Word of the Day · 2026-06-15

yào
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

don't!; must not

HSK Level 1

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Examples

不要在这里吸烟,这里是禁烟区。

Bù yào zài zhèlǐ xīyān, zhèlǐ shì jìnyān qū.

Don't smoke here; this is a no-smoking area.

你必须按时完成作业,不要迟到。

Nǐ bìxū ànshí wánchéng zuòyè, bù yào chídào.

You must finish your homework on time; you must not be late.

Did You Know?

Grammar

Word Formation

不 means 'not' and 要 means 'to want'.

Usage Tips

不要 is used to give negative commands: 不要跑! (Don't run!), softer than 别 (bié).