Prohibirse

Prohibirse is a Spanish verb in its reflexive form of prohibir. It means to prohibit oneself from doing something, that is, to impose a personal restraint or self-imposed rule. It can also be used in impersonal constructions with se to indicate a general prohibition, as in se prohíbe fumar. The reflexive usage emphasizes that the restriction comes from the subject themselves, rather than being externally imposed.

Origin and usage notes: Prohibir comes from Latin prohibēre, meaning to forbid or restrain. Prohibirse shares this root and adds the reflexive pronoun, which alters the focus to the subject’s own action or restraint. The verb is common in contexts of self-discipline, dieting, or personal boundaries. In public or formal language, the non-reflexive passive or impersonal construction with se is frequent, for example, Se prohíbe la entrada a menores de 18 años.

Conjugation overview: Prohibirse follows the regular verb prohibir with reflexive pronouns. Present indicative: yo me prohíbo, tú te prohíbes, él se prohíbe, nosotros nos prohibimos, vosotros os prohibís, ellos se prohíben. Preterite (pretérito perfecto simple): yo me prohibí, tú te prohibiste, él se prohibió, nosotros nos prohibimos, vosotros os prohibisteis, ellos se prohibieron. Present subjunctive: me prohíba, te prohíbas, se prohíba, nos prohíbamos, os prohíbáis, se prohíban. The participle is prohibido, and the gerund is prohibiéndose, as in está prohibiéndose ciertos actos.

Examples: Me prohíbo comer dulces después de las comidas. Se prohíbe fumar en este edificio. These forms illustrate the distinction between self-imposed restraint and externally mandated prohibition.