请不要
The English phrase "please no" is translated into Chinese as 请不要.
The phrase 请不要 is most naturally used when followed by an action, such as 请不要说话 (please do not speak).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 请 (please), 不 (not) and 要 (want/will/to be), literally meaning "please do not [do something]".
Which one should you use?
While 请不要 is a polite request, the shorter 不要 is a direct command and can sound much more blunt or aggressive depending on the tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 请不要 is typically used as a prefix to a verb rather than a standalone response like the English "please no".
Did you know?
- The character 请 (qǐng) can also mean 'to treat someone to a meal'. In certain contexts, using 'please' words can accidentally imply you are offering to pay for someone.
- In many Chinese contexts, a polite 'no' is expressed through silence or by avoiding the word 'no' entirely to preserve 'face', rather than using a direct phrase like 请不要.
- Adding the particle 吧 to the end of a negative request, turning it into 不要吧, can actually turn a command into a soft suggestion to 'not do' something.
Examples in context
- 请不要迟到Please don't be late
- 不要说话Please don't talk
- 别吃那个Please don't eat that
- 不要闹Please don't make a scene
- 请不要在这里抽烟。Qǐng bùyào zài zhèlǐ chōuyān.Please do not smoke here.
- 请不要告诉他这个秘密。Qǐng bùyào gàosù tā zhège mìmì.Please do not tell him this secret.
- 请不要迟到。Qǐng bùyào chídào.Please do not be late.
Example conversation
Jiayi is asking Junjie to stop using his phone during dinner.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，请不要一直看手机。Jùnjié, qǐng bùyào yīzhí kàn shǒujī.Junjie, please don't keep looking at your phone.
- 俊杰 Junjie对不起，我刚才在回消息。duìbùqǐ, wǒ gāngcái zài huí xiāoxi.Sorry, I was just replying to a message.
- 佳怡 Jiayi现在我们聊聊天吧。xiànzài wǒmen liáoliáo tiān ba.Let's chat now.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我把它放下。hǎo de, wǒ bǎ tā fàngxià.Okay, I'll put it down.
