不肯 (bù kěn) — not willing to, refuse to
Definition
不肯 (bù kěn) is a modal-style auxiliary meaning 'refuses to' or 'won't' — focuses on the subject's unwillingness, not inability. Paired only with willing verbs, never involuntary ones (use 不能 for 'cannot').
auxiliary verb
not willing torefuse to
Examples
- 不肯。Tā bù kěn gào sù wǒ zhēn xiàng.He refused to tell me the truth.
- 不肯。Tā bù kěn jiē shòu zhè ge ān pái.She is not willing to accept this arrangement.
- 不肯，。Hái zi bù kěn chī shū cài, mā ma hěn dān xīn.The child refuses to eat vegetables; the mother is very worried.
Appears in
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