不行
bù xíng
The English phrase "no good" can be translated into Chinese as 不行 (bù xíng).
不行 is used to express that something is not permitted, not working or not acceptable. It can also mean something is "no good" in terms of quality, though it is more frequently used to mean "it won't do" or "it is not allowed" when responding to a suggestion.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 不 means "not" or "no".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
不行 is an informal way to say "no good." If you want to be more formal or emphasize that something is not suitable or inappropriate, you should use 不合适. For another informal way to indicate that something is "no good," you can use 糟糕.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used to express that a person's ability is insufficient, 不行 functions as a predicate.
How do you pronounce it?
bù xíng
Did you know?
- In a romantic or intimate context, saying a man is 不行 is often a coded way to refer to erectile dysfunction or sexual inadequacy.
- While 不行 means 'no good' or 'cannot', using it twice as 不行不行 can actually be a 'yes' in disguise, signaling a polite modesty before accepting a favor.
- The character 行 in 不行 originally meant 'to walk' or 'to travel', implying that a path is no longer passable or viable.
Examples in context
- 这件事情不好This matter is no good.
- 这样的行为在这种场合上不合适This kind of behavior is not suitable for this occasion.
- 这个解决方案不够好This solution is not good enough.
- 这个打扰别人的习惯不行This habit of bothering others is no good.
- 哎呀，我把手机摔坏了，真糟糕Oops, I dropped and broke my phone. That's really no good.
- 这样做不行。zhè yàng zuò bù xíng.Doing it this way is no good.
- 这个主意不行。zhè ge zhǔ yi bù xíng.This idea is no good.
- 今天去爬山不行吗？jīn tiān qù pá shān bù xíng ma?Is it no good to go hiking today?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- 伟 Wei我们明天去游泳，行吗？wǒ men míng tiān qù yóu yǒng, xíng ma?Can we go swimming tomorrow?
- 雨婷 Yuting明天天气不好，去游泳不行。míng tiān tiān qì bù hǎo, qù yóu yǒng bù xíng.The weather is bad tomorrow, so swimming is no good.
- 伟 Wei那我们去电影院吧。nà wǒ men qù diàn yǐng yuàn ba.Then let's go to the cinema.
- 雨婷 Yuting好啊，没问题。hǎo a, méi wèn tí.Okay, no problem.
