(méi yǒu) - do not have; have not; not (past negation) in Mandarin
méiyǒuTraditional: 沒有
Translation
do not have; have not; not (past negation)
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Word origin
没有 (méiyǒu) 'not have; have not' joins the negative 没 'not, lack' with 有 'to have', giving the standard negation of possession and of past action. 有 shows a hand (又) holding a piece of meat (月/肉).
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 没 (not) + 有 (to have)
Stroke order
没
有
Examples
。
I do not have any money.
？，。
Have you been there? No, I have not been.
。
He did not come to work today.
。
He doesn't have any siblings.
。
We have no other choice.
没有 (méi yǒu) serves two essential negative functions in Mandarin. First, it negates possession: 我没有车 (I do not have a car), the negative counterpart of 有 (to have). Second, it negates past action, where 不 cannot be used: 我没有去 (I did not go), not 我不去 which means "I am not going" (future/habitual).
The 没/不 distinction is one of the most important grammar points for learners: 不 negates present/future/habitual actions and states, while 没 (short for 没有) negates completed or past actions. In speech 没有 is often shortened to just 没 (méi), particularly in rapid conversation.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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Grammar articles
(22)Advanced Mandarin Grammar (C1-C2, HSK 6): What Changes
Mandarin Grammar Cheatsheet: The Essentials, One Page
Mandarin 除了...以外: Except, or Besides?
Mandarin Comparatives: 比, 最 and 跟…一样 With Examples
Mandarin Verb Conjugation: Why There Isn't Any
Mandarin Conjunctions: 虽然…但是, 因为…所以 and More
Mandarin Demonstratives: 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà) With Examples
对 (duì) in Mandarin: 对…来说, To Someone, and 对…感兴趣
Even Though and Even If in Mandarin: 虽然, 即使, 就算
Chinese Filler Words: 嗯, 那个, 然后, 就是, 其实
Formal Mandarin Connectives: 然而, 因此, 于是 and 尽管
Mandarin 过 (guo): Saying You Have Ever Done Something
How to Use 了 (le) in Mandarin: Completion vs Change
Even in Mandarin: The 连...都/也 Construction
Mandarin 在 vs 有: Location, Existence and 上/下/里
Mandarin Tone Pairs: How to Hear the Tones in Real Words
Mandarin Negation: 不 (bù) vs 没 (méi) and Why 不有 Is Wrong
Mandarin Possession with 有 (yǒu): To Have
Mandarin Question Words: 什么, 谁, 哪儿 and the Full List
Mandarin Resultative Complements: 看见, 吃完, 找到
Mandarin Yes-No Questions: 吗 (ma), Echo Answers and 呢 (ne)
一点儿也不 (yìdiǎnr yě bù): Not at All in Mandarin
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Mandarin · Free printables
没有: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "没有" (do not have; have not; not (past negation)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 4: 没有, 会, 来 and 7 more words.