不肯

• Pinyin: bù kěn
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = not; 肯 = 止 (stop) variant + 月 (flesh), originally referring to meat on the bone, evolving to mean willing or consent

Meaning

To refuse; to be unwilling to; won't (do something). Expressing refusal or unwillingness.

Indicates deliberate unwillingness rather than inability. Emphasizes that the subject could do something but chooses not to. Often implies stubbornness or firm refusal. More emphatic than 不愿意.

Examples

1. 他不肯承认自己的错误，态度非常固执。 He refuses to admit his mistake — his attitude is very stubborn.
2. 孩子不肯吃蔬菜，怎么劝都没用。 The child won't eat vegetables — no amount of persuasion works.
3. 她不肯透露消息来源，坚持保护线人的身份。 She refuses to reveal her source, insisting on protecting the informant's identity.

Usage Guide

Context: refusal, stubbornness, resistance

Tone: firm

Do Say

• 他不肯帮忙。(He refuses to help.)
• 无论怎么说，她就是不肯答应。(No matter what you say, she simply won't agree.)

Don't Say

• 我不肯游泳因为我不会。(If you can't swim, use 不能 or 不会 — 不肯 implies you could but choose not to)

Origin & History

不 (not) + 肯 (willing to, consent). 肯 originally related to flesh near the bone, extending to mean willing or agree.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal