Just Say “No!”: 5 Rules for Using “不 (Bù)” and “没 ( Méi)”

Mandarin Chinese does not have a simple and easy way to say "no." A Chinese student will have to become familiar with the various negative meanings of "不 (bù) not" and "没 (méi) none" to indicate refusal, denial, disappointment and not having something.

As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, there are certain questions that come up time and time again in my classes. One of the most eternal questions that Chinese language learners have is on the difference between "不 (bù) not" and "没 (méi) none." These common words have similar meaning but are used in different contexts. Both "不 (bù) not" and "没 (méi) none" can be placed in a sentence to make a negative meaning. However, you cannot use them interchangeably.

不 (Bù) = no; not; negative prefix.
没 (Méi) = have not; none; absence; without.

There are five main determinates that I like to introduce to students on when and how to use "不 (bù)" and "没 (méi)."

1. Tense
"没 (Méi) none" is used to deny both the present and past tenses- that is, to negate the actions and things that happen now and in the past, but cannot be used in the future tense.

"不 (Bù) not" is used to deny past, present and future tense.

2. Attitude
When the speaker expresses their own attitude and indicates... Read More

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