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How to Say ‘I wasn't doing it on purpose.’ in Traditional Chinese

不是故意的啦。

bù shì gù yì de la

[boo shr goo-ee duh la]

💬 Usage Tip: [不是故意的] is a very common way to say something wasn't intentional. The [的] is part of the set phrase here; compare [不是有意的], which means much the same but sounds less everyday.

Phrase Breakdown

不是

bù shì

not; it isn't

Negates a statement or intention.

Example

我不是故意的。

I didn't do it on purpose.

Words in this phrase

[boo]

not

Used to negate what comes after it.

Example

我不是要找麻煩。

I'm not trying to cause trouble.

shì

[shr]

to be; is

Connects the subject with what is being said about it.

Example

這不是你的錯。

This isn't your fault.

故意的

gù yì de

on purpose; intentional

Describes an action done intentionally.

Example

這不是故意的。

This wasn't intentional.

Words in this phrase

故意

gù yì

[goo-ee]

on purpose; intentional

Means something was done deliberately.

Example

司機說他不是故意繞路。

The driver said he didn't intentionally take a detour.

de

[duh]

-de; descriptive particle

A grammar particle used in descriptive phrases.

Example

他說的我都聽到了。

I heard everything he said.

la

[la]

la; sentence-final particle

Softens the sentence and makes it sound more conversational.

Example

別生氣啦,我們好好說。

Don't be angry, let's talk calmly.

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