What does 不 mean in Chinese?

不 (bù) means "(negative prefix); not; no" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 不?

不 is pronounced "bù" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 不?

不 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 不?

Common words with 不 include 一丁不识 (illiterate), 一介不取 (to not even take a penny (as a bribe)), 一动不动 (motionless), 一去不回 (gone forever), 一尘不染 (untainted by even a speck of dust (idiom); selfless and incorruptible).

How do you write 不?

不 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 一. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

不 (bù), (negative prefix)

不

bù

(negative prefix); not; no

HSK 14 strokes

Character Breakdown

A bird flies up and hits the ceiling — no!

Radical: 一 (no. 1)Strokes: 4

View stroke order →

Definitions

(negative prefix)
not
no

Example Sentences

我不喜欢这个。

Wǒ bù xǐhuan zhège

I don't like this

Words Containing 不

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
一丁不识	yī dīng bù shí	illiterate
一介不取	yī jiè bù qǔ	to not even take a penny (as a bribe)
一动不动	yī dòng bù dòng	motionless	HSK 7-9
一去不回	yī qù bù huí	gone forever
一尘不染

Related Words

没(méi)· (negative prefix for verbs)

→

一步登天(yī bù dēng tiān)· reaching heaven in a single bound (idiom); (esp. with negative: don't expect) instant success

→

不幸之幸(bù xìng zhī xìng)· a fortune in misfortune

→

假否定句(jiǎ fǒu dìng jù)· false negative

→

Grammar Notes

Questions with 吗HSK 1

Statement + 吗？

Negation with 不HSK 1

Subject + 不 + Verb / Adjective

Negation with 没 / 没有HSK 1

Subject + 没(有) + Verb / Object

Adjectives with 很HSK 1

Subject + 很 + Adjective

Expressing "Want" with 想HSK 1

Subject + 想 + Verb + Object

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

不: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 不 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.