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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "must" with emphasis using 不可 (bùkě)

    HSK 5
    Negation
    Obligation & Necessity

    Structure

    不可(不) + Verb

    Explanation

    不可 means "must not" or, in the pattern 不可不, "absolutely must." It adds a strong emphatic tone to obligations or prohibitions. For example, 不可不知 means "you absolutely must know" and 不可忽视 means "must not be overlooked."

    Examples

    • 安全问题不可忽视。

      Ānquán wèntí bùkě hūshì.

      Safety issues must not be ignored.

    • 这本书不可不读，写得太好了。

      Zhè běn shū bùkě bù dú, xiě de tài hǎo le.

      This book is a must-read — it's so well written.

    • 做人不可太自私。

      Zuòrén bùkě tài zìsī.

      One must not be too selfish.

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