cấm
Prohibited
Cấm means "to forbid" or "prohibit." It is the heaviest, most authoritative way to say "do not" in Vietnamese.
How It Works
1. Structure and Usage
Place cấm directly before a verb phrase or noun: cấm + V/N. When used with a noun, it usually translates to "No [Noun] allowed" (e.g., cấm xe tải - no trucks allowed). To specify who is forbidden from doing something, use the structure cấm + [Object] + [Verb] (e.g., cấm trẻ em vào - children are forbidden from entering). You will also frequently see the passive structure bị cấm (to be forbidden/banned) in daily life. Because Vietnamese words never change form, there is no conjugation needed.
2. The Prohibition Spectrum
To understand how strong cấm is, it helps to see it on a spectrum of prohibition:
• không nên (should not) - Mild advice.
• đừng (don't) - Direct request or command.
• không được (not allowed to) - Firm rule or denial of permission.
• cấm (prohibited/forbidden) - The absolute strongest, an official or severe ban.
3. Register and Tone
You will see cấm everywhere in Vietnam on public signs (biển báo cấm) and official notices. On these signs, you will also frequently encounter the formal compound verb nghiêm cấm (strictly forbid). In spoken conversation, it can sound extremely aggressive in general situations, but it is quite common in strict top-down dynamics (like a parent to a child) and can even be used jokingly among very close friends.
4. The Emphatic Tautology
You may hear or read the structure cấm không được + [verb] (literally: "forbid not allowed to"). While some argue this is a double negative that cancels out, native speakers use it as an emphatic tautology. It does not mean "you are allowed"; it heavily reinforces the prohibition, meaning "absolutely strictly forbidden."
Examples (6)
- Cấm hút thuốc ở nơi công cộng.
Smoking is prohibited in public places.
Word by Word: Prohibit smoke tobacco at place public.
This is the standard phrasing you will see on official signs and notices.
- Đường này cấm xe tải.
No trucks allowed on this road.
Word by Word: Road this prohibit vehicle load.
An example of 'cấm' followed directly by a noun, which usually translates to 'No [Noun] allowed'.
- Hút thuốc bị cấm ở đây.
Smoking is forbidden here.
Word by Word: Smoke tobacco suffer prohibit at here.
The passive structure 'bị cấm' is highly common in daily life to state that an action is banned.
- Trường học cấm học sinh sử dụng điện thoại.
The school forbids students from using mobile phones.
Word by Word: School prohibit student use telephone.
Demonstrates 'cấm' used as an active verb by an institution enforcing a top-down rule.
- Mẹ cấm con đi chơi tối nay!
Mom forbids you from going out tonight!
Word by Word: Mother forbid child go play evening this!
In spoken Vietnamese, 'cấm' is mostly reserved for strict, non-negotiable commands from a figure of absolute authority, like a parent.
- Cấm không được xả rác bừa bãi.
Littering is strictly forbidden.
Word by Word: Prohibit not allowed discharge trash indiscriminately.
An example of the emphatic tautology. The 'không được' does not cancel out 'cấm'; it heavily reinforces the prohibition.
Common Mistakes
Using 'cấm' instead of 'đừng' for casual requests, making you sound aggressive or socially awkward.
Cấm đi!Đừng đi!đừng is the natural word for "don't" among friends. Using 'cấm' changes a warm request into a severe, authoritarian mandate.
Using 'không' + verb when you mean a firm ban.
Different MeaningKhông hút thuốc ở đây!Cấm hút thuốc ở đây!'Không hút thuốc ở đây' is a normal sentence, and you will see 'Không hút thuốc' on signs. It says what is not done here. For a strict ban, use 'cấm' (for strict rules); to ask a person not to do something, use 'đừng'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The pattern 'cấm' is used for formal, institutional prohibitions often seen on signs or in official rules. To understand it, learners should be familiar with basic negations and imperatives, as well as the distinction between formal Sino-Vietnamese terms and everyday native Vietnamese words.
- đừngDon't
Learners should first understand the basic imperative 'đừng' (don't) for personal commands before moving to the institutional and formal 'cấm' (prohibited).
Level 1 - không được + VerbNot Allowed to
This pattern introduces the concept of permission and prohibition ('not allowed to'), which provides the functional foundation for the more formal 'cấm'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice cấm in Bubblegum
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