不 (bù) Chinese Character: not, no

Chinese character story: A Character Borrowed for “Not”

不 (bù) means “not” or “no,” but its ancient shape was not a picture of negation. The character was borrowed for its sound and became one of the most common words in Chinese. Put it before a verb or adjective: 不是, “is not”; 不好, “not good”; 不去, “not going.”

Chinese character origin and etymology

不 is documented as a basic character form. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.

In modern simplified Chinese, 不 is written with 4 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 不 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.

Chinese character stroke order and structure

不 is written with 4 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.

• 不 — four-stroke negative word; learn it as a whole

Common usage and sentence patterns

The examples below show 不 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.

Learning tips for 不

Learn the reading as one unit: bù, with the fourth tone: a sharp fall. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “not, no,” and write the 4 strokes from memory.

Because 不 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 是 (shì, to be — 不是 means “is not”); 好 (hǎo, good — 不好 means “not good”); 没 (méi, not have / did not). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.

Quick review checklist

• Can you recognize 不 without pinyin?
• Can you say bù with the correct tone and explain “not, no”?
• Can you write all 4 strokes in order?
• Can you use 不 in one short sentence?

Related characters

• 是 (shì) — to be — 不是 means “is not”
• 好 (hǎo) — good — 不好 means “not good”
• 没 (méi) — not have / did not

Continue learning Chinese characters

Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.

Sources and editorial note

HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.

Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.