过
have (ever) done, have been to
Structure
动词 + 过 （+ 宾语） · 没 + 动词 + 过
What it means
Verb + 过 says you have had an experience at some time before now: 我去过西安 “I’ve been to Xi’an (at some point)”.
How it is built
Verb + 过 (+ object): 你吃过饺子吗？ (Have you ever had dumplings?). Negative: 没 + verb + 过: 我没去过上海 (I’ve never been to Shanghai).
When to use it
Compare 了 (h1-17), which reports one event: 我去了西安 “I went to Xi’an (this time)”. A question can also end in 没有: 你吃过饺子没有？
Watch out
In the negative use 没 and keep 过. ✗ 我不去过。 ✓ 我没去过。
Examples
你去过西安吗？
Have you ever been to Xi’an?
我没去过上海。
I’ve never been to Shanghai.
你吃过饺子没有？
Have you ever had dumplings?
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 7: 你去过西安吗 (Have you been there?)
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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