不是
bú shì
No
Unlike English, there isn't one single word for "no" in Mandarin Chinese. Instead, you negate the verb used in the question or statement. 不是 (bù shì) is the most common way to say "no" when denying a fact or negating the verb 是 (shì, "to be").
When to use it
Neutral. When answering a yes/no question, you often negate the main verb of the question. For example, if asked "你有吗？" (Do you have it?), you'd say "没有" (méiyǒu, "don't have"). If asked "你可以吗？" (Can you?), you'd say "不行" (bù xíng, "can't"). A simple 不 (bù) is generally used before a verb or adjective to negate it, not as a standalone "no."
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "boo-SHUH." The 不 (bù) is usually a falling tone, but when followed by another falling tone (like 是), it changes to a rising tone, so it's pronounced "bú shì."
Other ways to say it
- 没有méi yǒuno, don't have (negates 有)
- 不行bù xíngno, can't / not allowed
- 不bùnot (general negator before verbs/adjectives)
Examples
这是你的吗？不是。
zhè shì nǐ de ma ？ bú shì 。
Is this yours? No, it's not.
你是不是老师？我不是老师。
nǐ shì bu shì lǎo shī ？ wǒ bú shì lǎo shī 。
Are you a teacher? No, I am not a teacher.
我能坐这里吗？不行。
wǒ néng zuò zhè lǐ ma ？ bù xíng 。
Can I sit here? No, you can't.
Pro tip: The biggest difference from English is that Chinese "no" is not a single word. You must choose the correct negation based on the verb in the question or statement.
Related phrases
是 · Yes好的 · Ok我明白了 · I understand
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