Verbieten

Definitions

Verbieten is a German verb that translates to “forbid” or “prohibit” in English. It is commonly used to express the act of prohibiting someone from doing something or making something off-limits.

Some common synonyms for verbieten include:

• untersagen (to prohibit)
• unterschreiben (to forbid)
• unterschlagen (to ban)

Opposites

The opposite of verbieten is erlauben, which means “to allow” or “to permit”. While verbieten restricts certain actions or behaviors, erlauben grants permission or gives consent.

Examples of opposites could include:

• Verbieten: Das Rauchen ist in diesem Gebäude untersagt. (Smoking is prohibited in this building.)
• Erlauben: Das Rauchen ist auf der Terrasse erlaubt. (Smoking is allowed on the terrace.)

Synonyms

Other synonyms for verbieten include:

• nicht erlauben (not allow)
• ausschließen (to exclude)
• versagen (to deny)

Examples

Here are a few examples of sentences incorporating the verb verbieten:

• Meine Eltern haben mir verboten, nach Mitternacht auszugehen. (My parents forbade me from going out after midnight.)
• Der Lehrer hat den Gebrauch von Handys im Unterricht verboten. (The teacher prohibited the use of cell phones in class.)
• Die Regierung hat das Rauchen in öffentlichen Gebäuden verboten. (The government has banned smoking in public buildings.)

Remember to use verbieten when you want to express the action of forbidding or prohibiting something in German.\ Visit YouGlish.com