The Formal Prohibition: 勿
否定副词：勿
Use 勿 to express formal prohibitions and literary negative commands meaning "do not"
勿 is a formal and literary adverb meaning "do not." It functions as the classical equivalent of 不要 or 别 and is used in written prohibitions, signs, formal requests, classical quotations, and literary expressions.
勿 appears on signs (请勿吸烟 — No Smoking), in classical quotations (己所不欲，勿施于人 — Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself), and in formal letters or messages (勿念 — do not worry). It is never used in casual spoken Chinese.
Lesson Targets
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Podcast: The Formal Prohibition: 勿 (否定副词：勿)
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Understanding 否定副词：勿
The adverb 勿 is the classical Chinese way of saying "do not," and it remains alive and well in modern formal Chinese. While 别 and 不要 serve this function in everyday speech, 勿 carries the weight of tradition, authority, and literary elegance. You will encounter it in three main contexts: public signs and official notices (请勿吸烟, 请勿打扰), classical quotations that remain in common use (己所不欲，勿施于人), and formal written communications (勿念, 勿忘). For advanced learners, understanding 勿 unlocks a deeper reading of classical texts and allows you to recognize and use formal prohibitions correctly. It also appears in the important compound 切勿 (absolutely must not), which strengthens the prohibition.
Key Points
- 勿 means "do not" — the formal/literary equivalent of 别 or 不要.
- Common on public signs: 请勿吸烟, 请勿触摸, 请勿打扰.
- Preserved in famous classical quotations: 己所不欲，勿施于人.
- Used in formal correspondence: 勿念 (do not worry), 勿忘 (do not forget).
- 切勿 (absolutely must not) intensifies the prohibition.
- Never used in casual conversation — it would sound comically formal.
The Confucian golden rule 己所不欲，勿施于人 (What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others) is one of the most quoted sentences in Chinese culture. It uses 勿 in its classical prohibitive sense. This saying is often cited in discussions of ethics, diplomacy, and interpersonal relationships, making 勿 one of the most culturally significant characters in Chinese.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
希望各位勿忘十年后的约定。
I hope everyone will not forget our agreement ten years from now.
Formal plea to remember
我在国外一切都很好，勿念。
Everything is fine for me abroad — do not worry.
Classic letter closing
请勿在图书馆内大声喧哗。
Please do not make loud noise in the library.
己所不欲，勿施于人。
What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others.
Confucian golden rule
此处禁区，闲人切勿入内。
This is a restricted area — unauthorized persons must absolutely not enter.
请勿触摸展品。
Please do not touch the exhibits.
勿以善小而不为，勿以恶小而为之。
Do not fail to do good just because it is small; do not do evil just because it is small.
Famous quote attributed to Liu Bei
Common Mistakes
勿 is far too formal for casual advice to a friend. Use 别 or 不要 in spoken Chinese.
勿 is a prohibitive ("do not") — it gives commands, it does not express personal feelings. "I don't want to go" uses 不, not 勿.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memorize the three key patterns: 请勿 (please do not), 切勿 (absolutely must not), 勿忘/勿念 (do not forget/worry).
Learn the two famous classical quotes with 勿 — they appear constantly in Chinese culture and education.
When you see 勿 on a sign, mentally translate it as 别 or 不要 — the meaning is the same, just the register differs.
In formal writing, replacing 不要 with 勿 can make prohibitions sound more authoritative.
Homework
Write six formal prohibition signs for different locations (library, museum, hospital, park, office, swimming pool) using 请勿. Then write a short formal letter to a family member that includes 勿念 and 勿忘.