In 15 Seconds
- Used when declining or ignoring an incoming phone call.
- Short for 'not picking up the phone' in daily conversation.
- Can sound blunt, so use with friends or about strangers.
Meaning
This is a direct way to say you are not picking up a phone call or accepting a delivery. It literally means 'not receiving' or 'not connecting.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Ignoring a spam call
又是推销电话，不接。
Another sales call, not answering.
Busy in a meeting
我在开会，先不接了。
I'm in a meeting, won't answer for now.
Joking with a friend about their ex
他还在打？千万不接！
He's still calling? Definitely don't answer!
Cultural Background
In China, the rise of 'harassment calls' (sāo rǎo diàn huà) has made 'bù jiē' a daily survival phrase. It also reflects a shift in social etiquette where younger generations prefer texting over voice calls. Declining a call is seen as a valid way to protect one's 'míng yù' (reputation/peace) from telemarketers.
The 'Le' Factor
Adding `了` (le) at the end like `不接了` makes it sound like a final decision or that you've given up waiting.
Don't be too blunt
If you tell a superior `我不接`, it sounds like a strike! Use `我现在不方便接` (It's not convenient to answer now) instead.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when declining or ignoring an incoming phone call.
- Short for 'not picking up the phone' in daily conversation.
- Can sound blunt, so use with friends or about strangers.
What It Means
不接 is a short, punchy way to say you aren't answering. It usually refers to a phone call or a video chat. Sometimes it refers to a physical delivery or a person. It is simple, clear, and very common in daily life.
How To Use It
You use it when your phone rings and you decide to ignore it. You can say it to a friend nearby. You can also text it to explain why you missed a call. It is a verb-object structure where the 'object' is implied.
我不接means "I'm not answering."他不接means "He isn't picking up."
When To Use It
Use it when an unknown number calls you at dinner. Use it when your ex-boyfriend calls for the fifth time. It works well when you are busy in a meeting. It is perfect for those moments you want to stay in your bubble.
- At a restaurant: "Another spam call?
不接." - With friends: "My boss is calling on Saturday?
不接!"
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this with your grandmother if she's waiting for you. It can sound a bit dismissive if used without a reason. Avoid using it in very formal written reports. In those cases, use 无法接通 (unable to connect). If you are declining a gift, 不接 sounds too harsh; use 不收 instead.
Cultural Background
Chinese phone culture is fast-paced but also full of spam calls. People are very used to 'screening' calls. The word 接 (jiē) means to catch or receive. It implies a bridge being built between two people. By saying 不接, you are choosing not to cross that bridge. It reflects a modern need for digital boundaries in a hyper-connected society.
Common Variations
接不接？(Should I answer?)接一下吧。(Just answer it.)怎么不接？(Why aren't you answering?)接电话！(Answer the phone! - very direct/urgent)
Usage Notes
Mainly used in casual spoken Chinese. In professional settings, use longer phrases to explain why you cannot answer to avoid appearing dismissive.
The 'Le' Factor
Adding `了` (le) at the end like `不接了` makes it sound like a final decision or that you've given up waiting.
Don't be too blunt
If you tell a superior `我不接`, it sounds like a strike! Use `我现在不方便接` (It's not convenient to answer now) instead.
The 'Ring' Culture
In China, letting a phone ring without answering is often more polite than manually rejecting the call, which sends a 'busy' signal.
Examples
6又是推销电话，不接。
Another sales call, not answering.
Commonly used for unknown numbers.
我在开会，先不接了。
I'm in a meeting, won't answer for now.
Adding 'le' makes it sound more natural.
他还在打？千万不接！
He's still calling? Definitely don't answer!
Strong emphasis using 'qiān wàn'.
打了几次他都不接。
I called a few times but he won't answer.
Used to describe someone else's behavior.
这不是我的快递，我不接。
This isn't my package, I'm not accepting it.
Here it means 'not accepting' a physical item.
老板的电话，你接不接？
The boss is calling, are you going to answer?
A common question format.
Test Yourself
Your phone is ringing with an unknown number. Tell your friend you won't answer.
陌生号码，我 ___ 。
`不接` is the specific term for not answering a call.
Ask why someone isn't answering their phone.
你为什么 ___ 电话？
`接电话` is the full phrase for 'answering the phone'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '不接'
Muttering to yourself about a spam call.
不接。
Explaining to a friend why you missed a call.
刚才没接。
Professional setting (usually uses different words).
暂不方便接听。
When to say '不接'
Spam Calls
Unknown numbers
Busy
In a meeting
Social Battery
Don't want to talk
Wrong Delivery
Not my package
Practice Bank
2 exercises陌生号码，我 ___ 。
`不接` is the specific term for not answering a call.
你为什么 ___ 电话？
`接电话` is the full phrase for 'answering the phone'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly yes, but it can also mean 'not receiving' a person (like at an airport) or a physical package. For example, 我不去接他 means 'I'm not going to pick him up'.
It depends on who you say it to. To yourself or friends, it's fine. To a boss, saying 我不接 sounds like you are refusing to do your job.
不接 is a choice (I won't answer), while 没接 is a fact about the past (I didn't answer/missed it). Use 没接 if you just didn't hear the phone.
You would say 电话占线 (diànhuà zhànxiàn). If they just aren't answering, you say 没人接 (méirén jiē).
No, for texts we use 不回 (bù huí), which means 'not replying'. 接 is specifically for 'receiving' a live connection.
Use 现在不方便接电话 (xiànzài bù fāngbiàn jiē diànhuà). It literally means 'it is currently not convenient to answer the phone'.
Yes! Freelancers often say 不接活儿 (bù jiē huór) to mean they aren't taking on any new projects or 'gigs' right now.
That's the positive version: 我去接你 (Wǒ qù jiē nǐ). It's a very kind and common thing to say to friends.
People might say 挂掉 (guà diào), which means 'to hang up' or 'to kill' the call. It's more active than just not answering.
The automated voice usually says 您拨打的电话暂时无人接听 (The number you dialed is temporarily not being answered).
Related Phrases
接电话 (Answer the phone)
没接 (Didn't answer)
回电话 (Call back)
挂了 (Hung up)
不方便 (Not convenient)
