没吃 in 30 Seconds
- Negates the action of eating in the past.
- Used when someone did not eat food.
- Common in everyday conversations about meals.
- Fundamental for basic past tense negation.
- Basic Meaning
- Indicates the absence of eating.
- Grammatical Structure
- Consists of the negation particle "没" (méi) followed by the verb "吃" (chī).
我昨天晚上 没吃 晚饭。
- Common Scenarios
- Answering questions about meals, explaining why one is hungry, describing past actions or inactions related to food.
你午饭 没吃 吗？
- Everyday Relevance
- Essential for discussing meals, hunger, and daily schedules.
他因为生病，所以 没吃 药。
- Temporal Usage
- Primarily indicates a past negation of the verb 'to eat'.
她太忙了，午餐 没吃。
我昨天 没吃 药，今天感觉好多了。
- Basic Sentence Structure
- Subject + 没 + Verb (吃) + [Object/Time/Place]
我 没吃 早饭。
- Adding Time Context
- You can specify the time when the eating did not occur. Time phrases usually come after the subject and before the verb phrase.
他昨天 没吃 晚饭。
- Using with Different Subjects
- "没吃" can be used with any subject, including "你" (nǐ - you), "他/她/它" (tā - he/she/it), "我们" (wǒmen - we), "你们" (nǐmen - you plural), and "他们/她们/它们" (tāmen - they).
你们今天 没吃 东西吗？
- In Questions
- To form a question, you can add the question particle "吗" (ma) at the end of the statement, or use question words like "什么" (shénme - what) or "为什么" (wèishénme - why).
为什么你 没吃 饭？
- With Other Verbs
- While "没吃" specifically negates eating, the structure "没 + Verb" is a general pattern for past negation. For example, "没看" (méi kàn - didn't watch), "没去" (méi qù - didn't go).
她因为在开会，所以午餐 没吃。
- Common Usage with Food Items
- You can specify the food item that was not eaten.
我肚子不舒服，所以 没吃 那个菜。
- Expressing a State of Not Having Eaten
- It can also imply a state of not having eaten up to the present moment, especially when context suggests it.
我们早上 没吃 东西，现在饿了。
- Family and Friends
- When asking about meals or explaining why someone is hungry. For example, a parent might ask a child, "你中午 没吃 饭吗？" (Nǐ zhōngwǔ méi chī fàn ma? - Didn't you eat lunch?). Or a friend might say, "我早上 没吃 东西，现在好饿！" (Wǒ zǎoshang méi chī dōngxi, xiànzài hǎo è! - I didn't eat anything this morning, I'm so hungry now!).
“你为什么看起来没精神？” “因为我昨晚 没吃 晚饭。”
- Restaurants and Food Establishments
- In casual conversations about meals, or when someone is explaining why they are not ordering food. For example, a waiter might ask, "您需要点餐吗？" (Nín xūyào diǎn cān ma? - Do you need to order food?), and a customer might reply, "我刚来， 没吃 东西。" (Wǒ gāng lái, méi chī dōngxi. - I just arrived, I haven't eaten anything.)
“这个蛋糕看起来很棒！” “是啊，但我已经 没吃 晚饭了，所以不能再吃了。”
- Workplace and School
- When discussing lunch breaks or explaining a lack of energy. A colleague might say, "我今天早上 没吃 早饭，头有点晕。" (Wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang méi chī zǎofàn, tóu yǒudiǎn yūn. - I didn't eat breakfast this morning, I feel a bit dizzy.)
“你为什么迟到了？” “因为我 没吃 早餐，所以去买了个东西。”
- Medical Contexts
- When instructed not to eat before a medical procedure or when explaining a lack of appetite. For example, a doctor might say, "手术前 没吃 东西。" (Shǒushù qián méi chī dōngxi. - Don't eat anything before the surgery.)
“你今天感觉怎么样？” “我 没吃 药，所以还是有点不舒服。”
- Travel and Social Gatherings
- When discussing travel plans or explaining why one is not participating in a meal. For instance, "我们到了酒店，但是 没吃 晚餐，直接去玩了。" (Wǒmen dàole jiǔdiàn, dànshì méi chī wǎncān, zhíjiē qù wán le. - We arrived at the hotel, but didn't eat dinner, and went straight to play.)
