Understanding "不予" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 不予
• Pinyin: bù yǔ
  (Note: In actual pronunciation, due to tone sandhi, 不 changes from the fourth tone to the second tone before the third‑tone yǔ, so it sounds like bú yǔ. Pinyin spelling conventionally writes the original tone bù.)
• Literal Meaning: 不 (bù – not) + 予 (yǔ – to give, to grant) → “not give”
• Primary Meaning: to refuse to give; to withhold; not to grant; (before a verb) to decline to do something, to refuse to do something

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  不予 is a formal, written‑style word used to express an official or categorical refusal. It appears frequently in legal documents, bureaucratic announcements, formal letters, and serious media reports. In everyday spoken Chinese, people use colloquial alternatives like 不给 (bù gěi) or 不回答 (bù huídá). Using 不予 in casual conversation can sound stiff, overly dramatic, or even sarcastic.

The word can be followed by a noun (the thing that is not given) or by a verb, in which case it means “not to (do something)” – as if the action itself is the thing being refused/withheld. This construction is very common in officialese:
- 不予 + Noun → “withhold/refuse + something”
- 不予 + Verb → “refuse to + verb” (denies the action)

The refusal expressed by 不予 is absolute; there is no room for negotiation. It signals that a request, application, or expectation is definitively rejected.

• Character Breakdown:
• 不 (bù): The standard negative adverb “not, no”. It naturally carries the lexical tone 4, but in connected speech it becomes bú before a third tone (yǔ).
• 予 (yǔ): A literary, classical verb meaning “to give, to grant, to bestow”. It is more formal than the everyday verb 给 (gěi). In modern Chinese, 予 is mostly found in fixed compound words and formal expressions.

Together, 不予 literally means “not give”, but it has developed into a fixed formal phrase that translates as “to refuse to give” or “to withhold”. The idea of “giving” extends to abstract things like permission, attention, a response, or consideration, so 不予 can be used to deny almost any official act.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 由于材料不齐全，申请被不予受理。
  Pinyin: Yóuyú cáiliào bù qíquán, shēnqǐng bèi bùyǔ shòulǐ.
  English: Because the materials were incomplete, the application was not accepted (refused processing).

• Chinese: 对这些谣言，官方始终不予评论。
  Pinyin: Duì zhèxiē yáoyán, guānfāng shǐzhōng bùyǔ pínglùn.
  English: Regarding these rumors, the authorities consistently refuse to comment.

• Chinese: 法院决定不予保释嫌疑人。
  Pinyin: Fǎyuàn juédìng bùyǔ bǎoshì xiányírén.
  English: The court decided not to grant bail to the suspect.

Cultural Notes

不予 is a hallmark of China’s bureaucratic language tradition, where formal denial is expressed in terse, classical terms. You will find it stamped on rejection notices, official letters, government websites, and legal rulings. The word instantly raises the register of a text, telling the reader that the matter is serious, formal, and non‑negotiable. In modern online culture, people sometimes use 不予 jokingly in casual chats to mimic an official tone (“不予置评” – “no comment”), but its true home is in formal, authoritative communication. Recognizing 不予 immediately helps learners identify official Chinese discourse.

Conclusion

不予 (bù yǔ / pronounced bú yǔ) is a formal Chinese expression meaning “to refuse to give” or “to deny an action”. Its structure is simple: 不 (not) + 予 (give) = “withhold / refuse formally”. Use it when you need to express an unconditional refusal in writing or in official settings, but remember that in daily speech, lighter words like 不给 or 不回答 are more natural. When you see 不予, think “official refusal” – it’s language that says “no” with full authority.