不准

• Pinyin: bù zhǔn
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = not; 准 = 冫(ice) + 隹 (bird), originally meaning water level, extending to standard and permission

Meaning

Not allowed; forbidden; must not. A direct prohibition or command.

More direct and colloquial than 禁止. Often used by authority figures (parents, teachers, bosses) to give orders. Can sound stern or harsh. Common on signs and in rules.

Examples

1. 考试期间不准交头接耳。 Whispering to each other is not allowed during the exam.
2. 妈妈说不准在床上吃东西。 Mom says eating on the bed is not allowed.
3. 进入实验室不准携带食物和饮料。 No food or drinks are permitted in the laboratory.

Usage Guide

Context: rules, commands, prohibitions

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 这里不准吸烟。(No smoking here.)
• 不准迟到！(No being late!)

Don't Say

• 这道题我不准做。(For inability, use 不会 or 做不出来 — 不准 is about permission, not ability)

Origin & History

不 (not) + 准 (permitted). 准 means to allow or approve, so 不准 is a direct negation meaning not permitted.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal