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March 24, 2026
不许(不許)bùxǔ(bu4xu3)
不许 (bù xǔ) means 'not to allow' or 'must not.' It is often used in prohibitive contexts where an action or behavior is explicitly forbidden. Commonly found in rules or regulations, its tone conveys a sense of authority and seriousness.
Frequency#1339DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and rules is significant, and 不许 reflects the respect for regulations in various aspects of life, from family to government. It can often be seen in public signage where certain behaviors are strictly prohibited.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big 'NO' sign (不) standing in front of a door (许) that you are not allowed to enter. The character 不 means 'not,' while 许 can be associated with 'allow.' Together, they create a vivid image of being denied access.
Meanings of 不许
bùxǔ(bu4xu3)
1not to allow
2must not
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About 不许
不许Simplified
不許Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 不许
Podcast: 不许
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AI Study Notes for 不许
Quick Contrast
禁止 (jìnzhǐ) - use 不许 (bùxǔ) for personal prohibitions or informal contexts, while 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) is more formal and official.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big 'NO' sign (不) standing in front of a door (许) that you are not allowed to enter. The character 不 means 'not,' while 许 can be associated with 'allow.' Together, they create a vivid image of being denied access.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 不许 with 不能 (bù néng), which means 'cannot' due to inability rather than prohibition. 不许 is more formal and typically appears in written contexts, such as signs or legal documents. Remember that it carries a strong tone, so use it appropriately.
HSK Study Tips
不许 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, but it is useful for building prohibitive expressions. Learners should focus on its usage in contexts involving rules and restrictions, and relate it to other HSK words like 允许 (yǔn xǔ), which means 'to allow.'
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and rules is significant, and 不许 reflects the respect for regulations in various aspects of life, from family to government. It can often be seen in public signage where certain behaviors are strictly prohibited.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 不许 and 不能, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我不许去' (Wǒ bù xǔ qù) instead of the correct '我不能去' (Wǒ bù néng qù) if they mean 'I cannot go.' Always use 不许 for prohibitions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不许
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In Chinese culture, the concept of authority and rules is significant, and 不许 reflects the respect for regulations in various aspects of life, from family to government. It can often be seen in public signage where certain behaviors are strictly prohibited.
Yes! In a conversation, you might hear someone say '这里不许吸烟' (zhè lǐ bù xǔ xī yān), meaning 'Smoking is not allowed here'. It's a clear way to communicate rules or restrictions.
不许 is generally considered more formal and is often used in written rules or official statements. In casual conversation, people might use phrases like '别' (bié) to express similar prohibitions.
不许 (bù xǔ) means 'not allowed' or 'forbidden'. It is used to indicate that something is prohibited or not permitted in a certain context. This phrase is commonly used in rules, regulations, or commands.
To use 不许 in a sentence, you can place it before a verb to indicate prohibition. For example, 不许进 (bù xǔ jìn) means 'no entry' or 'not allowed to enter'. It's often used in signs or formal statements.
It's better to reserve 不许 for formal situations, as it carries a more authoritative tone.
No, 不许 implies prohibition, while 不能 refers to inability to do something.
You can say '这里不许吸烟' (Zhè lǐ bù xǔ xī yān), meaning 'Smoking is not allowed here.'
