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不是. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
不是, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
不是 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
不是 you have here. The definition of the word
不是 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
不是, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Pronunciation
Note: bùshi - (1) for the noun, standard Mainland pronunciation and variant Taiwan pronunciation (2) for the verb, variant pronunciation.
Verb
不是
- to not be
- 這不是我的書。／这不是我的书。 ― Zhè bùshì wǒ de shū. ― This is not my book.
這不是我的書嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
这不是我的书吗？ [MSC, simp.]- Zhè bùshì wǒ de shū ma?
- This is not my book? (e.g. when you are told that the book is not yours.)
不是我不明白，我只是不想說。 [MSC, trad.]
不是我不明白，我只是不想说。 [MSC, simp.]- Bùshì wǒ bù míngbái, wǒ zhǐshì bù xiǎng shuō.
- It's not that I don't know; it's just that I don't want to say it.
- Used in interrogative sentences, to express a certain emotion. Equivalent to “... not ... ?”
我不是說了別叫我弟弟嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
我不是说了别叫我弟弟吗？ [MSC, simp.]- Wǒ bùshì shuō le bié jiào wǒ dìdi ma?
- Didn't I already tell you not to call me "little bro"?
看，那不是姚明嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
看，那不是姚明吗？ [MSC, simp.]- Kàn, nà bùshì Yáo Míng ma?
- Look! Isn't that Yao Ming?
這不是我的書嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
这不是我的书吗？ [MSC, simp.]- Zhè bùshì wǒ de shū ma?
- Isn't this my book? (e.g. when you find other person holding your book)
Usage notes
In sense 2, 不是 is usually weakened, pronounced with neutral tone, while in sense 1, 不是 is stressed.
Synonyms
Dialectal synonyms of
不是 (“to not be”)
Derived terms
See also
Noun
不是
- fault; mistake; wrongdoing
- 都是我的不是。 ― Dōu shì wǒ de bùshì. ― It's all my fault.
- 快去賠個不是。／快去赔个不是。 ― Kuài qù péi ge bùshì. ― Quickly go and apologise.
Synonyms
- 不好
- 不韙／不韪 (bùwěi) (literary)
- 偏差 (piānchā)
- 問題／问题 (wèntí)
- 失誤／失误 (shīwù)
- 差失 (chāshī)
- 差池
- 差舛 (chāchuǎn) (literary)
- 差誤／差误 (chāwù)
- 差謬／差谬 (chāmiù) (literary)
- 差錯／差错 (chācuò)
- 疏失 (shūshī) (careless mistake)
- 紕繆／纰缪 (pīmiù) (literary)
- 訛／讹 (é) (literary, or in compounds)
- 誤差／误差 (wùchā) (especially in data)
- 誤謬／误谬 (wùmiù) (fallacy)
- 謬誤／谬误 (miùwù) (fallacy)
- 責任／责任 (zérèn)
- 過失／过失 (guòshī)
- 過錯／过错 (guòcuò)
- 錯／错
- 錯誤／错误 (cuòwù)
Derived terms