How to Say “No” in Mandarin

shì

No

Character by character

  • no
  • shìto be

Common questions

How do you say "No" in Mandarin?
"No" in Mandarin is 不是, pronounced bú shì (second tone, fourth tone).
What does 不是 mean literally?
不是 breaks down as 不 (no) + 是 (to be).
What tones does 不是 use?
不是 is pronounced bú shì: second tone, fourth tone.