---
title: "Yaobushi Meaning: 要不是 (yàobushì) Means “if it weren’t for”"
description: "要不是 (yàobushì) means “if it weren’t for; if not for”. Hear its tones."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/yaobushi"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 要不是 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

要不是 yàobushì

## if it weren’t for; if not for

## It can also mean

- if it were not for; but for

## In a sentence

[See 要不是 in use](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E8%A6%81%E4%B8%8D%E6%98%AF)

## More words with 要 or 不 or 是

- [必不可少 bìbùkěshǎo](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bibukeshao)
- [必要 bìyào](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/biyao)
- [不安 bù’ān](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/buan)
- [不必 bùbì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bubi)
- [不便 bùbiàn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bubian)
- [不曾 bùcéng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/buceng)
- [不成 bùchéng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bucheng)
- [不错 bùcuò](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bucuo)
- [不但 bùdàn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/budan)
- [不当 bùdàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/budang)

## Keep 要不是 for Review

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