verbieten
to forbid
To establish through an instruction, law, or rule that something is not allowed.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat ihm verboten, weiterhin zu rauchen.
The doctor forbade him to continue smoking.
verbieten
to forbid
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Meanings
sich verbieten
to forbid oneself
To force oneself not to do, say, or think something.
EXAMPLE
Ich musste mir verbieten, noch ein Stück von dem leckeren Kuchen zu essen.
I had to forbid myself from eating another piece of the delicious cake.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verbieten' (to forbid) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'bieten' in all sentence forms and is not stressed.
EXAMPLE
Die Hausordnung verbietet laute Musik nach 22 Uhr.
The house rules forbid loud music after 10 p.m.
Dative construction
The verb 'verbieten' (to forbid) needs a person in the dative (to whom is something forbidden?) and a thing in the accusative (what is forbidden?). Alternatively, it is followed by an infinitive clause with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Meine Eltern verbieten mir das Videospiel.
My parents forbid me the video game.
Word structure
The prefix 'ver-' reverses the meaning of the base verb 'bieten' (to offer, to provide). To forbid something therefore means not to allow it.
EXAMPLE
Hier ist das Parken streng verboten.
Parking is strictly forbidden here.
Reflexive use
In the reflexive form 'sich etwas verbieten' (to forbid oneself something), the action refers back to the person themselves. The reflexive pronoun is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir verbieten, ständig an die Arbeit zu denken.
I have to forbid myself from constantly thinking about work.
Compare with
verbieten vs sperren
to block / to ban
Verbieten means generally that an action or participation is not allowed. Sperren, when used for people, typically refers to a specific exclusion measure, often as a punishment and for a set period. That is why sperren is especially appropriate for a time-limited ban from a competition.
verbieten
Der Verband verbietet dem Spieler die Teilnahme an diesem Wettbewerb.
The association forbids the player from taking part in this competition.
sperren
Der Verband sperrt den Spieler wegen des Fouls für drei Spiele.
The association suspends the player for three games because of the foul.
In real life
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