Skip main navigation

How to say “No” in Chinese?

Here are some more useful expressions for you to practice pronunciation and know more about Chinese.
Say NO
© Shanghai International Studies University

In video 1.6 we learned a commonly used negative word“bù”(no, not). You can use it independently to answer a question. For example, audio

  • Nǐ è ma?—— bù。 (Are you hungry?——No.)
  • Nǐ pà ma?—— bù。 (Are you scared?——No.)
You can also use it before an adjective to indicate the negative meaning“not…”. For example,
  • Wǒ bú è。 (I’m not hungry.)
  • Wǒ bú pà。 (I’m not scared.)

“bù”has two tones. As you can see, we read it in the second tone or fourth tone depending on the tone of syllable after it. We will learn the rules of modified tones in Week 2, Step 2.13.

© Shanghai International Studies University
This article is from the free online

Learn Chinese: Introduction to Chinese Pronunciation and Tone

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now