“今晚的聚会你来吗？” “我可能不来，因为我下午 没吃 饭，现在需要休息。”
- Confusing "没" (méi) with "不" (bù)
- The most common mistake is using "不吃" (bù chī) when "没吃" is required, or vice versa. "没" is used to negate past actions or completed events, while "不" is used for habitual actions, present states, or future intentions. For instance, saying "我不吃早餐" (Wǒ bù chī zǎocān) means "I don't eat breakfast" (habitually) or "I won't eat breakfast" (future). However, if you missed breakfast today, you should say "我今天没吃早餐" (Wǒ jīntiān méi chī zǎocān). Using "不吃" for a specific past event sounds incorrect.
Incorrect: 我昨天 不吃 晚饭。
Correct: 我昨天 没吃 晚饭。
- Incorrectly Adding "了" (le)
- While "了" (le) often indicates a completed action, it is generally not used with "没" for negation. The particle "没" itself already conveys the past tense or completed aspect of the negation. So, phrases like "没吃了" (méi chī le) are typically incorrect when referring to a simple past negation. The correct form is just "没吃."
Incorrect: 我今天 没吃了 早饭。
Correct: 我今天 没吃 早饭。
- Misplacing Time Adverbs
- Time adverbs like "昨天" (zuótiān - yesterday) or "今天早上" (jīntiān zǎoshang - this morning) should generally be placed after the subject and before the verb phrase "没吃." Placing them at the very end of the sentence can sometimes lead to awkward phrasing, though it might be understood in very informal speech.
Awkward: 我 没吃 晚饭昨天。
Correct: 我昨天 没吃 晚饭。
- Overgeneralizing "吃"
- While "吃" primarily means "to eat," it can also be used metaphorically (e.g., "吃苦" - to suffer hardship, "吃惊" - to be surprised). When negating these metaphorical uses, "没吃" is still appropriate, but learners might mistakenly think "没吃" is only for literal food consumption. For example, "他昨天 没吃 苦" (Tā zuótiān méi chī kǔ - He didn't suffer hardship yesterday) is correct, but one might incorrectly assume it must refer to food.
Possible Misunderstanding: "我 没吃 惊，我很平静。" (This sounds odd if not understood metaphorically).
Correct usage in context: "他昨天 没吃 苦，今天过得很轻松。" (He didn't suffer hardship yesterday, today was very relaxed.)
- "不吃" (bù chī) - Don't eat / Won't eat
- This is the primary alternative, but it has a different temporal focus. "不吃" negates a habitual action, a present state, or a future intention. It does not typically refer to a specific past event.
Example:
没吃: 我昨天 没吃 晚饭。(I did not eat dinner yesterday.) - Specific past event.
不吃: 我 不吃 猪肉。(I don't eat pork.) - Habitual action.
不吃: 我明天 不吃 了。(I won't eat tomorrow.) - Future intention.
- "没吃饭" (méi chī fàn) - Did not eat a meal
- This is a very common variation where "饭" (fàn - meal/rice) is explicitly mentioned. It's often interchangeable with "没吃" when the context is clearly about a meal. However, "没吃" can also be used for not eating specific food items, not just meals.
- "没吃过" (méi chī guo) - Have never eaten
- The addition of the aspect particle "过" (guo) changes the meaning to "have never experienced eating something." It refers to a lack of experience rather than a specific instance of not eating.
我 没吃 晚饭。(I did not eat dinner.)
我 没吃 饭。(I did not eat.)
我 没吃 过海鲜。(I have never eaten seafood.)
- "没胃口" (méi wèikǒu) - Have no appetite
- This phrase describes a state of not feeling like eating, often due to illness, stress, or fullness. It's a reason why someone might have "没吃" something.
- "没空吃" (méi kòng chī) - Didn't have time to eat
- This phrase explicitly states the reason for not eating: a lack of time. It's a more specific explanation than just "没吃."
Example:
我太忙了， 没空吃 午饭。(I was too busy, I didn't have time to eat lunch.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character '没' was originally written with the water radical (氵) and a phonetic component. Its meaning shifted from 'drown' to a general negation, especially for past events, making it crucial for expressing completed actions that did not happen. The character '吃' itself is quite old and has consistently meant 'to eat' throughout Chinese history.
Pronunciation Guide
- Aspiration: Learners might not aspirate the 'ch' sound, making it sound like 'mei ji'.
