Expressing experiences with "guo"

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

• Expressing completion with "le"
• Aspect particle "zhe"

Sources and further reading

Books

• A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (p. 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)