不是
bú shì
not
In Chinese, '不是' (bú shì) has a similar function to 'not' in English. However, it is specifically used to negate the verb 'to be'. It is not used to negate adjectives or verbs other than 'to be'. For example, in the sentence 'I am not a student', '不是' is used to express the 'not' as in 'I am not'.
Example sentences using: 不是
这不是我的书。
zhè bù shì wǒ de shū
This is not my book.
In this phrase, '这' means 'this', and '我的书' means 'my book'. The word '不是' is used here to indicate that the book in question does not belong to the speaker.
他不是老师。
tā bù shì lǎoshī
He is not a teacher.
This sentence states that the person referred to as '他' (he) does not hold the profession of a teacher, with '老师' meaning 'teacher'. The use of '不是' denies the identity being ascribed.
这部电影不是很好。
zhè bù diànyǐng bù shì hěn hǎo
This movie is not very good.
In this context, '这部电影' refers to 'this movie', while '很好' means 'very good'. The phrase uses '不是' to express that the movie does not meet the speaker's expectations.