Difference between revisions of "Bu and mei(you)"
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| − | Although 不 (bù) and 没(有) (méi(yǒu)) both have the same | + | Although 不 (bù) and 没(有) (méi(yǒu)) both have the same functions of negating verbs and adjectives, they are used differently. Let's take a look at some of these differences. |
==有 is negated with 没== | ==有 is negated with 没== | ||
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==Past and present statements== | ==Past and present statements== | ||
| − | Perhaps the most | + | Perhaps the most important difference between 不 and 没(有) is that 不 negates actions and statements about the present whereas 没 negates actions and statements about the past. Note that 没(有) is used to say that something ''has not taken place'', whereas 不 is used to say that something ''is not'' the case, or ''will not happen''. |
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For example: | For example: | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 我 <em>不</em> | + | * 我 <em>不</em> 去。 <span class="expl">I won't go; I'm not going)</span> |
| − | * | + | * 我 <em>没</em> 去。 <span class="expl">I didn't go)</span> |
| − | * 我 <em>没</em> 告诉 他！ <span class="expl"> | + | * 我 <em>没</em> 告诉 他！ <span class="expl">I didn't tell him)</span> |
| − | * 我 <em>不</em> 告诉 | + | * 我 <em>不</em> 告诉 你！ <span class="expl">I won't tell you; I'm not telling you)</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | ==A few exceptions== | |
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| − | == | ||
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| − | + | The verb 是 is never negated with 没; it can only be negated with 不. | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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| + | <ul> | ||
| + | <li class="o"><em>不</em> 是</li> | ||
| + | <li class="x"><strong>没</strong> 是</li> | ||
| + | <li class="o">昨天 <em>不</em> 是 星期一。</li> | ||
| + | <li class="x">昨天 <strong>没</strong> 是 星期一。</li> | ||
| + | <li class="o">那个 时候，我们 <em>不</em> 是 朋友。</li> | ||
| + | <li class="x">那个 时候，我们 <strong>没</strong> 是 朋友。</li> | ||
| + | </ul> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
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== Sources and further reading == | == Sources and further reading == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:33, 17 February 2016
Although 不 (bù) and 没(有) (méi(yǒu)) both have the same functions of negating verbs and adjectives, they are used differently. Let's take a look at some of these differences.
Contents
有 is negated with 没
没 (rather than 不) is always used to negate 有, the verb meaning "to have." The phrase "不有" exists only in non-standard Chinese dialects, in obscure set phrases (that you don't need), and in incorrect Chinese. Keep in mind also that when 没 is used to negate 有, 有 can be dropped altogether.
- 没有
- 不 有
- 我 没有 钱。
- 我 没 钱。
- 我 不 有 钱。
- 她 没有 朋友。
- 她 没 朋友。
- 她 不 有 朋友。
Past and present statements
Perhaps the most important difference between 不 and 没(有) is that 不 negates actions and statements about the present whereas 没 negates actions and statements about the past. Note that 没(有) is used to say that something has not taken place, whereas 不 is used to say that something is not the case, or will not happen.
For example:
- 我 不 去。 I won't go; I'm not going)
- 我 没 去。 I didn't go)
- 我 没 告诉 他！ I didn't tell him)
- 我 不 告诉 你！ I won't tell you; I'm not telling you)
A few exceptions
The verb 是 is never negated with 没; it can only be negated with 不.
- 不 是
- 没 是
- 昨天 不 是 星期一。
- 昨天 没 是 星期一。
- 那个 时候，我们 不 是 朋友。
- 那个 时候，我们 没 是 朋友。
