没 (méi) — not (past negation), have not
HSK 1 | adverb | negates past actions and the verb 有
没 (méi)
The negation word used for past actions and the verb 有 (to have). 没 is short for 没有 (méiyǒu). It signals that something did not happen or does not exist.
Meanings
- [adverb] Did not. Negates completed past actions.
- [adverb] Have not, has not. Negates the verb 有 (to have or exist).
没 vs. 不: the critical distinction
This is the most important grammar point for 没.
- Use 没 to negate past completed actions and the verb 有.
- Use 不 to negate present/future actions, habits, states, and adjectives.
| Correct | Incorrect | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 我没去。(I didn't go.) | 我不去了。(I am not going — future change of plan) | 没 for past |
| 我没有钱。(I don't have money.) | 我不有钱。(ungrammatical) | 没 always before 有 |
| 我昨天没吃早饭。(I didn't eat breakfast yesterday.) | 我昨天不吃早饭。(means "I don't eat breakfast" as habit) | 没 for past events |
Example Sentences
我没去学校。 Wǒ méi qù xuéxiào. I didn't go to school. (past)
他没有钱。 Tā méiyǒu qián. He doesn't have money.
我昨天没吃早饭。 Wǒ zuótiān méi chī zǎofàn. I didn't eat breakfast yesterday.
她没来。 Tā méi lái. She didn't come.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 没有 | don't have / there is no |
| 没去 | didn't go |
| 没来 | didn't come |
| 没吃 | didn't eat |
| 没关系 | it doesn't matter (no relationship/problem) |
Memory Hook
Think of 没 as pointing backwards in time. 没 says "that thing did not happen" or "that thing does not exist." If you are reporting a past event that did not occur or denying possession, reach for 没. For present states and future plans, use 不.