无从 (wú cóng) vs 无须 (wú xū) vs 勿 (wù) — inability, no need, prohibition

无从 (wúcóng) + Verb | 无须 (wúxū) + Verb | 勿 (wù) + Verb

HSK 7–93.0

Pattern diagram

无从Action

Who / what无须Action

勿Action

Rule structure

无从 (wúcóng) means “there is no way or starting point” for an action. 无须 (wúxū) means “there is no need”: 无须担心 (wúxū dānxīn), “there is no need to worry”. 勿 (wù) expresses a written prohibition: 勿外传 (wù wàichuán), “do not disclose”. Their meanings differ.

Rule structure

Examples

这件事无从查起。

Zhè jiàn shì wúcóng chá qǐ.

There is no starting point for investigating this matter.

Examples

这件事无从查起。

Zhè jiàn shì wúcóng chá qǐ.

There is no starting point for investigating this matter.

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Words from this rule

无

wú

Without, -less

从

cóng

From, through

须

xū

Must; beard

勿

wù

Do not, must not

这

zhè

This

件

jiàn

(classifier for things, clothing, events)

事

shì

Matter

查

chá

To check; to look up

起

qǐ

To rise, to get up; to start

时间

shíjiān

Time (as duration), period

还

hái

Still, yet (adverb)

早

zǎo

Early

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “inability, no need, prohibition” in Chinese with 无从 vs 无须 vs 勿?

Use the structure: 无从 (wúcóng) + Verb | 无须 (wúxū) + Verb | 勿 (wù) + Verb. For example: 这件事无从查起。 — “There is no starting point for investigating this matter”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这件事无从查起。 — “There is no starting point for investigating this matter”.

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

向来 — always previously

Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.

偏 — contrary to expectations

Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

何必 — why bother

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

按理 — logically speaking

按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)

不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement

不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)

照常 — as usual

Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb

碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence

Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase