对
duì
Correct
How to say "no" or "not allowed" in Chinese
不行
bù xíng
No / not allowed
Character breakdown
Grammar and structure
Literally "not OK": 不 (bù) means "not," and 行 (xíng) means "OK" or "workable." Together they form a fixed expression for refusal.
Variations and politeness
不可以
bù kě yǐ
may not / not allowed — More formal and often used in rules or prohibitions.
没办法
méi bàn fǎ
there's no way / can't be helped — More casual and softer, often used to express inability rather than refusal.
不行了
bù xíng le
it's not working anymore / can't go on — Indicates a change of situation, often used when something was previously possible but now isn't.
Mini dialogue
A
你能帮我吗？
nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?
Can you help me?
B
不行。
bù xíng.
No, I can't.
When to use it
Appropriate
- When you want to refuse a request or suggestion outright.
- When you want to say that something is not allowed or not permitted.
- When you want to express that something is impossible or won't work.
Avoid when
- When answering a yes/no question about a fact, like 'Are you coming?' – use 不是 (bú shì) instead.
- When you want to be polite or soften a refusal – 不行 can sound blunt, so add 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) first.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'no' in Chinese?
It depends on the context. For refusing or saying something is not allowed, use 不行 (bù xíng). For negating a fact, use 不是 (bú shì).
How do you pronounce 不行?
It is pronounced 'bù xíng' with a falling tone on 'bù' and a rising tone on 'xíng'.
When do you use 不行 instead of 不可以?
不行 is more colloquial and direct, while 不可以 is more formal and often used in rules or prohibitions. In casual speech, 不行 is more common.
More phrases for this situation
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