Negation of Past Actions with “Meiyou”

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Level: A1 / HSK1
Similar to:

• Negation of “you” with “mei” (A1)
• Standard negation with “bu” (A1)
• Comparing “bu” and “mei” (A2)
  
  Used for: Denying and refusing, Referring to the past
  
  Keywords: 没有, 没

In Chinese, the word 没有 (méiyǒu) is used to negate past actions. This is different from 不 (bù), which is used for negating habitual or present actions. Here’s a simple guide on how to use 没有 (méiyǒu) to say that something did not happen in the past.

Structure

The structure for negating past actions with 没有 (méiyǒu) is straightforward:

Structure:

Copy codeSubj. + 没有 / 没 + Verb

Note: 没有 (méiyǒu) can be shortened to just 没 (méi).

Structure in Hindi:

Copy codeविषय + 没有 / 没 + क्रिया

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the usage:

1. 我没有去上班。
   
   • Pinyin: Wǒ méiyǒu qù shàngbān.
   • Hindi Pronunciation: वो मेईयो छू शांगबान।
   • English Meaning: I didn’t go to work.
   • Hindi Meaning: मैंने काम पर नहीं गया।
2. 他们没有说话。
   
   • Pinyin: Tāmen méiyǒu shuōhuà.
   • Hindi Pronunciation: तामेन मेईयो शुओहुआ।
   • English Meaning: They didn’t speak.
   • Hindi Meaning: उन्होंने बात नहीं की।
3. 我没有喝你的啤酒。
   
   • Pinyin: Wǒ méiyǒu hē nǐ de píjiǔ.
   • Hindi Pronunciation: वो मेईयो ह दे पिजिओ।
   • English Meaning: I didn’t drink your beer.
   • Hindi Meaning: मैंने तुम्हारी बियर नहीं पी।
4. 她没有看到你。
   
   • Pinyin: Tā méiyǒu kàndào nǐ.
   • Hindi Pronunciation: ता मेईयो कानदाओ नी।
   • English Meaning: She didn’t see you.
   • Hindi Meaning: उसने तुम्हें नहीं देखा।
5. 宝宝没哭。
   
   • Pinyin: Bǎobao méi kū.
   • Hindi Pronunciation: बाओबाओ मेइ कु।
   • English Meaning: The baby didn’t cry.
   • Hindi Meaning: बच्चा नहीं रोया।
6. 你昨天没回家吗？
   
   • Pinyin: Nǐ zuótiān méi huíjiā ma?
   • Hindi Pronunciation: नी जुओथियन मेई हुजिआ मा?
   • English Meaning: You didn’t go back home yesterday?
   • Hindi Meaning: तुम कल घर नहीं गए?

Go Easy on the 了 (le)

One common mistake for beginners is to use 了 (le) with 没有 (méiyǒu). Remember, 了 (le) marks completed actions, while 没有 (méiyǒu) is used for actions that didn’t happen (so they are not completed). These two don’t go together.

Incorrect:

有做了。
Wǒ méiyǒu zuò le.

Correct:

Copy code我没有做。
Wǒ méiyǒu zuò.

In Hindi:

मैंने नहीं किया।

Exception

One important thing to note is that 没有 (méiyǒu) cannot be used with actions that are inherently present or future. In such cases, use 不 (bù) for negation.