HSK 1
不是
bùshì
not to be
Structure
Subject + 不是 + Noun / Phrase
How it works
The word '不是' (bùshì) is the negative form of the verb '是' (shì), used to negate nouns or pronouns. In Chinese, verbs are not conjugated based on the subject, so '不是' remains the same regardless of whether the subject is I, you, he, she, or they.
Examples
他不是我的老师。
Tā bùshì wǒ de lǎoshī.
He is not my teacher.
我不叫大卫，我不是大卫。
Wǒ bù jiào Dàwèi, wǒ bùshì Dàwèi.
My name is not David, I am not David.
这不是我的书。
Zhè bùshì wǒ de shū.
This is not my book.
Common mistakes
Do not use '不是' to negate adjectives (e.g., saying '我不漂亮' instead of '我不漂亮' is correct, but '我不是漂亮' is incorrect unless comparing identities).
Tip
Remember that '不' normally has a 4th tone, but when followed by another 4th tone like '是', it changes to a 2nd tone (bú).
More HSK 1 grammar
See 不是 in real Chinese
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