Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 不 | bù | |
| 否 | fǒu | |
| 沒有 / 没有 | méiyǒu | |
| 沒 / 没 | méi | past |
The word 不 is a particle used to show disagreement or negation. If you want to say 'no' in response to a question about someone's identity (e.g., 'Are you a student?'), one typically uses 不是 rather than just 不.
Which one should you use?
不 is used to negate actions or states in the present or future tense. In contrast, 没 is used to negate actions that have already occurred or to indicate that an action has not happened. While 不 negates verbs and adjectives, 没有 is the specific way to say one does not possess something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The tone of 不 changes from a fourth tone (bù) to a second tone (bú) when followed by another fourth tone character.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 不 is bù.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 不 to negate past actions instead of using 没.
Did you know?
- The word 沒 is linked to an ancient root meaning 'to dive' or 'to drown', sharing a common origin with the Burmese word for 'to sink'.
Examples in context
- 好久不见了。Long time, no see.This sentence is useful for the phrase 'Long time, no see' using 不.Tatoeba #710777 by Yashanti, translation #417003 by CK
- 时间不等人。Time waits for no one.This sentence is useful for the phrase 'Time waits for no one' using 不.Tatoeba #3367336 by go_oo, translation #1744302 by belgavox
- 不，我不懂。No, I don't understand.This sentence is useful for the phrase 'No, I don't understand' using 不.Tatoeba #4761451 by billt_estates, translation #1468397 by AMIKEMA
- 不, 谢谢。No, thank you.
- 不，我不想。No, I don't want to.
- 497 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei asks Jiayi if she wants to eat spicy food.
- 伟 Wei你喜欢吃辣吗？Nǐ xǐhuān chī là ma?Do you like eating spicy food?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我不喜欢吃辣。Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī là.I do not like eating spicy food.
- 伟 Wei那你想吃什么？Nà nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?Then what do you want to eat?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想吃面条。Wǒ xiǎng chī miàntiáo.I want to eat noodles.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 不, 否, 沒, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
