不对

• Pinyin: bú duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 对 (correct) — not correct, wrong

Meaning

Incorrect; wrong. Used to indicate that something is not right or is mistaken.

Can be used as a standalone response (不对！Wrong!) or as a predicate (你说的不对, what you said is wrong). Also used as an interjection when you suddenly realise something is off: 不对，我记错了 (Wait, I remembered wrong).

Examples

1. 这个答案不对。 This answer is wrong.
2. 你说的不对。 What you said is incorrect.
3. 不对，应该是这样的。 That's not right; it should be like this.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, school

Tone: direct

Do Say

• 这道题不对，再想想。(This problem is wrong; think again.)
• 不对不对，我说错了。(No no, I misspoke.)

Don't Say

• 你这个人不对 (Don't use 不对 to criticise a person directly — it sounds like 'there's something wrong with you')

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) and 对 (correct, right). A direct negation meaning 'not correct'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal