不肯

bùkěn
adverb HSK 7 #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

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

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