Meaning
Indicates something has not happened or is not ready.
Cultural Background
It is common to ask 'Have you eaten?' as a greeting. '还没呢' is the standard polite response if you haven't. The usage is identical, but the tone might be slightly softer due to local speech patterns. In Cantonese-speaking areas, the equivalent is '未啊' (mei aa), which functions similarly to '还没呢'. In Singlish, people might just say 'Not yet' or 'Still haven't', reflecting the influence of Chinese grammar.
The 'ne' magic
Always add 'ne' at the end of 'hái méi' to sound like a native speaker. It turns a flat statement into a friendly update.
Don't use 'bù'
Never use 'bù' with 'hái'. It is always 'hái méi'.
Meaning
Indicates something has not happened or is not ready.
The 'ne' magic
Always add 'ne' at the end of 'hái méi' to sound like a native speaker. It turns a flat statement into a friendly update.
Don't use 'bù'
Never use 'bù' with 'hái'. It is always 'hái méi'.
Context matters
If you want to sound very formal, use '尚未'. If you are texting a friend, '还没呢' is perfect.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
你作业写完了吗？— ____。
Adding 'ne' makes the response natural and conversational.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural way to say 'I haven't eaten yet'.
The inclusion of 'hái' and 'ne' makes it the most natural response.
Match the Chinese phrase with its English meaning.
Match: 1. 还没呢 2. 还没开始 3. 还没到
These are standard translations for the phrase in different contexts.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 你看这部电影了吗？ B: ____。
Both '还没看' and '还没呢' are correct, but '还没看' is more specific to the verb 'see'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises你作业写完了吗？— ____。
Adding 'ne' makes the response natural and conversational.
Choose the most natural way to say 'I haven't eaten yet'.
The inclusion of 'hái' and 'ne' makes it the most natural response.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard translations for the phrase in different contexts.
A: 你看这部电影了吗？ B: ____。
Both '还没看' and '还没呢' are correct, but '还没看' is more specific to the verb 'see'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it sounds like 'I didn't' rather than 'I haven't yet'.
No, but it is highly recommended for natural speech.
No, it is for ongoing states.
Register. '尚未' is formal/written; '还没' is informal/spoken.
No, it means 'not yet'.
Yes, '都还没' adds emphasis.
Not at all, it's very polite.
Yes, but be prepared to follow up with when you will finish.
The concept is, but the words might differ (e.g., Cantonese '未').
You will still be understood, but you might sound a bit blunt.
Related Phrases
尚未
specialized formNot yet (formal)
还没完
similarNot finished yet
还没开始
similarHasn't started yet
还没到
similarHasn't arrived yet
