Negative Duration: 'Haven't done X for Y time' (没有...了)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '没有 (méiyǒu) + [verb] + [duration] + 了' to express that an action has not occurred for a specific amount of time.
- Place the duration after the verb: 我没有看电影三个月了 (I haven't watched movies for three months).
- The particle '了' at the end is mandatory to show the state continues to the present.
- This structure focuses on the absence of an action, not the action itself.
Overview
When you need to express that an action has not occurred for a specific period of time, and this state of non-occurrence continues up to the present moment, Chinese employs a distinct grammatical construction: Subject + Time Duration + 没有 + Verb (+ Object) + 了. This pattern provides a precise way to quantify the absence of an action, marking a significant step in your ability to articulate nuanced temporal relationships in Chinese. Unlike English, where the duration often follows the negative verb ("I haven't eaten for three hours"), Chinese prioritizes the duration, placing it prominently after the subject.
This structural difference reflects a fundamental aspect of Chinese temporal expression, where the extent of time frequently sets the context for the action or non-action described. The final particle 了 (le) further emphasizes that this lack of action is an ongoing condition, persistent until the present.
How This Grammar Works
没有 (méiyǒu) signifies that the entire duration is characterized by the absence of the verb's action. It’s not that an action happened and then stopped for a period; rather, for the entire specified length of time, the action simply did not take place.我学了两年汉语 - wǒ xué le liǎng nián Hànyǔ, "I studied Chinese for two years").没有 (méiyǒu) or its colloquial short form 没 (méi) is used here to negate the completion or occurrence of an action. It inherently carries the meaning of "not having done" or "not having been." This differentiates it from 不 (bù), which negates habitual actions, intentions, or states that are not time-bound (e.g., 我不去 - wǒ bù qù, "I won't go" or "I don't go"). You cannot use 不 to negate an action over a specific duration that leads up to the present because 不 lacks the aspectual quality of 没有 that deals with past occurrence or non-occurrence.我三天不吃饭 (wǒ sān tiān bù chī fàn) would sound grammatically awkward or imply an unusual, ongoing refusal to eat for three days, rather than simply stating "I haven't eaten for three days."了 (le) in this construction is the change-of-state particle (also sometimes called sentence-final le), not the aspect particle 了 (which usually follows a verb to indicate completion). Its presence here signals that the state of not having performed the action has persisted for the specified duration and continues up to the moment of speaking. It conveys a sense of "it's been X time now since this happened/didn't happen." Omitting this 了 can make the statement sound like a simple factual observation without the implication of continuity or present relevance.我三个月没回家 (wǒ sān gè yuè méi huí jiā, "I haven't gone home for three months" - perhaps implying it's a fixed fact) vs. 我三个月没回家了 (wǒ sān gè yuè méi huí jiā le, "It's been three months since I went home" - strongly implying the situation continues). The latter is far more common in everyday speech.我一个星期没锻炼了 (wǒ yī gè xīngqī méi duànliàn le, "I haven't exercised for a week now"). Here, 了 signifies that the lack of exercise is a new or changed state that began a week ago and is still true. It’s a powerful linguistic tool to express the duration of an ongoing absence or inaction.Formation Pattern
我 (wǒ, I), 他 (tā, he), 我的狗 (wǒ de gǒu, my dog) |
两天 (liǎng tiān, two days), 一个小时 (yī gè xiǎoshí, one hour), 很久 (hěn jiǔ, a long time) |
没有 is more formal/emphatic; 没 is common in speech. | 没有 (méiyǒu), 没 (méi) |
看 (kàn, to watch), 吃 (chī, to eat), 联系 (liánxì, to contact) |
电影 (diànyǐng, movie), 饭 (fàn, meal), 她 (tā, her) |
了 (le) |
Subject + Time Duration + 没有 (or 没) + Verb (+ Object) + (了)
我两天没洗澡了。 (Wǒ liǎng tiān méi xǐzǎo le.) - I haven't showered for two days now.
我 - Subject) (两天 - Time Duration) (没 - Negation) (洗澡 - Verb+Object) (了 - Particle)
她一个星期没有给我打电话。 (Tā yī gè xīngqī méiyǒu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.) - She hasn't called me for a week.
