Chinese word

用不着

Pronunciation

Pinyinyòng bù zháo

Meaning

  • verbnot need

Example

他买了太多菜，用不着再买了。tā mǎi le tài duō cài yòng bù zháo zài mǎi le

He bought too many vegetables, so he doesn't need to buy any more.

Illustration for 用不着 (not need)

More examples

你已经准备好材料了，会议上用不着临时找资料。nǐ yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi hǎo cái liào le huì yì shàng yòng bù zháo lín shí zhǎo zī liào

Since you have already prepared the materials, you do not need to look for them at the last minute during the meeting.

Core concept

A situation already has what it requires, leaving another action or object without a useful role.

Common phrases

  • 用不着担心yòng bù zháo dān xīn

    need not worry

  • 用不着着急yòng bù zháo zháo jí

    need not hurry

  • 用不着解释yòng bù zháo jiě shì

    need not explain

Similar words

不用bú yòng: Using something or doing an action is unnecessary.
不必bú bì: An action is unnecessary because the circumstances do not require it.
不需要bù xū yào: A thing or action is not needed because the requirement has already been met.

Definition in Chinese

表示没有必要做某事或不用取某物，常用于口语中判断是否需要的场合。biǎo shì méi yǒu bì yào zuò mǒu shì huò bú yòng qǔ mǒu wù cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ zhōng pàn duàn shì fǒu xū yào de chǎng hé

Word origin

用 (yòng, "use") + 不 (bù, "not") + 着 (zháo, "reach the intended effect") forms the idea that using something never becomes necessary.

Usage tips

  • English often places need before an infinitive, whereas this Chinese form can frame a whole proposed action or a thing under consideration, a useful pattern for quick conversation.

Other meanings

  • unnecessaryadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word