不肯

bùkěn
adverb HSK 7-9 #17,110

Meanings

  1. 1 to refuse to
  2. 2 to be unwilling to
  3. 3 will not (due to unwillingness)

Characters

Not willing - refuse to.

Examples

HSK 2
Tā bùkěn gàosu wǒ yuányīn.
She refuses to tell me the reason.
HSK 4
Tā bùkěn chéngrèn zìjǐ de cuòwù.
He refuses to admit his mistake.
HSK 5
Háizi bùkěn chī shūcài.
The child won't eat vegetables.

Tips

usage
不肯 emphasizes deliberate unwillingness, not mere inability. Compare: 不能 (cannot, due to ability/circumstances), 不会 (cannot, lack of skill), 不肯 (won't, by choice).
grammar
不肯 is always followed by a verb: 不肯 (won't say), 不肯 (won't leave), 不肯帮忙 (won't help).

Stroke Order

kěn