Aspect Particle 过 (guo) - Past Experience

This grammar point is all about the "experience" aspect of an action. In English, we often use the present perfect tense for this. For example, "I have been to Paris." In Chinese, we simply attach 过 to the end of the verb. It acts as a suffix. It signals that the action is a completed experience from the past. The action is over and done with. It has no direct impact on the present moment. It is just a memory or a fact now. Unlike some other particles, 过 is very stable. It does not change based on the subject. It does not change based on the time. It only cares if the event happened at least once. It is like a light switch. Either you have the experience (on) or you don't (off).

1. 1Using 过 is as simple as 1-2-3. Follow these steps to build your sentences:
2. 2Start with your Subject (e.g., 我 - I).
3. 3Add your Verb (e.g., 吃 - eat).
4. 4Attach 过 immediately after the verb.
5. 5Add your Object (e.g., 北京烤鸭 - Peking Duck).
6. 6Your final sentence looks like this: 我吃过北京烤鸭. (I have eaten Peking Duck before). To make it negative, just add 没 or 没有 before the verb. For example: 我没去过美国. (I haven't been to America). To ask a question, add 吗 at the end. Or, you can add 没有 at the end. For example: 你看过这本书吗？ (Have you read this book?). It is a very logical and repetitive pattern. You will get the hang of it in no time!

You should use 过 whenever you want to highlight a life experience. Imagine you are in a job interview. The boss asks if you have used a specific software. You would say, 我用过这个软件. (I have used this software). Use it when talking about travel. 我去过上海. (I have been to Shanghai). Use it when talking about movies or books. 我看过那部电影. (I have seen that movie). It is also great for trying new foods. 你吃过臭豆腐吗？ (Have you ever eaten stinky tofu?). It is perfect for any "first time" or "at least once" situation. It helps you build a bridge between your past and the person you are talking to. It makes your stories feel complete and clear.

Do not use 过 for things that happen all the time. If you brush your teeth every morning, don't say 我刷过牙. That sounds like you have only brushed your teeth once in your entire life! That would be a very scary thing to tell your dentist. Use it for distinct, noteworthy events. Also, do not use 过 for actions that are still happening. If you are currently eating a sandwich, you cannot use 过. If the action has a result that is still true right now, use 了 instead. For example, if you just finished your homework and it's sitting on the desk, use 了. 过 is for things that are "in the past" and stay there. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If the action is still in the intersection, the light isn't 过 yet.

The biggest mistake is mixing up 过 and 了. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired! Remember: 了 is for completion, while 过 is for experience. Another mistake is using 过 with specific past times like "yesterday morning." If you say 我昨天吃过早饭, it sounds a bit strange. It implies that yesterday was the first time you ever experienced breakfast. Usually, for specific recent events, 了 is the better choice. Also, don't forget the 没 for negatives. Never use 不 with 过. You can't say 我不去过. That is a big no-no. Always use 没 or 没有. It is a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in how natural you sound.

Let's look at 过 versus 了 one more time. 了 is like a checkmark on a to-do list. "Did you do it?" "Yes, I did it." 过 is like a badge on a scout uniform. "Have you ever done this?" "Yes, I have that experience." For example, 我买过票 means "I have bought tickets before (in my life)." 我买了票 means "I bought the tickets (and I probably have them now)." Another comparison is with 已经 (already). You can use 已经 with 过 to emphasize that the experience is already checked off. 我已经看过那部电影了. This uses both particles to show the experience is finished and done. It sounds very fluent and natural. Just remember: 过 is the "ever" particle.