At the A1 level, you only need to recognize 'ممنوع' (mamnu) as a word that means 'No' or 'Forbidden'. You will mostly see it on signs like 'No Smoking' (sigar keshidan mamnu). At this stage, you don't need to conjugate the verb 'kardan' perfectly, but you should understand that 'mamnu' means something is not allowed. Imagine you are in a park and see a sign with a red circle; that sign represents 'mamnu'. You might hear a teacher say 'Mamnu!' to stop a student from doing something. It is one of the first 'rule' words you learn because it is vital for safety and following instructions in a new country.
At the A2 level, you begin to use the full compound verb 'ممنوع کردن' (mamnu' kardan) to describe who is making the rules. You can say 'The teacher prohibited phones' or 'My mom prohibited chocolate'. You understand how to use the past tense 'kard' and the present tense 'mi-kon-ad'. You also start to use the object marker 'ra' correctly: 'Chocolate-ra mamnu' kard'. This level is about basic communication regarding rules in your immediate environment, such as at home, school, or work. You are moving beyond just reading signs to describing actions and restrictions in simple sentences.
At the B1 level, you can use 'ممنوع کردن' in more complex situations, such as discussing social issues or workplace policies. You can explain *why* something was prohibited using 'chon' (because). You are also comfortable with the passive form 'ممنوع شده است' (has been prohibited). You can handle prepositional phrases like 'prohibiting someone *from* doing something' (az... mamnu' kardan). Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'ghadaghan' for informal situations. You can participate in a conversation about whether certain things, like social media or specific foods, should be prohibited for children.
At the B2 level, you use 'ممنوع کردن' with precision in formal and academic contexts. You can discuss government legislation, international bans, and corporate regulations. You understand the nuances between 'mamnu' kardan' and 'tahrim kardan' (sanctioning). You can write a short essay or give a presentation on the pros and cons of prohibiting certain activities in society. You are also aware of the formal 'man' kardan' and can recognize it in news reports or literature. Your sentences are grammatically complex, utilizing various tenses and moods (like the subjunctive: 'I think they should prohibit...').
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the legal and philosophical implications of 'ممنوع کردن'. You can discuss the concept of 'prohibition' in the context of civil liberties, ethics, and historical precedents. You recognize the word in classical literature and complex legal codes. You can use the word idiomatically and understand its derivatives like 'mamnu'iyat' (prohibition) and 'mani' (obstacle) in abstract senses. You can debate the effectiveness of prohibition as a policy tool, using sophisticated vocabulary to describe the nuances of enforcement and compliance.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'ممنوع کردن' is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You use the word and its synonyms with perfect stylistic awareness. You can analyze legal texts that use the word to define the boundaries of the law. You understand its etymological roots in depth and how it has evolved within the Persian linguistic landscape. Whether you are drafting a formal policy, analyzing a poem, or engaging in a high-level legal debate, you use 'ممنوع کردن' and its related forms to convey precise, authoritative meaning.

ممنوع کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A formal Persian compound verb meaning 'to prohibit' or 'to ban'.
  • Consists of 'mamnu' (prohibited) and 'kardan' (to do/make).
  • Used in legal, social, and professional contexts to set rules.
  • Essential for understanding signage, news, and official instructions in Iran.

The Persian verb ممنوع کردن (mamnu' kardan) is a compound verb that serves as the primary way to express the act of prohibiting, banning, or forbidding an action, object, or behavior. Derived from the Arabic root 'M-N-A' (م-ن-ع), which relates to prevention or withholding, combined with the Persian auxiliary verb 'kardan' (to do/make), it carries a formal yet widely accessible tone. In everyday life, you encounter this word in contexts ranging from simple household rules to international law and governmental decrees. It is more than just saying 'no'; it implies an official or authoritative restriction. Understanding this word is crucial because it often appears on signage, in news broadcasts regarding policy changes, and in discussions about rights and limitations.

Formal Prohibition
Used when a government or institution officially bans a substance or activity, such as 'prohibiting the import of luxury cars'.
Social Restrictions
Refers to rules in public spaces, like 'prohibiting smoking in the park' or 'prohibiting loud music after midnight'.
Academic Context
In schools or universities, it describes forbidden behaviors like 'prohibiting the use of calculators during an exam'.

دولت ورود این کالا را ممنوع کرد.
(The government prohibited the entry of this item.)

استفاده از تلفن همراه در کلاس ممنوع شده است.
(The use of mobile phones in the class has been prohibited.)

پزشک او را از خوردن نمک ممنوع کرد.
(The doctor forbade him from eating salt.)

شورای شهر پارک کردن در این کوچه را ممنوع کرده است.
(The city council has prohibited parking in this alley.)

