must not; cannot; must (in '非...不可')
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesauxiliary verb
must not; cannot; should not
formalUsed to express prohibition, impossibility, or strong advice against something. Often used in formal or written contexts.
Yuán原
zé则
wèn问
tí题
jué绝
bù不
kě可
dòng动
yáo摇
。
Principles must never be compromised.
Gōng工
zuò作
yǔ与
jiā家
tíng庭
èr二
zhě者
quē缺
yī一
bù不
kě可
。
Neither work nor family can be neglected; both are essential.
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Cǐ此
chù处
wēi危
xiǎn险
，
bù不
kě可
jìn进
rù入
。
This area is dangerous; entry is forbidden.
particle
must; have to; absolutely necessary
informalUsed in the fixed pattern 非...不可 (fēi...bù kě) to express strong necessity or inevitability. The element between 非 and 不可 is the action/thing that is deemed absolutely necessary.
Jīn今
tiān天
zhè这
ge个
huì会
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
，
wǒ我
fēi非
qù去
bù不
kě可
。
Today's meeting is very important, I absolutely must go.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
fēi非
děi得
tā他
lái来
chǔ处
lǐ理
bù不
kě可
。
This matter absolutely must be handled by him.
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Yào要
xiǎng想
chéng成
gōng功
，
fēi非
nǔ努
lì力
bù不
kě可
。
If you want to succeed, you must work hard.