B2 adverb Formal 1 min read

未尝

weichang /weɪ tʰɑŋ/
Practice it

A formal adverb meaning 'not yet' or 'never', often used in double negatives to express a cautious 'yes'.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to mean 'have not' or 'never before'.
  • Frequently used in double negative constructions like '未尝不可'.
  • Mainly used in formal or literary written contexts.

概述：未尝，字面意思是“没有尝试过”或“不曾有过”，在古文中非常常见，现代汉语中则多用于书面语或较为正式的表达。它既可以表达对过去经历的否定，也可以通过双重否定来表达肯定的含义。

  1. 1用法模式：最常见的用法是“未尝不”，这是一种双重否定结构，意为“并非不”、“总是”或“其实是”。例如“未尝不可”，意思就是“并不是不可以”，即“可以”。此外，它也常与“未尝没有”、“未尝不是”连用，用来表达一种谨慎的肯定或推测。
  1. 1常见语境：该词多出现在文学作品、评论文章、正式演讲或深度访谈中。由于其带有一定的文言色彩，在日常口语中较少直接使用“未尝”，除非是为了增加幽默感或修辞效果。例如，在讨论人生哲学或社会现象时，使用“未尝”能让表达显得更有深度和分量。
  1. 1近义词辨析：与“未曾”相比，“未尝”的语义更广，“未曾”仅侧重于时间上的“没有做过”。而“未尝”通过与否定词组合，能够表达复杂的逻辑关系。与“未必”相比，“未必”侧重于对可能性的怀疑，而“未尝”则在否定过去的基础上，通过双重否定转向一种委婉的肯定。

Examples

1

这事儿未尝不可考虑。

everyday

This matter is worth considering.

2

此举未尝没有成功的可能。

formal

This move might not be without a chance of success.

3

我未尝不是想帮你。

informal

It is not that I didn't want to help you.

4

这种现象在历史上未尝出现过。

academic

This phenomenon has never appeared in history.

Common Collocations

未尝不可 Not impossible / acceptable
未尝不是 Might actually be
未尝没有 Not without / there is a possibility

Common Phrases

未尝不可

It is acceptable

未尝不是好事

It might actually be a good thing

Often Confused With

未尝 vs 未曾

Refers strictly to the past where something did not happen. It lacks the double-negative flexibility of '未尝'.

未尝 vs 未必

Focuses on the lack of certainty about a future or current event. It does not carry the 'have not experienced' meaning.

Grammar Patterns

未尝 + 谓语动词 未尝 + 不 + 动词/形容词 未尝 + 没有 + 名词

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word is primarily used in formal writing or elevated speech. It is highly valued for its ability to soften a statement through double negation. Avoid using it in very casual text messages unless aiming for a specific literary effect.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '未尝' by forgetting it needs to be paired with a negative word to form a logical double negative. Another mistake is using it as a direct synonym for 'never' in colloquial contexts where '从没' is more appropriate. Ensure the sentence structure remains grammatically sound when using double negatives.

Tips

💡

Master the double negative

Remember that '未尝不' is a classic way to express a positive outcome. It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying 'yes'.

⚠️

Avoid overuse in casual speech

Using '未尝' in everyday casual conversation can make you sound like you are giving a formal speech. Reserve it for writing or serious discussions.

🌍

Literary influence

The word carries a classical Chinese flavor. Using it correctly demonstrates a higher level of literacy and appreciation for traditional sentence structures.

Word Origin

Derived from classical Chinese where '未' means 'not yet' and '尝' means 'to taste/try'. Historically, it signified a lack of personal experience, which evolved into the modern logical usage.

Cultural Context

The usage of double negatives like '未尝不可' reflects the Chinese cultural preference for indirectness and modesty in communication. It allows the speaker to express agreement without sounding overly assertive.

Memory Tip

Think of '未尝' as 'not yet tried'. When you add a 'not' (不/没) after it, you get a double negative that creates a polite 'yes'.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“从未”强调的是从过去到现在都没有发生过，语气较强且绝对。而“未尝”除了表示过去没有，更多时候是在特定的句式（如未尝不可）中表达委婉的肯定。

意思是“并不是不可以”，也就是“可以”的意思。这是一种委婉的表达方式，用来表示同意或认为某事可行。

可以，但会显得比较正式或文绉绉。在与朋友闲聊时，直接用“没试过”或“可以呀”会更自然。

不一定。它也可以单独表示“未曾”，例如“我未尝到过那个地方”，但这种用法在现代汉语中较少，通常用“未曾”替代。

Test Yourself

fill blank

这件事虽然困难，但我们___不能尝试一下。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 未尝

“未尝不能”是双重否定，表示可以尝试。

multiple choice

当别人提议去爬山时，你说“未尝不可”，意思是？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 表示同意

“未尝不可”即“并非不可以”，表示认可。

sentence building

（请根据逻辑选择正确语序）

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我/未尝/经历/失败/过

主语在前，副词修饰谓语动词。

Score: /3

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