Negation with 没 (méi) for past actions and the verb 有 (yǒu)
I can negate past actions and express not having something using 没
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我没有钱。
I don't have money.
他昨天没来。
He didn't come yesterday.
我还没吃。
I haven't eaten yet.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
没 (méi) negates past completed actions and the verb 有 (yǒu, to have/exist). Never use 不 with 有.
| Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 没 + 有 | 我没有钱 wǒ méi yǒu qián | I don't have money |
| 没 + past verb | 他没来 tā méi lái | He didn't come |
| 没 + 有 (short) | 我没去 wǒ méi qù | I didn't go |
Key rule: 没有 can be shortened to 没 before verbs. 有 always takes 没, never 不: 没有 (correct) vs *不有 (wrong).
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsed 不 with 有 instead of 没
有 is ALWAYS negated with 没有, never 不有. This is a fixed rule with no exceptions.
Used 没 for present habitual negation instead of 不
For habitual actions use 不: 我不喝酒 (I don't drink alcohol). 没 is for past events.
我没有钱。
I don't have money.
我没有钱 (wǒ méi yǒu qián) — 有 is always negated with 没, never 不. *我不有钱 is always wrong.
他昨天没来。
He didn't come yesterday.
他昨天没来 (tā zuótiān méi lái) — past action negated with 没. Note: no tense change on the verb.
我还没吃。
I haven't eaten yet.
我还没吃 (wǒ hái méi chī) — 还没 (hái méi) = 'still haven't / not yet'. Common pattern for incomplete actions.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises