没去过
To have never been to
Literally: Not have gone to
Use `没去过` whenever you want to say you haven't visited a place, from cities to cafes.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to state you haven't visited a specific location or place.
- Combines 'not' with the 'past experience' marker for clear communication.
- Perfect for travel talk, restaurant suggestions, and general small talk.
Meaning
This is how you tell someone you haven't visited a specific place yet. It is the go-to way to express a lack of travel or experience with a location.
Key Examples
3 of 6Chatting about famous landmarks
我没去过长城。
I haven't been to the Great Wall.
A colleague asks about a new branch office
那家分公司我还没去过。
I haven't been to that branch office yet.
Texting a friend about a new bar
那个酒吧我没去过，好玩吗？
I haven't been to that bar, is it fun?
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, travel is often linked to 'broadening one's horizons.' Admitting you haven't been somewhere is seen as an invitation for others to describe it to you, fostering social bonding through storytelling and recommendations.
The 'Still' Secret
Add `还` (hái) before `没` to say 'haven't been yet.' It sounds more positive, like you plan to go someday!
Don't forget 'Guo'
If you just say `没去`, it sounds like you just didn't go to a specific appointment. You need the `过` to talk about life experience.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to state you haven't visited a specific location or place.
- Combines 'not' with the 'past experience' marker for clear communication.
- Perfect for travel talk, restaurant suggestions, and general small talk.
What It Means
没去过 is your passport to talking about places you haven't seen. It combines 没 (not), 去 (to go), and 过 (a marker for past experience). Together, they mean "haven't had the experience of going."
How To Use It
Stick a place name right after it. It is that simple. You can say 我没去过北京 (I haven't been to Beijing). You can also use it as a standalone answer. If someone asks if you've been to a new cafe, just say 没去过.
When To Use It
Use it when chatting about travel plans or weekend vibes. It works perfectly when a friend suggests a restaurant. It is also great for making small talk at work. Use it to show curiosity about a place you want to visit.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things you can't physically visit. For example, don't use it for watching movies or eating food. For those, you would use 没看过 or 没吃过. Also, avoid it if you are currently at the place. That would just be confusing for everyone involved!
Cultural Background
In China, sharing travel experiences is a huge social lubricant. People love recommending their hometowns or favorite vacation spots. Saying 没去过 often triggers a passionate 10-minute lecture on why you must go. It is a great way to let others share their pride and knowledge.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more emphatic, add 从来 (ever/always). 我从来没去过 means "I have never ever been there." If you want to ask a question, just add 吗 at the end. 你没去过吗? (You haven't been there?). It sounds slightly surprised and very natural.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and safe for all social levels. Just remember that '没' is used for past experiences, never '不'.
The 'Still' Secret
Add `还` (hái) before `没` to say 'haven't been yet.' It sounds more positive, like you plan to go someday!
Don't forget 'Guo'
If you just say `没去`, it sounds like you just didn't go to a specific appointment. You need the `过` to talk about life experience.
The Recommendation Trap
Be prepared! Saying `没去过` to a Chinese friend is often seen as a request for a detailed travel guide of that place.
Examples
6我没去过长城。
I haven't been to the Great Wall.
A very standard way to state a lack of experience with a landmark.
那家分公司我还没去过。
I haven't been to that branch office yet.
Adding '还' (hái) implies you might go in the future.
那个酒吧我没去过，好玩吗？
I haven't been to that bar, is it fun?
Commonly followed by a question to keep the conversation going.
真的，我从来没去过！
Seriously, I have never ever been there!
Using '从来' adds emphasis to the 'never'.
可惜，那个地方我没去过。
It's a pity, I haven't been to that place.
Used with '可惜' to show a sense of missing out.
目前我还没去过南方城市工作。
Currently, I haven't been to southern cities for work.
Polite and factual for a professional setting.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say you haven't been to Shanghai.
我 ___ 上海。
The marker '过' is essential here to indicate the experience of having visited (or not).
How would you ask 'Have you never been there?' with surprise?
你从来 ___ 吗？
'从来没去过' is the standard way to say 'never been'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '没去过'
Short answer among friends.
没去过。
Standard full sentence.
我没去过那里。
Adding polite markers or timeframes.
我目前还没去过。
Where to use '没去过'
Travel Talk
Discussing vacation spots.
Dining
Talking about a new restaurant.
Work
Discussing office locations.
Dating
Suggesting a park or cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally translates to 'not go (past experience marker).' It indicates you lack the experience of having visited a place.
No, 不去 means 'not going' (a future intention or a habit), while 没去过 refers to past experience.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. To be extra polite, you can say 我还没去过 (I haven't been there yet).
Just put the country name after the phrase, like 我没去过美国 (I haven't been to the US).
没去 means you didn't go to a specific event (like a party yesterday), whereas 没去过 means you have never been to that location in your life.
No, for movies use 没看过 and for books use 没读过. 去 is strictly for physical locations.
Add 吗 at the end: 你没去过北京吗？ or use the A-not-A form: 你有没有去过北京？.
Not at all! It's very common when you want to emphasize that in all your years, you've never set foot there.
The meaning stays the same, though in the south, people might use 没有去过 more frequently than the shortened 没去过.
You would replace 没 with the number of times, like 去过三次 (been there three times).
Related Phrases
没吃过 (Haven't eaten/tried)
没看过 (Haven't seen/watched)
还没 (Not yet)
去过 (Have been to)
从来没 (Never ever)
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