- Vowel quality: The 'ei' diphthong can be mispronounced, or the final 'i' might be too long.
- Lack of aspiration: Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in '吃' can lead to misunderstanding.
Difficulty Rating
The phrase '没吃' is very common and its meaning is straightforward. Recognizing it in simple sentences is easy for beginners. Understanding its nuances in complex sentences or idiomatic expressions requires more advanced vocabulary and context.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Negation with '没' (méi)
Used for past actions or states. '我没去' (I didn't go), '他没说' (He didn't say).
Negation with '不' (bù)
Used for present, habitual, or future actions/states. '我不去' (I won't go), '他不说' (He doesn't say).
Aspect Particle '过' (guo)
Indicates past experience. '我吃过' (I have eaten) vs. '我没吃过' (I have never eaten).
Verb-Object Structure
In '没吃早饭', '吃' is the verb and '早饭' is the object.
Time Phrases in Sentences
Time phrases often appear after the subject and before the verb phrase: '我昨天没吃早饭'.
Examples by Level
我没吃。
I did not eat.
"没" negates the past action of "吃" (to eat).
他没吃饭。
He did not eat a meal.
Specifies "吃饭" (eating a meal).
你没吃早饭吗？
Did you not eat breakfast?
Question form using "吗".
她没吃水果。
She did not eat fruit.
Specifies the food item "水果" (fruit).
我们没吃东西。
We did not eat anything.
"东西" (dōngxi) means 'things' or 'stuff', used here generally for food.
他们没吃药。
They did not take medicine.
"吃" can also mean 'to take' for medicine.
我饿了，因为没吃。
I am hungry because I didn't eat.
Provides a reason for hunger.
他没吃饱。
He did not eat enough (to be full).
"饱" (bǎo) means 'full'.
我昨天晚上没吃晚饭。
I did not eat dinner last night.
Adds specific time context: "昨天晚上" (last night).
他因为生病，所以没吃东西。
He did not eat anything because he was sick.
Provides a reason: "因为生病" (because of illness).
你们今天早上没吃点心吗？
Didn't you all eat snacks this morning?
Uses plural "你们" and specific food "点心" (snacks).
她太忙了，午饭都没吃。
She was too busy, she didn't even eat lunch.
Emphasizes the lack of eating due to being busy.
今天天气不好，我们没吃户外。
The weather was bad today, we didn't eat outdoors.
Context of not eating in a specific location: "户外" (outdoors).
我没吃过这个牌子的巧克力。
I have never eaten this brand of chocolate.
Uses "没吃过" to indicate lack of experience.
他看起来没精神，是不是没吃早餐？
He looks listless, did he not eat breakfast?
Inferring the cause of a state (listlessness).
我们下午没吃零食，所以现在饿了。
We didn't eat snacks in the afternoon, so we are hungry now.
Connects not eating snacks to current hunger.
由于昨晚睡得太晚，我今天早上 没吃 早饭就去上班了。
Because I slept too late last night, I went to work this morning without eating breakfast.
Combines a reason with the action of not eating breakfast before going to work.
医生建议我手术前 没吃 任何东西。
The doctor advised me not to eat anything before the surgery.
Used in a medical context with a specific instruction.
他看起来很不舒服，可能是因为 没吃 干净的东西。
He looks very uncomfortable, it might be because he ate something unclean.
Suggesting a possible cause for discomfort related to food.
虽然我们带了食物，但因为行程太赶，很多时候都 没吃 上。
Although we brought food, because the itinerary was too rushed, we often didn't get to eat.
Explains missed meals due to a busy schedule.
她一整天都没 吃 东西，看起来脸色很差。
She hasn't eaten anything all day, her complexion looks very bad.
Emphasizes the duration of not eating and its effect.
我 没吃 饱，所以想再吃点。
I didn't eat enough to be full, so I want to eat a little more.
Expresses a desire for more food due to not being full.
他总是说自己 没吃 饱，其实是想多要点。
He always says he didn't eat enough, but actually wants more.
Implies insincerity in the statement of not eating enough.
这次旅行让我 没吃 到几顿正餐，全在吃零食。
This trip made me miss out on several proper meals; I was eating snacks the whole time.
Describes missing main meals in favor of snacks.
考虑到他有严重的食物过敏，在任何聚会场合，他都 没吃 过任何不熟悉的食物。
Considering his severe food allergies, he has never eaten any unfamiliar food at any gathering.