قانون جدید تبلیغات سیگار را ممنوع می‌کند.
(The new law prohibits cigarette advertisements.)

In summary, use 'ممنوع کردن' when you want to describe an authority figure or a set of rules stopping something from happening. It is the gold standard for 'to ban' in Persian, fitting perfectly in news, legal documents, and formal instructions. It conveys a sense of finality and legality that softer words like 'nagoftan' (to say no) lack.

Using ممنوع کردن correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive compound verb. In Persian, transitive verbs often require the object marker 'را' (ra) if the object is definite. When you prohibit 'something', that 'something' is the direct object. For example, if you are prohibiting 'entry' (vorud), you would say 'vorud-ra mamnu' kardan'. However, the structure can also involve a prepositional phrase, especially when prohibiting a person *from* an action.

The Direct Object Pattern
[Subject] + [Object] + را + [Conjugated Kardan]. Example: 'مدیر مدرسه فوتبال بازی کردن را ممنوع کرد' (The school principal prohibited playing football).
The Passive Construction
[Object] + ممنوع شدن (to become prohibited). Example: 'ماهیگیری در این دریاچه ممنوع شده است' (Fishing has been prohibited in this lake).
Prohibiting Someone From Something
[Subject] + [Person] + را + از + [Activity] + ممنوع کردن. Example: 'دادگاه او را از خروج از کشور ممنوع کرد' (The court prohibited him from leaving the country).

آنها فروش الکل را کاملاً ممنوع کردند.
(They completely prohibited the sale of alcohol.)

چرا دولت استفاده از این اپلیکیشن را ممنوع نمی‌کند؟
(Why doesn't the government prohibit the use of this application?)

والدینم تماشای تلویزیون را بعد از ساعت نه ممنوع کرده‌اند.
(My parents have prohibited watching TV after nine o'clock.)

When using this verb in the past tense, use 'کرد' (kard). For the present tense, use 'می‌کند' (mi-kon-ad). For example, 'She prohibits' is 'او ممنوع می‌کند'. If you want to say 'It must be prohibited', you would use the modal 'bayad' with the short infinitive: 'باید ممنوع کرد'. This flexibility allows you to cover all temporal aspects of restrictions.

You will encounter ممنوع کردن in almost every facet of Iranian public life. It is the language of the state, the school, and the workplace. If you are watching the news (IRIB or BBC Persian), you will hear it regarding trade sanctions, diplomatic bans, or internet filtering. In a physical environment in Iran, while the signs say 'ممنوع است', the verbal explanation by a guard or official will use 'ممنوع کردن'.

News and Media
Hear it in headlines like 'وزارت بهداشت مصرف این دارو را ممنوع کرد' (The Ministry of Health prohibited the consumption of this medicine).
Legal and Judicial Settings
Judges use it to 'prohibit' individuals from certain rights, or 'prohibit' the publication of a newspaper.
Daily Social Interactions
A landlord might say, 'من نگهداری حیوان خانگی را در این آپارتمان ممنوع کرده‌ام' (I have prohibited keeping pets in this apartment).

پلیس راهنمایی و رانندگی تردد کامیون‌ها را در روزهای تعطیل ممنوع کرد.
(Traffic police prohibited the movement of trucks on holidays.)

فدراسیون فوتبال حضور تماشاگران را در این بازی ممنوع کرد.
(The Football Federation prohibited the presence of spectators in this game.)

Whether it's a doctor prohibiting a patient from sugary foods or a government prohibiting a political party, the word remains the same. It is a versatile tool for any situation involving the setting of boundaries and the enforcement of rules.

Even though ممنوع کردن is straightforward, learners often make specific errors regarding its transitivity, preposition use, and confusion with similar-sounding words. One common mistake is using it as a simple verb without 'kardan', or confusing it with 'mamnu'iyat' (prohibition - the noun).

Mistaking the Noun for the Verb
Saying 'من این را ممنوع' instead of 'من این را ممنوع کردم'. The auxiliary 'kardan' is mandatory.
Incorrect Prepositions
Using 'be' (to) instead of 'ra' (object marker). It is 'sigar ra mamnu' kardan', not 'be sigar mamnu' kardan'.
Confusion with 'Ghadaghan'
While 'ghadaghan kardan' also means to prohibit, it is more colloquial and less formal than 'mamnu' kardan'. Using 'ghadaghan' in a legal document would be out of place.

Incorrect: دولت ورود گوشی را ممنوع است.
Correct: دولت ورود گوشی را ممنوع کرد.
(The government prohibited the entry of phones.)

