Keywords: butong, 不同, different in Chinese, not the same in Chinese, how to say different in Mandarin, Chinese adjective different, bu tong meaning, comparing in Chinese, Chinese grammar, HSK 2
Summary: Learn how to use “不同” (bù tóng), the most common and essential way to say “different” in Mandarin Chinese. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences. Understand the key difference between “不同” (not the same) and “别的” (other) to avoid common mistakes and speak more naturally.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bù tóng
Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: Not the same; different; various.
In a Nutshell: “不同” (bù tóng) is your go-to word for expressing that two or more things are not identical. It is a direct and neutral term formed by combining “not” (不) and “same” (同). It's used for comparing objects, people, ideas, or situations, and is a fundamental building block for making distinctions in Chinese.
Character Breakdown
不 (bù): A negative prefix, meaning “not” or “no”. It's one of the most common characters in Chinese, used to negate verbs and adjectives.
同 (tóng): This character means “same,” “alike,” or “together.” It depicts a mouth (口) under a cover, suggesting agreement or things that fit together.
When combined, 不同 (bù tóng) literally translates to “not same,” which perfectly captures its meaning of “different.”
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, there is often a strong emphasis on harmony and consensus, which relates to the concept of 同 (tóng). Being “the same” can imply belonging and social cohesion. However, 不同 (bù tóng) is not inherently negative. It is most often a neutral, objective statement of fact.
While Western cultures might place a high value on “being different” as a mark of individuality, in Chinese, stating that things are 不同 is simply a way to categorize or distinguish. The value judgment (whether the difference is good or bad) depends entirely on the context. For example, in a traditional family setting, a child's wildly 不同 opinion might be seen as disruptive. In a modern tech startup, a 不同 approach to a problem would be highly praised as innovative. So, while the word itself is neutral, the cultural reaction to the *state of being different* can vary.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As an Adjective (before a noun): This is the most common usage. It needs the particle 的 (de) to connect to the noun it describes.
e.g., 不同的人 (bùtóng de rén) - different people
e.g., 不同的颜色 (bùtóng de yánsè) - different colors
As a Predicate (like a verb): It can stand alone after a subject to state that two things are different.
e.g., 我们不同。(Wǒmen bùtóng.) - We are different.
e.g., 这两个不同。(Zhè liǎng ge bùtóng.) - These two are different.
In Comparisons: It's frequently used with 跟 (gēn) or 和 (hé), which both mean “with” or “and” in this context. The structure is `A 跟/和 B 不同`.
e.g., 我的看法跟你不同。(Wǒ de kànfǎ gēn nǐ bùtóng.) - My viewpoint is different from yours.
English: I don't think there's much difference between these two pieces of clothing.
Analysis: This shows a negative usage. “没什么不同” (méishénme bùtóng) means “not much difference” or “basically the same.”
Example 8:
在不同的场合，你应该穿不同的衣服。
Pinyin: Zài bùtóng de chǎnghé, nǐ yīnggāi chuān bùtóng de yīfu.
English: On different occasions, you should wear different clothes.
Analysis: This sentence uses 不同 twice to effectively mean “appropriate” or “respective.”
Example 9:
他们的价格不同是因为质量不同。
Pinyin: Tāmen de jiàgé bùtóng shì yīnwèi zhìliàng bùtóng.
English: Their prices are different because the quality is different.
Analysis: A great cause-and-effect sentence showing 不同 as a predicate in both clauses.
Example 10:
他今天看起来跟平时很不同。
Pinyin: Tā jīntiān kànqǐlái gēn píngshí hěn bùtóng.
English: He looks very different today compared to usual.
Analysis: Using the `跟…不同` structure to compare a person's state at two different times.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
不同 (bùtóng) vs. 别的 (biéde): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
不同 (bùtóng) means “not the same” and is used for comparison. It implies a set of items where at least one is distinct from another.
别的 (biéde) means “other” or “another.” It is used to refer to something outside of the current item(s) being discussed.
Example: Imagine you are looking at a red shirt.
Correct: 我不喜欢这个红色的，我想看看不同的颜色。 (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège hóngsè de, wǒ xiǎng kànkan bùtóng de yánsè.) - I don't like this red one, I want to see a different color (e.g., blue, green, yellow).
Correct: 我不喜欢这个，请给我看看别的。 (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège, qǐng gěi wǒ kànkan biéde.) - I don't like this one, please show me another one / others.
Incorrect: 我想看看别的颜色。 This sounds a bit unnatural. While understandable, `不同的颜色` (different colors) is more precise. The most common mistake is using `不同` when you just mean “another” item.
Mistake: If a friend asks “What else did you buy?”, you should answer with `别的`, not `不同`. “我还买了一些别的东西” (I also bought some other things), not “我还买了一些不同的东西”. The second sentence implies you are comparing them to something already mentioned.
Related Terms and Concepts
一样 (yīyàng) - Same, alike. The direct antonym of 不同.
相同 (xiāngtóng) - Same, identical. A more formal antonym than `一样`.
区别 (qūbié) - Difference, distinction (noun). While 不同 is an adjective (“is different”), `区别` is the noun (“the difference”). e.g., 这两个有什么区别？(What is the difference between these two?)
差异 (chāyì) - Difference, disparity (noun). A more formal noun than `区别`, often used for abstract concepts like cultural or economic differences.
别的 (biéde) - Other, another. Refers to things not currently under discussion.
另外 (lìngwài) - Another, in addition. Used to add a new, separate item or point.
各种各样 (gè zhǒng gè yàng) - All kinds of, various. An idiom that strongly emphasizes variety, a concept related to 不同.