别说

bié shuō

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Conjunction

Save to list

Definitions

1. to say nothing of; not to mention; let alone

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 不但 bù dàn 不但 bù dàn not only (... but also ...) 别说 is used to mean 'not to mention' in a progressive sense, similar to 不但...而且 but in a negative context.: not only (... but also ...)

Synonyms

1 item

• 何况 hé kuàng 何况 hé kuàng let alone Both mean 'let alone', but 何况 is more formal and often used in rhetorical questions.: let alone

Usage notes

Collocations

别说 is often used with 就是/连...也/都 to mean 'even...not to mention'. Example: 别说他了，就是老师也不会。

Common mistakes

别说 cannot be used as a verb meaning 'don't say'. For 'Don't say that', use 不要说 or 别这么说.

Example Sentences

1 shown

别说 小孩子，就是大人也不一定明白。

Let alone children, even adults may not understand.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 别说

• 别 别 biè: to make sb change their ways, opinions etc
• 说 说 shuì: to persuade
• 说 说 shuō: to speak; to talk; to say
• 别 别 bié: to leave