🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "No" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
"No" in Chinese · say it like boo

The most natural way to say "No" in Chinese is . Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

used in contexts like 'not have' or 'not doing'
不是
used to indicate 'is not' or 'are not'

When to use it

You can use '不' in everyday conversations to refuse or negate something. It is a very common response to questions or offers. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "No" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
我不想去。I don't want to go.
这不是我的书。This is not my book.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse '不' with '没', but '不' is used for general negation while '没' is used for past actions.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 不, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use '不' instead of '没'?

'不' is used for ongoing or future negation, while '没' is for past actions.

Learn Chinese by speaking it

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