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.
See also
Sources and Further Reading