Another error involves the passive voice. Learners sometimes say 'mamnu' kard shod' which is incorrect. The correct passive is 'mamnu' shod' or 'mamnu' shodeh ast'. Keeping the distinction between active and passive clear will significantly improve your fluency.

While ممنوع کردن is the most versatile term, Persian offers several alternatives depending on the register and specific nuance you wish to convey. Some are more formal, while others are specific to religious or colloquial contexts.

قدغن کردن (Ghadaghan Kardan)
More common in spoken Persian and informal settings. Often used by parents with children: 'I forbid you from going out!'.
تحریم کردن (Tahrim Kardan)
Specifically means 'to sanction' or 'to boycott'. Used in international politics and economic contexts.
حرام کردن (Haram Kardan)
Used in a religious (Islamic) context to declare something 'haram' or forbidden by God. It has a moral weight that 'mamnu' lacks.
منع کردن (Man' Kardan)
The root verb of 'mamnu'. It is very formal and often used in literature or high-level legal discourse. It means 'to prevent' or 'to bar'.

Comparison: 'ممنوع کردن' is for general rules; 'تحریم کردن' is for political sanctions; 'حرام کردن' is for religious sins.

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate different social layers in Iran. Using 'tahrim' when you mean 'mamnu' might make you sound like you're talking about international relations when you just want to say phones aren't allowed in the cinema!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root M-N-A (منع) is the same root for the word 'Mane'' (obstacle). So when you prohibit something, you are essentially placing an obstacle in front of that action.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mæmˈnuː kærˈdæn/
US /mæmˈnu kɑrˈdæn/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the auxiliary verb: 'kar-DAN'.
Rhymes With
پنهان کردن (penhan kardan) اعلان کردن (e'lan kardan) ویران کردن (viran kardan) جبران کردن (jobran kardan) احسان کردن (ehsan kardan) عنوان کردن (onvan kardan) فرمان کردن (farman kardan) پایان کردن (payan kardan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'mamnu' as 'mam-noo-ee' (adding an extra 'ee' sound).
  • Stress on 'mam' instead of 'kardan'.
  • Merging 'mamnu' and 'kardan' into one word without a slight pause.
  • Mispronouncing the 'u' as a short 'o'.
  • Failing to roll the 'r' slightly in 'kardan'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize on signs and in headlines.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of compound verb conjugation and 'ra'.

Speaking 3/5

Naturalizing the 'mamnu' vs 'ghadaghan' distinction takes time.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

کردن (to do) نه (no) قانون (law) اجازه (permission) بد (bad)

Learn Next

آزاد کردن (to free) مجاز (permitted) جریمه (fine) قانون (law) تخلف (violation)

Advanced

تحریم (sanction) منع (prevention) حرام (forbidden) تعلیق (suspension) ابطال (cancellation)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Conjugation

فقط بخش 'کردن' صرف می‌شود: ممنوع کردم، ممنوع می‌کنی، ممنوع خواهد کرد.

Direct Object Marker 'ra'

اگر مفعول مشخص باشد، 'را' می‌گیرد: او سیگار را ممنوع کرد.

Passive Construction

از 'شدن' استفاده می‌شود: ورود ممنوع شد.

Preposition 'az'

برای منع کردن کسی از کاری: او را از بازی ممنوع کرد.

Subjunctive Mood

بعد از 'باید' یا 'شاید': باید آن را ممنوع کنیم.

Examples by Level

1

سیگار کشیدن ممنوع است.

Smoking is prohibited.

Simple adjective use with 'ast'.

2

ورود ممنوع.

Entry prohibited.

Common sign phrase, verb is implied.

3

عکاسی ممنوع!

Photography prohibited!

Noun + adjective.

4

شنا کردن اینجا ممنوع است.

Swimming here is prohibited.

Gerund as subject.

5

دویدن ممنوع.

Running prohibited.

Short and direct.

6

پارک ممنوع.

No parking.

Standard traffic terminology.

7

صحبت کردن ممنوع.

Speaking prohibited.

Used in quiet zones.

8

غذا خوردن ممنوع است.

Eating is prohibited.

Often found in clean areas.

1

پدرم تماشای تلویزیون را ممنوع کرد.

My father prohibited watching TV.

Past tense 'kard' with object marker 'ra'.

2

معلم استفاده از موبایل را ممنوع می‌کند.

The teacher prohibits the use of mobiles.

Present tense 'mi-kon-ad'.

3

دولت ورود این میوه را ممنوع کرد.

The government prohibited the entry of this fruit.

Formal subject 'dolat'.

4

آنها بازی در کوچه را ممنوع کردند.

They prohibited playing in the alley.

Plural verb 'kardand'.

