Word Guide
How to pronounce 不要 (bú yào)
不要 means "don't want". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Short answer
不要 is pronounced bú yào and means "don't want". The key target is tone sandhi, with the tone pattern Tone 2 + Tone 4.
Why learners miss it
Learners often miss 不要 because many learners pronounce both third tones in full citation form instead of letting the first one rise.
Self-test
Record 不要, then check whether your pitch contour and articulation match bú yào.
Pinyin
bú yào
Tone Pattern
Tone 2 + Tone 4
Pronunciation Focus
toneSandhi
How to say it
Guided fix
How to shape this pronunciation
What to do
Say bú slowly first, then keep the target sound steady as you move through the rest of 不要.
What to avoid
Do not let the whole word flatten into one rushed shape. Keep the target consonant or tone contrast clear.
What to listen for
The key sound should stay distinct instead of collapsing toward the nearest easy English habit.
Quick self-check
Say bú yào once slowly and once at normal speed. If the target sound disappears when you speed up, it is not stable yet.
Phonetic Breakdown
b+u_y+ao
Most common error
Error summary
Many learners pronounce both third tones in full citation form instead of letting the first one rise.
Focus area
ToneSandhi
Difficulty
Easy
HSK Level
HSK1