HSK 1 · VERSION 2.0#3
Standard Negation with “bù”
不
How it works
不 (bù) is the basic negative word in Chinese. It is used to say “not” for habits, facts, or future actions.
The pattern
Subject + 不 + Verb / Adjective
Example sentences
我不喝咖啡。
I do not drink coffee.
他今天不忙。
He is not busy today.
我明天不去学校。
I will not go to school tomorrow.
Usage note
Use 不 for general negation. Do not use it to negate 有 or completed actions.
Tone Change of “不” (bù)
The word 不 is normally pronounced bù (fourth tone). However, when 不 comes before another fourth-tone syllable, it changes to bú (second tone).
Example sentences
不去 → bú qù
不是 → bú shì
不对 → bú duì
If the following syllable is in the first, second, or third tone, 不 usually stays bù.