Uses "没吃过" in a specific context of allergies and unfamiliar foods.
由于连续几天 没吃 任何肉类，我的身体感觉有些虚弱。
Due to not eating any meat for several consecutive days, my body feels a bit weak.
Describes a consequence of a prolonged period of not eating a specific food group.
尽管我提醒了他很多次，但他似乎 没吃 够，所以又去厨房找吃的了。
Although I reminded him many times, he seemed not to have eaten enough, so he went to the kitchen to find something to eat again.
Implies that the person did not eat sufficiently, leading to further searching for food.
在参加长跑比赛之前，运动员通常 不吃 过于油腻的食物，但他们也不会完全 没吃 任何东西。
Before participating in a long-distance race, athletes usually don't eat overly greasy food, but they also don't go completely without eating anything.
Contrasts habitual eating habits ('不吃') with a specific instance of not eating ('没吃').
我有点担心她，因为她最近总是说自己 没吃 晚饭，但又没说为什么。
I'm a bit worried about her because she always says she didn't eat dinner recently, but she hasn't said why.
Expresses concern over a repeated pattern of not eating dinner without a clear explanation.
他声称是因为身体不适而 没吃 午餐，但我认为他只是不想和我们一起吃。
He claimed he didn't eat lunch due to feeling unwell, but I think he just didn't want to eat with us.
Presents a claimed reason for not eating versus a suspected ulterior motive.
经过一整天的徒步旅行，我们都 没吃 任何热食，只靠能量棒维持。
After a full day of hiking, we didn't eat any hot food, relying only on energy bars.
Specifies the type of food not eaten ('hot food') during an activity.
虽然他 没吃 完他点的所有菜，但他确实尝了每一样。
Although he didn't finish all the dishes he ordered, he did taste everything.
Distinguishes between not finishing a meal and not tasting food.
鉴于他最近 没吃 任何形式的糖分，他的血糖水平终于得到了控制。
Given that he has not consumed any form of sugar recently, his blood sugar levels have finally been brought under control.
Formal language, specific context of dietary control for health reasons.
尽管我们提供了丰盛的晚餐，但由于文化习俗的差异，一些客人 没吃 我们的食物，而是自带了。
Despite us providing a sumptuous dinner, due to cultural differences, some guests did not eat our food and brought their own.
Explains a situation where food was not consumed due to cultural practices.
他 没吃 够，这从他餐后依旧津津有味地盯着甜点就能看出来。
He didn't eat enough, which could be seen from how he was still eagerly staring at the dessert after the meal.
Uses observation to infer that someone did not eat enough.
在进行了严格的宗教斋戒后，他 没吃 任何东西长达数日。
After observing a strict religious fast, he did not consume anything for several days.
Describes a prolonged period of not eating due to religious observance.
她坚持认为自己 没吃 任何含咖啡因的食物，但实际上她早上喝了一杯咖啡。
She insists she hasn't eaten any caffeinated food, but in reality, she drank a cup of coffee this morning.
Highlights a contradiction between a claim of not eating something and the reality.
由于预算限制，我们 没吃 多少正餐，主要依靠方便面和罐头食品。
Due to budget constraints, we didn't eat many proper meals, mainly relying on instant noodles and canned food.
Explains a dietary choice based on financial limitations.
他 没吃 完那份牛排，也许是因为他觉得烹饪得太过头了。
He did not finish that steak, perhaps because he felt it was overcooked.
Suggests a reason for not finishing a meal based on food quality.
经过一夜的颠簸，当飞机降落时，我 没吃 任何东西，只想赶紧找个地方休息。
After a bumpy night, when the plane landed, I hadn't eaten anything and just wanted to find a place to rest quickly.
Describes a state of not eating due to exhaustion and travel conditions.
在经历了一系列严苛的训练之后，他 没吃 任何不必要的营养补充剂，而是完全依赖于均衡的饮食。
After undergoing a series of rigorous training, he did not consume any unnecessary nutritional supplements, relying entirely on a balanced diet.
Formal, emphasizes a deliberate choice to avoid supplements and rely on diet.
她 没吃 完那道菜，并非因为味道不佳，而是她意识到自己已摄入过量。
She did not finish that dish, not because of its poor taste, but because she realized she had already consumed too much.
Clarifies the reason for not finishing a dish, attributing it to self-awareness of satiety rather than taste.
