勿
do not (on signs, notices and official warnings)
Structure
请勿／切勿 ＋ 动词
What it means
Classical 不要: one syllable, used only to tell people not to do something, so it lives on signs, notices and official warnings.
How it is built
请勿／切勿 + verb: 展厅内请勿拍照 (no photography in the exhibition hall). 切勿 (never, on no account) is stronger than 请勿: 切勿在大树下避雨.
When to use it
Signs and warnings: 请勿吸烟, 请勿靠近, 切勿轻信. In speech use 别 or 不要. It also survives in sayings such as 己所不欲，勿施于人.
Watch out
It cannot state a fact and does not take 了. ✗ 我勿去 ✓ 我不去. ✗ 请勿拍照了 ✓ 请勿拍照.
Examples
雷雨天气，切勿在大树下避雨。
In a thunderstorm, never shelter under a big tree.
展厅内请勿拍照。
No photography in the exhibition hall.
非工作人员请勿入内。
Staff only. No entry.
Learn this in Lesson 112 · HSK 7–9: 台风来了 (Typhoon warning: a weather report)
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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