HSK 5 Vocabulary / 勿 [wù]

The meaning of 勿[wù]: 
勿 – means “do not” or “don't” and is similar to 不要.

The 请勿[qǐnɡwù] structure:
勿 is often used together with 请 to form a fixed structure: 请勿 + verb / verb phrase.  This fixed structure is used to courteously inform or advise others to refrain from doing a certain action (i.e. the action indicated by the verb / verb phrase in the fixed structure).  In daily life, we often see this fixed structure used on signs.

The examples of 请勿[qǐnɡwù] structure:
请勿 + verb / verb phrase (请勿 as the adverbial in the sentences):

1. 请勿吸烟！
Qǐngwù xīyān!
No smoking, please!
Example:
温馨提示：为了您的健康，请勿吸烟！
Wēnxīn tíshì: Wèile nínde jiànkānɡ, qǐnɡwù xīyān!
Friendly reminder: For your health, please do not smoke! 

2. 请勿打扰！
Qǐngwù dǎrǎo!
Please do not disturb!
Examples:
1）工作时间，请勿打扰！
Gōngzuò shíjiān, qǐngwù dǎrǎo!
At work - please do not disturb!
2) 会议中，请勿打扰！
Huìyì zhōnɡ, qǐnɡwù dǎrǎo!
Meeting in progress - please do not disturb!

3. 请勿入内！
Qǐngwù rùnèi!
Please keep out!
Examples:
1）非工作人员，请勿入内！
Fēi gōngzuò rényuán, qǐngwù rùnèi!
Staff only! (Note: This is how it is commonly expressed in China. In Western countries, you might see a sign saying "No admittance - employees only"）
2) 温馨提示：请勿带宠物入内！
Wēnxīn tíshì: Qǐnɡwù dài chǒnɡwù rùnèi!
Friendly reminder: No pets allowed!

4. 请勿拍照！
Qǐnɡwù pāizhào!
No photos, please!
Examples:
欢迎参观，请勿拍照！
Huānyínɡ cānɡuān, qǐnɡwù pāizhào!
We welcome your visit, but please do not take any photos!

. 请勿乱扔垃圾！
Qǐnɡwù luànrēnɡ lājī!
Please don't litter!
Example:
温馨提示：请勿随地吐痰，请勿乱扔垃圾！
Wēnxīn tíshì: Qǐnɡwù suídì tǔtán, qǐnɡwù luànrēnɡ lājī!
Friendly reminder: No littering or spitting please!

6. 请勿大声喧哗！
Qǐnɡwù dàshēnɡ xuānhuá!
Please keep quiet!
Example:
工作时间，请勿大声喧哗！
Gōnɡzuò shíjiān, qǐnɡwù dàshēnɡ xuānhuá!
Please keep quiet during working hours!

7. 请勿触摸！
Qǐnɡwù chùmō!
Please don't touch!
Example:
危险，请勿触摸！
Wēixiǎn, qǐnɡwù chùmō!
Danger, please do not touch!


Notes:
1. The difference between 勿 and 不要: 
Both 勿 and 不要 mean “do not”.  However, 勿 imparts a greater emphasis on refraining from the action referred to, has a slightly more serious tone and it is commonly used in written Chinese.  On the other hand, 不要 does not have such a strong emphasis, has a more relaxed tone and is commonly used in daily oral conversation.

2. The difference between 勿 and 禁止: 
禁止 is an HSK 4 level word and it means “to prohibit, forbid or ban”. Therefore, like 勿, its meaning can also loosely be interpreted as “don’t”. However, 勿 is more like a strong request or cautionary advice while 禁止 can be regarded as a type of order (i.e. as in ordering someone to refrain from doing something). In addition, 禁止 often refers an order that is based on a legal requirement or strict formal policy. It implies that this is a strict requirement that generally everyone must comply with.