verb
to forbid, to prohibit
A2
Means 'to forbid' or 'to prohibit'. A strong (irregular) non‑reflexive verb with stem vowel change (verbieten → verbot → verboten). Uses auxiliary haben for perfect. Not separable. Common passive forms exist (man verbietet → etwas wird verboten). Imperative: verbiete (du).
Examples
In vielen Ländern verbietet das Gesetz bestimmte Drogen.
In many countries the law prohibits certain drugs.
Meine Eltern verbieten mir das.
My parents forbid me from doing that.
Der Lehrer verbot das Rauchen.
The teacher forbade smoking.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a big red sign with the word 'VERBIETEN' stamped across an action to show it's not allowed
Sounds like English 'forbid/forbidden' (verbieten ~ forbidden)
Notes
Commonly used to talk about rules, laws, and formal prohibitions. Synonyms include 'untersagen' and contrast with 'erlauben' (to allow). The past participle is 'verboten' (Das ist verboten).