不
Character learning workspace

bù · not

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #5
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 不

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 不 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

不
Complete decomposition unavailableThe shape 一 is indexed inside 不, but it is not the whole character.
Writing notes

Shape and proportion

4Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Single bodyCharacter structure

Keep the whole form centered inside the writing square.

一Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 不 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 不

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

búWords pronounced bú
buWords pronounced bu
bùWords pronounced bù
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 不 sits in each complete thought.

Shì wǒ de, bú shì tā de.是我的,不是他的。

It's mine, not his.

Source: Tatoeba #400384 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bú shì nǐ duì de, jiù shì wǒ.不是你对的,就是我。

Either you or I am right.

Source: Tatoeba #861589 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bú shì wǒ duì de, jiù shì nǐ.不是我对的,就是你。

I am not correct, but you are.

Source: Tatoeba #861597 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bú shì wǒ de.不是我的。

It's not mine.

Source: Tatoeba #5673830 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yào bú zài le, nà wǒ jiù bú zài le.你要不在了,那我就不在了。

If you were gone, I'd die.

Source: Tatoeba #3657303 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè shì wǒ de cuò, bú shì nǐ de cuò.这是我的错,不是你的错。

It's my fault, not yours.

Source: Tatoeba #3089864 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 不 in context

  1. Say bù, then recall the core meaning: not.
  2. Write all 4 strokes while keeping the single body balanced.
  3. Use it in 不客气 (bú kè qi), meaning “you're welcome”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 不 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.