否 (fǒu) - no & not

否Tone 3

fǒu ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 口

枫惠

否 · fǒu

no;

not;

negative;

to deny;

to negate;

to veto;

used in classical Chinese as a question particle.

nonotnegative

Usage highlights

Whether or notTo denyNegativeOtherwiseTo vetoTo negate

Synonyms

  • 不— no; not
  • 非— not; non-
  • 无— without; not have

Antonyms

  • 是— yes; correct
  • 可— can; may; approve
  • 对— correct; right

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He denied the accusation (否认).
  • The result is negative (否定).
  • Otherwise, we will cancel (否则).
  • I don't know whether he agrees or not (是否).

Collocations

  • Whether or not(是否)
  • To deny(否认)
  • Negative(否定)
  • Otherwise(否则)
  • To veto(否决)
  • To negate(否决)

Idioms

  • To veto without discussion(否決)
  • Whether it is acceptable or not(可否)
  • To deny categorically(矢口否认)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese, 否 was used as a question particle at the end of sentences.
  • The character embodies the concept of negation and refusal in Chinese philosophy and logic.
  • In the I Ching (Book of Changes), 否 (Pǐ) represents one of the 64 hexagrams, symbolizing obstruction and stagnation.

FAQ