Adding Emphasis with "fei...buke"

"非...不可" (fēi bùkě) can be used to emphasis something must be done or must be done by someone. Actually it has a similar meaning with"必须", however, it is used in different situations.

Structure

Subject + 非 + verb/verb phrase + 不可

It can be used to express determination

When used before a verb,非...不可 expresses that the speaker has strong desire and determination to do that thing.

Examples

  • 学 好 汉语 不可
  • 弄 懂 这个 问题不可
  • 把 HSK6级 考 出来不可

To express necessity

非...不可 can be used to indicate that something must be done under a certain situation.

Examples

  • 这 次 去 谈生意,只有 小王 最 熟悉 那种 产品,他 不可
  • 干 这 项 工作,人手 不够, 得 增加 人手 不可
  • 这 个 问题 解决 不可,不然 没 办法 继续。

To predict future events

非...不可 can also be used to predict that something will happen in the future. This is similar to how in English we may say "Tomorrow is going to be cold, for sure it will snow."

Examples

  • 你们 不 好好 练球,明天 的 球赛 不可
  • 你 再 这样 干 坏事 下去, 进 监狱 不可
  • 今天 这么 冷,明天 下雪 不可

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK6