Negative commands with "bie"

This is one of the few times that Chinese language seems to have a "contraction." Instead of saying "do not," we can say "don't" by using 别 (bié).

Structure

As well as 不要 (bùyào), negative commands can also be formed with 别 (bié). You could think of 别 (bié) as a contraction of 不要 (bùyào), as the structure is the same for both:

别 + Verb + (Obj.)

Examples

  • 走。Bié zǒu. Don't leave.
  • 说话!Bié shuōhuà! Don't speak!
  • 笑!Bié xiào! Don't laugh!
  • 动!Bié dòng! Don't move!
  • 过来!Bié guòlái! Don't come over here!
  • 打 孩子!Bié dǎ háizi! Don't hit the child!
  • 喝 太 多。Bié hē tài duō. Don't drink too much.
  • 喝 酒 以后 开车。Hējiǔ yǐhòu bié kāichē. After drinking alcohol, don't drive.
  • 吃饭 的 时候 看 电视。Chīfàn de shíhou bié kàn diànshì. When eating, don't watch TV.
  • 上课 的 时候 说 英文。Shàngkè de shíhou bié shuō Yīngwén. Don't speak English in class.

See also

Sources and Further Reading

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