Difference between revisions of "Negative commands with "buyao""

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* <em>不要</em> 哭! <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> kū!</span> <span class="trans">Don't cry!</span>
 
* <em>不要</em> 哭! <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> kū!</span> <span class="trans">Don't cry!</span>
 
* <em>不要</em> 吃 很 多 肉。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> chī hěn duō ròu.</span> <span class="trans">Don't eat a lot of meat.</span>
 
* <em>不要</em> 吃 很 多 肉。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> chī hěn duō ròu.</span> <span class="trans">Don't eat a lot of meat.</span>
* 小孩子 <em>不要</em> 喝 酒。 <span class="pinyin">Xiǎoháizi <em>bùyào</em> hē jiǔ.</span> <span class="trans">Small kids should not drink alcohol.</span>
+
* 你们 <em>不要</em> 喝 酒。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>bùyào</em> hē jiǔ.</span> <span class="trans">You guys, don't drink alcohol.</span>
 
* <em>不要</em> 说 英文。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span> <span class="trans">Don't speak English.</span>
 
* <em>不要</em> 说 英文。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Bùyào</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span> <span class="trans">Don't speak English.</span>
 
* 晚上 <em>不要</em> 喝 咖啡。 <span class="pinyin">Wǎnshang <em>bùyào</em> hē kāfēi.</span> <span class="trans">Don't drink coffee at night.</span>
 
* 晚上 <em>不要</em> 喝 咖啡。 <span class="pinyin">Wǎnshang <em>bùyào</em> hē kāfēi.</span> <span class="trans">Don't drink coffee at night.</span>

Revision as of 15:28, 12 February 2016

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.
  • 你们 不要 喝 酒。 Nǐmen bùyào hē jiǔ. You guys, don't 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

Sources and Further Reading