jìnzhǐ xīyān: 禁止吸烟 - No Smoking

• Keywords: jìnzhǐ xīyān, jinzhi xiyan, 禁止吸烟, No Smoking in Chinese, Chinese No Smoking sign, smoking ban in China, public signs in Chinese, how to say no smoking in Mandarin
• Summary: “禁止吸烟” (jìnzhǐ xīyān) is the formal Chinese phrase for “No Smoking.” As one of the most common public signs in China, understanding this term is essential for any traveler or learner. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance regarding China's recent smoking bans, and practical usage, helping you navigate public spaces and understand a key aspect of modern Chinese society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìnzhǐ xīyān
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase / Command
• HSK Level: HSK 3-4 (based on individual characters)
• Concise Definition: To prohibit smoking; No Smoking.
• In a Nutshell: This is the direct and official command used on signs to forbid smoking in a specific area. Think of it as the equivalent of the universal red circle with a cigarette crossed out. It's formal, impersonal, and leaves no room for ambiguity. You will see it everywhere, from hospitals and subways to restaurants and hotel lobbies.

• 禁 (jìn): To prohibit, forbid, or ban. This character implies a rule or law against something.
• 止 (zhǐ): To stop or to cease. It's a very direct character, picturing a foot coming to a halt.
• 吸 (xī): To inhale, breathe in, or suck. The left radical `口 (kǒu)` means “mouth,” indicating an action done with the mouth.
• 烟 (yān): Smoke, tobacco, or cigarette. The left radical `火 (huǒ)` means “fire,” a key component of smoke.

When combined, the logic is very clear: `禁止 (jìnzhǐ)` means “prohibit/stop,” and `吸烟 (xīyān)` means “inhale smoke.” Together, they form the unambiguous command: Forbid Inhaling Smoke, or simply, No Smoking.

Historically, smoking in China was deeply woven into the social fabric, particularly among men. Offering a cigarette was a common way to break the ice, show respect, or build `关系 (guānxi)`. It was a ubiquitous part of business meetings, dinners, and social gatherings. However, in the last two decades, China has undergone a massive cultural shift regarding public health. This is where 禁止吸烟 becomes more than just a sign; it's a symbol of this transformation. Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai have enacted strict public smoking bans, driven by government campaigns to align with global health standards. Unlike the gradual, decades-long shift in many Western countries, China's anti-smoking movement has been more recent and top-down. While the official rule is 禁止吸烟, the deep-rooted social custom of offering cigarettes still exists in some private or rural settings. This creates a fascinating tension between modern regulations and traditional social etiquette. For a learner, recognizing this sign shows you understand the new rules of public conduct in modern urban China.

This term is almost exclusively used in formal, official contexts.

• Public Signage: This is the most common usage. You will see 禁止吸烟 on signs in virtually all indoor public spaces: airports, train stations, subways, shopping malls, hospitals, and government buildings. The message is impersonal and authoritative.
• Formal Verbal Warnings: While less common, an authority figure like a police officer, train conductor, or restaurant manager might use the full phrase to enforce the rule. For example, they might say, “先生，这里禁止吸烟” (Xiānsheng, zhèlǐ jìnzhǐ xīyān) - “Sir, smoking is prohibited here.” It's a serious and formal warning.
• Distinction from “抽烟 (chōuyān)”: In everyday conversation, the verb people use for smoking is `抽烟 (chōuyān)`. No one would say “我要去吸烟” (I'm going to go inhale smoke). They say, “我出去抽根烟” (Wǒ chūqù chōu gēn yān) - “I'm going out to have a smoke.” 禁止吸烟 is for the rulebook and the sign on the wall; 抽烟 is for daily life.

