从未 / 从不
never so far / never as a rule
Structure
主语 从未 动词 过 · 从不 动词
What it means
Never. 从未 is never so far, up to now; 从不 is never as a rule, a standing habit or principle.
How it is built
Subject + 从未 + verb (+ 过) for experience; subject + 从不 + verb for habits: 他从不迟到 (He is never late).
When to use it
从未 = 从来没有, about the past up to now, often with 过; it is written, and speech says 从来没…过. 从不 = 从来不, a standing habit, common in speech too. Written cousins: 未曾, 不曾.
Watch out
过 (experience) goes with 从未, not 从不: ✗ 我从不去过中国 ✓ 我从未去过中国. For a habit or rule, use 从不: 他从不喝酒 (he never drinks).
Examples
汉字的形体不断变化，却从未中断。
The form of the characters kept changing, yet the line was never broken.
他从不迟到。
He is never late.
Learn this in Lesson 82 · HSK 6–7: 汉字的演变 (How the characters evolved)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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