How to Say ‘Not’ in Simplified Chinese
不是
bù shì
[bu shi]
💬 Usage Tip: [不是] is "is not," but before an adjective phrase like [太辣] it softens into "not really / not too." This is a handy way to make comments sound less blunt: [不是太贵], [不是太晚].
Phrase Breakdown
不
bù
[bu]
not; no
Used to negate a statement or idea.
今天不是假日。
Today is not a holiday.
是
shì
[shi]
is; are
Indicates existence or identity.
他是一个很好的人。
He is a very good person.
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