Definition
不可 is a formal auxiliary verb that combines 不 (not) and 可 (can, may) to mean 'cannot' or 'must not'. It is often used in fixed expressions like 不可缺少 (indispensable) and 不可否认 (undeniable). In the pattern 非…不可 ('if not... then cannot'), it expresses strong necessity: 非去不可 means 'must go'. Note that 不可 is more formal than 不能 or 不可以.
aux.
cannotmust not (expressing prohibition or impossibility)(in the pattern 非…不可) musthave to (expressing necessity)
Examples
- 不可。Zhège tiáojiàn bù kě jiēshòu.This condition is unacceptable.
- 不可。Zhè cì kǎoshì wǒ fēi tōngguò bù kě.I must pass this exam.
- 不可。bù kě qīngyì fàngqì.Don't give up easily.
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