Chinese word

别

Pronunciation

Pinyinbié

Meaning

  • adverbdon't

Example

请别走。qǐng bié zǒu

Please don't go.

Illustration for 别 (don't)

More examples

别担心。bié dān xīn

Don't worry.

Core concept

A small stop sign placed before an action, keeping it from happening.

Common phrases

  • 别走bié zǒu

    don't go

  • 别哭bié kū

    don't cry

  • 别客气bié kè qì

    don't mention it

Similar words

不要bú yào: Placed before an action to politely ask or tell someone not to do it.
不bù: Makes a statement negative by showing that something is not so or does not happen.

Definition in Chinese

表示劝阻或禁止的意思的副词，用来叫对方不要做某事，常放在句首或动词前。biǎo shì quàn zǔ huò jìn zhǐ de yì si de fù cí yòng lái jiào duì fāng bú yào zuò mǒu shì cháng fàng zài jù shǒu huò dòng cí qián

Word origin

The command word 别 (bié, "do not") comes from shortening 不要 (bùyào, "do not want"), turning a longer expression into a brief way to block an action.

Usage tips

  • A calm voice makes this short spoken warning sound less harsh, while 请 (qǐng, "please") adds politeness.

Other meanings

  • stopverb

Related words

Word lists with this word