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March 24, 2026
否fǒu(fou3)
The character 否 (fǒu) primarily means 'to negate' or 'no'. It is often used to express denial or to indicate that something is not the case. In various contexts, it can also imply something being obstructed or clogged, and it is a key component in forming negative phrases in Mandarin.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#8419DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, the concept of negation is significant, particularly in discussions of yin and yang, where 否 can represent the absence or denial of a certain quality or state.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big red 'NO' sign that is blocking a road, representing the concept of negation. The character 否 has a shape that resembles a barrier, indicating something being blocked or denied, reinforcing its meaning.
Meanings of 否
fǒu(fou3)
primary
1to negate
2clogged
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 否
否Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#8419Frequency Rank
Podcast: 否
Podcast: 否
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AI Study Notes for 否
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 否 with other negative words like 不 (bù), which is more general in negation. 否 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in written language or official statements, so it's important to be aware of the register when using it.
HSK Study Tips
Though 否 is not included in the HSK levels, it complements the understanding of negation in Mandarin, which is crucial at beginner levels. Students should focus on its usage in sentences to grasp how it interacts with other verbs and adjectives.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 否 (fǒu) with 不 (bù), leading to incorrect sentences like '我不否认' (Wǒ bù fǒurèn) instead of the correct '我否认' (Wǒ fǒurèn) for 'I deny'. It's essential to use 否 when specifically negating or denying something.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 否
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Phonosemantic compound. 不 represents the meaning and 口 represents the sound.
1The meaning half不 carries the sense.
2The sound half口 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayno
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 否? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 否?
Decomposition of 否
IDS Structure⿱不口
否Full Character
=
不bu4
top
口kou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 否?
How to say to negate in Chinese
“to negate” in Chinese is否fǒu
The character 否 (fǒu) primarily means 'to negate' or 'no'. It is often used to express denial or to indicate that something is not the case. In various contexts, it can also imply something being obstructed or clogged, and it is a key component in forming negative phrases in Mandarin.
When to use 否
Common mistakes include confusing 否 with other negative words like 不 (bù), which is more general in negation. 否 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in written language or official statements, so it's important to be aware of the register when using it.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 否 (fǒu) with 不 (bù), leading to incorrect sentences like '我不否认' (Wǒ bù fǒurèn) instead of the correct '我否认' (Wǒ fǒurèn) for 'I deny'. It's essential to use 否 when specifically negating or denying something.
Write 否
否
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Grammar Patterns of 否
否 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Scientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.
10
我认为他们能否成功取决于这一限制因素.
wǒ rèn wéi tā mén néng fǒu chéng gōng qǔ jué yú zhè yī xiàn zhì yīn sù.
Their success is conditional, I suggest, on this restriction.
Cultural Notes for 否
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of negation is often linked to humility. Saying 'no' can be seen as a way to express modesty and avoid overconfidence.
Word Family of 否
Compounds7
痞pi3dyspepsia; spleen infection
嚭
俖
娝
桮
脴
踎
Words Containing This Character13
是否shìfǒuif
否则fǒuzéif not否則
能否néngfǒuwhether or not
否认fǒurènto deny否認
否fǒunot
否定fǒudìngto negate
否决fǒujuéto veto否決
可否is it possible or not?
与否yǔfǒuwhether or not (at the end of a phrase)與否
否决权veto power否決權
不置可否decline to comment
矢口否认to deny flatly矢口否認
否极泰来extreme sorrow turns to joy (idiom)否極泰來
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 痞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 否
Some synonyms for 否 include 不 (bù), which means 'not', and 没有 (méiyǒu), which means 'do not have'. These words can also convey negation, but 否 is more formal and often used in written Chinese.
否 is less common in everyday conversation compared to its synonyms like 不 (bù). However, it is often seen in formal writing or literature, especially when expressing negation or denial in a more sophisticated manner.
否 (fǒu, pǐ) primarily means 'to negate' or 'to deny'. It can also imply 'not' or indicate something negative. Additionally, it can refer to being clogged or associated with evil in certain contexts.
You can use 否 (fǒu) to negate a statement, such as in '我否认这个说法' (Wǒ fǒurèn zhège shuōfǎ), meaning 'I deny this statement'. It can also be used to express disagreement or to indicate the opposite of something.
You can use 否 in a sentence like '我否认这个说法' (Wǒ fǒurèn zhège shuōfǎ), meaning 'I deny this statement'.
While it can be used in conversation, it's more common in written or formal contexts.
Yes, you can simply say 否 to mean 'no' in response to a question, but it's more formal.
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