Definition
不行 (bù xíng) is the everyday word for 'won't do / not acceptable' (e.g., 这个办法不行). 不成 is more formal and can also mean 'must' in the pattern 非...不成. After 得, 不行 means 'extremely, awfully' (informal); 不亦乐乎 is a literary phrase with the same meaning.
won't donot worknot acceptablenot capablenot good at(after 得) extremelyawfully
Easily confused
- 上行shàng xínglook-alike(of trains) up, heading toward the capital
- 不幸bù xìngsound-alike(adjective) unfortunate, sad
- 步行bù xíngsound-aliketo walk, to go on foot
Examples
- 不行。Zhèige bànfǎ bù xíng.This method won't work.
- 不行，。Tā zuòfàn bù xíng, zǒngshì hěn nánchī.He's no good at cooking; it's always terrible.
- 不行，。Wǒ máng de bù xíng, jīntiān méi shíjiān chūqù.I'm extremely busy; I have no time to go out today.
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