HSK 2.0 Level 1+
HSK 3.0 Level 1+
6 mnt baca
4 kata fokus
不 vs 没有
Choose the right beginner negation for habits, plans, possession, and completed actions.
Pattern
不 + general negation; 没有 + possession or past non-event
Use 没有 for “do not have” and things that did not happen.
我没有钱。
When to use 不 vs 没有
不 negates what is generally not true, not wanted, or not going to happen. 没有 negates 有 and says an event did not happen or has not happened.
她今天不忙。
She is not busy today.
他昨天没来。
He did not come yesterday.
我不想喝咖啡。
I do not want to drink coffee.
这里没有人。
There is nobody here.
Common traps
- Say 没有钱, not 不有钱.
- Use 不想 for “do not want,” but 没去 for “did not go.”
- Do not put 了 after 没 for a completed event.
Targeted drill
Practice this exact pattern before moving on.
Nice grammar rep
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