5

چرا پلیس این خیابان را ممنوع کرد؟

Why did the police prohibit (access to) this street?

Question form with 'chera'.

6

ما باید پلاستیک را ممنوع کنیم.

We must prohibit plastic.

Modal 'bayad' with subjunctive 'konim'.

7

او خوردن قند را ممنوع کرده است.

He has prohibited eating sugar.

Present perfect 'karde ast'.

8

مدرسه پوشیدن لباس غیررسمی را ممنوع کرد.

The school prohibited wearing casual clothes.

Compound object.

1

شورای شهر تبلیغات در مرکز شهر را ممنوع کرده است.

The city council has prohibited advertisements in the city center.

Present perfect for ongoing status.

2

پزشک او را از ورزش سنگین ممنوع کرد.

The doctor prohibited him from heavy exercise.

Structure: [Person] + ra + az + [Activity].

3

فروش سیگار به افراد زیر هجده سال ممنوع شده است.

Selling cigarettes to people under 18 has been prohibited.

Passive voice 'mamnu' shode ast'.

4

مدیر شرکت سفرهای غیرضروری را ممنوع کرد.

The company manager prohibited unnecessary travels.

Business context.

5

آیا قانون جدید استفاده از پهپاد را ممنوع می‌کند؟

Does the new law prohibit the use of drones?

Formal inquiry.

6

آنها ورود سگ‌ها به پارک را ممنوع کردند.

They prohibited dogs from entering the park.

Specific location restriction.

7

والدین باید تماشای فیلم‌های ترسناک را برای کودکان ممنوع کنند.

Parents should prohibit watching horror movies for children.

Parental advice context.

8

کتابخانه امانت دادن این کتاب‌های قدیمی را ممنوع کرد.

The library prohibited lending these old books.

Institutional rule.

1

قانون اساسی تفتیش عقاید را صراحتاً ممنوع کرده است.

The constitution has explicitly prohibited the investigation of beliefs.

Legal/Formal register.

2

سازمان ملل آزمایش‌های هسته‌ای را در سراسر جهان ممنوع کرد.

The UN prohibited nuclear tests worldwide.

International relations context.

3

برخی کشورها استفاده از این سموم کشاورزی را ممنوع کرده‌اند.

Some countries have prohibited the use of these agricultural pesticides.

Environmental/Scientific context.

4

دادگاه نشریه را از انتشار مطالب توهین‌آمیز ممنوع کرد.

The court prohibited the publication from publishing offensive content.

Judicial terminology.

5

فدراسیون جهانی استفاده از مواد نیروزا را در ورزش ممنوع کرده است.

The World Federation has prohibited the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

Sports regulation.

6

این توافق‌نامه استقرار نیروهای نظامی را در مرز ممنوع می‌کند.

This agreement prohibits the deployment of military forces at the border.

Diplomatic treaty language.

7

شرکت ما هرگونه تبعیض در محیط کار را ممنوع کرده است.

Our company has prohibited any kind of discrimination in the workplace.

Corporate ethics.

8

دولت صادرات گندم را برای تامین نیاز داخلی ممنوع کرد.

The government prohibited the export of wheat to meet domestic needs.

Economic policy.

1

اخلاق پزشکی شبیه‌سازی انسان را در بسیاری از جوامع ممنوع کرده است.

Medical ethics has prohibited human cloning in many societies.

Ethical/Philosophical context.

2

بند سوم این قرارداد، افشای اطلاعات محرمانه را ممنوع می‌سازد.

The third clause of this contract prohibits the disclosure of confidential information.

Using 'mamnu' misazad' for a more formal 'makes prohibited'.

3

تاریخ‌نگاران بر این باورند که این پادشاه تجمعات مذهبی را ممنوع کرده بود.

Historians believe that this king had prohibited religious gatherings.

Past perfect 'karde bud'.

4

فلسفه اگزیستانسیالیسم هرگونه محدودیت بر آزادی فردی را ممنوع می‌شمارد.

Existentialist philosophy considers any restriction on individual freedom as prohibited.

Sophisticated verb choice 'mamnu' mishomarad'.

5

پروتکل‌های امنیتی دسترسی به سرورهای اصلی را برای افراد غیرمجاز ممنوع کرده است.

Security protocols have prohibited access to main servers for unauthorized persons.

Technical/Security context.

6

حقوق بین‌الملل استفاده از سلاح‌های شیمیایی را در جنگ ممنوع می‌داند.

International law considers the use of chemical weapons in war prohibited.

Legal consensus language.

7

منتقدان معتقدند که سانسور نباید نقد سازنده را ممنوع کند.

Critics believe that censorship should not prohibit constructive criticism.

