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How to Say ‘I didn't do it on purpose.’ in Simplified Chinese

我不是故意的。

wǒ bù shì gù yì de

[waw boo shir goo yee duh]

💬 Usage Tip: [不是故意的] is the natural fixed way to say "I didn't do it on purpose." In Chinese this often works as a whole phrase after many situations, not just one specific action.

Phrase Breakdown

我不是

wǒ bù shì

I am not

Begins a denial or clarification.

Example

我不是这个意思。

That’s not what I mean.

Words in this phrase

[waw]

I; me

The speaker refers to themself while apologizing or explaining intent.

Example

我不是故意的。

I didn't do it on purpose.

[boo]

not

Negates the statement, showing denial of intention.

Example

我不是故意的,请你理解。

I didn't do it on purpose; please understand.

shì

[shir]

to be

Part of 不是, meaning 'am not' here.

Example

我不是故意的,真的。

I really didn't do it on purpose.

故意的

gù yì de

on purpose

Says the action was unintentional.

Example

我不是故意的。

I didn’t do it on purpose.

Words in this phrase

故意

gù yì

[goo yee]

intentional; on purpose

Describes whether an action was deliberate.

Example

我不是故意的,只是手机没电了。

I didn't do it on purpose; it's just that my phone died.

de

[duh]

descriptive particle

Completes the phrase 故意的, making it sound natural and complete in spoken Chinese.

Example

我不是故意的。

I didn't do it on purpose.

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