NetChai Chinese
是的 / 不是
shì de / bú shì
Yes and no

In Mandarin Chinese, there aren't direct equivalents for 'yes' and 'no' like in English. Instead, you typically affirm or negate the verb or adjective used in the question. However, 是的 (shì de) and 不是 (bù shì) are common general responses for 'yes' and 'no,' especially when the question implies 'is it so?' or uses the verb 是 (shì).

When to use it

To say 'yes,' common general responses include 是的 (shì de, 'it is so'), 对 (duì, 'correct'), or simply repeating the main verb or adjective from the question (e.g., 喜欢 (xǐhuān) for 'Do you like it?'). For an informal 'yes,' you can use 嗯 (ēn). To say 'no,' common general responses include 不是 (bù shì, 'it is not so'), 不对 (bù duì, 'incorrect'), or negating the main verb or adjective (e.g., 不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān) for 'No, I don't like it'). For past actions or existence, use 没有 (méi yǒu, 'don't have / didn't').

How to pronounce it

是的 (shì de) sounds like 'shir-duh.' 是 (shì) is a falling tone, and 的 (de) is a light, neutral tone. 不是 (bù shì) sounds like 'boo-shir.' The tone of 不 (bù) changes from a falling tone to a rising tone when followed by another falling tone (like 是), so it's pronounced 'bú shì.'

Other ways to say it

  • 对 / 不对duì / bú duìcorrect / incorrect
  • 有 / 没有yǒu / méi yǒuhave / don't have (for possession or past actions)
  • 嗯 / 不 + 动词/形容词ǹg / bù + dòng cí / xíng róng címm-hmm (informal yes) / not + verb/adjective

Examples

你是中国人吗？ 是的，我是。 / 不是，我不是。
nǐ shì zhōng guó rén ma ？ shì de ， wǒ shì 。 / bú shì ， wǒ bú shì 。
Are you Chinese? Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
你喜欢吃辣吗？ 喜欢。 / 不喜欢。
nǐ xǐ huan chī là ma ？ xǐ huan 。 / bù xǐ huan 。
Do you like spicy food? Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
你去过北京吗？ 去过。 / 没去过。
nǐ qù guò běi jīng ma ？ qù guò 。 / méi qù guò 。
Have you been to Beijing? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Pro tip: The most important thing to remember is that Chinese doesn't have direct 'yes' or 'no' words. Your answer often mirrors the verb or adjective used in the question.

Related phrases

和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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