To say that two things are not the same, use the Mandarin Chinese bù yí yàng in this pattern:
Noun1 gēn / hé noun2 bù yí yàng.
Things which do not have the same properties are indicated with bù yí yàng and a Stative Verb (SV). Use this pattern:
Noun1 gēn / hé noun2 bù yí yàng SV.
The Stative Verb (SV) is a verb describing a state or condition which is quite static. Examples of Stative Verbs are tall; expensive; and important.
The Nouns can also be noun-phrases such as such as “those people,” or “the tables in this room.”
Gēn / Hé
Either gēn or hé can be used as the joiner between the two nouns being compared, which in this context are translated as “and”.
Examples of Bù Yí Yàng
These two pieces of clothing are not the same.
Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu bù yī yang.
(trad) 這兩件衣服不一樣｡
(simp) 这两件衣服不一样｡
My father and mother are not the same height.
Wǒ bàba hé wǒ māma bù yī yàng gāo.
(trad) 我爸爸和我媽媽不一樣高｡
(simp) 我爸爸和我妈妈不一样高｡
Doesn’t Mean
A similar expression to bù yí yang is bù děng yú, which translates as “doesn’t mean,” or “not equivalent.”
The pattern for bù děng yú is:
Noun SV bù děng yú SV.
Examples of Bù Děng Yú
Not being able to play the piano doesn’t mean you aren’t talented.
Bù huì dàn gāngqín bù děng yú nǐ méi yǒu cáihuá.
(trad) 不會彈鋼琴不等於你沒有才華｡
(simp) 不会弹钢琴不等於你没有才华｡
Just because he drives a fancy car doesn’t mean he is rich.
Tā kāi míngpái chē bù děng yú tā hěn yǒu qián.
(trad) 他開名牌車不等於他很有錢｡
(simp) 他开名牌车不等於他很有钱｡
