When you want to say "no" in Mandarin, you have two important words to learn: 不 (bù) and 没 (méi). Knowing how to use these words is really important for making correct sentences.

Key Differences: 不 vs. 没

1. 不 (bù):

   • You use this word to say "no" about things happening now or in the future.
   • Example:
     • 他不喜欢吃苹果 (Tā bù xǐhuān chī píngguǒ) - He does not like to eat apples.

2. 没 (méi):

   • Use this word to say "no" about things that happened in the past or to show that something doesn't exist (like "not have").
   • Example:
     • 我没去商店 (Wǒ méi qù shāngdiàn) - I did not go to the store.
     • 他们没有书 (Tāmen méiyǒu shū) - They do not have books.

Word Order

Mandarin sentences usually follow this order: Subject-Verb-Object.

• Example:
  • 我吃苹果 (Wǒ chī píngguǒ) - I eat apples.
  • Negative: 我不吃苹果 (Wǒ bù chī píngguǒ) - I do not eat apples.

Measure Words (量词)

When you talk about amounts, you need to use measure words.

• Example:
  • 一只狗 (yī zhī gǒu) - One dog.
  • Negative: 我没有狗 (Wǒ méiyǒu gǒu) - I do not have a dog.

Changing Sentences

You can change positive sentences to negative ones:

• Positive: 他要去 (Tā yào qù) - He wants to go.
• Negative: 他不要去 (Tā bù yào qù) - He does not want to go.

Asking Questions

To ask questions, you can use words like 什么 (shénme) for “what,” 谁 (shéi) for “who,” and 哪里 (nǎlǐ) for “where.”

• Example:
  • 你喜欢什么？(Nǐ xǐhuān shénme?) - What do you like?
  • Negative question: 你不喜欢什么吗？(Nǐ bù xǐhuān shénme ma?) - Don’t you like anything?

Final Tips

• Use 的 (de) to show ownership or make descriptions, 吗 (ma) for questions, and 吧 (ba) for suggestions.
• Remember that 在 (zài) shows where something is, and 了 (le) shows that something has happened.

By learning these parts, you'll get better at saying "no" and asking questions in Mandarin!