HSK 2
N1 没有 N2 A
N1 méiyǒu N2 A
N2 is not as A than N1
Structure
Noun 1 + 没有 + Noun 2 + Adjective
How it works
This structure is used to make comparisons where the first noun (N1) does not reach the same degree of a specific quality (A) as the second noun (N2). It is essentially the negative form of a comparison, meaning 'N1 is not as [adjective] as N2'.
Examples
这个西瓜没有那个甜。
Zhège xīguā méiyǒu nàge tián.
This watermelon is not as sweet as that one.
他的汉语没有我好。
Tā de Hànyǔ méiyǒu wǒ hǎo.
His Chinese is not as good as mine.
今天没有昨天热。
Jīntiān méiyǒu zuótiān rè.
Today is not as hot as yesterday.
Common mistakes
Do not use '不' (bù) to negate a comparison; instead of saying 'N1 不比 N2 A', use 'N1 没有 N2 A' to specifically mean 'not as... as'.
Tip
Think of '没有' in this context as 'does not have the same level of'. It's the most common way to say something is 'less' than something else in Chinese.
More HSK 2 grammar
See N1 没有 N2 A in real Chinese
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