The good news: 別别 bié almost always works the same way. Put it right before the verb (or adjective) you want someone to avoid. Add 了了 le at the end when the action is already happening and you want it to stop.
1別别 bié + V / Adj
別别 bié tells someone not to start doing something. It sits right in front of the verb or adjective, with no extra grammar needed.
別跑
别跑
Don’t run.
別吃太多
别吃太多
Don’t eat too much.
別緊張
别紧张
Don’t be nervous.
上中文課別說英文
上中文课别说英文
Don’t speak English in Chinese class.
別想太多
别想太多
Don’t overthink.
我知道我很美，但是你別愛我
我知道我很美，但是你别爱我
I know I’m beautiful, but don’t fall in love with me.
別裝蒜！
别装蒜！
Don’t play dumb!
💬 別裝蒜别装蒜 bié zhuāngsuàn
Literally “don’t act like garlic,” it’s used to tell someone to stop pretending they don’t know something they actually do. The phrase comes from a story about officials who tricked an emperor with narcissus flowers standing in for the garlic plants he expected to see. Ever since, 裝蒜装蒜 zhuāngsuàn has meant faking ignorance to get away with something.
2別别 bié + V + 了了 le
Add 了了 le at the end and the meaning shifts: instead of “don’t start,” it becomes “stop”, asking someone to cut off something already in progress.
別說了
别说了
Stop talking.
別哭了
别哭了
Stop crying.
別吃了
别吃了
Stop eating.
別吵了
别吵了
Stop making noise.
別學了！中文太難了！
别学了！中文太难了！
Stop studying! Chinese is too difficult!
3Common Mistakes
❌
你不說話！
你不说话！
✅
你別說話！
你别说话！
不不 bù states a fact or a stance (“I don’t…”). It doesn’t work as a command. To tell someone “don’t,” you need 別别 bié.
4Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Don’t touch that.
別碰那個
别碰那个。
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02Stop yelling.
別叫了
别叫了。
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03Don’t be afraid.
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04Don’t forget to bring your passport.
別忘了帶護照
别忘了带护照。
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05Stop playing games, it’s already midnight.
別玩遊戲了，已經半夜了
别玩游戏了，已经半夜了。
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06Don’t worry about me.
別擔心我
别担心我。
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07Stop laughing!
別笑了
别笑了！
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08Don’t be late tomorrow.
明天別遲到
明天别迟到。
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