不得 (bùdé) means 'must not' or 'may not,' indicating a prohibition or something that is not allowed. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as laws, rules, or regulations, to express that certain actions are forbidden.
HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
bùdé(bu4de2) T4
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
不得bùdé(bu4de2)
不得 (bùdé) means 'must not' or 'may not,' indicating a prohibition or something that is not allowed. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as laws, rules, or regulations, to express that certain actions are forbidden.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The usage of 不得 often reflects the Chinese emphasis on collective order and social harmony, illustrating how societal rules govern individual behavior. It is frequently seen in official announcements and public service messages.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big 'No' sign (不得) blocking your path. The character 不 (bù) resembles a line through the letter D, symbolizing prohibition, while 得 (dé) suggests obtaining permission. Together, they create a vivid image of something you cannot obtain – permission to act.
About 不得
不得Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 不得
Podcast: 不得
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 不得
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big 'No' sign (不得) blocking your path. The character 不 (bù) resembles a line through the letter D, symbolizing prohibition, while 得 (dé) suggests obtaining permission. Together, they create a vivid image of something you cannot obtain – permission to act.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 不得 with 不能 (bù néng), which means 'cannot' in a more general sense. Use 不得 when emphasizing rules or restrictions, especially in formal writing. Be cautious with tones; saying bù dé incorrectly may change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK 6, focus on understanding how 不得 is used in various contexts, particularly in legal documents or formal speeches. Connect this word to other vocabulary related to rules or restrictions to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
The usage of 不得 often reflects the Chinese emphasis on collective order and social harmony, illustrating how societal rules govern individual behavior. It is frequently seen in official announcements and public service messages.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 不得 interchangeably with 不能 in informal settings. For example, saying '我不得去' (I must not go) in casual conversation might sound overly formal; use '我不能去' (I can't go) instead in those cases.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 不得
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 不得 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不得 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 不得
🏮Cultural insight
The usage of 不得 often reflects the Chinese emphasis on collective order and social harmony, illustrating how societal rules govern individual behavior. It is frequently seen in official announcements and public service messages.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不得
While grammatically correct, 不得 is more appropriate in formal contexts, so it's best reserved for writing or speeches.
No, 不得 emphasizes prohibition, while 不能 refers to inability. Use 不得 for rules and regulations.
Think of 不得 as a strict 'no' to an action, while 不能 is about a lack of ability to perform that action.
