Meaning of 不许
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- not to allow
- must not
- can't
How to use 不许
不许 is a direct way to forbid something, often used by parents, teachers, or on rules and signs. It comes before the action being forbidden. Example: 上课时不许玩手机。(Shàngkè shí bùxǔ wán shǒujī.) You are not allowed to play on your phone during class.
不 (bù) means "not" and 许 (xǔ) means "to allow" or "to permit". Put them together and you get "not allowed", like a sign that says no.
Common mistake: Learners often say 不许 when they just mean "cannot" because of ability, as in 我不许游泳. For ability, use 不会 (bú huì) or 不能 (bù néng). 不许 is about permission and rules, not skill.
不许 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
不 bù · no · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
许 xǔ · to allow · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 不许.
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not |
| 不大 | bù dà | not very (clear, far away etc); not too; not often; infrequently |
| 不对 | bùduì | incorrect; wrong |
| 不客气 | bù kèqì | you're welcome; don't mention it |
| 不要 | bùyào | don't!; must not |
| 也许 | yěxǔ | perhaps; maybe |
| 不过 | bùguò | only; merely |
| 不错 | bùcuò | correct; right |
| 不行 | bùxíng | won't do; be out of the question |
| 不同 | bù tóng | different; distinct |
Questions about 不许
What does 不许 mean?
不许 (bùxǔ) means "not to allow; must not" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 不许?
不许 is made of 2 characters: 不 (4 strokes), 许 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 不许 an HSK word?
Yes. 不许 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 不许 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 不许 is written 不許.
What is the difference between 不许 and 不准?
They mean almost the same thing: not allowed. 不准 (bù zhǔn) sounds a little more formal and official, so it is common on public signs. 不许 is more common in everyday speech, such as a parent talking to a child.
Is 不许 rude to say to someone?
It is quite strong and direct, so it can sound bossy between equals. To be softer, you can say 请不要 (qǐng bú yào), "please don't", or 最好别 (zuìhǎo bié), "better not".