Negative commands with "buyao"

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.

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.

Negative commands with "bùyào" "不要"