否 fǒu no
no; not
How to remember 否: 不 not + 口 mouth = no. The toddler will not open his mouth for the spinach, and his little head shakes a firm no.
Component breakdown
否 = 不 not + 口 mouth
- 不 not
- 口 mouth
The toddler will not open his mouth for the spinach, and his little head shakes a firm no.
How it is used
- 'Whether or not / negation,' formal - 是否 (shìfǒu) whether, 能否 (néngfǒu) whether one can, 与否 (yǔfǒu) or not.
- 否则 (fǒuzé) 'otherwise / or else' introduces a consequence: 快走，否则来不及了 (kuài zǒu, fǒuzé láibují le) hurry, or we'll be late.
- 否定 (fǒudìng) negate/deny; 否认 (fǒurèn) deny an accusation. Written register.
Words with 否
Example sentences
- 你是否喜欢这些花？ Nǐ shìfǒu xǐhuan zhèxiē huā?Do you like these flowers?
- 他选择了否定的答案。 Tā xuǎnzéle fǒudìng de dá'àn.He's chosen the negative response.
- 考试前要复习，否则很难通过。 Kǎoshì qián yào fùxí, fǒuzé hěn nán tōng'guò.You must review before exams, otherwise it's hard to pass.
- 两岸是否会统一呢？ Liǎng'Àn shìfǒu huì tǒngyī ne?Will the mainland and Taiwan be reunified?