Elementary I Elementary II Intermediate I Intermediate II Resources Site Map
Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6

Lesson 7

Lesson 8

Lesson 9

Lesson 10

Lesson 11

Lesson 12

Lesson 13

Lesson 14

Lesson 15

Lesson 16

Lesson 17

Lesson 18

Lesson 19

Lesson 20

Lesson 21

Lesson 22

Lesson 23

Lesson 24

Lesson 25

In the sixth lesson we will look at our first negative adverb, 不 bù. When combined with 是 shì to be it creates the meaning "is not, isn't".

Misunderstandings due to nationality and appearance are fairly common in China. In accordance with this, we will learn some set phrases for excusing oneself when you are in error. However, it should be said here that the use of "I'm sorry" as a pleasantry (rather than as a serious admission of guilt) is not as common in Chinese as it is in English.

6.01 He is not a.... - pronouns with negation

我不是商人。
Wǒ bú shì shāngrén.		 I am not a businessperson.
他不是美国人。
Tā bú shì Měiguórén.		 He isn't an American.
她不是老师。
Tā bú shì lǎoshī.		 She isn't a teacher.
我们不是留学生。
Wǒmen bú shì liúxuéshēnɡ.		 We are not foreign exchange students.
他们不是大学生。
Tāmen bú shì dàxuéshēng.		 They are not university students.

6.02 I'm not German! - concept and vocabulary review dialogue

A: 你好！
Nǐ hǎo！
马特: 你好！
Nǐ hǎo！
A: 你是德国人吗？
Nǐ shì Déguórén ma?
马特: 不是，我是美国人。
Bú shì, wǒ shì Měiɡuórén.
A: 是吗？你是商人吗？
Shì ma? Nǐ shì shāngrén ma​?
马特: 不是，我是留学生。
Bú shì, wǒ shì liúxuéshēnɡ.

6.03 Are you the teacher? - concept and apologizing for small errors

莎拉: 你好！
Nǐ hǎo！
王军: 你好！
Nǐ hǎo！
莎拉: 你是老师吗？
Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma?
王军: 不是，我是学生。
Bú shì, wǒ shì xuésheng.
莎拉: 啊,对不起！
ā, duìbuqǐ!
王军: 没关系。
Méiguānxi.