不
bù
No, not
不是 (bù shì) — not to criticize you
不是 (búshì) + correction / 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) + criticism / 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) + reproach
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
不是，Statement
不是我说你，Clause
你看你，Clause
Rule structure
At the start of a reply, 不是 (búshì) can be a colloquial correction of what was just said or an objection, not a copula negation. 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) softens the following remark: "not to criticize you, but…". 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) expresses mild reproach, annoyance or sympathy, drawing attention to someone's slip.
Rule structure
At the start of a reply, 不是 (búshì) can be a colloquial correction of what was just said or an objection, not a copula negation. 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) softens the following remark: "not to criticize you, but…". 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) expresses mild reproach, annoyance or sympathy, drawing attention to someone's slip.
Examples
不是我说你，你看你，又把钥匙忘了。
Bú shì wǒ shuō nǐ, nǐ kàn nǐ, yòu bǎ yàoshi wàng le.
Not to criticize you, but look at you — you forgot your keys again.
Examples
不是我说你，你看你，又把钥匙忘了。
Bú shì wǒ shuō nǐ, nǐ kàn nǐ, yòu bǎ yàoshi wàng le.
Not to criticize you, but look at you — you forgot your keys again.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not to criticize you” in Chinese with 不是?
Use the structure: 不是 (búshì) + correction / 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) + criticism / 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) + reproach. For example: 不是我说你，你看你，又把钥匙忘了。 — “Not to criticize you, but look at you — you forgot your keys again”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
不是我说你，你看你，又把钥匙忘了。 — “Not to criticize you, but look at you — you forgot your keys again”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
不瞒你说 — to tell you the truth
不瞒你说 (bù mán nǐ shuō) / 老实说 (lǎoshi shuō) / 说真的 (shuō zhēn de) + Personal opinion or confession
这样一来 — in this way, as a result
这样一来 (zhèyàng yìlái) + Conclusion/Consequence
要我说 — in my opinion, if you ask me
要 (yào) / 让 (ràng) + 我 (wǒ) + 说 (shuō) + Opinion
这不 — “see, look”
Preceding statement，+ 这不 (zhè bu)，+ confirming fact
反过来 — reversal and concession markers
反过来 (fǎnguòlai) + (说 (shuō)) + reverse viewpoint; 话是这么说 (huà shì zhème shuō) + objection; 话 (huà) + (又 (yòu)) + 说回来 (shuō huílai) + counterbalancing point; 退一步说 (tuì yí bù shuō) + concession
无论如何 — no matter what
无论如何 (wúlùn rúhé) + Subject + (都 (dōu)) + Predicate
概括来说 — summary and conclusion
概括来说 (gàikuò lái shuō) / 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) / 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) / 归根到底 (guīgēndàodǐ) / 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) / 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) + Conclusion
还别说 — you know what, actually
(你 (nǐ)) + 还别说 (hái bié shuō) + conclusion/admission