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German Phrase

Hast du etwas Verbotenes dabei?

/has(t) du ˈɛtvas fɛɐ̯ˈboːtnəs daˈbaɪ̯/
Meaning"Do you have something forbidden with you?"
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Meaning

Literally, 'Do you have something forbidden with you?'. It is used to ask whether a person is carrying an item that is not allowed, such as contraband, weapons, or prohibited substances.

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When to use

You would typically hear this sentence at airport security checks, border controls, concerts, clubs, or any situation where staff need to verify that visitors are not carrying prohibited items.

✦Grammar Breakdown

HastduetwasVerbotenesdabei?

1

Verb‑Second (V2) in Fragen

In yes/no questions the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.

2

etwas + Adjektiv als Substantiv

After the indefinite pronoun 'etwas' an adjective is nominalised and takes the neuter ending -es.

3

dabei (Adverb)

'dabei' means 'with you/along' and is placed at the end of the clause in this construction.

4

Personalpronomen 'du'

The informal singular 'du' is used here; in formal contexts you would say 'Haben Sie…'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hast du etwas Verbotenes dabei?

Do you have anything forbidden with you?

Nein, ich habe nur mein Handy und meinen Pass.

No, I only have my phone and my passport.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Hast du etwas verboten dabei?

    After 'etwas' the adjective must be nominalised and take the neuter ending -es.

  • Hast du etwas Verbotenes bei?

    'bei' alone is a preposition and needs a noun; the adverb 'dabei' is the correct form here.

  • Du hast etwas Verbotenes dabei?

    In yes/no questions the verb precedes the subject (V2 order).

↔Alternatives

  • Hast du etwas Illegales dabei?

    Do you have anything illegal with you?

  • Hast du etwas Verbotenes bei dir?

    Do you have anything prohibited on you?

  • Trägst du etwas Verbotenes bei dir?

    Are you carrying anything forbidden?

de

Cultural Tip

German speakers tend to be very direct in security contexts, so using this phrase is perfectly acceptable and not considered rude. In formal settings (e.g., at an airport) you would replace 'du' with the polite 'Sie': 'Haben Sie etwas Verbotenes dabei?'. Also note that regional dialects may replace 'dabei' with 'dabei' or 'dabei' pronounced slightly differently, but the standard form is understood everywhere in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.