AdverbsHSK 5
Expressing "to make certain" with 千万
千万 is used before a verb phrase to express a strong warning or urgent plea, like 'be sure to' or 'whatever you do'. It most often appears with 不要, 不能, or 别 for prohibitions, but can also pair with 要 for positive instructions.
Structure
千万 + (不要/不能/别/要) + Verb Phrase
most often used for strong prohibitions with 不要, 不能, or 别, but can also be used affirmatively with 要
Examples
- 这个菜很难吃,千万不要点!Zhè ge cài hěn nán chī, qiān wàn bú yào diǎn!This dish is horrible. Make sure you don't order it!
- 那里太危险了,千万不要去!Nà lǐ tài wēi xiǎn le, qiān wàn bú yào qù!It's too dangerous there. Whatever you do, don't go!
- 他们的产品是假的,你千万不要买!Tā men de chǎn pǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ qiān wàn bú yào mǎi!Their products are fake. DO NOT buy them!
- 他不是什么好人,千万不要相信他!Tā bú shì shén me hǎo rén, qiān wàn bú yào xiāng xìn tā!He is not a good person, you really can't believe him!
- 孩子有错,父母可以教育他,但千万不能打孩子。Hái zi yǒu cuò, fù mǔ kě yǐ jiào yù tā, dàn qiān wàn bù néng dǎ hái zi.When a child does wrong, parents can teach them. But they really mustn't beat them!