City University of Hong Kong CLASS CLASS
Making Sense of Grammar
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What is the difference between MEI (沒) and BU (不)?

asked Dec 7, 2017 in Questions about Chinese Grammar by admin (25,520 points) | 384 views

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For example,

        1) 今天他沒來。

       2) 今天他不來。

Mei negates the actualization of the event. In example (1), it negates the happening of ‘come’.

Bu negates everything else. In example (2), it negates the intention of ‘come’.

answered Jan 2, 2018 by admin (25,520 points)

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