在长达数周的调查期间，他 没吃 任何可能被污染的食物，以确保自身安全。
During the weeks-long investigation, he did not consume any potentially contaminated food to ensure his safety.
Describes a cautious approach to food consumption due to a specific hazardous situation.
尽管面临着巨大的压力，他 没吃 任何会影响判断力的食物，以保持清晰的头脑。
Despite facing immense pressure, he did not consume any food that would impair his judgment, in order to maintain a clear mind.
Highlights a strategic avoidance of food to maintain cognitive function.
他 没吃 完那块蛋糕，因为他觉得它过于甜腻，与他一贯的口味不符。
He did not finish that piece of cake because he found it excessively sweet and it did not align with his usual taste preferences.
Provides a detailed explanation for not finishing food based on personal taste.
在进行了为期一个月的排毒疗程后，她 没吃 任何加工食品，只摄取天然的有机蔬菜和水果。
After a month-long detoxification program, she did not consume any processed foods, only ingesting natural organic vegetables and fruits.
Describes a strict dietary regimen involving avoidance of processed foods.
他 没吃 完最后一碗饭，这在他们家是极为罕见的，通常他都是光盘。
He did not finish the last bowl of rice, which is extremely rare in his family, as he usually cleans his plate.
Highlights an unusual behavior of not finishing a meal, contrasting it with past habits.
为了完成一项特殊的科学实验，研究人员 没吃 任何非实验指定的食物。
In order to complete a special scientific experiment, the researchers did not consume any food not designated by the experiment.
Emphasizes strict adherence to experimental protocols regarding food intake.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Did not eat breakfast.
我今天早上 没吃早饭，所以肚子饿了。
— Did not eat lunch.
她开会太久了，没吃午饭。
— Did not eat dinner.
他昨天晚上 没吃晚饭，早早就睡了。
— Did not eat anything.
我 没吃东西，现在感觉有点头晕。
— Did not eat enough to be full.
这点菜 没吃饱，我们再点一些吧。
— Have never eaten (something).
我 没吃过 榴莲，不知道什么味道。
— Did not finish eating (something).
他 没吃完 他的那份披萨。
— Did not take medicine.
如果 没吃药，请告诉我。
— Have never eaten a meal (in a specific context, or generally).
这个孩子 没吃过饭，看起来很瘦弱。
— Did not eat snacks.
孩子们 没吃点心，所以晚餐吃得特别香。
Often Confused With
'没吃' negates a past action (did not eat), while '不吃' negates a habitual action or future intention (don't eat/won't eat). Using '不吃' for a specific past event is incorrect.
'没吃' refers to not eating at a specific time, whereas '没吃过' means 'have never eaten', indicating a lack of experience.
'没吃饱' means 'did not eat enough to be full', implying some food was eaten but not to satiety. '没吃' is a complete negation of eating.
Idioms & Expressions
— To eat without tasting the flavor; to eat mechanically without enjoyment. This implies a lack of appetite or focus, which can stem from not eating properly or other issues.
他最近心事重重，吃饭总是 食不知味。
Idiomatic— Hungry people are not picky about food. This idiom describes a situation where extreme hunger leads someone to eat whatever is available, contrasting with someone who might have '没吃' due to lack of options or specific choices.
在野外迷路了两天，他 饥不择食，什么都吃了。
Idiomatic— Not having enough food to fill one's stomach. This is a state that often results from not eating enough or not eating at all.
在贫困地区，许多人 食不果腹。
Idiomatic— Food cannot be swallowed; unable to eat due to distress or illness. This is a consequence of not being able to eat, similar to having '没吃' due to physical discomfort.
得知噩耗后，她 食不下咽。
Idiomatic— To neglect sleep and forget to eat; to be completely absorbed in work or study. This implies that eating is secondary to a task, leading to possibly not eating at the scheduled time.
他为了完成这个项目， 废寝忘食。
Idiomatic— To break one's promise; to go back on one's word. Literally means 'to eat one's words'. While not directly related to food consumption, it uses the verb 'eat' metaphorically.
他答应了要来，结果 食言 了。
Idiomatic— Index finger moves (indicating desire to eat); to have a strong appetite or desire for food. This is the opposite of having no appetite or not eating.
