It’s Not Allowed In Spanish | Say It Right Every Time

In Spanish, “No está permitido” and “No se permite” are the go-to ways to state a rule clearly, from formal notices to everyday talk.

If you searched for It’s Not Allowed In Spanish, you’re probably in one of these spots: you’re traveling and saw a sign, you’re writing a notice, or you’re speaking and want to sound calm and clear. Spanish gives you a few clean options. Pick the one that matches the setting and the tone you want.

This guide shows the phrases native speakers reach for, what they mean, and where they fit. You’ll also see small tweaks that stop you from sounding too harsh, too stiff, or oddly translated.

It’s Not Allowed In Spanish: Phrases You’ll Hear

English uses “allowed” all the time. Spanish can use permitido too, but it also leans on verbs like permitir (to allow) and prohibir (to forbid). The trick is choosing a structure that matches the moment.

No está permitido

This is a clean, direct match for “It’s not allowed.” You’ll hear it in rules, announcements, and workplace talk. It’s firm, yet not dramatic.

• No está permitido fumar. (Smoking isn’t allowed.)
• No está permitido entrar con comida. (Entering with food isn’t allowed.)

No se permite

This is the sign-friendly option. It reads like a general rule, not a personal scolding. You’ll see it on doors, tickets, and public notices.

• No se permite el paso. (No entry / passage not allowed.)
• No se permite grabar. (Recording isn’t allowed.)

Está prohibido

This is stronger. It signals a ban, not just a preference. Use it when the rule is strict, posted, or tied to enforcement.

• Está prohibido aparcar aquí. (Parking here is forbidden.)
• Está prohibido nadar. (Swimming is forbidden.)

No puedes / No podés

In casual speech, people often say “You can’t.” It’s normal with friends, kids, or quick instructions. In Spain, you’ll usually hear no puedes. In parts of Latin America that use vos, you may hear no podés.

• No puedes entrar. (You can’t go in.)
• Acá no podés fumar. (You can’t smoke here.)

How To Choose The Right Tone Without Sounding Rude

Two Spanish sentences can deliver the same rule and still feel different. If you’re speaking to a person, small choices change the vibe.

When You Want Neutral And Polite

No se permite and No está permitido keep it impersonal. That helps when you’re explaining a policy, not picking a fight.

• Perdón, no se permite entrar con perros.
• Lo siento, no está permitido tomar fotos.

When You Need Firm And Final

Está prohibido hits harder. It’s the language of bans, warnings, and posted rules.

• Está prohibido pasar.
• Está prohibido encender fuego.

When You’re Giving A Simple Personal Instruction

No puedes works when you’re speaking directly to someone and you want it short.

• No puedes sentarte ahí.
• Ahora no puedes salir.

Common Grammar Patterns Behind These Phrases

If Spanish structures feel “backwards” at first, it helps to see the pattern once, then reuse it. Three pieces show up a lot: permitir, prohibir, and the impersonal se.

Permitido And Permitir

Permitido is the participle used with estar: está permitido / no está permitido. The verb permitir is the action: someone allows something. If you want the formal meaning of the verb, the Royal Spanish Academy entry for “permitir” in the DLE frames it as granting consent or not preventing an action.

Prohibido And Prohibir

Prohibido is the participle used with estar: está prohibido. The verb prohibir means to forbid an action. The Royal Spanish Academy definition of “prohibir” in the DLE focuses on barring or preventing the use or execution of something.

Why Signs Love “Se”

No se permite uses an impersonal structure: it presents the rule without naming who enforces it. That’s why it fits notices and posted policies. If you want the grammar angle, the RAE’s “Buen uso del español” section on impersonal and passive uses of “se” explains how Spanish forms these general statements.

Phrase Options And Where Each One Fits

The phrases below are the ones you’ll reuse the most. Treat them like building blocks: swap the verb phrase at the end (fumar, entrar, pasar, grabar) and keep the structure.

