Negation with 不 (bù)

In English, we often need "do not," "does not," or "am not." Chinese is much more streamlined. You just take the word 不 and drop it right before the action or the quality. It acts like a prefix that flips the meaning of the word following it. If 吃 (chī) means "to eat," then 不吃 (bù chī) means "to not eat." It’s that simple. You don't have to change the verb based on who is speaking. Whether it's "I," "you," or "they," the 不 stays exactly the same. One thing to watch out for is the tone. Usually, 不 is a 4th tone (falling). But if the next word is also a 4th tone, 不 changes to a 2nd tone (rising). It’s a bit like a grammar traffic light changing colors to keep the flow smooth. We call this a "tone sandhi."

1. 1Start with your Subject (the person or thing you are talking about).
2. 2Add the negation word 不 (bù).
3. 3Follow up with a Verb or an Adjective.
4. 4Add an Object if necessary.
5. 5Structure: [Subject] + 不 + [Verb/Adjective] + [Object].
6. 6Example: 我不喝茶 (Wǒ bù hē chá) — I don't drink tea.
7. 7Example: 他不累 (Tā bù lèi) — He is not tired.

Use 不 for your daily habits and general truths. If you never eat breakfast, use 不. It’s also the go-to for the future. If you aren't going to work tomorrow, 不 is the word you need. It covers your intentions and your will. If you refuse to do something, 不 shows your determination. Use it with adjectives to describe how things aren't. If the weather isn't hot, or the coffee isn't good, 不 does the job.

Real-world scenarios:

• Ordering food: "我不吃肉" (I don't eat meat).
• Asking directions: "我不去火车站" (I'm not going to the train station).
• Job interviews: "我不怕辛苦" (I'm not afraid of hard work).
• Socializing: "我不喝酒" (I don't drink alcohol).

You cannot use 不 for actions that happened in the past. If you didn't go to the store yesterday, 不 is off-limits. For the past, we use 没 (méi). Also, there is one very special verb that never, ever hangs out with 不. That verb is 有 (yǒu), which means "to have." You must never say 不有. It sounds as wrong as saying "I no have" in English. Always use 没有 (méi yǒu). Think of 不 and 有 as two magnets that repel each other. They just can't be in the same room.

The biggest mistake is using 不 for the past. Beginners often say 昨天我不去 (Yesterday I no go). This will make native speakers tilt their heads. Another classic is the tone mistake. If you say 不 with a 4th tone before another 4th tone, it sounds choppy. Practice saying 不是 (bú shì) instead of bù shì. It should feel like a smooth wave. Also, don't forget that Chinese doesn't use the word "to be" (是) with adjectives. So, don't say 我不工作 if you mean "I am not working" (as a state). Actually, 我不工作 means "I don't work" (as a habit). Keep your verbs and adjectives distinct!

The main rival of 不 is 没 (méi). While 不 handles the present, future, and habits, 没 handles the past and the verb "to have."

• 我不买 (bù mǎi): I won't buy it / I don't buy it.
• 我没买 (méi mǎi): I didn't buy it.

Notice how 不 is about your choice or habit, while 没 is about a completed fact. It's like the difference between "I don't eat" and "I didn't eat."