没有(méi yǒu)
Don't Have / Didn't
Structure Pattern
Explanation
没有 (méi yǒu) serves two purposes: (1) to negate 有, meaning "don't have," and (2) to negate past actions, meaning "didn't." When negating past actions, the 有 can often be dropped, leaving just 没 (méi) before the verb.
Example Sentences
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Wǒ méi yǒu qián.
I don't have money.
Tā méi qù guo Zhōngguó.
He hasn't been to China.
Wǒ zuótiān méi chī zǎofàn.
I didn't eat breakfast yesterday.
Tā méi yǒu nán péngyǒu.
She doesn't have a boyfriend.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我昨天不去学校。
Correct Usage
我昨天没去学校。
外国人常错误地用“不”来否定过去的动作。然而，“不”用于否定现在或将来的动作、习惯或意愿，而“没(有)”则专门用于否定已经发生的过去动作。
Related Grammar Points
Negation (Not)
bù
不 (bù) is the standard negation word in Chinese, equivalent to "not" or "don't" in English. Place it directly before the verb or adjective you want to negate. Note: 不 changes to a rising tone (bú) when followed by a fourth-tone word. For past tense negation, use 没 (méi) instead of 不.
To Have / There Is
yǒu
有 (yǒu) means "to have" or "there is/are." It's negated with 没 (méi), never with 不 (bù). This is one of the few rules in Chinese with no exceptions — 有 always uses 没 for negation.
Master 没有
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