她 - Subject) (一个星期 - Time Duration) (没有 - Negation) (给我打电话 - Verb+Object)
了 is optional here if the speaker just wants to state a fact without emphasizing the continuing state to the present. Including it 她一个星期没有给我打电话了 would strongly imply "it's been a week now."
我们很久没见面了。 (Wǒmen hěn jiǔ méi jiànmiàn le.) - We haven't seen each other for a long time now.
我们 - Subject) (很久 - Time Duration) (没 - Negation) (见面 - Verb) (了 - Particle)
Time Duration can be very specific (e.g., 三个小时 - sān gè xiǎoshí, "three hours") or more general (e.g., 很久 - hěn jiǔ, "a long time"). The choice between 没有 and 没 often comes down to formality and emphasis; 没 is more common in casual conversation, while 没有 can add a slightly stronger nuance of negation.
When To Use It
Subject + Duration + 没有 + Verb (+ Object) + 了 construction is indispensable for a variety of conversational and descriptive contexts where the absence of an action is central to the message. Its utility extends across many scenarios in daily life.- Expressing Lapsed Time Since an Action: This is the most direct application. When an action you typically perform, or that you expect to perform, has not happened for a measurable period.
我三年没回老家了。(Wǒ sān nián méi huí lǎojiā le.) - I haven't been back to my hometown for three years now.他一整天没吃东西了。(Tā yī zhěng tiān méi chī dōngxi le.) - He hasn't eaten anything all day.- Discussing Habits or Routines that Have Been Broken: When you've missed a regular activity and want to specify how long it's been.
我一个星期没去健身房了。(Wǒ yī gè xīngqī méi qù jiànshēnfáng le.) - I haven't been to the gym for a week.我们最近两个月都没怎么联系。(Wǒmen zuìjìn liǎng gè yuè dōu méi zěnme liánxì.) - We haven't really contacted each other much in the last two months.- Reporting on the Status of an Action or Project: Useful in professional or academic settings to indicate a lack of progress or activity.
这个报告我三天没有碰了。(Zhège bàogào wǒ sān tiān méiyǒu pèng le.) - I haven't touched this report for three days.他们公司半年没有发新产品了。(Tāmen gōngsī bàn nián méiyǒu fā xīn chǎnpǐn le.) - Their company hasn't released a new product for half a year.- Social Interactions and Catching Up: Particularly common when greeting someone after a long absence, or commenting on someone's change in appearance or habits.
你多久没理发了？(Nǐ duōjiǔ méi lǐfà le?) - How long since you got a haircut? (implies a long time)我们真的很久没见了。(Wǒmen zhēnde hěn jiǔ méi jiàn le.) - We really haven't seen each other for a long time.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Placement of Time Duration: This is perhaps the most common mistake. Direct translation from English often leads learners to place the duration at the end of the sentence.
- Incorrect:
我没看电视三个小时。(Wǒ méi kàn diànshì sān gè xiǎoshí.) - This structure is fundamentally ungrammatical for this meaning. - Correct:
我三个小时没看电视了。(Wǒ sān gè xiǎoshí méi kàn diànshì le.) - I haven't watched TV for three hours. - Explanation: In Chinese, the duration acts as a time frame before the action or non-action. It sets the scope within which the negation occurs.