Political/Media discourse.

8

نظام‌های دیکتاتوری معمولاً فعالیت احزاب مخالف را ممنوع می‌کنند.

Dictatorial regimes usually prohibit the activities of opposition parties.

Political science context.

1

رویکرد ساختارگرایانه، تقلیل پدیده‌های پیچیده به عناصر ساده را در تحلیل نهایی ممنوع می‌انگارد.

The structuralist approach deems the reduction of complex phenomena to simple elements as prohibited in the final analysis.

Extremely formal 'mamnu' mi-angarad'.

2

در این رساله، نویسنده هرگونه تعامل با سنت‌های پیشین را در این چارچوب فکری ممنوع اعلام کرده است.

In this treatise, the author has declared any interaction with previous traditions as prohibited within this intellectual framework.

Academic 'mamnu' e'lam kardan'.

3

مبانی هستی‌شناختی این نظریه، دخالت اراده انسانی را در فرآیندهای طبیعی ممنوع جلوه می‌دهد.

The ontological foundations of this theory portray human will's intervention in natural processes as prohibited.

Ontological/Philosophical register.

4

قانون‌گذار با ظرافت خاصی، هرگونه تفسیری که منجر به تضییع حقوق شهروندی شود را ممنوع کرده است.

The legislator, with particular delicacy, has prohibited any interpretation that leads to the violation of citizenship rights.

Legal drafting language.

5

در متون عرفانی، اشتغال به امور دنیوی به گونه‌ای که مانع سیر و سلوک شود، ممنوع تلقی می‌گردد.

In mystical texts, preoccupation with worldly affairs in a way that hinders spiritual journeying is considered prohibited.

Mystical/Religious register 'mamnu' talaghi migardad'.

6

این دکترین دیپلماتیک، هرگونه مداخله در امور داخلی کشورهای همسایه را به طور قاطع ممنوع می‌سازد.

This diplomatic doctrine resolutely prohibits any interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.

Geopolitical terminology.

7

پژوهش‌های نوین، هرگونه پیش‌فرض متافیزیکی را در بررسی‌های تجربی ممنوع می‌دانند.

Modern research considers any metaphysical assumptions prohibited in empirical investigations.

Scientific epistemology.

8

در نظام‌های حقوقی پیشرفته، عطف به ماسبق شدن قوانین کیفری به ضرر متهم ممنوع است.

In advanced legal systems, the retroactive application of criminal laws to the detriment of the accused is prohibited.

Complex legal principle (Ex post facto).

Common Collocations

ورود را ممنوع کردن
فروش را ممنوع کردن
استفاده را ممنوع کردن
خروج را ممنوع کردن
تبلیغات را ممنوع کردن
صادرات را ممنوع کردن
تجمع را ممنوع کردن
سیگار کشیدن را ممنوع کردن
حضور را ممنوع کردن
واردات را ممنوع کردن

Common Phrases

ممنوع‌الخروج

— Someone who is legally banned from leaving the country.

آن هنرمند ممنوع‌الخروج شده است.

ممنوع‌التصویر

— Someone (usually a celebrity) banned from appearing on TV.

او سال‌ها در ایران ممنوع‌التصویر بود.

منطقه ممنوعه

— A restricted or forbidden zone (e.g., military base).

وارد منطقه ممنوعه نشوید.

کالای ممنوعه

— Contraband or prohibited goods.

پلیس کالاهای ممنوعه را کشف کرد.

کتاب ممنوعه

— A banned book.

او به دنبال یک کتاب ممنوعه قدیمی بود.

ممنوعیت تردد

— Curfew or traffic restriction.

ممنوعیت تردد شبانه لغو شد.

ممنوعیت موقت

— A temporary ban.

این یک ممنوعیت موقت برای بازسازی است.

به شدت ممنوع کردن

— To strictly prohibit.

مدیر به شدت سیگار کشیدن را ممنوع کرد.

قانوناً ممنوع کردن

— To prohibit by law.

این کار قانوناً ممنوع شده است.

رسماً ممنوع کردن

— To officially prohibit.

دولت رسماً این فعالیت را ممنوع کرد.

Often Confused With

ممنوع کردن vs قدغن کردن

Similar meaning but 'ghadaghan' is much more informal and often used in household contexts.

ممنوع کردن vs تحریم کردن

Confused in political contexts; 'tahrim' is specifically for sanctions/boycotts, 'mamnu' is for general bans.

ممنوع کردن vs تعطیل کردن

Means 'to close' or 'to shut down'. Prohibiting an activity is different from closing a business.

Idioms & Expressions

"میوه ممنوعه"

— Forbidden fruit; something tempting but not allowed.

