Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
不同 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
不同bùtóngdifferentHSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #638, Medium
不同bùtóngdistinctHSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #638, Medium
不同bùtóngnot the sameHSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #638, Medium
不同bùtóngnot alikeHSK 3, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #638, Medium
bùtóng(bu4tong2)bu tong T4
  1. 1different
  2. 2distinct
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

不同bùtóng(bu4tong2)

不同 (bùtóng) means 'different' or 'not the same.' It is commonly used to describe distinctions between people, objects, or ideas, and can convey a sense of variety or diversity. This term is often used in conversations about preferences, opinions, and comparisons.

Strokes10Frequency#638DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of diversity is often celebrated, particularly in relation to regional customs, cuisines, and dialects. The phrase '不同而和谐' (bùtóng ér héxié) reflects the belief that differences can coexist harmoniously.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bustling' market where every stall is distinct, showcasing different products. The character 不 (bù) looks like a person crossing their arms, indicating 'not' or 'no,' while 同 (tóng) resembles two people holding hands, symbolizing togetherness. Together, they represent 'not the same.'

Meanings of 不同

bùtóng(bu4tong2)
1different
2distinct
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 不同 means.

About 不同

不同Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 不同

JasonAmy

Podcast: 不同

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 不同

Quick Contrast

相异 (xiāngyì) — use 不同 for general differences, while 相异 is more formal and often emphasizes distinctness.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 不 (bù), as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings. This term is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with words like '意见' (yìjiàn, opinion) or '文化' (wénhuà, culture) for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Though 不同 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is essential for HSK 3 and above learners. Understanding this word can help students grasp comparisons and differences, connecting with other adjectives like 相同 (xiāngtóng, the same) and 似乎 (sìhū, seem).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 不同 with 其他 (qítā, other). For example, saying '我有不同的书' (Wǒ yǒu bùtóng de shū) is incorrect if intending to say 'I have other books'; it should be '我有其他的书' (Wǒ yǒu qítā de shū).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 不同

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 不同 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 不同 to You

Let me explain 不同 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 不同 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 不同?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 不同 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

不bù(negative prefix)
HSK 14 strokes一
View full entry
同tóng(used in given names)
HSK 56 strokes口
View full entry

How to say different in Chinese

“different” in Chinese is不同bùtóng

不同 (bùtóng) means 'different' or 'not the same.' It is commonly used to describe distinctions between people, objects, or ideas, and can convey a sense of variety or diversity. This term is often used in conversations about preferences, opinions, and comparisons.

When to use 不同

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 不 (bù), as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings. This term is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with words like '意见' (yìjiàn, opinion) or '文化' (wénhuà, culture) for clarity.

不同 or something close to it

相异 (xiāngyì) — use 不同 for general differences, while 相异 is more formal and often emphasizes distinctness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 不同 with 其他 (qítā, other). For example, saying '我有不同的书' (Wǒ yǒu bùtóng de shū) is incorrect if intending to say 'I have other books'; it should be '我有其他的书' (Wǒ yǒu qítā de shū).

Write 不同

不
同

Practice writing 不同 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 不同?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 不同

You can say, '我们有不同的意见' (Wǒmen yǒu bùtóng de yìjiàn), meaning 'We have different opinions.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 不同?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab