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March 24, 2026
不bù(bu4)
The character 不 (bù) is a negative prefix used in Mandarin Chinese to indicate negation or denial. It is commonly employed to negate verbs and adjectives, effectively transforming affirmative statements into negative ones, such as 'I do not want' (我不想). It is essential for basic sentence construction and is one of the first words learners encounter.
Strokes4Radical一Frequency#6DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, saying 'no' can carry social weight; it's often more indirect. The use of 不 (bù) reflects a cultural tendency to avoid direct confrontation, so context is crucial when using this negation.
Memory Tip
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'block' that stops something from happening. The character looks like an upright person (the vertical stroke) rejecting a proposal (the horizontal stroke), reminding you that it means 'not' or 'no'. Imagine someone shaking their head and saying '不' to remember its meaning.
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AI Study Notes for 不
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'block' that stops something from happening. The character looks like an upright person (the vertical stroke) rejecting a proposal (the horizontal stroke), reminding you that it means 'not' or 'no'. Imagine someone shaking their head and saying '不' to remember its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 不 (bù) is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change in certain contexts. For instance, when followed by a fourth tone word, it often changes to bú. Common collocations include 不要 (bù yào - do not want) and 不是 (bù shì - is not).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 不 (bù) is foundational for learners. It connects with other basic vocabulary, enabling students to form simple negative sentences. Focus on practicing sentences that incorporate this character to build confidence.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, saying 'no' can carry social weight; it's often more indirect. The use of 不 (bù) reflects a cultural tendency to avoid direct confrontation, so context is crucial when using this negation.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 不 with 没 (méi), which also negates but is used for past actions or existence. For example, saying '我没去' (wǒ méi qù - I did not go) is correct for past actions, while '我不去' (wǒ bù qù - I am not going) is used for present intentions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不
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Grammar Patterns of 不
不 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
9
比赛时我总会紧张得不行。
bǐ sài shí wǒ zǒng huì jǐn zhāng dé bù háng。
I tend to get very uptight during a match.
10
不要那样跟我讲话。我不允许！
bù yào nà yàng gēn wǒ jiǎng huà。 。 wǒ bù yǔn！
Don't speak to me like that. Don't you dare.
11
我不喜欢吃辣的。
Wǒ bù xǐhuan chī là de.
I don't like eating spicy food.
12
今天不下雨。
Jīntiān bù xià yǔ.
It is not raining today.
13
他不在家。
Tā bù zài jiā.
He is not at home.
14
你不累吗？
Nǐ bù lèi ma?
Aren't you tired?
15
我不想去商店。
Wǒ bù xiǎng qù shāngdiàn.
I don't want to go to the store.
16
他不喝咖啡。
Tā bù hē kāfēi.
He doesn't drink coffee.
Cultural Notes for 不
💡Did you know?
'不' is commonly used in Chinese to negate verbs and adjectives. It's essential in daily conversations, allowing speakers to express disagreement or negation simply.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, saying 'no' can carry social weight; it's often more indirect. The use of 不 (bù) reflects a cultural tendency to avoid direct confrontation, so context is crucial when using this negation.
Word Family of 不
Compounds30
还hai2surname Huan
坏huai4bad
否fou3to negate
杯bei1trophy cup
怀Huai2surname Huai
环Huan2surname Huan
歪wai1askew
孬nao1bad, cowardly, useless; rogue, scoundrel
甭beng2need not
钚bu4plutonium
丕pi1great, grand, glorious, distinguished
鈈
吥
囨
妚
抔
紑
罘fu2a screen used in ancient times
芣
伓
奀
嫑
炋
盃bei1glass, cup
肧
衃
覔
銔
阫
鴀
Words Containing This Character20
不bùnot
不是no
不过búguòonly不過
不要búyàodon't!
不能cannot
不错búcuòcorrect不錯
不同bùtóngdifferent
不会improbable不會
对不起duìbuqǐunworthy對不起
不断búduànunceasing不斷
不少bùshǎomany
不仅bùjǐnnot only (this one)不僅
不管bùguǎnregardless of
不到not to arrive
并不not at all並不
不再bùzàino more
不用búyòngneed not
不想unexpectedly
是不是shìbùshìis or isn't
不行bùxíngwon't do
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 还 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 不
Some common phrases that include 不 (bù) are '不客气' (bù kè qì), which means 'you're welcome,' and '不一样' (bù yī yàng), meaning 'not the same.' These examples illustrate its role in negating or altering the meaning of expressions.
不 (bù) is used to negate actions or states in general, while 没 (méi) is specifically used to indicate the absence of something or to negate past actions. For example, '我不去' (wǒ bù qù) means 'I am not going,' whereas '我没去' (wǒ méi qù) means 'I didn't go.' Understanding this difference is key for proper usage.
不 (bù) is a fundamental character in Chinese that means 'not' or 'no.' It is often used as a negative prefix to negate verbs and adjectives. For example, in the phrase '我不喜欢' (wǒ bù xǐ huān), it means 'I do not like.'
To use 不 (bù) in a sentence, place it directly before the verb or adjective you want to negate. For instance, if you want to say 'I am not busy,' you would say '我不忙' (wǒ bù máng). It's important to note that 不 is typically used for actions or states that are habitual or ongoing.
You can use 不 to negate verbs or adjectives, for example, '我不喜欢' (wǒ bù xǐ huān - I do not like).
Yes, when 不 is followed by a fourth tone, it changes to bú, such as in 不要 (bú yào - do not want).
No, 不 is specifically used to negate verbs and adjectives, not nouns.
