禁物

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 禁物 is read as きんもつ and means a taboo or something that must be avoided.
• Basic usage: It warns that carelessness or overexertion in a particular situation must be avoided.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Warning against carelessness
  • 禁物: Carelessness must be avoided even in familiar work. Example: 慣れた作業でも油断は禁物だ。
• Avoiding overexertion with a cold
  • 禁物: You should not overexert yourself when you are coming down with a cold. Example: 風邪気味のときに無理をするのは禁物です。