无
wú
Without, -less
无 (wú) — double negation in Chinese
无 (wú) + A + 不 (bù) + B
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
无Noun不Action
Rule structure
无 (wú)A不 (bù)B literally means “there is no A that does not B”: the double negation expresses universality, “all / everywhere B”. For example, 无微不至 (wú wēi bú zhì) means “overlooking no detail”, describing meticulous care. These are generally established literary expressions, not freely assembled from arbitrary words. It differs from 无 (wú)A可 (kě)B, “there is no A that one can B”.
Rule structure
无 (wú)A不 (bù)B literally means “there is no A that does not B”: the double negation expresses universality, “all / everywhere B”. For example, 无微不至 (wú wēi bú zhì) means “overlooking no detail”, describing meticulous care. These are generally established literary expressions, not freely assembled from arbitrary words. It differs from 无 (wú)A可 (kě)B, “there is no A that one can B”.
Examples
妈妈对孩子的照顾无微不至。
Māma duì háizi de zhàogù wúwēi-búzhì.
The mother's care for her child was meticulous in every detail.
Examples
妈妈对孩子的照顾无微不至。
Māma duì háizi de zhàogù wúwēi-búzhì.
The mother's care for her child was meticulous in every detail.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “double negation in Chinese” in Chinese with 无?
Use the structure: 无 (wú) + A + 不 (bù) + B. For example: 妈妈对孩子的照顾无微不至。 — “The mother's care for her child was meticulous in every detail”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
妈妈对孩子的照顾无微不至。 — “The mother's care for her child was meticulous in every detail”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B