Telling someone not to with 别 — Chinese grammar (HSK 2)

别 + Verb (+ 了)

别 (bié) before a verb makes a negative command: "don't ...". It is the everyday spoken form, softer than 不要. Adding 了 at the end (别说了) tells someone to stop an action that is already happening.

Examples

别说话！ Bié shuōhuà!	Don't talk!
别走，等一下。 Bié zǒu, děng yīxià.	Don't go, wait a moment.
你生病了，别去上班。 Nǐ shēngbìng le, bié qù shàngbān.	You are sick, don't go to work.

Tip: 不 + verb states a fact ("I don't go"); 别 + verb is a command ("Don't go").