Negation of "yǒu" with "méi"

The verb 有 (yǒu) is negated differently from ordinary verbs. Rather than placing 不 (bù) before it as with other verbs, you must use 没 (méi) to negate the verb 有 (yǒu).

Contents

Structure

Nearly all verbs can be negated with 不 (bù). The verb 有 (yǒu) is an exception, and must be negated with 没 (méi).

没 + 有 (+ Obj.)

Examples

Remember that trying to negate 有 (yǒu) with 不 (bù) is a classic mistake that many people make in the early stages of studying Chinese:
Never use 不 (bù) with 有 (yǒu).

The Short Form of 没有 is 没

没有 (méiyǒu) can be shortened to 没 (méi) without altering its meaning.

See also

  • Negation of past actions with "méiyou"
  • Standard negation with "bù"
  • Inability with "méi banfa"
  • Comparing "bù" and "méi"

    • Sources and further reading

    Books

    Videos