(bù kě) - cannot, must not in Mandarin
bùkěTraditional: 不可
Translation
cannot, must not
Word origin
A compound of the negative 不 (bù, not) and 可 (kě, may, can), together meaning cannot or must not. In the pattern 非...不可 it expresses something that absolutely must happen.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 不 (bù, not) + 可 (kě, may)
Stroke order
不
可
Examples
。
This simply must be done.
。
The opportunity must not be missed.
。
This matter must not be told to others.
烟。
You must not smoke here.
。
This mistake is unforgivable.
不可 (bù kě) means cannot or must not. It is used to forbid an action or, in the 非...不可 pattern, to insist one is unavoidable.
Where this fits
Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Go to my review queueMandarin · Free printables
不可: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "不可" (cannot, must not): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 28.