Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
没有 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
没有méiyǒuhaven'tHSK 1, v, 13 strokes, rank #48, Easy
没有méiyǒuhasn'tHSK 1, v, 13 strokes, rank #48, Easy
没有méiyǒudoesn't existHSK 1, v, 13 strokes, rank #48, Easy
没有méiyǒuto not haveHSK 1, v, 13 strokes, rank #48, Easy
没有méiyǒuto not beHSK 1, v, 13 strokes, rank #48, Easy
méiyǒu(mei2you3)mei you T2
  1. 1haven't
  2. 2hasn't
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

没有(沒有)méiyǒu(mei2you3)

The word '没有' (méiyǒu) means 'to not have' or 'does not exist.' It is commonly used to indicate the absence of something, whether it be objects, events, or experiences. This phrase is crucial for expressing negation in Mandarin and is often used in everyday conversations.

Strokes13Frequency#48DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of absence is often expressed directly, and '没有' can be used in various social situations, such as apologizing for not having something available. For example, in a restaurant setting, a waiter might say '没有' when a dish is out of stock.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person searching for their favorite ice cream flavor, but when they open the freezer, they find it '没有' (méiyǒu). The character '没' (méi) resembles a person with arms raised in disappointment, while '有' (yǒu) depicts a hand holding something. Together, they create a vivid image of searching but finding nothing.

Meanings of 没有

méiyǒu(mei2you3)
1haven't
2hasn't
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 没有 means.

About 没有

没有Simplified
沒有Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#48Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 没有

JasonAmy

Podcast: 没有

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 没有

Usage Notes

'没有' is often used in informal contexts but can be used in formal speech as well. A common mistake is to confuse it with '有' (yǒu), which means 'to have,' so be careful to use the correct negation. Additionally, remember that '没有' is often used with the past tense, for example, '我没有吃' (wǒ méiyǒu chī) means 'I did not eat.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, '没有' is foundational for beginners. It connects with other HSK 1 vocabulary by allowing learners to form negative sentences. Focus on practicing its use in different contexts, such as personal experiences or possessions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use '没有' when negating past actions, leading to sentences like '我吃' (wǒ chī) instead of the correct '我没有吃' (wǒ méiyǒu chī). Additionally, some might confuse it with '不' (bù), which is used for negating verbs in the present tense.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 没有

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 没有 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 没有 to You

Let me explain 没有 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 没有 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 没有?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 没有 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

没méidrowned
HSK 17 strokes氵
View full entry
有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
View full entry

How to say haven't in Chinese

“haven't” in Chinese is没有méiyǒu

The word '没有' (méiyǒu) means 'to not have' or 'does not exist.' It is commonly used to indicate the absence of something, whether it be objects, events, or experiences. This phrase is crucial for expressing negation in Mandarin and is often used in everyday conversations.

When to use 没有

'没有' is often used in informal contexts but can be used in formal speech as well. A common mistake is to confuse it with '有' (yǒu), which means 'to have,' so be careful to use the correct negation. Additionally, remember that '没有' is often used with the past tense, for example, '我没有吃' (wǒ méiyǒu chī) means 'I did not eat.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often forget to use '没有' when negating past actions, leading to sentences like '我吃' (wǒ chī) instead of the correct '我没有吃' (wǒ méiyǒu chī). Additionally, some might confuse it with '不' (bù), which is used for negating verbs in the present tense.

Write 没有

没
有

Practice writing 没有 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 没有

没有 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他回家了____?

Has he gone home?

Example Sentences for 没有 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
罗伯托没有细想就从他那儿借了2,000美元。

luó bó tuō méi yǒu xì xiǎng jiù cóng tā nà ér jiè le2,000 2,000 měi。

Roberto didn'tgive a second thought to borrowing $2,000 from him.
2
怡园2008赤霞珠, 售价10美元: 口味单薄且没有葡萄品种的特性.

yí yuán2008 2008 chì xiá, zhū ,10 shòu jià: 10 měi yuán : kǒu wèi dān báo qiě méi yǒu pú táo pǐn.

Grace 2008 Cabernet, $ 10: Thin, with no varietal character.
3
我还没有吃早饭。

Wǒ hái méiyǒu chī zǎofàn.

I haven't had breakfast yet.
4
他没有做作业。

Tā méiyǒu zuò zuòyè.

He hasn't done his homework.
5
她没有去过中国。

Tā méiyǒu qù guò Zhōngguó.

She hasn't been to China.
6
我们没有看那个电影。

Wǒmen méiyǒu kàn nàgè diànyǐng.

We haven't watched that movie.
7
我还没有见过他的新房子。

Wǒ hái méiyǒu jiàn guò tā de xīn fángzi.

I haven't seen his new house yet.
8
他们没有准备好晚餐。

Tāmen méiyǒu zhǔnbèi hǎo wǎncān.

They haven't prepared dinner.
9
他没有找到他的钥匙。

Tā méiyǒu zhǎodào tā de yàoshi.

He hasn't found his keys.
10
我没有收到你的邮件。

Wǒ méiyǒu shōudào nǐ de yóujiàn.

I haven't received your email.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 没有?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 没有

'没有' is used before a verb to indicate negation, like '我没有钱' (wǒ méiyǒu qián) meaning 'I don't have money.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 没有?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab