Telling someone what not to do is just as important as telling them what to do. In English, we use the pattern "Don't be" + an adjective to give advice, issue a mild warning, or comfort a friend. It is a direct, natural way to communicate emotion and expectation.
Sentence Frame
Don't be + [Adjective]
Use this to tell someone to stop acting or feeling a certain way.
Common Combinations
Don't be shy
Meaning: Used to encourage someone to speak up, participate, or take what they want without feeling embarrassed.
អត្ថន័យ៖ កុំអៀនអី / កុំខ្មាសអី
ความหมาย: อย่าอายเลย
Ý nghĩa: Đừng ngại
意思：别害羞
"There is plenty of food. Don't be shy, take another slice of pizza!"
Context: Making a guest feel welcome at a party.
Don't be silly
Meaning: Used affectionately to tell someone their worry is foolish, or to reject an offer to pay.
អត្ថន័យ៖ កុំនិយាយលេងសើច / កុំគិតផ្តេសផ្តាស
Signification: Ne sois pas ridicule / idiot
Significado: No seas tonto
"You want to pay for dinner? Don't be silly, it's my treat."
Context: Refusing a friend's money.
Don't be late
Meaning: A direct instruction to arrive on time.
អត្ថន័យ៖ កុំមកយឺត
意味：遅れないでね
의미: 늦지 마세요
"The bus leaves at exactly 7:00 AM. Don't be late!"
Context: Giving clear instructions for a schedule.
Don't be afraid
Meaning: Used to comfort someone or encourage them to take a risk without fear.
អត្ថន័យ៖ កុំខ្លាចអី / កុំបារម្ភ
المعنى: لا تخف
Значение: Не бойся
"Don't be afraid to ask the teacher questions if you don't understand."
Context: Encouraging a student in the classroom.
Now It's Your Turn!
How would you use the "Don't be + Adjective" pattern in these situations? Drop your answers in the comments below!
- Your friend is eating all the pizza and not sharing. (Hint: greedy)
- Your brother is making a lot of noise while the baby is sleeping. (Hint: loud)
- Your coworker is panicking because of a small mistake. (Hint: hard on yourself)