How to use "没" (méi) In Chinese?

The word "没" (méi) in Chinese is used to indicate negation, especially for past actions or states of being. It is also used with the verb "有" (yǒu) to mean "do not have" or "there is not." Here's how to use "没" in different contexts:

1. Negating Past Actions

"没" is used to negate actions that have not occurred or were not completed in the past.

Structure:

- Subject + 没 + Verb + Object

Examples:

1. 他没来。(Tā méi lái.) — He didn't come.

2. 我昨天没看电影。(Wǒ zuótiān méi kàn diànyǐng.) — I didn't watch a movie yesterday.

3. 她没吃早饭。(Tā méi chī zǎofàn.) — She didn't eat breakfast.

2. Negating the Verb 有 (yǒu)

When used with "有" (yǒu), "没" means "do not have" or "there is not."

Structure:

- Subject + 没 + 有 + Object

Examples:

1. 我没钱。(Wǒ méi qián.) — I don't have money.

2. 他没时间。(Tā méi shíjiān.) — He doesn't have time.

3. 桌子上没有书。(Zhuōzi shàng méiyǒu shū.) — There are no books on the table.

3. 没 vs. 不

While "没" is used to negate past actions or states, "不" (bù) is used to negate present or future actions, habitual actions, or states of being.

Examples:

- 没:

- 他没去学校。(Tā méi qù xuéxiào.) — He didn't go to school.

- 不:

- 他不去学校。(Tā bù qù xuéxiào.) — He is not going to school (now or in the future).

4. 没 with Aspect Particle 了 (le)

"没" can also be used with "了" (le) to indicate that an expected action did not occur or a state did not come to be.

Structure:

- Subject + 没 + Verb + 了

Examples:

1. 他没来了。(Tā méi lái le.) — He didn’t come (as expected).

2. 我没吃了。(Wǒ méi chī le.) — I didn’t eat (as expected).

5. 没有 with Comparisons

"没有" (méiyǒu) is often used in comparisons to mean "not as...as."

Structure:

- Subject + 没有 + Noun/Pronoun + Adjective

Examples:

1. 我的房间没有你的大。(Wǒ de fángjiān méiyǒu nǐ de dà.) — My room is not as big as yours.

2. 他没有我高。(Tā méiyǒu wǒ gāo.) — He is not as tall as I am.

Summary

- Negating past actions: 他没来。(Tā méi lái.) — He didn’t come.

- Negating "have": 我没钱。(Wǒ méi qián.) — I don't have money.

- 没 vs. 不: 他没去。(Tā méi qù.) — He didn’t go. / 他不去。(Tā bù qù.) — He is not going.

- 没 with 了: 他没来了。(Tā méi lái le.) — He didn’t come (as expected).

- Comparisons with 没有: 他没有我高。(Tā méiyǒu wǒ gāo.) — He is not as tall as I am.

Would you like more examples or further explanation on using "没" in Chinese?