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How to Say ‘No’ in Simplified Chinese

不行

bù xíng

[bùxíng]

💬 Usage Tip: 不行 is a firm not okay / can't do that, not just a plain no. You'll hear it for refused requests too: 刷卡不行.

🇨🇳 In China: 不行 can sound blunt, but in everyday service situations it's common and not automatically rude. It often means that's not possible here, not a personal rejection.

Phrase Breakdown

不行

bù xíng

[bùxíng]

not allowed, not acceptable

Indicates refusal or disapproval.

Example

抱歉,这样做不行。

Sorry, doing this is not allowed.

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