Translation guide
Describes areas, actions, or topics that are off-limits, prohibited, or not allowed. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific terms for physical boundaries, rule violations, and metaphorical restrictions.
Indicating a place where entry or access is prohibited, such as in sports, construction sites, or restricted zones.
Standard phrase for 'no entry' or 'off-limits' area. Used on signs and in spoken warnings.
このエリアは立ち入り禁止です。
This area is out of bounds.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports contexts like golf or skiing to mean 'out of bounds'.
ボールがアウトオブバウンズになった。
The ball went out of bounds.
Literally 'outside the grounds', used for sports or events where something goes beyond the designated area.
ボールが場外に飛び出した。
The ball flew out of bounds.
Means 'outside the territory/zone', used in technical or formal contexts like military or legal boundaries.
その行為は領域外で行われた。
The act was carried out out of bounds.
Referring to actions, topics, or behavior that are not allowed or considered unacceptable.
General way to say something is prohibited or forbidden. Can be used for rules, topics, or actions.
その話題はここでは禁止されています。
That topic is out of bounds here.
Loanword meaning 'taboo', used for socially forbidden topics or actions.
政治の話はタブーだ。
Talking about politics is out of bounds.
Means 'not permitted' or 'unforgivable', often used for moral or social transgressions.
そんな行動は許されない。
Such behavior is out of bounds.
Specifically 'rule violation', used in games, sports, or formal settings.
Describing something that exceeds what is considered reasonable, appropriate, or within scope.
Literally 'outside the range/scope', used for topics, responsibilities, or parameters that are not included.
その質問は私の担当範囲外です。
That question is out of bounds for my role.
Means 'going too far' or 'excessive', used when behavior or remarks cross a line.
彼の冗談は度を越している。
His jokes are out of bounds.
Means 'out of the ordinary' or 'beyond common sense', implying something is socially unacceptable or bizarre.
その提案は常識外れだ。
That proposal is out of bounds.
Directly translating 'out of bounds' as 「境界の外」 is unnatural. Use context-appropriate phrases like 立ち入り禁止 for physical areas or 禁止 for rules.
立ち入り禁止 is the general term for off-limits areas (construction sites, private property). アウトオブバウンズ is a sports term (golf, skiing) and sounds technical. Using アウトオブバウンズ for a restricted building would be odd.
それはルール違反です。
That's out of bounds.