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plChinese uses different negation adverbs for different contexts. The three most common ones in daily speech are:
Bù 不 ‘not’
Méi 没/沒、méi yǒu 没有/沒有 ’not’
Bié 別 ‘don’t’
Comparison of structures
Bù 不 and méi 没/沒、méi yǒu 没有/沒有 both mean ‘not’ but they have distinct usages:
Bù 不 negates present and future actions, states, or situations and habits.
It can be used with verb and adjective predicates. It can negate both main verbs and modal verbs.
Méi 没、méi yǒu 没有 negates the occurrence or completion of actions, existence and possession, as well as past experiences with the aspect marker guo 过.
Méi 没/沒 is always used to negate the verb yǒu 有. Otherwise méi 没/沒、méi yǒu 没有/沒有 is used to negate action verbs and is usually not used with state verbs, adjectives or modal verbs.
Bié 別 means ‘don’t’ and is used to tell someone not to do something. It is mainly used in imperative sentences, such as commands, requests or warnings.
It can be used with both verb and adjective predicates.
For more details of the structures of each pattern also check The Negation Adverb bié 別 ‘don’t’ expressing Negative Commands, The Negation Adverb bù 不 ‘not’, and The Negation Adverb méi 没、méi yǒu没有 ‘not’.
When to use bù 不 ‘not’
Bù 不 is the most common negator. It can negate actions, states, or situations. It is mainly used with verbs and adjectives.
It is not used with the verb yǒu 有 ’to have; there is; there was’ or to express that an action that has not occurred or is not completed.
Present and Future Actions
Habits and General Truths
With an adjective
States and Qualities
B) With a state verb
Ability, Permission or Willingness
Using a modal verb
When to use méi 没/沒、méi yǒu 没有/沒有 ‘not’
Méi 没/沒、méi yǒu 没有/沒有 ‘not’ have two main functions: Negating the verb yǒu 有’ to have; there is; there was’ and indicating the non-occurrence or non-completion of an action.
In the last function, it is only used with action verbs. It is usually not used with adjectives, state verbs or modal verbs.
Possession and Existence
Past Actions (something did not happen)
Past Experiences
Using the aspectual particle guo 过/過
When to use bié 別 ‘don’t’
Bié 別 ‘don’t’ is a negative imperative marker used for commands or urgent advice. It is never used for statements or questions.