“Don’t” in Chinese 别 bié

Grammar Point:
In Chinese grammar, the word 别 bié is often used to express the concept of “don’t” or “stop.” It is commonly used to give commands, suggestions, or advice to someone.

Structure

别 bié + V or SV

別bié跑pǎo别bié跑pǎo
Don’t run.

別bié吃chī太tài多duō别bié吃chī太tài多duō
Don’t eat too much.

別bié緊張jǐnzhāng别bié紧张jǐnzhāng
Don’t be nervous.

上shàng中文zhōngwén課kè別bié說shuō英文yīngwén上shàng中文zhōngwén课kè别bié说shuō英文yīngwén
Don’t speak English in Chinese class.

別bié想xiǎng太tài多duō别bié想xiǎng太tài多duō
Don’t overthink.

我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ很hěn美měi， 但是dànshì你nǐ別bié愛ài我wǒ我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ很hěn美měi， 但是dànshì你nǐ别bié爱ài我wǒ
I know I’m beautiful, but don’t love me.

別bié裝蒜zhuāngsuàn！ 别bié装蒜zhuāngsuàn！
Don’t play innocent!

FYI
The Chinese slang 别裝装蒜 bié zhuāngsuàn literally translates to “don’t act like garlic.” It is used to tell someone not to pretend or act innocent when they are actually aware or knowledgeable about something.
The reason why 蒜 suàn, which means “garlic,” is used in this context is because that in ancient times, an emperor visited a certain region in the south during spring and praised the green and neatly grown garlic plants there. However, when he returned during winter, the garlic had not yet sprouted. To please the emperor, local officials had many narcissus plants (which resemble garlic leaves from a distance) transplanted together. The emperor, seeing the plants, praised them thinking they were garlic, and as a result, the officials were promoted.
Since then, people have used the term 裝装蒜 zhuāngsuàn to mock or ridicule those who pretend to be knowledgeable or deceive others. The phrase implies the act of imitating or pretending to be something one is not, similar to how the officials used the narcissus plants to deceive the emperor. It highlights the idea of faking knowledge or expertise for personal gain or to please someone in authority.

别 bié + V + 了

This structure also means “don’t” or “stop,” but it implies a change in the situation. It is used to urge someone to stop an ongoing action or to emphasize that the action should not be continued. The addition of 了 le is 了₂, which indicates a change of current the situation.

別bié說shuō了le别bié说shuō了le
Stop talking.

別bié哭kū了le别bié哭kū了le
Stop crying.

別bié吃chī了le别bié吃chī了le
Stop eating.

別bié吵chǎo了le别bié吵chǎo了le
Stop making noise.

別bié學xué了le！ 中文zhōngwén太tài難nán了le！ 别bié学xué了le！ 中文zhōngwén太tài难nán了le！
Stop studying! Chinese is too difficult!