Meaning
不用 is a common expression meaning 'no need to' or 'don't have to,' used to indicate that something is unnecessary. It combines 不 (not) with 用 (to use/need), literally meaning 'not use' or 'not need.' It's also frequently used as a polite response meaning 'you're welcome' when someone thanks you.
Usage
不用 is extremely common in everyday speech. It softly declines offers or tells someone they don't need to do something. When responding to 谢谢 (thank you), 不用谢 or just 不用 means 'no need to thank me' / 'you're welcome.' It's more casual than 不必 but serves the same grammatical function. Often followed directly by a verb to indicate what's not necessary.
Examples
- 01你不用等我，先走吧。, .You don't need to wait for me, go ahead first.
- 02谢谢你的帮助！不用谢，应该的。! , .Thanks for your help! You're welcome, it's what I should do.
Characters
Common collocations
- 不用谢you're welcome (lit. no need to thank)
- 不用担心no need to worry
- 不用客气no need to be polite
- 不用说needless to say, goes without saying
Antonyms
Origin
A straightforward combination of the negation 不 with 用, which historically meant 'to use' but developed the extended meaning of 'to need.' The phrase naturally evolved to express lack of necessity.