Negative replies with 不 (bu)

Core idea

Negative replies with 不 usually repeat the predicate from the question. The negative marker comes before that repeated verb, adjective, or equating verb.

This keeps the answer specific. Instead of saying only “no,” Mandarin often says “not busy,” “not go,” or “not be.”

Usage boundary

Use this pattern for simple negative answers about states, identities, habits, choices, or intentions. For past events that did not happen, 没 is often the better negative word.

With 是, the negative answer is 不是 because the equating verb remains part of the predicate.