没 vs 还没 (méi vs hái méi): plain 'haven't' vs 'not yet'
Confused about when to use 没 (méi) versus 还没 (hái méi)? 没 is the general negator for past actions or existence (like 'didn't' or 'don't have'), while 还没 adds a strong expectation that the action will happen in the future ('not yet'). The presence of 还 changes the tone from a simple fact to an anticipated delay.
The key distinction between 没 and 还没 lies in expectation. 没 simply negates a past action or denies existence (e.g., 'I didn't go', 'I don't have money'). 还没 negates an action that has not occurred but is expected to happen in the near future, carrying the nuance of 'not yet'. 还没 is often used with actions that are anticipated, and can be reinforced with 呢 for emphasis. Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning from a neutral fact to an unintended expectation.
When to use each
Use 没 for general negation of past actions (before verbs) or to negate possession (没有). It simply states that something did not happen or does not exist, without implying any future expectation.
Use 还没 when you want to emphasize that an action hasn't happened but is expected or intended to happen later. The 还 adds a sense of 'still' or 'yet', often implying the situation is temporary and will change.
In questions or replies, 还没 can be shortened to just 没 in casual speech, but only when the expectation is clear from context. However, using 没 instead of 还没 loses the 'yet' nuance. Also, 还没 is not used to negate static possession (use 没有 instead).
At a glance
| 没 | 还没 | |
|---|---|---|
| Implication for future | No expectation — simple fact | Expectation that the action will happen |
| Common contexts | Negating past actions, possession (没有) | Negating actions expected but not yet done, often with time phrases like '还没好' |
| Response to '已经……了吗?' | 没 = 'haven't done' (neutral) | 还没 = 'not yet' (but will) |
| Use with 呢 for emphasis | No | Yes: 还没……呢 |
Examples
- 没他没去学校。Tā méi qù xuéxiào.He didn't go to school.Plain negation of a past action, no expectation.
- 还没我还没吃饭。Wǒ hái méi chīfàn.I haven't eaten yet.Implies the speaker plans to eat later.
- 没我没有钱。Wǒ méiyǒu qián.I don't have money.Negation of existence/possession — 还没 cannot replace 没有 here.
- 还没作业还没做完呢。Zuòyè hái méi zuò wán ne.The homework isn't finished yet (but it will be).Adding 呢 emphasizes the expectation of completion.
- 没你吃饭了吗？——没。/还没。Nǐ chīfàn le ma? — Méi. / Hái méi.Have you eaten? — No (I haven't). / Not yet (I will).Contrast: 没 is a simple negative; 还没 indicates intention to eat later.
- 还没他还没来。Tā hái méi lái.He hasn't come yet (but we expect him).Expectation of arrival — 没来 would mean 'he didn't come' (no expectation).
Common mistakes
- Using 没 when 还没 is needed to show expectation: '我吃午饭了？没' (should be '还没' when you plan to eat later).
- Removing 还 from 还没, losing the 'yet' nuance: '我还没走' → '我没走' (meaning 'I didn't leave' without expectation).
- Using 还没 to negate static possession: '我还没钱' (wrong; should be '我没有钱'). 还没 is for actions, not existence.
- Overusing 还没 for actions with no expectation to happen (e.g., '他还没死了' implies you expect him to die, which is inappropriate).
- Using 还没 in a past tense context where the action is already decided not to happen: '他昨天还没来' (should be '他昨天没来' because the opportunity to come is past).
FAQ
- When do I use 没 vs 还没 for negative past actions?
- Use 没 for simple 'didn't', e.g., 他没来 (He didn't come). Use 还没 when there is an expectation that it will still happen: 他还没来 (He hasn't come yet, but we expect him). The 还 carries the meaning of 'still' or 'yet'.
- Can I use 还没 with 有 to mean 'not yet have'?
- Yes, but it's actually 还 + 没有, e.g., 我还没有钱 (I still don't have money). However, for negating possession, the standard form is simply 没有. The 还 adds the nuance that you expect to have it later. In this confusion set, 还没 is best reserved for action verbs.
- In questions like '你还没吃饭吗?', does the meaning change if I leave out 还?
- Yes. '你还没吃饭吗?' means 'Haven't you eaten yet?' with an expectation that you will eat soon. '你没吃饭吗?' just asks 'Didn't you eat?' without that expectation. The presence of 还 implies the speaker thinks the action is still pending.
- Can I use 还没 to answer a yes/no question?
- Yes. For example, to '你写完了吗?' (Have you finished writing?), you can reply '还没' (Not yet) to indicate you will finish soon. Simply '没' would be a plain 'no' without the nuance of continuation.