Chinese word

不成

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù chéng

Meaning

  • verbwon't work

Example

这样做不成。zhè yàng zuò bù chéng

This won't work.

Illustration for 不成 (won't work)

More examples

这个计划缺少资金支持，可能最终办不成。zhè ge jì huà quē shǎo zī jīn zhī chí kě néng zuì zhōng bàn bù chéng

This plan lacks funding, so it may ultimately not get done.

Core concept

An intended result remains out of reach, so the plan cannot go through.

Common phrases

  • 办不成bàn bù chéng

    cannot get done

  • 做不成zuò bù chéng

    won't work

  • 谈不成tán bù chéng

    cannot reach an agreement

Similar words

不能bù néng: Is unable to do something because of limited ability or unsuitable conditions.
不行bù xíng: Will not do because the action is unacceptable or not permitted.
无法wú fǎ: Is unable to do something when there is no available way to do it.
失败shī bài: Fails to produce the result that was expected.

Definition in Chinese

表示事情没有达到预期、不能成功或办成的状态，常用在口语中，可放在动词后或句末。biǎo shì shì qíng méi yǒu dá dào yù qī bù néng chéng gōng huò bàn chéng de zhuàng tài cháng yòng zài kóu yǔ zhōng kě fàng zài dòng cí hòu huò jù mò

Word origin

不成 (bùchéng, "not succeed") is formed from 不 (bù, "not") and 成 (chéng, "come about or be completed"), making 成's completion sense negative in a short conversational expression.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 不成 (bùchéng, "won't work") can stand at the end of a reply when the action under discussion is already clear.

Other meanings

  • won't doverb
  • cannotverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word