عشق آنها مثل میوه ممنوعه بود.

Literary/Common
"خط قرمز"

— Red line; a boundary that must not be crossed (often related to prohibition).

نقد رهبری خط قرمز است.

Political
"ورود افراد متفرقه ممنوع"

— No unauthorized personnel; a standard sign phrase.

روی درب آزمایشگاه نوشته بود: ورود افراد متفرقه ممنوع.

Formal
"ممنوعیت مطلق"

— Absolute prohibition; something that is never allowed.

در این دین، دروغگویی ممنوعیت مطلق دارد.

Academic/Religious
"حکم ممنوعیت"

— A prohibition order or injunction.

دادگاه حکم ممنوعیت فعالیت شرکت را صادر کرد.

Legal
"سد کردن راه"

— To block the way; often used metaphorically for prohibiting progress.

آنها با قوانین جدید سد راه ما شدند.

Metaphorical
"قلم قرمز کشیدن"

— To cross out or ban something (like a project or idea).

مدیر روی طرح پیشنهادی ما قلم قرمز کشید.

Informal
"تابو بودن"

— To be taboo; culturally prohibited.

صحبت از این موضوع در خانواده ما تابو است.

Sociological
"ممنوع‌المنبر"

— Banned from preaching/speaking in public (specifically for clerics).

او در دوران قبل از انقلاب ممنوع‌المنبر بود.

Religious/Historical
"ممنوع‌المعامله"

— Banned from conducting business or transactions.

شرکت به دلیل بدهی ممنوع‌المعامله شد.

Legal/Financial

Easily Confused

ممنوع کردن vs ممنون (mamnun)

Sounds very similar to 'mamnu'.

'Mamnun' means 'thankful/grateful', while 'mamnu' means 'prohibited'.

خیلی ممنون (Thank you very much) vs. ورود ممنوع (Entry prohibited).

ممنوع کردن vs مجاز (mojaz)

Often seen on the same signs as an alternative.

It is the direct antonym, meaning 'allowed' or 'authorized'.

پارک مجاز است (Parking is allowed).

ممنوع کردن vs مانع (mane')

Same Arabic root.

'Mane'' is a noun meaning 'obstacle', while 'mamnu' is the adjective for 'prohibited'.

او مانع کار ما شد (He became an obstacle to our work).

ممنوع کردن vs منفی (manfi)

Both start with 'man-'.

'Manfi' means 'negative', 'mamnu' means 'prohibited'.

جواب منفی (Negative answer).

ممنوع کردن vs ممنوعیت (mamnu'iyat)

Noun form of the verb.

Use 'mamnu'iyat' for the concept (prohibition) and 'mamnu' kardan' for the action (to prohibit).

ممنوعیت الکل (Alcohol prohibition).

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Noun] ممنوع است.

پارک ممنوع است.

A2

[Subject] [Noun] را ممنوع کرد.

پدر موبایل را ممنوع کرد.

B1

[Noun] ممنوع شده است.

ماهیگیری ممنوع شده است.

B1

[Subject] او را از [Action] ممنوع کرد.

دکتر او را از دویدن ممنوع کرد.

B2

طبق قانون، [Action] ممنوع می‌باشد.

طبق قانون، تکدی‌گری ممنوع می‌باشد.

C1

[Subject] [Noun] را ممنوع اعلام کرد.

دولت وضعیت اضطراری و تجمع را ممنوع اعلام کرد.

C2

[Concept] [Action] را ممنوع می‌انگارد.

این مکتب فکری، خشونت را ممنوع می‌انگارد.

C2

حکم بر ممنوعیت [Noun] صادر شد.

حکم بر ممنوعیت فعالیت حزب صادر شد.

Word Family

Nouns

ممنوعیت (mamnu'iyat - prohibition)
منع (man' - prevention)
مانع (mane' - obstacle/barrier)

Verbs

ممنوع شدن (mamnu' shodan - to be prohibited)
منع کردن (man' kardan - to prevent/forbid)

Adjectives

ممنوع (mamnu' - prohibited)
ممنوعه (mamnu'eh - feminine/plural form used for things like 'zones')
مجاز (mojaz - permitted - antonym)

Related

قانون (law)
جریمه (fine)
اجازه (permission)
قدغن (forbidden)
تحریم (sanction)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both written and spoken Persian.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'mamnu' without 'kardan' as a verb. من آن را ممنوع کردم.

    You cannot say 'Man an ra mamnu'. You need the auxiliary 'kardan'.

  • Confusing 'mamnu' with 'mamnun'. ممنون برای کمک (Thanks) / ورود ممنوع (No Entry).

    One means thanks, the other means prohibited. Watch the last letter!

