Negation in writing and speech: 未, 无, 非, 别, 甭, 不必, 不用, 没必要
The written negatives 未, 无, 非; and the spoken ways to say don't, no need and no point.
Part of the free B2 Chinese course (about HSK 5). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
The written negatives
Written Chinese keeps three negatives from the classical language. Each matches an everyday one.
| Written | Pinyin | Everyday | Meaning | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 未 | wèi | 没(有) | not (yet), have not | 尚未, 未经允许, 未成年 |
| 无 | wú | 没有 | there is no, without | 无法, 无关, 无数, 无人 |
| 非 | fēi | 不是 | not, non- | 非卖品, 非法, 并非 |
- 此事尚未确定。This matter has not yet been decided.
- 未经允许，不得入内。No entry without permission.
- 由于天气原因，航班无法按时起飞。Due to the weather, the flight cannot take off on time.
- 这些展品是非卖品。These exhibits are not for sale.
They live mainly in fixed words and in written sentences. In conversation, use 没, 没有 and 不是.
Don't, no need, no point
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 别 | bié | don't (a request or warning) | spoken; 不要 is a little fuller |
| 甭 | béng | no need, don't bother (a fusion of 不用) | Beijing and northern speech, very casual |
| 不用 | búyòng | no need | everyday |
| 不必 | búbì | needn't | neutral to formal |
| 没必要 | méi bìyào | there's no point | everyday |
- 外面冷，别忘了戴帽子。It's cold outside; don't forget your hat.
- 甭客气，都是自己人。Don't stand on ceremony, we're all friends here.
- 你不必现在就回答我。You needn't answer me right now.
- 不用找了。Keep the change.
- 为这点小事吵架，真没必要。There's really no point arguing over such a small thing.
不用 and 不必 say "it isn't necessary"; 别 says "don't". 你不用去 = you don't have to go; 你别去 = don't go.
Common mistakes
你不用进来！meaning "Don't come in!" → 别进来！不用 only says it isn't necessary.- 我未吃饭。 in conversation → 我还没吃饭。未 is too bookish for speech.
- 他非学生。 in conversation → 他不是学生。非 belongs to fixed words and written style (他并非本校学生 is fine in writing).
- 您甭担心。 in a formal email → 您不必担心。甭 is very casual and clashes with polite 您.
这个问题无办法。→ 这个问题没有办法 / 无法解决。Use 无法 + verb, or plain 没有.
Practice
- _____经许可，禁止拍照。// No photography without permission.Options: 未 · 别 · 甭
Show the answer
未 — 未经许可 = without permission (written).
- 由于资金不足，这个项目_____继续进行。// Due to a shortage of funds, this project cannot go on.Options: 无法 · 别 · 不用
Show the answer
无法 — 无法 + verb = is unable to (written).
- Someone thanks you for a tiny favour. Which reply means 'No need (to thank me)!'?Options: 不用谢！ · 别用谢！ · 未谢！
Show the answer
不用谢！ — 不用谢 is the everyday reply.
- _____动！警察！// Don't move! Police!Options: 别 · 不必 · 没必要
Show the answer
别 — 别 gives an order not to do something; 不必 and 没必要 only say it's unnecessary.