verbieten

Verbieten is a German verb meaning to forbid or to prohibit. It is a transitive verb that requires a direct object naming what is forbidden, often with a dative object for the person affected. For example: “Ich verbiete dir das Rauchen” (I forbid you to smoke). It can also be used impersonally to label an activity as prohibited: “Es ist verboten, hier zu rauchen.”

Etymology: The verb is formed with the prefix ver- attached to bieten (to offer). In Early Modern and Modern German, the sense shifted toward prohibition. The past participle is verboten and is used as an adjective meaning forbidden, as in “verboten” signage.

Grammar and usage: Present tense forms generally resemble those of bieten: ich verbiete, du verbietest, er verbietet, wir verbieten, ihr verbietet, Sie verbieten. The simple past is verbot, and the past participle (for perfect tenses) is verboten. The verb takes a direct object for the thing forbidden and can pair with a dative for the person (jemandem etwas verbieten). Passive or impersonal constructions are common: “Es wird hier nicht geraucht; das Rauchen ist verboten.”

Lexical forms: The related noun das Verbot means prohibition or ban. The adjective/verbal participle verboten describes something that is prohibited, as in “verbotene Gegenstände.” These forms are widely used in law, regulations, and public signage.

See also: Prohibition, ban, gesetzliches Verbot.