过 expressing experiences of actions in the past (32)

The verb suffix 过 guò can be used in the following two situations.

1. The particle 过 guò is placed after a verb to express an experience of action in the past, such as

他 学 过 中 文 我 去过 中 国

tā xué guò zhōngwén wǒ qùguò zhōngguó

He has studied Chinese. I’ve been to China.

When expressing an experience of action that didn’t occur, the negation 没 méi will be used and the verb will be followed by 过 guò . For example

他 没 学 过 中 文 我 没 去过 中 国

tā méi xué guò zhōngwén wǒ méiqùguòzhōngguó

He has never learned Chinese . I haven’t been to China.

2. The particle 过 guò can also be used to express the completion of a regular activity within a specific time, such as having a meal, sleeping, having lessons or doing homework. This type of affirmative sentence is often ended with the modal partical 了 le to indicate the change of the situation. The following sentences imply some of the regular activities that one does daily. Many native Chinese would use the aspect particle 了 le instead of 过 guò in the following affirmative sentences .

( 今 天 ) 我 吃 过 午饭 了 ( 今 天 ) 我 没 吃 过 午饭

(jīntiān) wǒ chī guo wŭfàn le (jīntiān) wǒ méi chī guo wŭfàn

I’ve had lunch (for today). I haven’t had lunch today.

( 今 天 ) 我 睡 过 觉 了 （今天）我 没 睡 过 觉

(jīntiān) wǒ shuì guo jiào le (jīntiān) wǒ méi shuì guo jiào

I’ve slept today. I haven’t slept today.

( 今 天 ) 我 上 过 课 了 ( 今 天 ) 我 没 上 过 课

(jīntiān) wǒ shàng guo kè le (jīntiān) wǒ méi shàng guo kè

I’ve had today’s classes. I haven’t had today’s classes.

( 今 天 ) 我 作 过 练 习 了 ( 今 天 ) 我 没 作 过 练习

(jīntiān) wǒ zuò guo liànxí le (jīntiān) wǒ méi zuò guo liànxí

I’ve done today’s homework. I haven’t done today’s homework.

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Assignments.

Translate the following sentences into Chinese (过 expressing experiences of actions in the past)

I’ve been very busy and I haven’t eaten today.

Ding Yun hasn’t slept yet.

I’ve been to the Cafe next to the student dormitory.

I’ve been there too.

I haven’t had Chinese tea there. Have you?

Yes, I have.

Have you ever used Gubo’s car?

No, I haven’t.