Bu and mei(you)
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.
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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。
