(méi yǒu) - do not have; have not; not (past negation) in Mandarin
méiyǒuTraditional: 沒有
Translation
do not have; have not; not (past negation)
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
(15)Mandarin Advanced Grammar (C1-C2 / HSK 6+): Chengyu, Classical Remnants, and Register
Mandarin Grammar Cheatsheet: The Essentials, One Page
Mandarin Comparatives: 比, 比较, 最, 跟…一样 and How to Say 'More', 'Most', 'Same As'
Mandarin Verb Conjugation: Why It Doesn't Exist and What Replaces It
Mandarin Conjunctions: 虽然…但是, 因为…所以, 如果…就 and the Paired Structures That Join Clauses
How to Say Even Though and Even If in Mandarin: 虽然, 即使, 就算 and 尽管
Formal Mandarin Connectives: 然而, 因此, 于是 and 尽管 (The Written Register)
The Experiential 过 (guò) in Mandarin: Saying You Have Ever Done Something
The Mandarin 连...都/也 Construction: How to Say 'Even', and Why the Word Has to Move
Mandarin Location and Existence: 在 for Where, 有 for There Is, and the 上/下/里/外 Position Words
Mandarin Negation: 不 (bù) vs 没 (méi), and Why 不有 Does Not Exist
Mandarin Possession with 有 (yǒu): To Have
Mandarin Question Formation: 吗, V-Not-V, 还是, and the In-Situ Wh-Word System
Mandarin Resultative Complements: Fusing a Result onto the Verb (看见, 吃完, 找到)
Yes-No Questions in Mandarin: 吗 (ma), Echo Answers, and the Bounce-Back 呢 (ne)
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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.
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