The word ‘no’ is another important phrase that every Chinese learner should grasp and thus should be covered in the early stages of learning. Knowing how- to say ‘no’ will help protect your best interests and keep you safe during travelling or working in China, as is the case in every country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to the word ‘yes’, there is no direct translation for the word ‘no’ despite its significance. Instead, the phrase to use will depend on the context of the situation and what you are trying to convey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned there is no exact equivalent for the word ‘no’, but just like how \u662f<\/strong> (sh\u00ec) is the commonly go-to word for ‘yes’, the go-to word for ‘no’ is \u4e0d<\/strong> (b\u00f9). The direct translation for \u4e0d<\/strong> can be thought of as ‘not’ and can be used in situations as highlighted in the following example. Note how we can pair up \u4e0d<\/strong> with the verb to form the antonym ie. the opposite of that verb. Here, adding \u4e0d<\/strong> to the verb \u4f1a<\/strong> (hu\u00ec), which means ‘can’ or ‘to be able to’ forms \u4e0d\u4f1a<\/strong> (b\u00f9 hu\u00ec), which means ‘cannot’ or ‘to not be able to’. With the information given above, we can form many many ways to form a negative response. In a previous blog post we explored how the word \u597d<\/strong> (h\u01ceo) can express ‘okay’ (literal translation for \u597d <\/strong>= good), thus adding \u4e0d<\/strong> (b\u00f9) to this to create ‘not good’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can therefore use this to show that we don’t agree with a situation or a proposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example: This next phrase is commonly used when correcting someone’s comment or false statement. The literal translation of \u4e0d\u5bf9<\/strong> (b\u00f9 du\u00ec) is ‘not right’, therefore it is used when you want to say someone is ‘incorrect’. These two responses are typically used when rejecting someone’s request or refusing some sort of permission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4e0d\u884c <\/strong>(b\u00f9 x\u00edng) literally means ‘not ok’, so can be used to show you’re not ok with a situation or an action, while \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> (b\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0) literally means ‘not allowed’ and thus is used to convey someone cannot do something. Let’s see these in practice. \u80fd<\/strong> (n\u00e9ng) literally translates to ‘can’, therefore \u4e0d\u80fd<\/strong> (b\u00f9 n\u00e9ng) also conveys ‘cannot’ \/ ‘not allowed’ and is interchangeable with \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example 1: Example 2: Given its extensive usage, you may recognise the word \u6709<\/strong> (y\u01d2u) as the verb ‘to have’. Here, the addition of the word \u6ca1<\/strong> (m\u00e9i) creates its antonym – the literal translation for \u6ca1\u6709<\/strong> (m\u00e9i y\u01d2u) is ‘to not have’. The phrase is frequently used to describe a negative fact and indicate a lack of possession or action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example: Similarly to using \u4e0d<\/strong> in various combinations with different verbs to create a negative response, we can do the same with \u6ca1<\/strong> (m\u00e9i). Take a look at some examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example 1: Example 2: The phrases we covered above are enough for you to hold most conversations with native and non-native speakers alike, but for those who are eager to continue growing your vocabulary, here are some extra phrases to add to your lists!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u8fd8\u6ca1\u6709<\/strong> (h\u00e1i m\u00e9i y\u01d2u) – ‘No, not yet’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u6ca1\u95e8\u513f<\/strong> (m\u00e9i m\u00e9n er) – This is slang for ‘impossible’, ‘no way’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4e0b\u6b21\u5427<\/strong> (xi\u00e0 c\u00ec ba) – If you’re stuck in a situation where you want to refuse a request in a polite manner, you can use this phrase, which literally translates as ‘Maybe next time’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:
Can you speak German? \u4f60\u4f1a<\/strong>\u8bf4\u5fb7\u8bed\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 hu\u00ec shu\u014d d\u00e9y\u01d4 ma?
No, I cannot speak German. \u4e0d\uff0c\u6211\u4e0d\u4f1a\u8bf4\u5fb7\u8bed\u3002<\/strong>B\u00f9, w\u01d2 b\u00f9 hu\u00ec shu\u014d d\u00e9y\u01d4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s see this in action in another example. Take \u559c\u6b22<\/strong> (x\u01d0 hu\u0101n) – to like.
\u4e0d<\/strong> + \u559c\u6b22<\/strong> -> \u4e0d\u559c\u6b22<\/strong> (b\u00f9 x\u01d0 hu\u0101n) – to not like.
\u4e0d\u662f<\/strong> (b\u00f9 sh\u00ec) is derived in a similar manner. \u662f<\/strong> (sh\u00ec) itself means ‘to be’, thus when paired with \u4e0d<\/strong> becomes \u4e0d\u662f<\/strong> (b\u00f9 sh\u00ec), which literally means ‘to not be’. Using this as a response conveys ‘It is not’ or ‘I am not’, depending on the context.
Example:
Are you English? \u4f60\u662f\u82f1\u56fd\u4eba\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 sh\u00ec y\u012bnggu\u00f3 r\u00e9n ma?