Spanish Phrase	When It Fits	Notes On Tone
No está permitido + infinitive	Policies, venue rules, workplace language	Clear and formal without sounding like a threat
No se permite + infinitive / noun	Signs, tickets, posted rules, announcements	Impersonal; feels like “house rules”
Está prohibido + infinitive	Bans, safety rules, legal-style notices	Stronger; use when the rule is strict
No puedes + infinitive	Direct speech to one person	Casual and blunt; soften with “perdón” or “lo siento”
No se puede + infinitive	General limitations and rules (“you can’t” in general)	Neutral; less personal than “no puedes”
Se prohíbe + infinitive / noun	Posted bans, official notices	Very notice-like; sounds administrative
Tienes prohibido + noun / infinitive	Rules aimed at a person (“You’re not allowed to…”)	Direct; often used by authority figures
Está permitido + infinitive	Permission statements (“Allowed”) on signs	Pairs well with “no está permitido” as a set

Ready-To-Use Lines For Travel, Work, And Daily Life

Once you know the base structure, you can speak fast without second-guessing. Here are phrases you can copy and adapt.

At Hotels, Museums, And Venues

• No se permite comer en las salas.
• No está permitido usar flash.
• Está prohibido tocar las obras.
• No se permite entrar con mochilas grandes.

On Streets And Public Transport

• Está prohibido aparcar aquí.
• No se permite fumar en el andén.
• No se puede cruzar por aquí.

At Work Or School

• No está permitido compartir contraseñas.
• No se permite usar el móvil en clase.
• No puedes salir hasta terminar.

Small Fixes That Make Your Spanish Sound Real

A lot of awkward Spanish comes from translating word-for-word. These quick fixes keep your sentence smooth.

Use An Infinitive After The Rule Phrase

English often uses a noun (“No smoking”). Spanish can do that, but an infinitive is often the cleanest.

• No se permite fumar. (clean)
• Está prohibido fumar. (strong)

Prefer “Está Prohibido” Over “Es Prohibido”

Spanish typically uses estar with participles to mark a resulting state. In practice, signs and rules use está prohibido.

Watch The Accent In “Prohíbe”

If you write or type this verb, accents can trip you up. Fundéu’s note on spelling and usage of forms of “prohibir” flags common mistakes and also points to patterns like tener prohibido for expressing lack of permission.

Situation-Based Swaps You Can Use On The Spot

Sometimes you start a sentence one way, then realize you want it softer, firmer, or more “sign-like.” This table gives you swaps you can use without rewriting everything in your head.

Situation	Safer Spanish	Why It Works
You want a posted-rule tone	No se permite + infinitive	Sounds neutral and policy-based
You want a firm ban	Está prohibido + infinitive	Marks a strict rule with no wiggle room
You’re speaking to one person	No puedes + infinitive	Direct, fast, and everyday
You want less personal wording	No se puede + infinitive	Shifts from “you” to a general limit
You’re writing a formal notice	Se prohíbe + noun/infinitive	Reads like official signage
You want a calm, formal line	No está permitido + infinitive	Clear rule statement without extra heat

Quick Builder: Plug In Any Action

If you want a one-step pattern you can reuse, pick a starter and add an action in the infinitive.

Starters

• No está permitido + [infinitive]
• No se permite + [infinitive / noun]
• Está prohibido + [infinitive]
• No se puede + [infinitive]
• No puedes + [infinitive]

Actions You Can Swap In

• fumar (to smoke)
• pasar (to pass / enter)
• grabar (to record)
• hacer fotos (to take photos)
• aparc ar aquí (to park here)
• entrar con comida (to enter with food)

Put them together:

• No se permite grabar.
• No está permitido entrar con comida.
• Está prohibido fumar.

Last Check Before You Use It In Real Life

If you’re writing a sign or policy, stick with No se permite or Está prohibido. If you’re speaking face-to-face, No puedes is fine, then soften it with a short opener like perdón or lo siento.

If you’re still torn, choose No se permite. It lands well in most settings and avoids sounding like you’re calling someone out.