- Confusing
没有(méiyǒu) with不(bù) for Duration Negation: As discussed,不is generally for habitual negation, future intent, or negating adjectives/states, not for negating actions over a duration leading up to the present. - Incorrect:
我三天不吃饭了。(Wǒ sān tiān bù chīfàn le.) - This implies a deliberate refusal to eat for three days, or an odd habitual non-eating over a period. - Correct:
我三天没吃饭了。(Wǒ sān tiān méi chīfàn le.) - I haven't eaten for three days. - Explanation:
没有specifically negates the occurrence or completion of an action, making it suitable for expressing "haven't done X for Y time."不implies a choice or habit, which doesn't fit the continuous absence described by this rule. - Misunderstanding or Omitting the Final
了(le): While sometimes optional, its absence changes the nuance from an ongoing, current state to a more detached historical fact. Learners sometimes incorrectly place了after the verb or double了. - Incorrect (double 了):
我三天没吃了饭了。(Wǒ sān tiān méi chī le fàn le.) - The aspect particle了should not follow the verb in this negative construction. - Correct:
我三天没吃饭了。(Wǒ sān tiān méi chīfàn le.) - I haven't eaten for three days now. - Explanation: The final
了is a sentence particle indicating a change of state or a situation ongoing to the present. It should appear at the end of the clause or sentence, not after the verb in this negative duration context. The aspect particle了(after a verb) is typically not used with没有negation. - Confusing with Positive Duration: Learners might inadvertently apply the positive duration structure to negative sentences.
- Positive (Action occurred):
他学了两年汉语。(Tā xué le liǎng nián Hànyǔ.) - He studied Chinese for two years. (Verb学+了+ Duration两年) - Negative (Action did not occur):
他两年没学汉语了。(Tā liǎng nián méi xué Hànyǔ le.) - He hasn't studied Chinese for two years. (Duration两年+没+ Verb学) - Explanation: The order of elements is inverted when negating the duration. Always remember
Duration + 没有 + Verbfor negation, andVerb + 了 + Durationfor positive statements. - Overuse of Specific Durations: Sometimes,
很久(hěn jiǔ, a long time) or好久(hǎo jiǔ, a very long time) is more natural than trying to quantify an exact period that isn't truly known or important. - Less natural (unless precise):
我们三个月二十天没见了。(Wǒmen sān gè yuè èrshí tiān méi jiàn le.) - We haven't seen each other for three months and twenty days. - More natural:
我们很久没见了。(Wǒmen hěn jiǔ méi jiàn le.) - We haven't seen each other for a long time. - Explanation: While grammatically correct, overly precise durations can sound stiff if the exact number isn't critical to the message. Native speakers often opt for general terms like
很久or好久.
Real Conversations
Understanding how this grammar point functions in textbooks is one thing; observing its application in authentic daily interactions reveals its true versatility and nuance. Here are examples reflecting common usage in modern Chinese communication, from casual chats to slightly more formal contexts.
Scenario 1
A common use is when someone notices a change in another's routine or discusses their own.
- Dialogue:
- A: 你最近怎么不来跑步了？ (Nǐ zuìjìn zěnme bù lái pǎobù le?) - Why haven't you been coming running lately?
- B: 哎，我一个多月没跑步了，工作太忙。 (Āi, wǒ yī gè duō yuè méi pǎobù le, gōngzuò tài máng.) - Ah, I haven't run for over a month now, too busy with work.
- Observation: Speaker B clearly states the duration of their absence from running, directly implying the reason. The 了 reinforces that this is a current, ongoing situation, explaining why they haven't been coming.
Scenario 2
This construction is fundamental when talking about how long it's been since connecting with someone.
- Dialogue:
- A: 好久不见！你还好吗？ (Hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn! Nǐ hái hǎo ma?) - Long time no see! How are you?
- B: 是啊，我们差不多半年没见了。 (Shì a, wǒmen chàbuduō bàn nián méi jiàn le.) - Yeah, we haven't seen each other for nearly half a year.
- Observation: The phrase 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn) itself is a fixed expression implying this grammar point. Speaker B confirms with a specific duration, using 差不多 (chàbuduō, almost/nearly) for approximation, common in casual speech.
Scenario 3
From cultural events to personal milestones, specifying the duration of non-occurrence adds context to observations or reports.
- Statement on Social Media: 这家电影院三年没装修了，有点旧。 (Zhè jiā diànyǐngyuàn sān nián méi zhuāngxiū le, yǒudiǎn jiù.) - This cinema hasn't been renovated for three years, it's a bit old.
- Observation: This is a factual statement about a commercial establishment, using the negative duration to explain its current, observable state. The 了 indicates the condition is ongoing and noticeable, linking the past non-action to the present.
