Expressing experiences with "guo"

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

Basic Pattern

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

Some examples of how 过 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 看 过 那 个 人 吗？Have you seen that person?

Negating a 过 sentence

Because 过 is used to talk about past actions, it should be negated with 没. The structure is:

Subject + 没 + Verb + 过 + Object

Some examples:

• 我 没 去 过 中国。I have not been to China.
• 他 没 听 过 这 首 歌。He has not heard this song.
• 你 没 尝 过 这 种 啤酒。You have not tasted this kind of beer.

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.

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)