Definition
未 (wèi) is a formal/literary adverb meaning 'not yet' or 'have not' — it negates that an action has happened up to now. Unlike 不 (bù), which negates a present or general state ('not'), 未 specifically marks something as incomplete or not occurred. It is more concise and literary than 尚未 (shàng wèi), which carries the same meaning but is slightly more emphatic.
adverb
not yethave notdid not (formal/literary negation placed before a verb)
Easily confused
- 末mòlook-alikethe end, final stage (of a period of time or an object)
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as; in the capacity of
- 为wéisound-aliketo act as, to serve as (in patterns like 以...为..., 称为, 选为)
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as, in the capacity of
- 位wèisound-alike(classifier, polite) for people
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hey! hello? (used to attract attention or answer a phone call)
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hello? (used to answer the phone)
- 唯wéisound-alikeonly, alone
- 味wèisound-aliketaste, flavor
- 围wéisound-aliketo surround, to encircle
Examples
- 。Gōngzuò shàng wèi wánchéng.The work is not yet finished.
- 。Tā cóng wèi jiàn guo dàhǎi.She has never seen the sea.
- 。wèi chéngnián rén bù yǔnxǔ jìnrù.Minors are not allowed to enter.
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