AdverbsHSK 1
Standard negation with 不
In Chinese, you negate most verbs by placing 不 (bù) directly before them. This is the default way to say 'not' with actions and states. Remember that to negate the verb 有 (yǒu, 'to have'), you must use 没 (méi) instead of 不.
Structure
Subj. + 不 + Verb + Obj.
The standard negation for most verbs; do not use with 有 (use 没 instead).
Examples
- 他们不是坏孩子。Tāmen bù shì huài háizi.They are not bad kids.
- 我们不喝酒。Wǒmen bù hē jiǔ.We don't drink alcohol.
- 我今天不想工作。Wǒ jīntiān bù xiǎng gōngzuò .I don't want to work today.
- 你不喜欢我吗？Nǐ bù xǐhuan wǒ ma?Do you not like me?
- 为什么你不喜欢喝咖啡？Wèishénme nǐ bù xǐhuan hē kāfēi?Why don't you like to drink coffee?