  • Using 'be' instead of 'ra'. دولت ورود را ممنوع کرد.

    'Mamnu' kardan' is transitive and takes a direct object with 'ra'.

  • Saying 'mamnu' kard shod'. ممنوع شد.

    The passive of 'kardan' is 'shodan'. You don't need 'kard' in the middle.

  • Using 'mamnu' for 'closed'. بانک تعطیل است.

    'Mamnu' means forbidden, not closed for business.

Tips

Auxiliary Focus

Remember that in compound verbs like 'mamnu' kardan', only the 'kardan' part changes. Treat 'mamnu'' like a fixed block.

Sign Language

When you see 'ممنوع' on a sign, it's always followed by a noun or a gerund (e.g., 'parking', 'smoking').

Legal vs Religious

Use 'mamnu' for rules made by people and 'haram' for rules believed to be from God.

The 'Ra' Rule

Don't forget the 'ra' after the thing you are banning. 'Mubail ra mamnu' kardand' (They banned mobiles).

Formal Reports

In essays, use 'mamnu'iyat' (the noun) to sound more academic: 'Mamnu'iyat-e kark-e koodakan' (Prohibition of child labor).

Stress the End

The stress in Persian verbs usually falls on the end of the stem or the prefix. For 'mamnu' kardam', stress the 'dam'.

News Keywords

If you hear 'mamnu' in the news, listen for the word before it; that's what's being banned.

M-N-A Root

Connect it to 'Minimum'. A prohibition gives you the 'minimum' amount of freedom to do that thing (zero!).

Polite Refusal

You can use 'mamnu' est' to politely tell someone they can't do something in a formal setting.

Passive Voice

Practice 'mamnu' shod' (it was prohibited) as it is very common in official announcements.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Mam' (Mother) and 'Nu' (No). A mother saying 'No!' is the essence of 'Mam-nu' (prohibiting).

Visual Association

Imagine a red 'Circle with a Slash' sign over an action. That visual is the 'Mamnu' part of the verb.

Word Web

Law Ban Sign Rule Government No Stop Forbidden

Challenge

Write down three things that were prohibited in your school when you were a child, using 'ممنوع کردن'.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of the Arabic passive participle 'mamnu'' and the Persian verb 'kardan'.

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'mamnu'' means 'that which is prevented' or 'forbidden'.

Indo-European (Persian) + Afro-Asiatic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing what is 'mamnu' in Iran, as some prohibitions (like political or social ones) can be sensitive topics.

In English, we distinguish between 'banning' (government), 'forbidding' (personal), and 'prohibiting' (formal). Persian 'mamnu' kardan' covers all three but leans formal.

The movie 'Offside' (Jafar Panahi) deals with the 'mamnu'iyat' of women in stadiums. The phrase 'میوه ممنوعه' is a common title for Iranian TV dramas about forbidden love. Modern Persian poetry often uses 'mamnu' to describe censored thoughts.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traffic and Transport

  • پارک ممنوع
  • ورود ممنوع
  • توقف ممنوع
  • دور زدن ممنوع

School/Education

  • تقلب ممنوع
  • موبایل ممنوع
  • غیبت ممنوع
  • صحبت ممنوع

Health/Doctor

  • نمک ممنوع
  • ورزش ممنوع
  • سیگار ممنوع
  • قند ممنوع

Government/Law

  • واردات ممنوع
  • صادرات ممنوع
  • تجمع ممنوع
  • سفر ممنوع

Public Places

  • عکاسی ممنوع
  • شنا ممنوع
  • حیوان خانگی ممنوع
  • آشغال ریختن ممنوع

Conversation Starters

"آیا دولت باید استفاده از پلاستیک را ممنوع کند؟ (Should the government prohibit the use of plastic?)"

"در مدرسه شما چه چیزهایی ممنوع بود؟ (What things were prohibited in your school?)"

"آیا والدین باید بازی‌های ویدیویی خشن را ممنوع کنند؟ (Should parents prohibit violent video games?)"

"فکر می‌کنید چرا عکاسی در برخی موزه‌ها ممنوع است؟ (Why do you think photography is prohibited in some museums?)"

"اگر شما رئیس‌جمهور بودید، چه چیزی را ممنوع می‌کردید؟ (If you were president, what would you prohibit?)"

Journal Prompts

درباره قانونی بنویسید که فکر می‌کنید باید در شهر شما ممنوع شود. چرا؟ (Write about a law that you think should be prohibited in your city. Why?)

خاطره‌ای از زمانی که والدینتان کاری را برای شما ممنوع کردند بنویسید. (Write a memory of a time your parents prohibited something for you.)

