Definition
非 (fēi) has three uses: (1) a formal/literary verb meaning 'to not be', distinct from the general negator 不 (bù) and the lack/existence negator 没有 (méi yǒu); (2) an adverb in the fixed pattern 非...不/不可 implying 'absolutely must', stronger than 坚持 (jiānchí) or 执意 (zhíyì); (3) a prefix meaning 'non-' (e.g., 非正式).
(verb, formal/literary) to not beto be not(adverb in the pattern 非...不/才/不可) absolutely mustsimply must(prefix) non-un-in-used to form negative adjectives or nouns
Easily confused
- 飞fēisound-aliketo fly
- 费fèisound-alike(verb) to spend, to consume (time, effort, or money)
- 肥féisound-alike(adj.) fat (of meat/animal), fertile (soil), loose (clothing)
- 肺fèisound-alikelung
- 废fèisound-alike(verb) to abolish, to discard, to scrap
Examples
- ，。Zhè shì fēi zhèngshì huìyì, búyòng chuān zhèngzhuāng.This is an informal meeting; you don't need to wear formal attire.
- ，非。Yào jiǎnféi, jiù fēi yùndòng bùkě.If you want to lose weight, you absolutely must exercise.
- 非，。Tā fēi yào zìjǐ kāichē, wǒmen dōu hěn dānxīn.He insists on driving himself, and we are all worried.
Grammar
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