Learn Japanese N2 Kanji: 禁 (kin) – Prohibition, Ban

Learn Japanese N2 Kanji: 禁 (kin) – Prohibition, Ban

Readings: キン (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)

Meaning: prohibition, ban, forbid

The kanji 禁 combines the radical 示 (shimesu), meaning “altar” or “show,” and 林 (hayashi), representing a “grove” or “forest.” Historically, this character depicted a sacred grove where entry was forbidden, hence its meaning of “prohibition” or “ban.”

View JLPT N2 Kanji List

How to Write – Stroke Order

The kanji 禁 (kin) has 13 strokes. It begins with the 示 radical on the left, followed by the 林 component on the right. Pay attention to the balance and order of strokes, especially the four dots in the 示 radical and the crosses in the 林.

Kanji Details

Radical示 (しめす)
Strokes13
JLPT LevelN2
GradeSecondary School

Readings with English Transcription

Onyomi (Chinese readings)

  • キン (KIN)

Common Words Using 禁

Onyomi Readings

WordReadingMeaning
禁止きんしprohibition; ban
禁煙きんえんNo smoking
禁酒きんしゅabstinence from alcohol
禁断きんだんforbidden (e.g., forbidden love)
禁句きんくforbidden word; taboo word
禁物きんもつforbidden thing; taboo
禁足きんそくhouse arrest; confinement
禁漁きんりょうfishing ban
禁輸きんゆembargo; prohibition of exports/imports
解禁かいきんlifting a ban; release; open season

Example Sentences

Japanese: ここは駐車禁止です。

Kana: ここも ちゅうしゃきんしです。

Romaji: Koko wa chūsha kinshi desu.

English: Parking is prohibited here.

Japanese: この場所は禁煙です。

Kana: この ばしょは きんえんです。

Romaji: Kono basho wa kinen desu.

English: This place is non-smoking.

Japanese: 立ち入り禁止の場所です。

Kana: たちいりきんし の ばしょです。

Romaji: Tachiiri kinshi no basho desu.

English: It is a no-entry zone.

Japanese: 彼は禁酒中です。

Kana: かれは きんしゅちゅう です。

Romaji: Kare wa kinshuchū desu.

English: He is abstaining from alcohol.

Japanese: 禁断の恋に落ちた。

Kana: きんだん の こいに おちた。

Romaji: Kindan no koi ni ochita.

English: They fell into a forbidden love.

Japanese: その言葉は禁句だ。

Kana: その ことばは きんく だ。

Romaji: Sono kotoba wa kinku da.

English: That word is taboo.

Japanese: 今は禁漁期間です。

Kana: いまは きんりょうきかん です。

Romaji: Ima wa kinryō kikan desu.

English: It is currently the closed fishing season.

Japanese: 輸入が禁じられた。

Kana: ゆにゅうが きんじられた。

Romaji: Yunyū ga kinjirareta.

English: Imports were forbidden.

Japanese: この地域は開発が禁止されています。

Kana: この ちいきは かいはつが きんしされて います。

Romaji: Kono chiiki wa kaihatsu ga kinshi sarete imasu.

English: Development is prohibited in this area.

Japanese: 彼は数日間、禁足処分になった。

Kana: かれは すうじつかん、きんそくしょぶん になった。

Romaji: Kare wa sūjitsukan, kinsoku shobun ni natta.

English: He was placed under house arrest for several days.

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