Negative commands with "buyao"

You can use 不要 (bùyào) to command someone: "don't" (do something). This is similar to the other negative command "别 (bié)".

Note: The pinyin for 不要 is written "bùyào" but pronounced "búyào" due to a tone change rule.

Structure

Negative commands in Chinese ("do not" or "don't") are formed with 不要. Usually the subject is omitted, as in English.

不要 + Verb

Examples

• 不要 走。 Bùyào zǒu. Don't leave.
• 不要 打 我！ Bùyào dǎ wǒ! Don't hit me!
• 不要 生气 ， 好吗 ？ Bùyào shēngqì, hǎo ma? Don't get angry, OK?
• 不要 哭！ Bùyào kū! Don't cry!
• 不要 吃 很 多 肉。 Bùyào chī hěn duō ròu. Don't eat a lot of meat.
• 小孩子 不要 喝 酒。 Xiǎoháizi bùyào hē jiǔ. Small kids should not drink alcohol.
• 不要 说 英文。 Bùyào shuō Yīngwén. Don't speak English.
• 晚上 不要 喝 咖啡。 Wǎnshang bùyào hē kāfēi. Don't drink coffee at night.
• 上课 的 时候 不要 玩 手机！Shàngkè de shíhou bùyào wán shǒujī! In class don't play with your phone!
• 不要 很 晚 睡觉！ Bùyào hěn wǎn shuìjiào. Don't go to bed too late.

See also

• Negative commands with bie