闻到香味，我 食指大动。
Idiomatic— To learn ancient things without digesting them; to rigidly adhere to old ways without adapting. Uses 'eat' metaphorically for knowledge.
你不能 食古不化，要与时俱进。
Idiomatic— Food covers the whole table; to live a life of luxury and extravagance, especially in terms of food.
他以前 食前方丈，现在却要节衣缩食。
Idiomatic— To eat flesh and sleep on the skin (of an enemy); to seek revenge relentlessly.
他发誓要 食肉寝皮，报杀父之仇。
IdiomaticEasily Confused
Both '没' and '不' are negation particles in Chinese.
'没' is primarily used to negate past actions or completed events, indicating something did not happen. '不' is used to negate present states, habitual actions, or future intentions, indicating something is not happening or will not happen. For example, '我昨天没吃' (I didn't eat yesterday) uses '没' for a past event, while '我不吃肉' (I don't eat meat) uses '不' for a habitual action.
我昨天 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 晚饭。（Past event） 我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>不吃</mark> 辣的。（Habitual action）
Both involve the verb '吃' and relate to past experiences.
'没吃' refers to the absence of eating at a specific past time. '吃过' (with the aspect particle '过') indicates that the action of eating has been experienced at least once in the past. The negation of '吃过' is '没吃过' (have never eaten).
我今天 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 早饭。（Specific past instance） 我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>吃过</mark> 饺子。（Past experience） 我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃过</mark> 寿司。（Lack of past experience）
Both indicate an insufficient amount of eating or a state related to eating.
'没吃' means 'did not eat' at all. '没吃饱' means 'did not eat enough to be full', implying that some food was consumed, but the person is still hungry. It's a nuance about the quantity or satiety level, not a complete absence of eating.
我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark>。（I didn't eat at all.） 我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃饱</mark>。（I ate, but not enough.）
Both deal with the completion status of eating.
'没吃' means the action of eating did not happen at all. '没吃完' means the eating action started but was not completed; there is still food left. It refers to unfinished food.
他 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark>。（He didn't eat at all.） 他 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃完</mark> 他的饭。（He started eating but didn't finish his meal.）
Both are common ways to express not eating.
'没吃' is a direct negation of the verb 'to eat'. '没吃东西' is more general, meaning 'did not eat things' or 'did not eat anything'. '东西' (dōngxi) can refer to food in general, snacks, or various items. '没吃东西' is often used when the specific meal is not important or when referring to not snacking.
我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark>。（General negation of eating.） 我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃东西</mark>。（Didn't eat anything; could be snacks or a meal.）
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 没 + 吃
我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark>。
Subject + 没 + 吃 + Object
他 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 饭。
Subject + Time + 没 + 吃 + Object
我昨天 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 晚饭。
Subject + 没 + 吃 + Object + 吗?
你 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 东西吗？
Reason + ，+ Subject + 没 + 吃
因为太忙，所以 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃</mark> 午饭。
Subject + 没 + 吃 + 过
我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃过</mark> 这个。
Subject + 没 + 吃 + 完
他 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃完</mark> 他的饭。
Subject + 没 + 吃 + 饱
我 <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>没吃饱</mark>，需要再来点。
Word Family
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Very High
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Using '不吃' for a past event.
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没吃
'没吃' is for past negation ('did not eat'), while '不吃' is for habitual or future negation ('don't eat' / 'won't eat'). Saying '我昨天不吃晚饭' is incorrect; it should be '我昨天没吃晚饭'.
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Adding '了' after '没吃'.
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没吃
The particle '没' already indicates past negation. Adding '了' is generally redundant and grammatically incorrect in standard Mandarin for simple past negation. '我没吃' is correct, not '我没吃了'.
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Confusing '没吃' with '没吃过'.
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没吃 vs. 没吃过
'没吃' refers to not eating at a specific past time. '没吃过' means 'have never eaten', indicating a lack of experience. '我今天没吃' means I didn't eat today. '我没吃过榴莲' means I have never eaten durian.
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Incorrect placement of time adverbs.
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Subject + Time + 没 + Verb
Time adverbs usually come after the subject and before the verb phrase. '我昨天没吃' is correct, while '我没吃昨天' is awkward and incorrect.
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Using '没吃' when '没吃饱' is more appropriate.
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没吃饱
'没吃' means didn't eat at all. '没吃饱' means didn't eat enough to be full. If you ate something but are still hungry, '没吃饱' is the correct phrase.
