HSK 1Verbs

Negation with 不

Place 不 before a verb or adjective to negate. Used for habits, states, and future.

Pattern

Subject + 不 + Verb/Adjective

不 (bù) is placed before a verb or adjective to negate it. It's used for present habits, willingness, and future intentions.

Note: Before a 4th tone, 不 changes to 2nd tone (bú). 不 is NOT used for past completed actions — use 没 instead.

我不喝咖啡。

Wǒ bù hē kāfēi.

I don't drink coffee.

Habitual negation.

她不是老师。

Tā bú shì lǎoshī.

She is not a teacher.

Tone change: bú before 4th tone.

明天我不去。

Míngtiān wǒ bú qù.

I'm not going tomorrow.

Wrong

我昨天不去学校。

Correct

我昨天没去学校。

For past actions, use 没 not 不.

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