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Expressing a 'deviation' or 'misalignment' with 别 (bié)
Description & Modification
Negation
Structure
Subject + 别
Explanation
The word 别 (bié) can mean 'to twist' or 'to be jammed' when describing something stuck or misaligned, as in a tongue getting twisted during a tongue twister. In this sense it describes an awkward or contorted state. This usage is distinct from the more common 别 meaning 'don't.'
Examples
这个绕口令太难了，我的舌头都别住了。
zhè ge rào kǒu lìng tài nán le, wǒ de shétou dōu bié zhù le.
This tongue twister is too hard; my tongue got all tangled up.
钥匙在锁里别住了，怎么都拧不动。
yàoshi zài suǒ lǐ bié zhù le, zěnme dōu nǐng bù dòng.
The key got stuck in the lock and won't turn no matter what.
他念得太快，嘴巴都别过来了。
tā niàn de tài kuài, zuǐba dōu bié guòlái le.
He was reading so fast that his mouth got all twisted up.