Tips
Past Negation vs. Habitual Negation
Always remember that '没' (méi) is used for negating past actions (did not eat), while '不' (bù) is used for habitual actions or future intentions (don't eat / won't eat). Confusing these two is a common mistake for learners.
Aspirated 'ch'
The 'ch' sound in '吃' (chī) is aspirated, meaning you release a puff of air when you say it. Practice saying 'church' in English and focus on that puff of air to get the sound right.
Common Phrases
Learn common phrases like '没吃早饭' (didn't eat breakfast), '没吃午饭' (didn't eat lunch), and '没吃晚饭' (didn't eat dinner) as they are used very frequently in daily conversation.
Connect to 'Missing'
Think of '没' (méi) as meaning 'missing' or 'gone'. If the food is 'missing' from your plate, you '没吃' (méi chī) it.
Sentence Building
Try to build sentences using '没吃' by adding subjects, time references, and objects. For instance: '我昨天没吃午饭。' (I didn't eat lunch yesterday.)
Listen for Native Speakers
Pay attention to how native speakers use '没吃' in different situations. Notice the intonation and the context in which it appears.
'没吃' vs. '没吃过'
'没吃' refers to not eating at a specific past time. '没吃过' means 'have never eaten', referring to a lack of experience.
Mealtime Greetings
In China, asking '吃饭了吗?' (Have you eaten?) is a common greeting. Responding with '没吃' might lead to further conversation about why.
Beyond Literal Eating
While '没吃' primarily means not eating food, '吃' can be used metaphorically. Be aware that '没吃' can sometimes negate these metaphorical uses, though this is less common for beginners.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a person who was supposed to eat a delicious meal, but suddenly '没' (May) the meal disappeared! So, they '没吃' (May chi - May didn't eat). The '没' (May) sounds like a name, and the situation of a disappearing meal makes it memorable.
Visual Association
Picture a plate with food on it, and then a big red 'X' or a 'NO' symbol over it, indicating that eating did not happen. Or, imagine someone looking very hungry with an empty stomach symbol, signifying they '没吃'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to create five sentences using '没吃' about your own day yesterday. For example: 'I didn't eat breakfast', 'I didn't eat lunch at noon', 'I didn't eat snacks in the afternoon', 'I didn't eat dinner', 'I didn't eat anything after 8 PM'. Say them out loud.
Word Origin
The character '没' (méi) originally depicted a person falling into water, signifying 'lost' or 'perished'. Over time, it evolved to become a primary negation particle, particularly for past actions or states. '吃' (chī) is a pictophonetic character where the radical '口' (kǒu - mouth) indicates the meaning of eating, and the phonetic component '乞' (qǐ) contributes to the sound.
Original meaning: '没' originally meant 'to drown' or 'to disappear'. '吃' means 'to eat'. Together, '没吃' literally means 'did not eat' or 'disappeared eating', evolving into the standard negation for past eating actions.
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
Generally, stating '没吃' is not sensitive. However, if someone is clearly suffering from hunger or poverty, bringing up the topic of not eating might be perceived as insensitive unless done with genuine concern and an offer of help. In contexts related to dieting or specific health conditions, '没吃' might be used to discuss adherence to a plan.
In English-speaking cultures, while asking about meals can be polite, it's less of a standard greeting than in Chinese. 'Have you eaten?' might imply concern about hunger or a specific offer of food, rather than a general social inquiry.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Asking about meals
- 你吃饭了吗？
- 你午饭吃了没？
- 你晚上想吃什么？
- 今天早餐吃什么了？
Explaining hunger
- 我饿了。
- 我好饿。
- 我肚子咕咕叫了。
- 我需要吃点东西。
Talking about past activities
- 昨天我没吃。
- 今天早上没吃。
- 下午没吃零食。
- 晚上没吃正餐。
Medical instructions
- 手术前不能吃。
- 检查前要空腹。
- 不能吃油腻的。
- 需要吃清淡的。
Expressing lack of appetite
- 我没胃口。
- 我不想吃。
- 我吃不下。
- 我吃得很少。
Conversation Starters
"你今天早上吃早餐了吗？"
"你午饭吃什么了？"
"你晚上想吃点什么？"
"你有没有没吃过的东西？"
"你为什么今天没吃午饭？"
Journal Prompts
今天我没吃...（写下你今天没吃的东西或原因）。
回想一下昨天，你有没有没吃正餐的时候？为什么？
你有没有因为生病而没吃东西的经历？当时感觉怎么样？
用“没吃”造几个句子，描述你今天或昨天一天的情况。
你觉得“没吃”这个说法和“不吃”有什么区别？在什么情况下用哪一个更合适？
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe main difference lies in the tense and aspect. '没吃' (méi chī) is used to negate a past action or a completed event. It means 'did not eat'. For example, '我昨天没吃晚饭' (I didn't eat dinner yesterday). '不吃' (bù chī) is used to negate habitual actions, present states, or future intentions. It means 'don't eat' or 'won't eat'. For example, '我不吃辣' (I don't eat spicy food) or '我明天不吃' (I won't eat tomorrow).