آیا ممنوع کردن سیگار در فضاهای عمومی کار درستی است؟ نظرتان را بنویسید. (Is prohibiting smoking in public spaces the right thing? Write your opinion.)

تفاوت بین ممنوعیت قانونی و ممنوعیت اخلاقی را با مثال توضیح دهید. (Explain the difference between legal prohibition and moral prohibition with examples.)

درباره یک کتاب یا فیلم ممنوعه که دیده‌اید یا خوانده‌اید بنویسید. (Write about a banned book or movie you have seen or read.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually in the context of 'prohibiting someone *from* an action' (az... mamnu' kardan) or 'banning someone from a place' (vorud-e u ra mamnu' kardan). You don't 'prohibit a person' directly like an object.

'Mamnu' is formal and used by authorities/laws. 'Ghadaghan' is informal and used in daily speech or by parents. For example, a law 'mamnu' makes' smoking, but a mother 'ghadaghan makes' eating sweets.

Simply write 'ممنوع' (Mamnu) or 'ممنوع است' (Mamnu ast) after the noun. Example: 'عکاسی ممنوع' (Photography Prohibited).

It can be, but 'haram kardan' is much more common for religious prohibitions. 'Mamnu' is more secular/legal.

The past tense is 'ممنوع کرد' (mamnu' kard) for 'he/she prohibited'.

If the thing being prohibited is a specific, definite noun, yes. 'Dolat in sigar-ra mamnu' kard'.

Usually, 'block kardan' is used for social media, but 'mamnu' kardan' could be used in a formal report about a user being banned.

It is a very common legal term meaning 'banned from leaving the country'.

'Man' kardan' is the more formal, literary version of 'mamnu' kardan'. They are interchangeable in formal contexts, but 'mamnu' kardan' is more common.

You would use the passive: 'من از ... ممنوع شده‌ام' (Man az ... mamnu' shodeh-am).

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write 'No Smoking' in Persian.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write 'No Entry' in Persian.

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writing

Write 'The father prohibited the TV.'

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writing

Write 'The teacher prohibits phones.'

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writing

Write 'Fishing is prohibited here.'

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writing

Write 'The doctor prohibited him from salt.'

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writing

Write 'The government prohibited the export of wheat.'

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writing

Write 'The law prohibits cigarette ads.'

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writing

Write 'Ethics prohibits human cloning.'

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writing

Write 'The contract prohibits sharing secrets.'

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writing

Write 'They prohibited playing.'

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writing

Write 'Why did you prohibit this?'

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writing

Write 'He is banned from leaving the country.'

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writing

Write 'Censorship should not prohibit criticism.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write 'No Parking' in Persian.

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writing

Write 'I prohibit plastic.'

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writing

Write 'Dogs are prohibited in the park.'

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writing

Write 'The UN prohibited nuclear tests.'

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writing

Write 'Dictators prohibit opposition parties.'

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writing

Write 'The school prohibited jeans.'

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speaking

Say 'No Smoking' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'No Entry' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'My father prohibited the TV.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The teacher prohibits phones.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Fishing is prohibited here.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The doctor prohibited him from salt.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The government prohibited the export of wheat.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The law prohibits cigarette ads.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Ethics prohibits human cloning.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The contract prohibits sharing secrets.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'They prohibited playing.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Why did you prohibit this?'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He is banned from leaving the country.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Censorship should not prohibit criticism.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'No Parking' in Persian.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I prohibit plastic.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Dogs are prohibited in the park.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The UN prohibited nuclear tests.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Dictators prohibit opposition parties.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The school prohibited jeans.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to 'ورود ممنوع'. What is the last word?

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listening

Listen to 'او ممنوع کرد'. Is it past or present?

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listening

Listen to 'ممنوع شده است'. Is it passive?

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listening

Listen to 'ممنوعیت صادرات'. What is the noun?

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listening

Listen to 'منع کردن'. Is it formal or informal?

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listening

Listen to 'سیگار ممنوع'. What is being banned?

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listening

Listen to 'معلم ممنوع کرد'. Who is the subject?

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listening

Listen to 'پزشک او را منع کرد'. What is the synonym used?

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listening

Listen to 'ممنوع‌الخروج'. Does it involve travel?

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listening

Listen to 'ممنوع می‌سازد'. What is the auxiliary?

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listening

Listen to 'پارک ممنوع'. What is the first word?

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listening

Listen to 'ما ممنوع می‌کنیم'. Is it plural?

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listening

Listen to 'ورود سگ ممنوع'. What animal?

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listening

Listen to 'قانون ممنوع کرد'. What is the subject?

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listening

Listen to 'حرام کردن'. Is it religious?

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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