没有 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 没有 (méiyǒu) is a negative existential construction that means "not have" or "do not have". It is composed of two characters: 没 (méi) and 有 (yǒu). The character 没 (méi) originally meant "to perish" or "to die", but over time it has come to be used as a negative marker. The character 有 (yǒu) means "to have" or "to exist". When these two characters are combined, they create the negative existential construction 没有 (méiyǒu).The word 没有 (méiyǒu) can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used to negate the existence of something, such as in the sentence 没有钱 (méiyǒu qián), which means "I don't have any money". It can also be used to negate the possibility of something happening, such as in the sentence 没有时间 (méiyǒu shíjiān), which means "I don't have time". Additionally, 没有 (méiyǒu) can be used to express a lack of something, such as in the sentence 没有兴趣 (méiyǒu xìngqù), which means "I'm not interested".The word 没有 (méiyǒu) is a very common word in Chinese, and it is important for HSK learners to understand its meaning and usage. By understanding the etymology of this word, learners can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and how it is used in different contexts.