Scenario 4
Even in a work setting, this construction can describe project statuses or personal work habits, often as an explanation for a delay or lack of update.
- Email to a colleague: 我昨天和今天都没查邮件，抱歉回复晚了。 (Wǒ zuótiān hé jīntiān dōu méi chá yóujiàn, bàoqiàn huífù wǎn le.) - I haven't checked emails yesterday and today, sorry for the late reply.
- Observation: Here, 昨天和今天 (zuótiān hé jīntiān, yesterday and today) acts as the time duration. It's concise and clearly explains the reason for the delay. The 了 is optional here, as the focus is more on the fact of non-checking, but it still feels natural to include it.
Cultural Insight
Time + 没有 + Verb) can be seen as a reflection of Chinese thought patterns that often establish context (temporal, spatial) before detailing the action. This contrasts with more verb-centric Western languages. It also allows for a greater emotional weight to be placed on the length of the absence, which can be significant in relationships and commitments, highlighting how long something has (or hasn't) been.Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
不instead of没有(méiyǒu) in this structure? - A: Generally, no.
没有is specifically used to negate the occurrence or completion of an action, making it appropriate for expressing "haven't done X for Y time."不negates habits, intentions, or states not tied to a specific past occurrence over a duration. Using不with a time duration would be ungrammatical or convey a different, often illogical, meaning (e.g.,我三天不吃饭might imply a deliberate refusal to eat for three days, rather than simply having not eaten). The primary function of不is descriptive, while没有is aspectual, relating to events' occurrence or non-occurrence. - Q: What if the action has never happened, not just "not for Y time"?
- A: For actions that have never occurred, you typically use
从来没有...过(cónglái méiyǒu... guò, "never have..."). The过(guo) particle marks experiential aspect. - Example:
我从来没有去过北京。(Wǒ cónglái méiyǒu qù guò Běijīng.) - I have never been to Beijing. - This construction focuses on the complete absence of the experience throughout one's life, rather than a quantifiable duration of non-occurrence up to the present moment from a certain point.
- Q: Is the final
了(le) always necessary? - A: While often optional, including the final
了is highly recommended, especially in spoken Chinese. It signifies that the state of non-action has continued up to the present moment and is still relevant. Without了, the sentence can sound more like a detached historical fact, lacking the implication of ongoing relevance. The presence of了adds a sense of immediacy and present impact. - Example:
他十年没来中国了。(Tā shí nián méi lái Zhōngguó le.) - It's been ten years since he came to China (and he still hasn't come, implying the situation is current). - Example:
他十年没来中国。(Tā shí nián méi lái Zhōngguó.) - He didn't come to China for ten years (a statement of fact that doesn't strongly imply whether he has or hasn't come since then). - Q: Can I use this pattern for very short durations, like "a few minutes"?
- A: Yes, absolutely. The pattern is versatile across all measurable durations, whether long or short.
- Example:
我五分钟没看手机了。(Wǒ wǔ fēnzhōng méi kàn shǒujī le.) - I haven't looked at my phone for five minutes now. - Example:
她一会儿没说话。(Tā yī huìr méi shuōhuà.) - She hasn't spoken for a little while. - Q: What if the object is a personal pronoun?
- A: The object (including personal pronouns) still follows the verb, just as in regular sentence structures. This rule applies consistently.
- Example:
我一个星期没联系他了。(Wǒ yī gè xīngqī méi liánxì tā le.) - I haven't contacted him for a week now. - Note that in some specific cases, especially with verbs that take a nominal object (like
吃饭-chīfàn, to eat a meal, where饭is the object), the object can sometimes be omitted or implied in casual speech, but the fundamental structure remains consistent.
2. Negative Duration Formation
| Subject | Negator | Verb | Duration | Particle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
我
|
没有
|
看书
|
三天
|
了
|
|
他
|
没有
|
工作
|
一个月
|
了
|
|
我们
|
没有
|
见面
|
一年
|
了
|
|
你
|
没有
|
运动
|
两周
|
了
|
|
她
|
没有
|
吃药
|
三天
|
了
|
|
他们
|
没有
|
回家
|
半年
|
了
|
Meanings
This structure indicates that a specific action has not been performed for a certain duration of time, emphasizing the ongoing nature of this absence.
