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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "no, it won't do" with 不行 (bùxíng)

    Negation
    Permission & Ability

    Structure

    Subject + 不行

    Explanation

    不行 (bùxíng) means "no good," "won't do," or "not allowed." It is used to refuse permission, reject a suggestion, or indicate that something is unacceptable. It is common in spoken Chinese, especially among parents speaking to children.

    Examples

    • 妈妈说今天不能吃冰淇淋,不行就是不行。

      māma shuō jīntiān bù néng chī bīngqílín, bùxíng jiùshì bùxíng.

      Mom said no ice cream today — no means no.

    • 这个方案不行,我们得重新想一个。

      zhège fāng'àn bùxíng, wǒmen děi chóngxīn xiǎng yí gè.

      This plan won't work; we need to come up with a new one.

    • 你不吃早饭可不行,对身体不好。

      nǐ bù chī zǎofàn kě bùxíng, duì shēntǐ bù hǎo.

      You can't skip breakfast — it's bad for your health.