(fēi) - not, non-, to be against, must (in 非...不可) in Mandarin
fēiTraditional: 非
Translation
not, non-, to be against, must (in 非...不可)
Word origin
Originally a pictograph of two wings spreading in opposite directions, giving rise to the meanings of opposition and negation.
- Origin
- pictograph
- Root
- a drawing of two opposing wings
Stroke order
非
Examples
。
This matter can only be done by him.
。
Right and wrong must be clearly distinguished.
。
He absolutely insists on going.
。
This is an illegal act.
。
I simply must finish reading this book.
非 (fēi) means not or non-, and marks opposition or wrongdoing. In the pattern 非...不可 it conveys a strong sense of must or have to.
Where this fits
Appears in 2 words
Multi-character compounds in the corpus that contain 非.
Used in
Grammar articles
(9)Mandarin Adjectives as Stative Verbs: Why 'I Am Cold' Is 我冷, Not 我是冷
Mandarin Advanced Grammar (C1-C2 / HSK 6+): Chengyu, Classical Remnants, and Register
不但...而且 in Mandarin: Not Only A But Also B (不仅, 还, 也, 并且)
Mandarin Causatives 使 (shǐ), 令 (lìng) and 让 (ràng): Making Someone Feel or Do Something
Mandarin Grammar Cheatsheet: The Essentials, One Page
Mandarin Comparatives: 比, 比较, 最, 跟…一样 and How to Say 'More', 'Most', 'Same As'
Mandarin Complements: 得 for Manner, Directional Endings, and How to Attach a Result to a Verb
Mandarin Conditionals: 如果, 要是, 的话 and the 就 That Finishes the Sentence
Mandarin 之 (zhī): 之一, 之间, 之后, 之中, 总之 and the Written Ancestor of 的
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非: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "非" (not, non-, to be against, must (in 非...不可)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 37.