Chinese grammar / 9 topics
Negation in Chinese grammar
Learn Chinese negation through sentence patterns, rewritten explanations, pinyin and English examples. Browse 9 grammar topics.
没有 méiyǒu
Say “do not have” with 没有
Use 没有 for things you do not have, from a charger to free time.
不 bù
Make a negative statement with 不
Say what you do not like, what you do not do, or which description does not fit. Put 不 before the word it negates.
没有 méiyǒu
Negating Actions with 没有 and 没 in Chinese
Use 没有 or 没 to say an action did not happen, and understand why Chinese action negation is about occurrence rather than tense alone.
不要 bùyào
Negative Commands with 不要 (Bùyào) in Chinese
Use 不要 before a verb to tell someone not to act, soften the request when appropriate, and distinguish a command from an ordinary negative.
别 bié
Saying Don't in Chinese with 别 (Bié)
Form negative requests and instructions with 别 before the verb, and understand how context shapes the strength of the command.
又 yòu
Emphasizing Negatives with 又不 and 又没
Use 又 before 不 or 没 to push back against an assumption, explain a denial, or question why a response is necessary in Chinese.
不是不 bù shì bù
Double Negatives in Chinese: 不是不 and 不可能不
Interpret Chinese double negatives by scope, including rejecting a negative claim, unavoidable actions, and statements about everyone.
并不；并没有 bìng bù; bìng méiyǒu
并不 and 并没有 (Bìng): Emphasize a Chinese Negation
Use 并不 and 并没有 to reject an assumption or emphasize that something is not true, without changing the basic negation.
害得 hàide
害得 (Hàide): Describe an Unwanted Consequence
Learn how 害得 links a cause to trouble, worry, or another unwelcome result, often with a complaining tone.