not necessarily; not likely
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
not necessarily; not likely; probably not
neutralUsed to express uncertainty or to suggest that something is probably not the case. Often implies the speaker's subjective judgment or a lower probability. It is softer than a direct denial.
Zhè这
yǔ雨
bù不
jiàn见
dé得
xià下
de得
qǐ起
lái来
。
It's not certain that this rain will actually fall.
Kàn看
yàng样
zi子
，
tā他
bù不
jiàn见
dé得
néng能
lái来
。
Judging by the look of it, he probably won't be able to come.
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Guì贵
de的
dōng东
xi西
bù不
jiàn见
dé得
jiù就
hǎo好
。
Expensive things are not necessarily good.
Tā他
dā答
yìng应
le了
，
dàn但
bù不
jiàn见
dé得
huì会
zūn遵
shǒu守
nuò诺
yán言
。
He agreed, but he might not keep his promise.