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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 未 (wèi) as part of 'not yet'

    Aspect & Tense
    Negation

    Structure

    未 + Verb

    Explanation

    The adverb 未 (wèi) means 'not yet' or 'have not' and is used in formal or literary Chinese to negate a completed action. It functions similarly to 没有 but is more formal. It commonly appears in combinations like 尚未 (not yet) and 未来 (future, literally 'not yet come').

    Examples

    • 作业未完成的同学请留下来。

      Zuòyè wèi wánchéng de tóngxué qǐng liú xiàlái.

      Students who haven't finished their homework, please stay behind.

    • 双方未能就价格达成一致。

      Shuāngfāng wèi néng jiù jiàgé dáchéng yīzhì.

      The two sides failed to reach an agreement on the price.

    • 未经批准不得进入此区域。

      Wèi jīng pīzhǔn bùdé jìnrù cǐ qūyù.

      Entry to this area is not permitted without approval.

    Using 未 (wèi) as part of 'not yet' | Chinese Grammar