Difference between revisions of "Expressing experiences with "guo""
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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''.
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What this expresses is that the verb ''has been'' done at least once before, without specifying a particular time. 过 (guo) is used to talk about whether something has ''ever'' happened - whether it ''has been experienced''.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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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.
 
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.
  
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Some examples of how 过 is typically used:
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Some examples of how 过 (guo) is typically used:
  
 
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== Negating a 过 sentence ==
 
== Negating a 过 sentence ==
  
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Because 过 is used to talk about past actions, it should be [[Negation of past actions|negated with 没]].  
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Because 过 (guo) is used to talk about past actions, it should be [[Negation of past actions|negated with 没]] (méi).  
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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== Using 过 with 了 ==
 
== Using 过 with 了 ==
  
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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 "guo" with "le"|using 过 with 了]].
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You'll sometimes see 过 (guo) used together with 了 (le).  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 (guo), see the article on [[Using "guo" with "le"|using 过 with 了]].
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 06:58, 15 October 2014

The aspect particle 过 (guo) is used to indicate that an action has been experienced in the past.

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 (guo) 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 (guo) is typically used:

  • 我 去 过 中国。I have been to China.
  • 他 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?
  • 你 看 过 这 个 电影 吗？Have you seen this movie?
  • 我 学 过 这 个 词。I have studied this word.
  • 我 用 过 电脑，我 会 用。I have used a computer before, I can use it.
  • 我 买 过 这里 的 巧克力，不 好吃。I have bought the chocolate here, it's not good.

Negating a 过 sentence

Because 过 (guo) is used to talk about past actions, it should be negated with 没 (méi).

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 他 的 歌。He has not heard his 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.
  • 他 没 吃 过 小笼包。He has not eaten steamed dumplings.
  • 你 没 学 过 中文？Have you not ever studied Chinese?
  • 你 没 看 过 电影 吗？Have you seen movie?
  • 我 没 学 过 这 个 词。I haven't studied this word.
  • 你 没 见 过 那 个 人 吗？Haven't you seen that person?
  • 我 没 做 过 这样 的 工作。I have never done this kind of work.

Using 过 with 了

You'll sometimes see 过 (guo) used together with 了 (le). 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 (guo), see the article on using 过 with 了.

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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