How to Say ‘No’ in Simplified Chinese
不是
bù shì
[boo shir]
💬 Usage Tip: [不是] literally means "is not," but in conversation it can also work as a plain "no." You'll also see the same pattern in full sentences like [我不是学生] — "I'm not a student."
Phrase Breakdown
不
bù
[boo]
not
A negative word used before verbs and adjectives; in 不是 it means 'is not.'
这不是我的。
This is not mine.
是
shì
[shir]
to be
The verb 'to be'; combined with 不 it forms a negative statement.
他不是学生。
He is not a student.
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