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How to Say ‘That won't do.’ in Simplified Chinese

那可不行。

nà kě bù xíng

[nà kě bùxíng]

💬 Usage Tip: 可 before 不 adds firm emphasis, like "absolutely not". The same move works elsewhere: 那可不好 "that's really not good".

Phrase Breakdown

那

nà

[nà]

that

Used to refer to a specific thing or person previously mentioned.

Example

那是我第一次见到她的时候。

That was the first time I met her.

可

kě

[kě]

(emphasis) really; do

Adverb adding emphasis, often to warnings.

Example

你可别忘了。

Don't you forget.

不行

bù xíng

[bùxíng]

not okay; won't do

Expresses refusal or that something isn't acceptable.

Example

今天不去不行。

Not going today won't do.

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