No (I am not), I am French. \u4e0d\u662f, \u6211\u662f\u6cd5\u56fd\u4eba.<\/strong> B\u00f9sh\u00ec, w\u01d2 sh\u00ec f\u00e0gu\u00f3 r\u00e9n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u4e0d\u597d<\/strong> (b\u00f9 h\u01ceo)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let’s watch this movie together! \u6211\u4eec\u4e00\u8d77\u770b\u8fd9\u90e8\u7535\u5f71\u5427!<\/strong> W\u01d2men y\u012bq\u01d0 k\u00e0n zh\u00e8 b\u00f9 di\u00e0ny\u01d0ng ba!
No, I’m not a fan of it. \u4e0d\u597d\uff0c\u6211\u4e0d\u60f3\u770b\u3002<\/strong>B\u00f9 h\u01ceo, w\u01d2 b\u00f9xi\u01ceng k\u00e0n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u4e0d\u5bf9<\/strong> (b\u00f9 du\u00ec)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Example 1:
Are you from China? \u4f60\u662f\u4ece\u4e2d\u56fd\u6765\u7684\u5417?<\/strong> N\u01d0 sh\u00ec c\u00f3ng zh\u014dnggu\u00f3 l\u00e1i de ma?
No (that’s not right), I am from Spain. \u4e0d\u5bf9\uff0c\u6211\u662f\u6765\u81ea\u897f\u73ed\u7259\u3002<\/strong>B\u00f9 du\u00ec, w\u01d2 sh\u00ec l\u00e1iz\u00ec x\u012bb\u0101ny\u00e1.
Let’s take another look at a situation where an individual asks for clarification but has given the wrong information.
Example 2:
Your meeting is at 5 pm, right? \u60a8\u7684\u4f1a\u8bae\u662f\u5728\u4e0b\u53485\u70b9, \u5bf9\u4e0d\u5bf9?<\/strong> N\u00ed de hu\u00ecy\u00ec sh\u00ec z\u00e0i xi\u00e0w\u01d4 5 di\u01cen, du\u00ec b\u00f9 du\u00ec?
No (that’s not right), my meeting is at 6 pm. \u4e0d\u5bf9, \u6211\u7684\u4f1a\u8bae\u662f\u5728\u4e0b\u53486\u70b9\u3002<\/strong>B\u00f9 du\u00ec, w\u01d2 de hu\u00ecy\u00ec sh\u00ec z\u00e0i xi\u00e0w\u01d4 6 di\u01cen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u4e0d\u884c <\/strong>(b\u00f9 x\u00edng), \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> (b\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0) and \u4e0d\u80fd<\/strong> (b\u00f9 n\u00e9ng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can I borrow your pen? \u6211\u53ef\u4ee5\u501f\u4f60\u7684\u94a2\u7b14\u7528\u4e0b\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>W\u01d2 k\u011by\u01d0 ji\u00e8 n\u01d0 de g\u0101ngb\u01d0 y\u00f2ng xi\u00e0 ma?
No (that’s not ok), I only have one. \u4e0d\u884c, \u6211\u53ea\u6709\u4e00\u652f<\/strong>\u3002B\u00f9 x\u00edng, w\u01d2 zh\u01d0y\u01d2u y\u012bzh\u012b.
[Note: though the question uses \u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>, you can respond with either \u4e0d\u884c<\/strong> or \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>. you do not necessarily have to use the words the questioner used as long as the context is still appropriate.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I call you in five minutes? \u6211\u80fd\u5728\u4e94\u5206\u949f\u4e4b\u5185\u7ed9\u4f60\u6253\u7535\u8bdd\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>W\u01d2 n\u00e9ng z\u00e0i w\u01d4 f\u0113nzh\u014dng zh\u012b n\u00e8i g\u011bi n\u01d0 d\u01ce di\u00e0nhu\u00e0 ma?
No (you cannot), I am busy at the moment. \u4e0d\u80fd\uff0c\u6211\u73b0\u5728\u5f88\u5fd9<\/strong>\u3002B\u00f9 n\u00e9ng, w\u01d2 xi\u00e0nz\u00e0i h\u011bn m\u00e1ng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u6ca1\u6709<\/strong> (m\u00e9i y\u01d2u)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have you watched this film before? \u4f60\u770b\u8fc7\u8fd9\u90e8\u7535\u5f71\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 k\u00e0ngu\u00f2 zh\u00e8 b\u00f9 di\u00e0ny\u01d0ng ma?
No (I haven’t), I have never watched this before. \u6ca1\u6709, \u6211\u4ece\u6ca1\u770b\u8fc7\u3002<\/strong>M\u00e9i y\u01d2u, w\u01d2 c\u00f3ng m\u00e9i k\u00e0ngu\u00f2.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdapting \u6ca1<\/strong> (m\u00e9i) to the situation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have you had breakfast yet? \u4f60\u5403\u65e9\u9910\u4e86\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 ch\u012b z\u01ceoc\u0101nle ma?
No, I haven’t eaten yet. \u6211\u8fd8\u6ca1\u6709\u5403\u3002<\/strong>W\u01d2 h\u00e1i m\u00e9iy\u01d2u ch\u012b. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you buy the computer? \u4f60\u4e70\u7535\u8111\u4e86\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 m\u01cei di\u00e0nn\u01ceole ma?
No, I didn’t buy it yet. \u4e0d\uff0c\u6211\u8fd8\u6ca1\u4e70\u3002<\/strong>B\u00f9, w\u01d2 h\u00e1i m\u00e9i m\u01cei.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nExtra phrases!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n