To say "no" or show that something isn’t the case in Mandarin, we mainly use two words: 不 (bù) and 没 (méi). Here are some key points you should know:
-
Using 不 (bù):
- Use this word when talking about regular actions or things that will happen in the future.
- For example, 我不吃 (Wǒ bù chī) means "I do not eat."
-
Using 没 (méi):
- This word is for things that happened in the past or to say something doesn't exist.
- For instance, 我没吃 (Wǒ méi chī) means "I did not eat."
-
Basic Sentence Structure:
- In Mandarin, sentences usually follow the order of Subject-Verb-Object.
- For example, "I (Subject) eat (Verb) rice (Object)" changes to 我不吃米饭 (Wǒ bù chī mǐfàn) for "I do not eat rice" or 我没吃米饭 (Wǒ méi chī mǐfàn) for "I did not eat rice."
-
Creating Questions with 吗 (ma):
- To turn a statement into a yes or no question, just add 吗 at the end.
- For example, "You eat?" becomes 你吃吗？(Nǐ chī ma?)
-
Using Adjectives:
- In Mandarin, adjectives usually come after the verb.
- For example, 他好 (Tā hǎo) means "He is good," and if you say 他不好 (Tā bù hǎo), it means "He is not good."
-
Measure Words:
- Mandarin uses special words called measure words when talking about nouns.
- For example, 一个人 (Yí ge rén) means "one person."
-
Possessive Particle 的 (de):
- This word shows that something belongs to someone.
- For example, 这是我的书 (Zhè shì wǒ de shū) means "This is my book."
-
Conjunction 和 (hé):
- This word means "and."
- For instance, 我喜欢猫和狗 (Wǒ xǐhuān māo hé gǒu) means "I like cats and dogs."
-
Past versus Present using 了 (le):
- The word 了 shows that something has already happened.
- For example, 我吃了 (Wǒ chī le) means "I ate."
-
Polite Requests with 请 (qǐng):
- Use 请 when you want to ask for something nicely.
- For example, 请给我水 (Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ) means "Please give me water."
- Common Verbs:
- It's good to know basic verbs like 吃 (chī - to eat) and 喝 (hē - to drink).
- For example, 他吃 (Tā chī) means "He eats."