How to Say ‘I am not’ in Simplified Chinese
我不是
wǒ bù shì
[waw boo shir]
💬 Usage Tip: [不是] before a description often means "it's not that…," not just simple identity. In [我不是故意的], it leads into an explanation: "I didn't do it on purpose."
Phrase Breakdown
我
wǒ
[waw]
I; me
Used when the speaker explains or defends their intention.
我不是故意的。
I didn't do it on purpose.
不
bù
[boo]
not
不 is the basic negative word meaning 'not' or 'no.'
我不是故意的。
I didn't do it on purpose.
是
shì
[shir]
to be; am/is/are
是 means 'to be.' In 不是 it forms 'am not/is not/are not.'
我不是故意的，请别生气。
I didn't do it on purpose, please don't be angry.
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