Negation with 不 (bù) for habitual actions, states, and adjectives
I can negate statements about habits, states, and descriptions using 不
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我不喝咖啡。
I don't drink coffee.
他不是老师。
He is not a teacher.
这个不贵。
This is not expensive.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
不 (bù) negates present/future actions, habitual states, and adjectives. Place 不 directly before the verb or adjective.
| Positive | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 我是学生 wǒ shì xuéshēng | 我不是学生 wǒ bú shì xuéshēng | I am / am not a student |
| 她喝茶 tā hē chá | 她不喝茶 tā bù hē chá | She drinks / doesn't drink tea |
| 他很忙 tā hěn máng | 他不忙 tā bù máng | He is / isn't busy |
Tone change: 不 is normally 4th tone (bù), but before another 4th tone it becomes 2nd tone: 不是 (búshì), 不去 (búqù).
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsed 不 where 没 is required (past actions, 有)
不 for present/future/habitual. 没 for past completed actions and with 有: 没有 (not 不有)
Wrong tone on 不 before 4th tone syllable
不 changes to 2nd tone (bú) before 4th tone: 不是 (búshì), 不去 (búqù)
我不喝咖啡。
I don't drink coffee.
我不喝咖啡 (wǒ bù hē kāfēi) — 不 goes directly before the verb 喝. This expresses a habitual state.
他不是老师。
He is not a teacher.
他不是老师 (tā bú shì lǎoshī) — 不 before 是. Note the tone change: 不 → bú before 4th-tone 是.
这个不贵。
This is not expensive.
这个不贵 (zhè gè bú guì) — 不 directly before adjective 贵 (guì). No 很 needed in negative sentences.
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Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises