Definition
不得 (bù dé) is a formal, written verb meaning 'must not / may not' — it is used in official rules, signs, and regulations. It is stronger and more impersonal than 不要 (bù yào, 'don't'), which is the everyday spoken prohibition. Unlike 不许 (bù xǔ, 'not allow'), which focuses on a person forbidding something, 不得 states an objective rule.
verb
must notmay not (used in formal rules, regulations, or written prohibitions)
Examples
- 不得。Cānguān bówùguǎn shí bù dé dàshēng shuōhuà.You must not speak loudly when visiting the museum.
- ，不得。Gēnjù gōngsī guīdìng, yuángōng bù dé chídào.According to company policy, employees may not be late.
- 不得。Kǎoshì shí bù dé kàn qítā tóngxué de dá'àn.During the exam, you must not look at other students' answers.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.