| 不 bù |
| no ; not |
| 不是 bú shì |
| 不行 bù xíng | |
Its original form was 胚. In oracle bone inscriptions, the horizontal plane of this character symbolized the surface, while the tassel-like strokes symbolized the fibrous roots of the seed when it first began to germinate. Later, it was loaned for use in 丕, 不and 否. |