A2 · Grammar reference · ASGRJ1BI
Comparing "bu" and "mei" Both 不 (bù) and 没 (méi) can be placed in front of a verb or adjective to negate its meaning. However, 不 (bù) and 没 (méi) are not usually interchangeable, so it's important to learn when you must use 不 (bù) as opposed to 没 (méi), and vice versa.
Structure
Subj. + 不 + Verb
Subj. + 不 + Verb + Obj.
不 + Adj.
Subj. + Verb + 不 + Verb + Obj.
Subj. + 没(有) + Verb + Obj.
Subj. + 没有 + Obj.
Keywords 不 · 没有 · 没 · not
Used for Negating · Describing actions · Denying and refusing
Classification HSK1 Examples (39) Add all sentences to My sentences Tonight I'm not going to drink. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Dad is not coming back to eat dinner. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. The boss won't come tomorrow. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I know it's not going to rain this weekend. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Is your girlfriend not going with you? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I don't eat meat. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Do you all not drink alcohol? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. He doesn't like to speak. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Do you not use your phone to read books? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Don't you shower at night? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. We're not hungry. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. You are not fat. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. My home is not far. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Today it isn't cold. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I think the coffee at Starbucks isn't good. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Are you my teacher or not? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Does she want to come? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Do you love me or not? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Do you all go to work on weekends? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Do your foreign friends like to eat Chinese food? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Let's go eat, is that OK? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. You are good friends, right? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. He did not give me a call. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. You didn't go to work? Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I did not drink alcohol yesterday. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Mom did not cook dinner. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. They didn't pay after they finished eating. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I don't have money. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. He doesn't have a girlfriend. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I don't have a way. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I don't have a way. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. You are not as tall as me. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. My cell phone isn't as expensive as his. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. We all are not as busy as the boss. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Shanghai winters are not as cold Beijing winters. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. He was not my boss before. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I didn't know he was coming. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. He did not know her when he was young. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. I was not home yesterday. Illustrates Comparing "bu" and "mei" with 不. Further resources
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