不 bù

“no; not so; (bound form) not; un-”

adverbHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1

新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level

不 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.

Entry 13: 不 bù — Level 1; official annotation 1 (副). PDF page 80

Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.

用法How to use 不

不 means "no" or "not" and is used to negate verbs, adjectives and other statements. It normally comes directly before the word it negates, as in 不去 (not go) or 不好 (not good). Note that 不 changes to bú before a fourth tone, but the written form stays 不.

例句Example sentences

我不是老师。wǒ bú shì lǎo shī.I am not a teacher.
他今天不来。tā jīn tiān bù lái.He is not coming today.
这个不贵。zhè ge bú guì.This is not expensive.

常见错误Common mistakes

✗我不有书。

✓我没有书。

Possession with 有 is negated by 没, not 不.
✗不我认识他。

✓我不认识他。

不 must come directly before the verb, not before the subject.

易混词Easily confused

不vs没

不 negates general facts, habits and adjectives (不去, 不好), while 没 negates past actions and 有 (没去, 没有).