Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 休想 | xiūxiǎng |
| 沒門(兒) /没门 | |
| 絕不會 / 绝不会 | jué bùhuì |
| 絕對不會 / 绝对不会 | juéduì bùhuì |
| 一定不會 / 一定不会 | yīdìng bùhuì |
| 門都沒有 / 门都没有 | mén dōu méiyǒu |
The phrase is used to express that something is absolutely not happening or is completely impossible. For example, 休想 is often used as a forceful retort when someone proposes an idea that the speaker finds completely unacceptable or impossible, functioning like "don't even think about it".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 休想 literally means "stop thinking (about it)", where the character 休 means "to rest" or "to stop" and 想 means "to think". Another phrase, 没门儿, literally translates to "no door", implying there is no entrance or way to achieve a specific goal.
Which one should you use?
While 休想 is a sharp, often dismissive command to stop dreaming, 绝对不会 is a more declarative statement of certainty regarding a future event. For a more emphatic and colloquial way to say "no way" compared to the formal 绝不会, you can use 门都没有.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern China, particularly in Beijing and Northern Chinese dialects, the form 没门儿 is common due to the addition of the "er" suffix. In Cantonese, the phrase 唔係呀 is used to mean "no way" or "not possible".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 一定不会 functions as an adverbial phrase of certainty and can be placed before any verb to express a definite negative outcome.
How do you pronounce it?
xiūxiǎng
Did you know?
- The character 休 in 休想 is composed of the radicals for 'person' and 'tree', visually representing a person leaning against a tree to rest.
- Unlike English, where 'no way' can be a positive expression of excitement, none of these Chinese phrases can be used to mean 'that is amazing'.
- While 门都没有 means 'no way', in certain contexts it can be used as a playful or teasing refusal among close friends rather than a harsh rejection.
Examples in context
- 你休想把这件事告诉他。Nǐ xiūxiǎng bǎ zhè jiàn shì gàosù tā.Don't even think about telling him about this.
- 想让我帮你？休想！Xiǎng ràng wǒ bāng nǐ? Xiūxiǎng!You want me to help you? No way!
- 休想通过我的考试。Xiūxiǎng tōngguò wǒ de kǎoshì.Don't even dream of passing my test.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about borrowing a expensive camera.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，能不能把相机借我用一天？Zǐhán, néng bù néng bǎ xiàngjī jiè wǒ yòng yītiān?Zihan, can I borrow the camera for one day?
- 梓涵 Zihan休想！这相机很贵重的。Xiūxiǎng! Zhè xiàngjī hěn guìzhòng de.No way! This camera is very expensive.
- 俊杰 Junjie我就用一下，保证不会弄坏它。Wǒ jiù yòng yīxià, bǎozhèng bù huì nòng huài tā.I'll only use it briefly, I promise I won't break it.
- 梓涵 Zihan不行，俊杰，你还是别想了。Bùxíng, Jùnjié, nǐ háishì bié xiǎng le.No, Junjie, don't even bother dreaming about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no way” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
