不该

How to Say
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How to Write
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bù gāi
Meaning: should not
Example
你这样做是不应该的。
bù gāi

📚 How to Understand

不该 (bù gāi) meaning in English
gāi

不该 is an adverbial phrase meaning 'should not' or 'ought not to.' It expresses a sense of obligation or expectation that something should not happen, often implying disapproval or surprise at an action that violates social norms or expectations.

The character 不 (bù) means 'not,' and 该 (gāi) means 'should' or 'ought to.' Together, they form a negative expression of obligation, indicating what is not appropriate or expected in a given situation.

不该 is commonly used in daily conversations to express disappointment, caution, or moral judgment. It appears frequently in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in situations where someone has done something inappropriate or unexpected. It can also be used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or legal documents, to indicate what is not permissible or advisable.

💬 Example Sentences

你这样做是不应该的。
bù gāi
What you did is not right.
他不该那么早离开家。
bù gāi
He shouldn't have left home so early.

🔍 Character Breakdown