AdverbsHSK 5
Expressing "to make certain" with 千万
千万 is used before a verb phrase to express a strong warning or urgent plea, like 'be sure to' or 'whatever you do'. It most often appears with 不要, 不能, or 别 for prohibitions, but can also pair with 要 for positive instructions.
Structure
千万 + (不要/不能/别/要) + Verb Phrase
most often used for strong prohibitions with 不要, 不能, or 别, but can also be used affirmatively with 要
Examples
- 这个菜很难吃，千万不要点！Zhège cài hěn nánchī, qiānwàn bùyào diǎn!This dish is horrible. Make sure you don't order it!
- 那里太危险了，千万不要去！Nàlǐ tài wēixiǎn le, qiānwàn bùyào qù!It's too dangerous there. Whatever you do, don't go!
- 他们的产品是假的，你千万不要买！Tāmen de chǎnpǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ qiānwàn bùyào mǎi!Their products are fake. DO NOT buy them!
- 他不是什么好人，千万不要相信他！Tā bù shì shénme hǎorén, qiānwàn bùyào xiāngxìn tā!He is not a good person, you really can't believe him!
- 孩子有错，父母可以教育他，但千万不能打孩子。Háizi yǒu cuò, fùmǔ kěyǐ jiàoyù tā, dàn qiānwàn bù néng dǎ háizi.When a child does wrong, parents can teach them. But they really mustn't beat them!