Everyday essentials
How to say No in Chinese
不
bù
Literally: not
Like “yes,” “no” in Chinese is really a negation. 不 (bù) negates most verbs and adjectives, but the exact word depends on what you’re saying no to. Note 不 turns into a rising bú before a 4th-tone syllable.
Other ways to say it
- 不是
bú shì
no, it’s not
Denies a fact or identity — the “no” to “是不是?”
- 没有
méiyǒu
no / haven’t
Negates having or having-done something: “I don’t have,” “I haven’t.”
- 不行
bù xíng
no way / not allowed
Refuses or forbids — “that won’t do.”
- 不要
bú yào
don’t / I don’t want
Declines or tells someone to stop: “no thanks” / “don’t.”
In a sentence
不，我不同意。
Bù, wǒ bù tóngyì.
No, I don’t agree.
How do you say "No" in Chinese?
There’s no single word for “no” in Chinese. Negate the verb instead: 不 (bù) for most verbs, 不是 (bú shì) to deny a fact, or 没有 (méiyǒu) for “don’t have / haven’t.”
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