请不要在这里吸烟
qǐng búyào zài zhèli xīyān
Please don't smoke here · trad. 請不要在這裡吸煙
请不要在这里吸烟 (qǐng búyào zài zhèlǐ xīyān) is a polite but firm way to ask someone not to smoke in a specific location. It's commonly used in public spaces to prohibit an action while maintaining a respectful tone.
What does 请不要在这里吸烟 (qǐng búyào zài zhèli xīyān) mean?
请不要在这里吸烟 (qǐng búyào zài zhèli xīyān) means “please don't smoke here” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “Please do not smoke here.”
When to use it
Formal and polite. The structure 请不要... (qǐng búyào...) is a firm but face-saving way to prohibit an action. For a more direct, less polite warning, one might see 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān), “No smoking.”
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “ching BOO-yow tsai JEH-lee shee-YEN.” Note the tone change for 不 (bù) before a falling tone, becoming bú.
Other ways to say it
- 禁止吸烟jìnzhǐ xīyānNo smoking (often on signs)
- 请勿吸烟qǐngwù xīyānPlease do not smoke (more formal/written)
- 这里不能吸烟zhèli bùnéng xīyānSmoking is not allowed here (direct statement)
Examples
请不要在这里吸烟，谢谢合作。
qǐng búyào zài zhèli xīyān, xièxie hézuò.
Please don't smoke here, thank you for your cooperation.
对不起，请不要在这里吸烟。
duìbuqǐ, qǐng búyào zài zhèli xīyān.
Excuse me, please don't smoke here.
公共场所，请不要吸烟。
gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ, qǐng búyào xīyān.
In public places, please do not smoke.
Pro tip: The '请不要...' structure is a polite way to forbid something, softening the command with 'please' while still being clear about the prohibition.
Related phrases
今天休息 · We're closed today快打烊了 · We're closing soon这里禁止拍照 · No photos here, please
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