不行

• Pinyin: bù xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = 'not'; 行 = 彳 (step) + 亍 (to pace), originally meaning 'to walk,' extended to 'to be OK'

Meaning

Not OK; won't work; not allowed. Used to refuse, deny permission, or express that something is inadequate.

A versatile word used to flatly refuse a request, say something is not possible, or indicate poor ability. Very common in spoken Chinese. Can sound blunt, so tone of voice matters. Also used self-deprecatingly to say one is not good at something.

Examples

1. 明天不行，我有事情。 Tomorrow won't work — I have something to do.
2. 这样做不行，会出问题的。 Doing it this way won't work — it'll cause problems.
3. 我问了妈妈，她说不行。 I asked my mom, and she said no.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, refusal, evaluation

Tone: direct

Do Say

• 今天不行，我们换一天吧。(Today won't work — let's pick another day.)
• 我唱歌不行，你来吧。(I'm no good at singing — you go ahead.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合对长辈说'不行！' (Don't bluntly say 不行 to elders or in formal settings — soften with 恐怕不行 or 可能不太方便.)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 行 (to go/to be OK). Literally 'doesn't go' or 'doesn't work,' parallel to colloquial English 'that won't fly.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal