Quick answer
禁 is the kanji for "Ban". It is a JLPT N2 kanji. The main reading is きん (kin). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Ban
Also : Forbid · Prohibition
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
13 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 禁 represents 'PROHIBITION'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of prohibition.
On-reading: きん — remember this sound by associating it with prohibition.
Example Sentences
このエリアでは飲食禁止なので、外で食べましょう。
このえりあではいんしょくきんしなので、そとでたべましょう。
Eating and drinking is prohibited in this area, so let's eat outside.
禁煙に挑戦して三か月が経ちますが、まだ続けています。
きんえんにちょうせんしてさんかげつがたちますが、まだつづけています。
It's been three months since I challenged myself to quit smoking, and I'm still going.
Vocabulary using 禁
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
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