Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Це не той автобус.

Це is an invariable demonstrative pronoun used in identification sentences meaning “this/it is.” It does not agree in gender or number with the noun that follows. You would use цей only when directly modifying the noun (e.g., цей автобус = this bus), but in the pattern це (не) + noun, це stays the same.

Why is автобус in the nominative case here?

Because this is an identification (copular) sentence: це (не) + [noun] takes the nominative (predicate nominative). There’s no direct object, so you don’t use the accusative.

What does той express here? Could I use цей instead?

Той points to “that (specific/expected) one,” often something previously mentioned or intended. In this sentence, не той means “not the one we want/expect.” Using цей would shift the meaning to “this bus” (the one near me), which doesn’t convey “the wrong one.”

Does не той literally mean “not that,” or is it an idiom for “the wrong (one)”?

Both. Literally it’s “not that,” but in practice не той is the natural way to say “the wrong (one).” For example: не той квиток = the wrong ticket.

Can I say Це не автобус? How is that different from Це не той автобус?

Yes. Це не автобус = “This is not a bus (at all).” Це не той автобус = “It is a bus, but it’s not the one we need/mean.”

Where is the verb “to be”? Can I add є?

In the present tense Ukrainian normally omits the copula. Це не той автобус is standard. Це є не той автобус sounds unnatural. For past/future, the verb appears: Це був/була/було/були не той автобус, Це буде не той автобус.

Is the word order fixed? Can I say Не той це автобус or add a dash?

The neutral word order is Це не той автобус. Variants are possible for emphasis:

Це — не той автобус. (dash adds emphasis/contrast)
Цей автобус — не той. (focuses on contrasting this bus with the one intended)
Не той це автобус. (marked/poetic, strong emphasis on “not the right one”)

How do demonstratives agree with nouns? What are the basic forms of той?

In the nominative:

Masculine: той автобус
Feminine: та машина
Neuter: те місце
Plural: ті автобуси In other cases, той changes (e.g., genitive того, dative тому, etc.), but the idea is the demonstrative must agree with the noun’s gender and number.

How would I ask “Is this the right bus?” in Ukrainian?

Це той автобус? For a neutral yes/no question you can add чи: Чи це той автобус? A skeptical “Isn’t this the right bus?” is Хіба це не той автобус?

How can I specify which bus (e.g., destination or number)?

Use a relative clause or a number:

Destination: Це не той автобус, який/що їде до центру.
Number: Це не 24-й автобус. or Це не автобус № 24. Both are natural ways to narrow down which bus you mean.

Can I drop the noun and just say Це не той?

Yes, if the context makes the noun clear. You can also say Це не та/те/ті to match feminine/neuter/plural referents.

What’s the difference between не той автобус and не такий автобус?

Не той автобус = not the intended/expected one among known options (the wrong bus).
Не такий автобус = a bus of the wrong kind/type/quality (not the kind you had in mind).

Is there any difference between це and то at the start of such sentences?

You’ll most commonly hear це in standard speech: Це не той автобус. То can also appear deictically/contrastively: То не той автобус. It tends to sound a bit more pointed or context-bound, while це is the neutral default.

Any pronunciation tips?

Say it like: “Tse ne toy avtóbus.” Stress is on the second syllable of автобус: ав-то́-бус. Й in той is a brief “y” glide (as in “boy”).

Can I add a particle for emphasis, like ж?

Yes: Це ж не той автобус! adds a “come on/you know” flavor, expressing mild protest or emphasis.

Is any special punctuation needed?

No. Це не той автобус. is standard. A dash is optional for emphasis: Це — не той автобус.