Usage note
“不”用来表示否定，可以放在动词或形容词前面。
“bù” yòng lái biǎoshì fǒudìng, kěyǐ fàng zài dòngcí huò xíngróngcí qiánmiàn.
“不” is used to express negation and can be placed before verbs or adjectives.
Context note
“不”这个字用来表示否定，比如在不想做一件事或不同意的时候说。它常常用在日常对话里，表达简单的拒绝或相反的意思。
“bù” zhè ge zì yòng lái biǎoshì fǒudìng, bǐrú zài bù xiǎng zuò yī jiàn shì huò bù tóngyì de shíhou shuō. Tā chángcháng yòng zài rìcháng duìhuà lǐ, biǎodá jiǎndān de jùjué huò xiāngfǎn de yìsi.
The word '不' is used to say no or not, like when you don't want to do something or disagree. It appears in everyday talk to show simple refusal or the opposite meaning.
5 examples
我不吃饭
wǒ bù chī fàn
I don't eat food
他不看书
tā bù kàn shū
He doesn't read books
我不去公园
wǒ bù qù gōng yuán
I don't go to the park
她不喜欢冰淇淋
tā bù xǐ huān dīng línɡ
She doesn't like ice cream
我不想要玩具
wǒ bù xiǎo yào wán yuè
I don't want toys
5 mini stories
妈妈问我要不要吃青菜，我摇摇头说“不”。可是尝了一口后，我觉得很好吃。
Māma wèn wǒ yào bù yào chī qīngcài, wǒ yáo yáo tóu shuō “bù”. Kěshì cháng le yī kǒu hòu, wǒ juéde hěn hǎochī.
Mom asked if I wanted to eat vegetables, and I shook my head saying 'no'. But after one bite, I thought they were delicious.
弟弟想拿我的蜡笔，我大声说“不，这是我的”。然后我们一起画了一幅画。
Dìdi xiǎng ná wǒ de làbǐ, wǒ dàshēng shuō “bù, zhè shì wǒ de”. Ránhòu wǒmen yīqǐ huà le yī fú huà.
My little brother wanted to take my crayons, and I said loudly 'no, these are mine'. Then we drew a picture together.
小狗想跟我去学校，我蹲下来说“不，你要在家等我”。放学后它摇着尾巴跑来。
Xiǎo gǒu xiǎng gēn wǒ qù xuéxiào, wǒ dūn xiàlái shuō “bù, nǐ yào zài jiā děng wǒ”. Fàngxué hòu tā yáo zhe wěiba pǎo lái.
The puppy wanted to follow me to school, and I crouched down saying 'no, you have to wait at home for me'. After school, it came running with a wagging tail.
在超市里，我看到一个玩具很想要，爸爸说“不，今天不买玩具”。我点点头，牵着他的手走了。
Zài chāoshì lǐ, wǒ kàn dào yī gè wánjù hěn xiǎng yào, bàba shuō “bù, jīntiān bù mǎi wánjù”. Wǒ diǎn diǎn tóu, qiān zhe tā de shǒu zǒu le.
In the supermarket, I saw a toy I really wanted, and Dad said 'no, we are not buying toys today'. I nodded and walked away holding his hand.
下雨了，我想出去玩水坑，奶奶说“不，会感冒的”。我们就在窗边看雨滴跳舞。
Xià yǔ le, wǒ xiǎng chūqù wán shuǐkēng, nǎinai shuō “bù, huì gǎnmào de”. Wǒmen jiù zài chuāng biān kàn yǔdī tiàowǔ.
It rained, and I wanted to go out and play in puddles. Grandma said 'no, you'll catch a cold'. So we watched the raindrops dance by the window.
Mini dialogue
不喜欢
A
你喜欢吃苹果吗？
Nǐ xǐhuan chī píngguǒ ma?
Do you like to eat apples?
B
不，我不喜欢。
Bù, wǒ bù xǐhuan.
No, I don't like them.
不是
A
这是你的铅笔吗？
Zhè shì nǐ de qiānbǐ ma?
Is this your pencil?
B
不是，那是小明的。
Bù shì, nà shì Xiǎomíng de.
No, that is Xiaoming's.
Related words and contrasts
similar
没
méi
not, have not
Used to negate past actions or 'have'
similar
别
bié
don't
Used for negative commands