并不 and 并没有 for “Not Actually”
Put 并 before 不 or 没(有) to say that something is not true, even though people might think it is.
Pattern
subject + 并 + 不/没(有) + verb/adjective
并 strengthens a negative and corrects an idea: “it is actually not so.” It only goes right before 不 or 没(有), and it often follows 其实, 但是 or 可是.
这个问题看起来很难，其实并不难。
When to use 并不 and 并没有 for “Not Actually”
In this use, 并 is a mood adverb that only appears before a negative word: 并不, 并没有, 并没. It tells the listener “contrary to what you think, or what it looks like, this is not true.” So 我不累 just says “I’m not tired,” but 我并不累 answers someone who thinks you are tired. The first clause often states the appearance or the belief, and the second clause starts with 其实, 但是 or 可是 before 并不/并没有.
大家都以为他是老师，其实他并不是。
Everyone thought he was a teacher, but actually he isn’t.
我并没有说过这句话。
I never said that at all.
他说他很忙，但我觉得他并不忙。
He says he’s busy, but I don’t think he really is.
我并不是不想去，只是没有时间。
It’s not that I don’t want to go; I just don’t have time.
Common traps
- 并 must be followed by 不 or 没(有); don’t say 我并累.
- Use 并 to correct an expectation, not for every negative sentence.
- Keep the order 并 + 不: say 并不难, not 不并难.
Targeted drill
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