Meaning
永不 is a literary and emphatic way to say 'never' or 'will never' in Chinese. It combines 永 (forever, eternal) with 不 (not) to create a strong negation meaning 'not ever' or 'never under any circumstances.' It conveys permanence and determination, often used in formal writing, mottos, or when making solemn promises.
Usage
永不 is more formal and emphatic than the simple 不 or 从不. It appears frequently in slogans, mottos, formal speeches, and literary contexts. Native speakers use it to express unwavering resolve or permanent states, such as 永不放弃 (never give up) or 永不言败 (never admit defeat). In everyday casual conversation, simpler negations are more common.
Examples
- 01我们要永不放弃，坚持到底。, .We must never give up and persist to the end.
- 02这段历史将永不被遗忘。.This period of history will never be forgotten.
Characters
Common collocations
- 永不放弃never give up
- 永不言败never admit defeat
- 永不停息never cease
- 永不磨灭never fade away, indelible
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines the classical character 永 meaning 'forever' or 'perpetual' with the standard negation 不. This construction creates an emphatic negation that has been used in literary Chinese for centuries.