勿

Primary sense is a prohibitive imperative ("do not," "must not," "stop"). It can also function as a general negative ("never," "not at all") or denote absence ("without"), particularly when modifying a state rather than forbidding an action.

Functions primarily as a prohibitive imperative used to forbid an action or command that something must not happen.

• 勿 vs. 毋: These are largely interchangeable as prohibitives; distinctions regarding formal weight or authority are rarely sustainable without a massive internal corpus.
• 勿 vs. 無: While 無 can occasionally function as a prohibitive, it is primarily existential ("there is no," "to lack"). 勿 serves almost exclusively as a prohibitive.

• When translating as "never," ensure the translation reflects a prohibitive force ("do not ever") rather than importing modern concepts of frequency or time.
• Determine if the passage is prescriptive (law, advice, command) or descriptive to confirm whether to lean toward the prohibitive imperative.
• In rhythmic or poetic prose, check corresponding lines for parallel prohibitions to confirm the negative mood across the stanza.
• Identify the verb immediately following the glyph to determine exactly what is being forbidden.