Negative commands with "buyao"

You can use 不要 (bùyào) to mean "don't". 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 打 我！Don't hit me!
• 不要 说话！Don't talk!
• 不要 吃 很 多 肉。Don't eat a lot of meat.
• 小 孩子 不要 喝 酒。Small kids doesn't want to drink alcohol.
• 不要 生气，好吗？Don't get angry, OK?
• 不要 哭！Don't cry!
• 不要 出门。Don't go out.
• 不要 说 英文。Don't speak English.
• 晚上 不要 喝 咖啡。Don't drink coffee at night.
• 不要 离开 我！Don't leave me!

See also

• Negative commands with bie