Find English Teachers

5 ways to say "no" in Chinese
Description
Here are five simple expressions to say "no" in Chinese with simple examples:
1. 不 (bù) - This is a simple and common way to say "no" in Chinese. It can be used in a variety of contexts and is a general negative word.
Example:
A: 你喜欢苹果吗? (nǐ xǐ huān píng guǒ ma?) (Do you like apples?)
B: 不 (bù) (No)
I normally don’t answer people with just a simple 不 to say no, because it sounds rude. But if you are in a fight with someone, I guess it is a good language tool.
2. 不要 (bù yào) - This phrase means "don't want" or "don't." It can be used to say "no" in a more polite or indirect way.
Example:
A: 吃蛋糕吗? (chī dàn gāo ma?) (Do you want to eatcake?)
B: 不要,谢谢。 (bù yào, xiè xiè) (No, thank you.)
3. 不行 (bù xíng) - This phrase means "can't" or "not allowed." It can be used to say "no" in a more formal or assertive way.
Example:
A: 你能给我五块钱吗? (nǐ néng gěi wǒ wǔ kuài qián ma?) (Can you give me five dollars?)
B: 不行,我没有五块钱。 (bù xíng, wǒ méi yǒu wǔ kuài qián) (No, I don't have five dollars.)
5. 不可以 (bù kě yǐ) - This phrase means "cannot" or "not allowed." "不可以" (bù kě yǐ) is often used to indicate that something is not allowed or not permitted.
Example:
A: 妈妈,我能去朋友家玩吗? (mā ma, wǒ néng qù péng you jiā wán ma?) (Mom, can I go to my friend's house to play?)
B: 不可以,你还没有完成你的作业。 (bù kě yǐ, nǐ hái méi yǒu wán chéng nǐ de zuò yè) (No, you have not finished your homework yet.)
Podcast Channel
Five Ways to Say XXX in Chinese
Author
All episodes

Chapter 1, 7-mashq

Learning Greek

O Trem Fantasma

HOW TO Stop Translating From Your Native Language To English When Speaking

📚Conte: El venedor de gorres 🧢 🐵

Movie Series: The Sound of Magic

聊聊失败 Chatting about Failure!

14-Expresiones con la palabra manga
Popular episodes

Elementary Uzbek
Chapter 1, 7-mashq

Greek podcast
Learning Greek

Praia e Dolce Vita
O Trem Fantasma

LEARN BY LISTENING
HOW TO Stop Translating From Your Native Language To English When Speaking

Contes en català amb la Paula 👩🏻🏫 📚
📚Conte: El venedor de gorres 🧢 🐵

Learn English with Stories
Movie Series: The Sound of Magic

Chillchat (Learn Chinese and Chill)
聊聊失败 Chatting about Failure!

Blanca to go
14-Expresiones con la palabra manga