untersagen
Translation
to forbid, to prohibit
Examples
Der Arzt untersagte ihm das Rauchen.
The doctor forbade him from smoking.
Das Betreten des Geländes ist streng untersagt.
Entering the premises is strictly forbidden.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) ((et4)) to forbid sb sth The doctor forbade him from smoking.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verbieten (to forbid); Antonyms: erlauben (to allow), gestatten (to permit)
Etymology
Composed of 'unter-' (an inseparable prefix, often negative) and 'sagen' (to say). The idea is to 'speak against' or deny permission for something.
Memory Tips
Imagine an official 'saying' that a certain action must be placed 'under' a ban.