Difference between revisions of "Expressing experiences with "guo""
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== Basic Pattern == | == Basic Pattern == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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What this expresses is that the verb ''has been'' done at least once before, without specifying a particular time. 过 is used to talk about whether something has ''ever'' happened - whether it ''has been experienced''. | What this expresses is that the verb ''has been'' done at least once before, without specifying a particular time. 过 is used to talk about whether something has ''ever'' happened - whether it ''has been experienced''. | ||
| − | == Examples == | + | === Examples === |
| + | |||
| + | In English, if you're asking a question and really trying to figure out if someone has ''ever'' done something before, we tend to use the words "ever" and "before." In Chinese, 过 alone expresses this, without the need for additional words. | ||
Some examples of how 过 is typically used: | Some examples of how 过 is typically used: | ||
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* 我 去 <em>过</em> 中国。<span class="trans">I have been to China.</span> | * 我 去 <em>过</em> 中国。<span class="trans">I have been to China.</span> | ||
* 我 吃 <em>过</em> 小笼包。<span class="trans">He has eaten steamed dumplings.</span> | * 我 吃 <em>过</em> 小笼包。<span class="trans">He has eaten steamed dumplings.</span> | ||
| − | * 你 见 <em>过</em> 那 个 人 吗？<span class="trans">Have you seen that person?</span> | + | * 你 见 <em>过</em> 那 个 人 吗？<span class="trans">Have you seen that person before?</span> |
| − | * 我 做 <em>过</em> 这样 的 工作。<span class="trans"> | + | * 我 做 <em>过</em> 这样 的 工作。<span class="trans">I have done work like this before.</span> |
| − | * 你 自己 做 <em>过</em> 饭 吗？<span class="trans"> | + | * 你 自己 做 <em>过</em> 饭 吗？<span class="trans">Have you ever cooked for yourself?</span> |
| − | * 你 学 <em>过</em> 中文？<span class="trans"> | + | * 你 学 <em>过</em> 中文？<span class="trans">Have you ever studied Chinese?</span> |
| − | * 我 | + | * 我 看 <em>过</em> 这 个 电影 吗？<span class="trans">Have you seen this movie?</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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== Negating a 过 sentence == | == Negating a 过 sentence == | ||
| − | Because 过 is used to talk about past actions, it should be [[Negation of past actions|negated with 没]]. The structure is: | + | Because 过 is used to talk about past actions, it should be [[Negation of past actions|negated with 没]]. |
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The structure is: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Examples === | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note that when you translate these examples into English, "have ''never''" [done something] is often more natural, indicating that someone ''lacks the '''experience''' of having done something'', rather than just "have not" [done something]. | ||
Some examples: | Some examples: | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 我 <em>没</em> 去 <strong>过</strong> 中国。<span class="trans">I have | + | * 我 <em>没</em> 去 <strong>过</strong> 中国。<span class="trans">I have never been to China.</span> |
* 他 <em>没</em> 听 <strong>过</strong> 这 首 歌。<span class="trans">He has not heard this song.</span> | * 他 <em>没</em> 听 <strong>过</strong> 这 首 歌。<span class="trans">He has not heard this song.</span> | ||
* 你 <em>没</em> 喝 <strong>过</strong> 这 种 啤酒。<span class="trans">You have not tasted this kind of beer.</span> | * 你 <em>没</em> 喝 <strong>过</strong> 这 种 啤酒。<span class="trans">You have not tasted this kind of beer.</span> | ||
| − | * 我 妈妈 没 用 <em>过</em> 电脑。<span class="trans"> | + | * 我 妈妈 没 用 <em>过</em> 电脑。<span class="trans">My mom has never used a computer before.</span> |
| − | * 我 没 谈<em>过</em> 恋爱。<span class="trans"> | + | * 我 没 谈<em>过</em> 恋爱。<span class="trans">I have never been in a relationship.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 10:00, 16 September 2013
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
The aspect particle 过 (guo) is used to indicate that an action has been experienced in the past.
Contents
Basic Pattern
Structure
Subject + Verb + 过 + Object
What this expresses is that the verb has been done at least once before, without specifying a particular time. 过 is used to talk about whether something has ever happened - whether it has been experienced.
Examples
In English, if you're asking a question and really trying to figure out if someone has ever done something before, we tend to use the words "ever" and "before." In Chinese, 过 alone expresses this, without the need for additional words.
Some examples of how 过 is typically used:
- 我 去 过 中国。I have been to China.
- 我 吃 过 小笼包。He has eaten steamed dumplings.
- 你 见 过 那 个 人 吗？Have you seen that person before?
- 我 做 过 这样 的 工作。I have done work like this before.
- 你 自己 做 过 饭 吗？Have you ever cooked for yourself?
- 你 学 过 中文？Have you ever studied Chinese?
- 我 看 过 这 个 电影 吗？Have you seen this movie?
Negating a 过 sentence
Because 过 is used to talk about past actions, it should be negated with 没.
Structure
The structure is:
Subject + 没 + Verb + 过 + Object
Examples
Note that when you translate these examples into English, "have never" [done something] is often more natural, indicating that someone lacks the experience of having done something, rather than just "have not" [done something].
Some examples:
- 我 没 去 过 中国。I have never been to China.
- 他 没 听 过 这 首 歌。He has not heard this song.
- 你 没 喝 过 这 种 啤酒。You have not tasted this kind of beer.
- 我 妈妈 没 用 过 电脑。My mom has never used a computer before.
- 我 没 谈过 恋爱。I have never been in a relationship.
Using 过 with 了
You'll sometimes see 过 used together with 了. This can be a little confusing, as it doesn't seeing to be following the rules laid out above. For more on this special usage of 过, see the article on using 过 with 了.
See Also
Sources and further reading
Books
- A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (pp. 138) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 59-60) →buy
- Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册) (pp. 73-4) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 83- 4) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 345-7) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 49-51) →buy
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 76-7, 230-2) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 175-6) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 188)→buy
Websites
- ChinesePod: Qing Wen - 过(guo) (free podcast content)
