HSK 1

否定副词:别、不、没、没有

fǒu dìng fù cí : bié 、 bù 、 méi 、 méi yǒu

Negative adverbs: 别, 不, 没, 没有

Explanation

Negative adverbs are words placed before a verb/adjective to say 'not, don't, not yet'. HSK1 has four: 别 (bié), 不 (bù), 没 (méi), 没有 (méiyǒu).

Structure

别 (bié) + verb → used in prohibitive imperative sentences (别进来 - don't come in). 不 (bù) + verb/adjective → negates present, future, habits, or intentions (今天不热 - it isn't hot today). 没(有) (méi yǒu) + verb → negates an action that has happened/is happening in the past, or 'not yet' (没吃 - haven't eaten / didn't eat).

When to use

for will, habits, the future, or qualities → 不; to negate something that has happened or is 'not yet completed' → 没(有). 别 is only used to advise/command someone not to do something.

Distinguish

不 and 没. 我不吃 = I don't eat (don't want to / no habit of it), 我没吃 = I haven't eaten (the eating hasn't happened).

Common mistakes

using 不 for the past - you must say 他昨天没上课, do NOT say 他昨天不上课. After 没 never add 了 (le).

Examples

你别进来。
biéjìnlái

Don't come in.

今天不热。
jīntiān

It isn't hot today.

他昨天没上课。
zuótiānméishàng

He didn't go to class (didn't attend class) yesterday.

我今天没有吃早饭。
jīntiānméiyǒuchīzǎofàn

I haven't eaten breakfast today.

Practice

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Learn “否定副词:别、不、没、没有” effectively

The grammar point “否定副词:别、不、没、没有” (Negative adverbs: 别, 不, 没, 没有) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

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