English–Chinese

“not work” in Chinese

Chinese

Also行不通 (xíng bù tōng)

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù xíng

Example

这个办法不行，我们再想想。zhè ge bàn fǎ bù xíng wǒ men zài xiáng xiǎng

This method won't work; let's think again.

Illustration for 不行 (not work)

How to say “not work” in Chinese

“Not work” in Chinese is 不行 (bù xíng).

A road closed to an idea: it cannot move forward or receive approval.

Full entry for 不行: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 不行

开车喝酒不行。kāi chē hē jiǔ bù xíng

Drinking alcohol while driving is not allowed.

Tips for using 不行

  • The same short reply can mark a practical problem or a firm refusal, so the surrounding topic shows which kind of negative answer it gives.

Other Chinese words for “not work”

这个办法行不通。zhè ge bàn fǎ xíng bù tōng

This method does not work.

“not work” in other languages