• Example 1:
  • 墙上挂着一个“禁止吸烟”的牌子。
  • Pinyin: Qiáng shàng guàzhe yí ge “jìnzhǐ xīyān” de páizi.
  • English: There is a “No Smoking” sign hanging on the wall.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the most common context for this phrase—as text on a sign (`牌子`).
• Example 2:
  • 根据规定，所有室内公共场所都禁止吸烟。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù guīdìng, suǒyǒu shìnèi gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ dōu jìnzhǐ xīyān.
  • English: According to the regulations, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places.
  • Analysis: This shows the phrase used in a formal statement about a rule or law (`规定`).
• Example 3:
  • 飞机上是绝对禁止吸烟的，否则会面临高额罚款。
  • Pinyin: Fēijī shàng shì juéduì jìnzhǐ xīyān de, fǒuzé huì miànlín gāo'é fákuǎn.
  • English: Smoking is absolutely forbidden on airplanes; otherwise, you will face a large fine.
  • Analysis: This example connects the prohibition to its consequence, a fine (`罚款`). The word `绝对` (absolutely) emphasizes the seriousness of the rule.
• Example 4:
  • 服务员礼貌地提醒他：“先生，我们餐厅禁止吸烟。”
  • Pinyin: Fúwùyuán lǐmào de tíxǐng tā: “Xiānsheng, wǒmen cāntīng jìnzhǐ xīyān.”
  • English: The waiter politely reminded him: “Sir, smoking is prohibited in our restaurant.”
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how the phrase can be used verbally in a formal but polite enforcement of a rule.
• Example 5:
  • 这家公司的政策明确规定办公区域内禁止吸烟。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de zhèngcè míngquè guīdìng bàngōng qūyù nèi jìnzhǐ xīyān.
  • English: This company's policy clearly states that smoking is prohibited within the office area.
  • Analysis: Here, the term is used in the context of a corporate policy (`政策`).
• Example 6:
  • 为了保护文物，博物馆内严格禁止吸烟和饮食。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù wénwù, bówùguǎn nèi yángé jìnzhǐ xīyān hé yǐnshí.
  • English: In order to protect cultural relics, smoking and eating are strictly forbidden inside the museum.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a reason for the ban and lists it alongside another prohibition. `严格` (yángé) means “strictly.”
• Example 7:
  • 加油站附近禁止吸烟，因为非常危险。
  • Pinyin: Jiāyóuzhàn fùjìn jìnzhǐ xīyān, yīnwèi fēicháng wēixiǎn.
  • English: Smoking is prohibited near gas stations because it is extremely dangerous.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example highlighting a safety-related prohibition.
• Example 8:
  • 图书馆的规定第一条就是禁止吸烟。
  • Pinyin: Túshūguǎn de guīdìng dì yī tiáo jiùshì jìnzhǐ xīyān.
  • English: The first rule of the library is “No Smoking.”
  • Analysis: Shows the term being used as the name of a rule itself.
• Example 9:
  • 北京市从2015年开始实施了最严的“禁止吸烟”条例。
  • Pinyin: Běijīng shì cóng 2015 nián kāishǐ shíshī le zuì yán de “jìnzhǐ xīyān” tiáolì.
  • English: Beijing began implementing its strictest “No Smoking” regulations in 2015.
  • Analysis: This puts the term in a real-world, newsworthy context, referring to a specific government regulation (`条例`).
• Example 10:
  • 尽管有“禁止吸烟”的标志，他还是偷偷抽了一支烟。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn yǒu “jìnzhǐ xīyān” de biāozhì, tā háishì tōutōu chōu le yì zhī yān.
  • English: Even though there was a “No Smoking” sign, he still secretly smoked a cigarette.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts the official rule with someone breaking it, highlighting the difference between the formal term and the colloquial action (`抽烟`).

• Mistake: Using it in casual conversation. Never say “请禁止吸烟” (Qǐng jìnzhǐ xīyān) to a friend. It sounds robotic and overly harsh, like saying “I hereby prohibit you from smoking.”
  • Incorrect: (To a friend smoking in your room) “禁止吸烟！”
  • Correct: “你能不能去阳台抽烟？” (Nǐ néng bu néng qù yángtái chōuyān?) - “Can you go smoke on the balcony?”
  • Correct (more direct): “别在这里抽烟。” (Bié zài zhèlǐ chōuyān.) - “Don't smoke here.”
• Nuance: `禁止吸烟` vs. `请勿吸烟`
  • On signs, you might also see `请勿吸烟 (qǐng wù xīyān)`. Both mean “No Smoking,” but `请勿 (qǐng wù)` translates to “Please do not…” It is slightly more polite but carries the same official weight. `禁止 (jìnzhǐ)` is more absolute and forceful, like “Prohibited.” For a learner, they are functionally interchangeable in understanding signs.
• Nuance: `吸烟 (xīyān)` vs. `抽烟 (chōuyān)`
  • This is a key distinction. `吸烟 (xīyān)` is the formal, written term for “to smoke” (lit. inhale smoke). `抽烟 (chōuyān)` is the universal spoken term (lit. draw out smoke). You see 禁止吸烟 on the sign, but you hear people talk about 抽烟 in real life. Understanding this difference is crucial for sounding natural.

• 请勿吸烟 (qǐng wù xīyān) - “Please do not smoke.” A slightly more polite, but still formal and official, alternative often seen on signs.
• 抽烟 (chōuyān) - The common, colloquial verb for “to smoke.” This is the word you'll use and hear in everyday conversation.
• 吸烟区 (xīyān qū) - Smoking Area / Designated Smoking Zone. The opposite of a place where smoking is forbidden.
• 戒烟 (jièyān) - To quit smoking. `戒 (jiè)` means to give up or abstain from a habit.
• 香烟 (xiāngyān) - Cigarette. The literal translation is “fragrant smoke.”
• 二手烟 (èrshǒu yān) - Secondhand smoke (lit. “second-hand smoke”). A key reason behind public smoking bans.
• 公共场所 (gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ) - Public place(s). The typical type of location where you will see a 禁止吸烟 sign.
• 罚款 (fákuǎn) - A fine or penalty. The common punishment for violating a no-smoking rule.
• 严禁 (yánjìn) - Strictly prohibit. Sometimes used on signs for emphasis, e.g., `严禁吸烟` (Smoking is strictly prohibited), often in high-risk areas like gas stations.