Ongoing absence
Expressing that an action has been absent for a duration leading up to now.
“我没有吃{火锅|huǒguō}半年了。”
“他没有{回家|huíjiā}三个月了。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb + Duration
|
我跑步三天
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + 没有 + Verb + Duration + 了
|
我没有跑步三天了
|
|
Question
|
Subject + 有没有 + Verb + Duration + 了?
|
你有没有跑步三天了?
|
|
Short Answer
|
没有 + Verb + Duration + 了
|
没有跑步三天了
|
|
Long Answer
|
Subject + 没有 + Verb + Duration + 了
|
我没有跑步三天了
|
Formality Spectrum
我们许久未见了。 (Meeting a friend)
我们很久没有见面了。 (Meeting a friend)
好久没见啦！ (Meeting a friend)
好久不见！ (Meeting a friend)
Negative Duration Concept
Components
- 没有 Negator
- Verb Action
- Duration Time span
- 了 Particle
Negative vs Experience
Decision Flow
Is it an ongoing absence?
Examples by Level
我没有喝水两个小时了。
I haven't drunk water for two hours.
他没有睡觉五个小时了。
He hasn't slept for five hours.
我没有看书一天了。
I haven't read a book for a day.
我们没有吃饭三个小时了。
We haven't eaten for three hours.
我没有去学校一个星期了。
I haven't been to school for a week.
她没有买衣服一个月了。
She hasn't bought clothes for a month.
我们没有打球三个月了。
We haven't played ball for three months.
他没有写信半年了。
He hasn't written a letter for half a year.
我没有练习中文两个月了，退步了很多。
I haven't practiced Chinese for two months, I've regressed a lot.
他们没有联系一年了，不知道最近怎么样。
They haven't been in touch for a year, I wonder how they are.
我没有去过那个公园，已经三年了。
I haven't been to that park, it's been three years.
公司没有招人半年了，因为经济不好。
The company hasn't hired anyone for half a year because the economy is bad.
我没有感受到这种快乐，已经很久了。
I haven't felt this kind of happiness for a long time.
他没有参与这个项目三个月了，完全脱节了。
He hasn't participated in this project for three months and is completely out of the loop.
我们没有讨论过这个问题，至少半年了。
We haven't discussed this issue for at least half a year.
由于天气原因，我没有出门运动两个星期了。
Due to the weather, I haven't gone out to exercise for two weeks.
我没有再听到他的消息，已经快一年了。
I haven't heard from him again, it's been almost a year.
这座城市没有举办过大型活动，至少五年了。
This city hasn't hosted a large event for at least five years.
他没有表现出任何兴趣，已经好几个月了。
He hasn't shown any interest for several months now.
我没有思考过这个问题，已经很久了。
I haven't thought about this question for a long time.
他没有再踏入这间办公室，已然三年有余。
He hasn't stepped into this office again, it's been over three years.
该地区没有出现过这种气候异常，至少十年了。
This region hasn't seen such climate anomalies for at least ten years.
我没有再执着于过去，已经很久了。
I haven't been obsessed with the past for a long time.
此项政策没有更新过，已有数载。
This policy hasn't been updated for several years.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up experience with duration.
Learners use '不' for past negation.
Learners forget the '了'.
Common Mistakes
我不看书三天了
我没有看书三天了
我没有看书三天
我没有看书三天了
我没有三天看书了
我没有看书三天了
我没看书三天了
我没有看书三天了
我没做过看书三天了
我没有看书三天了
我没有看书了三天
我没有看书三天了
我不看书了三天
我没有看书三天了
我没练习中文了三个月
我没有练习中文三个月了
我没去过中国三年了
我没有去中国三年了
我没吃过饭两天了
我没有吃饭两天了
我没有再看书三天了
我没有看书三天了
我没有看书了，三天了
我没有看书三天了
我没看书三天
我没有看书三天了
我没有看书三个月之久了
我没有看书三个月了
Sentence Patterns
我没有___ ___了。
他没有___ ___了，因为___。
我们没有___ ___了，真想___。
___没有___ ___了，这很___。
Real World Usage
好久没见，你最近怎么样？
我没有去旅游半年了，想去海边。
医生，我没有睡好觉三天了。
我没有在这个行业工作两年了。
我没有点过这家外卖三个月了。
我们没有去过北京，已经五年了。
Focus on the '了'
Don't use '不'
Use it for catch-ups
Be natural
Smart Tips
Always use the '没有...了' sandwich.
