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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to not have" with 无 (wú) as a verb

    HSK 4
    Existence & Possession
    Negation

    Structure

    无 + Noun

    Explanation

    无 means "to not have" or "to be without," functioning as a more literary and formal alternative to 没有. It is commonly found in idioms, classical expressions, and formal writing. For example, 无忧无虑 means "without worries or cares."

    Examples

    • 此地无银三百两。

      Cǐ dì wú yín sānbǎi liǎng.

      The silver is not here — three hundred taels' worth.

    • 她无兄弟姐妹，是独生女。

      Tā wú xiōngdì jiěmèi, shì dúshēngnǚ.

      She has no siblings; she's an only child.

    • 世上无难事，只怕有心人。

      Shì shàng wú nán shì, zhǐ pà yǒuxīnrén.

      Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.

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    Expressing "to not have" with 无 (wú) as a verb | Chinese Grammar