No, '没吃' specifically refers to not eating at a particular past time. For 'have never eaten', you should use '没吃过' (méi chī guo). The particle '过' (guo) indicates a past experience (or lack thereof). For example, '我没吃过北京烤鸭' means 'I have never eaten Peking duck'.
'没吃饱' (méi chī bǎo) means 'did not eat enough to be full'. It implies that you did eat, but not a sufficient amount to feel satisfied. '没吃' is a complete negation of eating, while '没吃饱' describes a state of insufficient consumption.
Yes, '吃' can also mean 'to take' when referring to medicine. So, '没吃药' (méi chī yào) means 'did not take medicine'. This is a common usage.
Generally, you do not add '了' (le) after '没吃' when negating a past action. The particle '没' itself already indicates the past or completed aspect of the negation. So, '我没吃' is correct, but '我没吃了' is usually considered incorrect in this context. However, in some colloquial speech, you might hear variations, but it's best to stick to the standard '没吃'.
The most common and direct way is '我没吃' (wǒ méi chī). If you want to be more specific about a meal, you can say '我没吃早饭' (I didn't eat breakfast), '我没吃午饭' (I didn't eat lunch), or '我没吃晚饭' (I didn't eat dinner).
The most common way to ask 'Have you eaten?' is '你吃饭了吗？' (Nǐ chī fàn le ma?). If you want to ask specifically if someone did *not* eat, you could ask '你没吃吗？' (Nǐ méi chī ma?) or '你没吃饭吗？' (Nǐ méi chī fàn ma?).
While '没吃' is very common, in highly formal or literary contexts, you might encounter alternatives like '未进食' (wèi jìn shí) or '未用膳' (wèi yòng shàn), which mean 'did not consume food' or 'did not dine'. However, '没吃' is widely understood and acceptable in most written contexts.
'没吃' is a direct negation of the verb 'to eat'. '没吃东西' (méi chī dōngxi) is more general and means 'did not eat anything'. '东西' (dōngxi) means 'things' or 'stuff', and in this context, it refers broadly to food. '没吃东西' is often used when you haven't snacked or had any food at all.
A simple way to remember is: '没' is for the past (did not happen), like 'May I didn't do it'. '不' is for the present/future/habitual (is not happening / will not happen), like 'No, I won't do it'. Think of '没' as 'missed' (the past action) and '不' as 'not' (the present/future state).
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Summary
The phrase "没吃" is a fundamental Chinese expression indicating that someone did not eat, used to describe past events or states of not having consumed food. It's essential for basic communication about meals and daily activities.
- Negates the action of eating in the past.
- Used when someone did not eat food.
- Common in everyday conversations about meals.
- Fundamental for basic past tense negation.
Past Negation vs. Habitual Negation
Always remember that '没' (méi) is used for negating past actions (did not eat), while '不' (bù) is used for habitual actions or future intentions (don't eat / won't eat). Confusing these two is a common mistake for learners.
Aspirated 'ch'
The 'ch' sound in '吃' (chī) is aspirated, meaning you release a puff of air when you say it. Practice saying 'church' in English and focus on that puff of air to get the sound right.
Context is Key
'没吃' can refer to not eating a specific meal (like breakfast or dinner), not eating anything at all, or even not taking medicine. Always consider the context to fully understand the meaning.
Common Phrases
Learn common phrases like '没吃早饭' (didn't eat breakfast), '没吃午饭' (didn't eat lunch), and '没吃晚饭' (didn't eat dinner) as they are used very frequently in daily conversation.
Related Content
More food words
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
