能不…就不…
not do something unless you must; leave undone whatever can be left undone
Structure
能不 动词 （的 名词） 就不 同一个动词
What it means
Leave undone whatever can be left undone: a rule of restraint or thrift, like a restorer’s minimal intervention.
How it is built
能不 + verb (+ 的 + noun) + 就不 + same verb: 能不换的零件就不换 (no part is replaced that can be kept); 这笔钱能不花就不花.
When to use it
Speech and writing. Positive mirror: 能 + verb + 就 + verb (能省就省); the two often pair: 能修就修，能不换就不换. For more force, 就不 → 尽量不 or 绝不.
Watch out
Repeat the same verb: ✗ 能不换就不修 ✓ 能不换就不换. It states a rule or habit, so it does not describe a single past action.
Examples
修复还力求做到最小干预：能不换的零件就不换，能不动的地方就不动。
Restoration also strives for minimal intervention: no part is replaced that can be kept, and nothing is touched that can be left alone.
这笔钱是留给孩子上学用的，能不花就不花。
This money is set aside for the children’s schooling, so we don’t spend it unless we have to.
周末的会能不开就不开，有事发个通知就行。
Weekend meetings are best not held at all; if there is news, a notice will do.
Learn this in Lesson 235 · HSK 9+: 我在故宫修文物 (Restoring the Forbidden City’s treasures)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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