How to say "you don't need to."

Question

In every language I know, the expressions for saying someone does not need to do something are often used to say they had better not do it. Suppose I want to tell someone in an e-mail, in Chinese, that they do not need to do something and I really just mean they do not need to. They can if they want. What is a good way to say that without implying they should not do it?

I am concerned specifically with the difference between "don't need to" and plain "don't". I might want to say "You don't need to bring snacks to the party" without anyone thinking I mean "Don't bring snacks to the party."

In that case, I do not want to suggest the person not bring snacks. It is fine if they bring snacks. I would even like that. But they are not required to bring snacks.

Answer 1

You can use 用不着. It is not so strong as the formal words. But people will understand that you really don't need them to do so.

e.g. 你用不着带零食到聚会上来。

Answer 2

Generally 不用.

e.g.你不用担心。 You don't need to worry/Don't worry.

你不用说。 You don't need to say./Needless to say....

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不需要

e.g.你不需要这么早起床。 You don't need to get up so early.

你不需要药。 You don't need medicine.

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不必 (which is kind of odd or archaic)

e.g.你不必再谢他了。You don't need to thank him.

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无须 (which is also very formal)

e.g.无须细说。No need to talk about the details.

Answer 3

"Don't" means forbidden in Chinese. And normally with strong emotion.

Don't = 禁止 (forbid), 不许 (not allowed)

Don't smoke in toilet.

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"Not need to" is normally with less emotion. It could be treated like suggestions or advices.

"Not need to" = 何必 (why push yourself to this circumstances)

你何必这么执着 You don't need to push it

= 无须 (something or action is not necessary )

你无须担心考试成绩

You don't need to worry about the exam

= 干嘛 (oral daily use, it actually gives negative suggestion. It is NOT a question, just a advice)

你干嘛这么拼

You don't need to fight so hard.