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How to Say ‘Don't’ in Simplified Chinese

不要

bú yào

[boo-yaow]

💬 Usage Tip: [不] is pronounced (bú) before a falling-tone syllable, so [不要] is said (bú yào), not (bù yào). You'll hear the same in [不是] (bú shì).

Phrase Breakdown

不要

bú yào

[boo-yaow]

don’t; should not

Used to tell someone not to do something; a common negative command.

Example

身体不舒服的时候,不要太累。

When you don’t feel well, don’t get too tired.

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