Think of '了' as the 'now' marker.
If you are talking about time passed, use '没有...了', not '过'.
Use the full '没有' instead of the shortened '没'.
Pronunciation
Tone of '没有'
méiyǒu: the 'yǒu' is often dropped to 'méi' in fast speech, but keep '没有' for clarity.
Particle '了'
The 'le' is a neutral tone, keep it short and light.
Statement
我没有看书三天了。↓
Falling intonation at the end to show a complete thought.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the '了' as a 'lock' that keeps the duration closed until today.
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar with a big red 'X' on the last day you did the action, and a long red line stretching from that day to today's date.
Rhyme
No action done, time has passed, add a '了' to make it last.
Story
Xiao Wang stopped playing basketball. He put his ball in the closet. He hasn't played for three months. He says: '我没有打球三个月了'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you haven't done for a specific amount of time today.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life to express concern or update friends.
Similar usage, but '没' is often used more frequently than '没有' in casual speech.
They often translate this structure directly into Mandarin, making it very standard.
The structure evolved from the need to express the duration of a negative state, combining the negation '没有' with the aspectual marker '了'.
Conversation Starters
你多久没有去旅行了？
你多久没有见你的好朋友了？
你有没有很久没有吃过家乡菜了？
你多久没有练习中文了？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我没有___书三天了。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我没有三天看书了。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I haven't slept for two days.
Answer starts with: 我没有...
A: 你多久没去健身房了? B: ___
Subject: 他, Verb: 工作, Duration: 一年
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我没有___书三天了。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我没有三天看书了。
了 / 三天 / 我 / 没有 / 看书
I haven't slept for two days.
A: 你多久没去健身房了? B: ___
Subject: 他, Verb: 工作, Duration: 一年
Match: I haven't eaten for 3 hours.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{一个|yī gè}{月|yuè} / {没有|méiyǒu} / {王|Wáng}{先生|xiānsheng} / {来|lái} / {了|le} / {公司|gōngsī}
I haven't drunk coffee for two days.
Match the following:
Select the best sentence:
{她|tā}{一个|yī gè}{学期|xuéqī} ___ {拿到|nádào}{奖学金|jiǎngxuéjīn}{了|le}。
{我|wǒ}{两|liǎng}{年|nián}{不|bù}{回|huí}{家|jiā}{了|le}。
{了|le} / {没|méi} / {半年|bànnián} / {买|mǎi} / {他|tā} / {衣服|yīfu}
The phone hasn't rung for 10 minutes.
{弟弟|dìdi} ___ {没|méi}{写|xiě}{作业|zuòyè}{了|le}，{妈妈|māma}{很|hěn}{生气|shēngqì}。
Choose the best fit:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, '不' is for habits or future. '没有' is for past/ongoing duration.
Yes, it marks the state as current.
You can use '很久' (a long time).
No, that is incorrect in this structure.
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
'没做过' is for experience; '没有...了' is for duration.
No, this is for past/ongoing.
Some dialects might use different particles, but this is standard Mandarin.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hace [tiempo] que no [verbo]
Spanish puts the time at the beginning; Chinese puts it after the verb.
Je n'ai pas [verbe] depuis [temps]
French uses a preposition; Chinese uses a particle.
Ich habe seit [Zeit] nicht mehr [Verb]...
German uses a prepositional phrase; Chinese uses a direct duration structure.
[時間]...していない
Japanese uses the 'te-form' + 'inai'; Chinese uses '没有' + verb.
لم أفعل... منذ [وقت]
Arabic uses a specific negative particle for past tense; Chinese uses '没有'.
没有...了
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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