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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to have nothing at all' with 毫无 (háowú)

    Degree & Intensity
    Negation

    Structure

    Subject + 毫无 + Noun

    Explanation

    毫无 (háowú) means "to have none whatsoever" or "completely without," and is a strong emphatic negation. It combines 毫 (a tiny amount) with 无 (to lack), literally meaning "not even a trace." For example, 毫无准备 means "completely unprepared."

    Examples

    • 他对这次考试毫无信心。

      Tā duì zhè cì kǎoshì háowú xìnxīn.

      He has absolutely no confidence in this exam.

    • 这件事发生得太突然，我们毫无准备。

      Zhè jiàn shì fāshēng de tài tūrán, wǒmen háowú zhǔnbèi.

      This happened so suddenly that we were completely unprepared.

    • 她说谎的时候脸上毫无表情。

      Tā shuōhuǎng de shíhou liǎn shàng háowú biǎoqíng.

      When she lies, her face shows no expression at all.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'to have nothing at all' with 毫无 (háowú) | Chinese Grammar