7.2: Negation of past actions with "meiyou"
- Page ID
- 30620
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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 hējiǔ.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.