不许 + Action
Reach for this when you need to forbid something with authority — a parent to a child, a sign on a wall, an officer to a citizen. 不许 means 'not allowed,' and it sits directly in front of the verb describing the forbidden action. No subject is needed when the listener is obvious (the person being addressed). It is stronger and more top-down than 别 or 不要; use it when you have the right to enforce the rule, not when you are just suggesting.
Structure
(Subject) 不许 [VERB] [OBJECT]。
bùxǔ
How to Think About It
不许 hands down a rule from someone with authority. 许 means 'to permit'; putting 不 in front makes it 'permission denied.' Native speakers read it as a hard NO — the verb that follows is the activity being banned. Because it carries authority, addressing an adult equal with 不许 sounds harsh; soften to 别 or 请不要 instead.
Examples
不许说话！
Bùxǔ shuōhuà!
No talking!
妈妈说不许玩手机。
Māma shuō bùxǔ wán shǒujī.
Mom said no playing with phones.
考试的时候不许抄。
Kǎoshì de shíhou bùxǔ chāo.
During the exam you are not allowed to copy.
Common Mistake
Learners use 不许 as a polite request, but it sounds like an order. To say 'please don't,' use 请别 or 请不要; reserve 不许 for situations where you actually outrank the listener.
（对同事说）不许迟到。
（对同事说）请别迟到。
Don't Confuse With
别 + Verb
别 is the everyday 'don't,' suitable between equals (别说话). 不许 is heavier and more authoritative.
不要 + Verb
不要 is a softer, neutral prohibition ('don't do that'). 不许 is closer to 'you are not allowed.'
不能 + Verb
不能 says 'cannot' — physical or logical impossibility, or a rule. 不许 specifically says someone is forbidding it.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 在图书馆 ___ 许大声说话。
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不
Fill in the verb: 老师说上课不许 ___ 手机。(play)
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玩
Arrange into a sentence: 不许 / 这里 / 抽烟 / 在
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在这里不许抽烟。
Translate to Chinese: You are not allowed to come in.
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你不许进来。
Write a rule using 不许 that a parent might say to a child.
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睡觉前不许吃糖。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不许 + Action in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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