01
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
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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' both describe a boundary: certain things should not or may not be done or said. 'Verbot' is usually official and appears in a rule, law, or regulation. 'Tabu' is often not set down in writing, but comes from society, family, or culture. It often concerns topics that people do not talk about out of shame, fear, or respect. The words can be confused because both feel like a 'no'. In practical terms: a 'Verbot' comes from a rule; a 'Tabu' often comes from social expectations.
Tabu
In seiner Familie war Geld lange ein Tabu, über das niemand sprechen wollte.
In his family, money was long a taboo that no one wanted to talk about.
Verbot
Wegen der Trockenheit gibt es im Wald ein Verbot für Feuer.
Because of the dry weather, fires are banned in the forest.
In real life
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