不 Stroke Order — How to Write 不

Stroke Order

不 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 一, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

不 Radical and Character Components

Partial breakdown of 不:一

不 is an ideographic compound. A bird flying toward the sky 一.

Radical: 一 + 3 more strokes

不 Pronunciation and Pinyin

bù
fǒu

Meanings of 不 in Chinese

bù不

Used before verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to express negation; 'not' or 'no'.

我今天不能去图书馆。

I cannot go to the library today.

An adverb placed before a noun or nominal morpheme to form an adjective, indicating negation or absence. Examples: unlawful, irregular.

这个图形是不规则的。

This shape is irregular.

Used alone as a negative answer: no.

不，谢谢。

No, thank you.

Used at the end of a sentence to form an informal question, similar to 'right?' or 'isn't it?' in English, often seeking confirmation or a simple answer.

这菜好吃不？

This dish is delicious, isn't it?

Used between a verb and its complement to indicate that a certain result cannot be achieved, often due to a limiting factor.

这个箱子太重了，我拿不动

This box is too heavy, I can't lift it.

Used in polite expressions to indicate 'no need to' or 'no obligation to' do something, such as 'You're welcome,' 'No need to see me off,' or 'Don't be so polite.'

不用担心，我能处理好。

No need to worry, I can handle it.

fǒu不

Used as an interrogative particle, similar to '否' (fǒu), expressing doubt or a rhetorical question, meaning 'is it not so?' or 'no'.

此言不当？

Is this statement inappropriate?

Common Words and Phrases with 不

bù不ài碍

It's alright; no problem.

下点小雨不碍我们出去玩。

A little rain won't stop us from going out to play.

bù不ān安

Unstable, intranquil, or uneasy; also used as a polite expression of apology or gratitude.

得知朋友生病的消息后，她心里感到很不安。

She felt very uneasy after hearing the news that her friend was sick.

bù不ān安fèn分

Discontented with one's lot; restless and unwilling to settle for the current situation.

小猫在篮子里不安分地动来动去，似乎想跳出来玩。

The kitten was restlessly moving around in the basket, as if wanting to jump out and play.

bù不bái白zhī之yuān冤

an unredressed injustice; an unrighted wrong

他因为被人误解，背负了多年的不白之冤。

He carried an unredressed injustice for many years because of a misunderstanding.

bù不bān搬péi陪

unmatched; unsuitable, especially for a relationship or marriage

这件上衣和你的裤子颜色不搬陪，换一件吧。

The color of this top doesn't go well with your pants, you should change it.

bù不bēi卑bù不kàng亢

neither humble nor arrogant; show neither inferiority nor superiority

在与同事的合作中，他总是能保持不卑不亢的态度，既能提出自己的观点，也能虚心听取别人的意见。

In collaboration with colleagues, he always maintains a neither servile nor overbearing attitude, able to express his own views while also humbly listening to others' opinions.

bù不bèi备

unprepared; off guard