Negation in Chinese #

There are several ways to express negation in Mandarin Chinese depending on the context. Two ways are syntactic while the other are morphological.

Syntactical negation #

1) 不 (bù) #

This is the most common way to express general negation. It’s typically used before a verb or an adjective. For example, “我们 不 喝 酒。” (Wǒmen bù hējiǔ) means “We don’t drink alcohol.”.

Negation of a verb :

Negation of an adjective :

Negation of the copula 是 :

Negation of an auxiliary :

2) 没 (méi) #

This is often used to negate past actions or to express the absence of something. For example, “我没去” (Wǒ méi qù) means “I didn’t go.” Note that 没 is also used in the negative form of the verb 有 (to have), as in “我没有书” (Wǒ méiyǒu shū) meaning “I don’t have a book.”

Negation of the existence VERB 有 (yǒu - to have) :

Negation of the perfective AUX 有 (yǒu - perfective) :

When negating the perfective 有, this last one can be ommitted and the 没 will directly direct the verb :

Morphological negation #

1. 非 (fēi): This prefix negates nouns, making them the opposite of what they originally mean, similar to the English “un-” or “non-”. For example, “非法” (fēifǎ) means “illegal.”

2. 未 (wèi): This prefix is often used in formal or literary contexts to mean “not yet.” For example, “未完成” (wèi wánchéng) means “not yet completed.”

3. 否 (fǒu): This is more formal and often used in written language, it means “no” or “not”. For example, “否定” (fǒudìng) means “to deny.”

4. 勿 (wù): This is a classical or literary way to express a negative imperative, similar to “别” (bié). For example, “勿忘我” (Wù wàng wǒ) means “Don’t forget me.”

5. 无 (wú): This is a more formal or literary way to express the absence of something, similar to “没有” (méiyǒu). For example, “无聊” (Wúliáo) means “boring” or literally “without chat.”

6. 禁 (jìn): Often used in the sense of “prohibit” or “ban,” implying a strong negation. For example, “禁烟” (Jìn yān) means “No Smoking.”

7. 决 (jué): This is used to express a strong negative determination, such as “决不” (jué bù) means “never.”

8. 免 (miǎn): This means to exempt or to avoid, and it is often used to politely turn down something. For example, “免谢” (Miǎn xiè) means “No need to thank.”