match

Mistake: "La zona prohibido."

Correction: La zona prohibida. (Since 'zona' is feminine, 'prohibido' must be 'prohibida'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Quick Sign Recognition

Look for 'PROHIBIDO' on signs—it's the universal Spanish way of saying 'DO NOT DO THIS'.

A single bright red apple sits on a pedestal, completely enclosed by a simple wire mesh cage secured with a large silver padlock, showing that access has been prohibited.

As a past participle, prohibido is used in perfect tenses to mean 'prohibited' (e.g., access has been prohibited).

prohibido(Past Participle)

mB1

prohibited

?

Used in perfect tenses, e.g., 'has prohibited'

Also:

forbidden

?

Used in the passive voice, e.g., 'was forbidden'

📝 In Action

El director ha prohibido el uso de móviles en clase.

B1

The director has prohibited the use of cell phones in class.

Las armas habían sido prohibidas antes de la reunión.

B2

The weapons had been forbidden before the meeting.

💡 Grammar Points

The Perfect Helper

This form ('prohibido') is what you combine with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses, such as 'he prohibido' (I have prohibited).

Passive Voice Role

It is also used with 'ser' (to be) to show that something received the action: 'Fue prohibido' (It was prohibited).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Adjective and Participle

Mistake: "El director ha prohibida la comida. (Incorrect agreement with 'haber'.)"

Correction: El director ha prohibido la comida. (When used with 'haber', the participle 'prohibido' usually stays masculine singular.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Look for 'Haber'

If you see 'prohibido' immediately following a form of 'haber' (he, has, ha, hemos, han), you know it's being used as the past participle to describe a completed action.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: prohibido

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'prohibido' as an adjective?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

prohibir(to prohibit / to forbid) - verb
prohibición(prohibition / ban) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'prohibido' the same as 'no permitido'?

Yes, they mean the same thing, but 'prohibido' is usually stronger and more formal, often used for official rules or laws. 'No permitido' (not permitted) is a little softer.

How do I conjugate the base verb 'prohibir'?

The verb 'prohibir' (to prohibit) is generally regular, but it has an accent mark on the 'i' in most forms (e.g., 'yo prohíbo,' 'tú prohíbes'). This accent ensures the 'i' and 'o' are pronounced separately, not as a single sound.