Writing
别 (bié) — how to say "don't" in Chinese
别
Don't (do something); other
negation adverb · verb
1. don't; don't doHSK 3.0 · level 2
negation adverb
2. to distinguish; to partHSK 3.0 · level 5
verb
How to use it
Goes before a verb or adjective.
别忘了带伞。
bié wàng le dài sǎn
Don't forget to bring an umbrella.
Radicals / Keys
刀
Knife
#18 · dāo · 2 strokes
Synonyms
Collocations
别说
bié shuō
don't say
Examples
别着急，我们慢慢说。
Don't worry, let's talk slowly.
别走
Don't leave.
Mnemonic
[bié-] Billy the Beaver was about to build a dam, 🦫 when he spotted a 别 "DON'T" sign. The sign was accompanied by a hand emoji 🤚, warning him: "别 DON'T DO IT NOW, WAIT FOR BETTER CONDITIONS!" Billy saw 别 and decided to postpone his construction project.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "don't" in Chinese?
"don't" in Chinese is 别 (bié).
别 meaning in English
别 (bié) means "Don't (do something); other".
How is 别 pronounced?
It is pronounced bié (written as bie). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
How do you write "don't" in Chinese characters?
It is written 别 and has 7 strokes. The Writing section above animates the stroke order and lets you trace it.
What HSK level is 别?
别 belongs to the HSK 2 vocabulary list.
Tomyo
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Grammar with 别
别 — stop doing
别 (bié) + Verb + 了 (le)
别 — negative commands
别 (bié) + Verb
无论 — no matter what
无论 (wúlùn) / 不论 (bùlùn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯
只好 — only option, had to
Subj. + 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb Phrase
又 — not at all, not really
又 (yòu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.
可 — emphatic “really”
Subj. + 可 (kě) + Verb / Adj. (+ 了 (le))