Grammar · Chapter 6
不 and 没: two ways to say “not”
不 + verb · 没 + verb · 没有
不 is “not” for habits, refusals and the future: 我不吃肉. 没 is “not” for what didn't happen: 我没吃饭, and then 了 drops out (我吃了 → 我没吃). “Have” is only ever negated with 没有.
Examples
- 我不吃肉。 Wǒ bù chī ròu. I don't eat meat.
- 我没吃饭。 Wǒ méi chīfàn. I haven't eaten.
- 他没有哥哥。 Tā méiyǒu gēge. He has no older brother.