forbid、prohibit与ban这些动词均有“禁止”之意。
forbid : 通俗用语,指直接地、面对面吩咐不许他人采取某种行动。
- The law forbids the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 16.
法律禁止向16岁以下的未成年人出售香烟。 - He's obviously really embarrassed about it because he forbade me to tell anyone.
他显然对此非常不好意思,因为他不许我告诉任何人。
prohibit : 正式用词,多指通过法律手段或制订规则加以禁止。
- Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in the town centre.
机动车辆禁止在市中心行驶。 - Parking is strictly prohibited between these gates.
这些大门之间严禁停车。
ban : 语气最强,指权威机关明文取消或禁止严重危害公众利益的事或行为,隐含道义上的谴责意味。
- She was banned from driving for two years.
她被禁止开车两年。 - There should be a ban on talking loudly in cinemas.
电影院里应该禁止大声交谈。