不 vs 没(bù vs méi)
Not vs Didn't / Don't Have
Structure Pattern
Video Lesson
Explanation
Both 不 (bù) and 没 (méi) mean "not," but they are used in different contexts. This is a crucial distinction for beginners.
1. 不 (bù) - Present, Future, and Habits
- Used to negate actions in the present or future: 我明天不去 (I won't go tomorrow).
- Used for habitual actions or general truths: 我不吃肉 (I don't eat meat [ever]).
- Used to negate states or adjectives: 我不累 (I am not tired).
- Exception: 是 (to be) is ALWAYS negated with 不 (不是).
2. 没 (méi) - Past Actions and "Have"
- Used to negate actions that did NOT happen in the past: 我昨天没去 (I didn't go yesterday).
- Used to negate 有 (to have): 我没有钱 (I don't have money).
- Exception: 有 is ALWAYS negated with 没, never with 不.
Example Sentences
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Tā míngtiān bù lái.
He is not coming tomorrow.
Tā zuótiān méi lái.
He didn't come yesterday.
Wǒ bù hē kāfēi.
I don't drink coffee. (Habit)
Wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang méi hē kāfēi.
I didn't drink coffee this morning.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我昨天不去学校。
Correct Usage
我昨天没去学校。
Use 没 to negate past actions, not 不.
Common Mistake
我不有钱。
Correct Usage
我没有钱。
有 is always negated with 没.
Related Grammar Points
Negation (Not)
bù
不 (bù) is the standard negation word in Chinese, equivalent to "not" or "don't" in English. Place it directly before the verb or adjective you want to negate. Note: 不 changes to a rising tone (bú) when followed by a fourth-tone word. For past tense negation, use 没 (méi) instead of 不.
Don't Have / Didn't
méi yǒu
没有 (méi yǒu) serves two purposes: (1) to negate 有, meaning "don't have," and (2) to negate past actions, meaning "didn't." When negating past actions, the 有 can often be dropped, leaving just 没 (méi) before the verb.
Master 不 vs 没
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