das Tabu
taboo
An unwritten law or strong social rule that forbids talking about certain things or performing certain actions.
EXAMPLE
In vielen Kulturen ist Inzest ein starkes Tabu.
In many cultures, incest is a strong taboo.
das Tabu
taboo
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Meanings
das Tabu
taboo
A topic that is avoided in society or in a particular group out of shame, fear, or respect.
EXAMPLE
Psychische Krankheiten sind leider immer noch ein Tabu in unserer Gesellschaft.
Mental illnesses are unfortunately still a taboo in our society.
Usage tips
Use as an adjective
Although 'Tabu' (taboo) is a noun, it is very often used like an adjective after the verb 'sein' (to be). In this function, it is not declined and always remains in the form 'tabu'.
EXAMPLE
Über Geld zu sprechen, ist in seiner Familie tabu.
Talking about money is taboo in his family.
Typical collocation
A very common and important collocation is 'ein Tabu brechen' (to break a taboo). It means talking about something or doing something that is considered socially forbidden or inappropriate.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrem Buch hat die Autorin ein wichtiges Tabu gebrochen.
With her book, the author broke an important taboo.
Word family
Other useful words are derived from the noun 'das Tabu' (the taboo). 'Das Tabuthema' refers to a topic that is not talked about, and the verb 'tabuisieren' means to make something taboo.
EXAMPLE
Der Tod ist in unserer Gesellschaft oft ein Tabuthema.
Death is often a taboo subject in our society.
Compare with
Tabu vs Verbot
ban / prohibition
Das Verbot and das Tabu can both mark an action or topic as unwanted. A Verbot is explicitly and officially imposed, whereas a Tabu is usually based on an unwritten social rule or on avoidance out of shame, fear, or respect. For social stigmatization, „Tabu“ is the better choice.
Tabu
In der Familie ist es ein Tabu, über die Krankheit des Großvaters zu sprechen.
In the family, talking about the grandfather's illness is taboo.
Verbot
Das Verbot untersagt den Besuchern, im Museum zu fotografieren.
The ban prohibits visitors from taking photographs in the museum.
In real life
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