无
wú
The Chinese phrase for 'none' is 无 (wú).
无 is used to indicate that there is not any of something or that no amount exists.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 无 literally means 'to not have' or 'non-existence'.
Which one should you use?
While 无 is used in formal or written contexts, the spoken equivalent for 'none' or 'do not have' is typically 没有 (méiyǒu).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
无 is a formal or literary term meaning 'none' or 'without', often used in written Chinese or formal contexts. For a slang alternative frequently used online, you can use 木有 (mù yǒu).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, a common way to say 'none' is 冇 (mou5).
How does it change in a sentence?
When combined with other characters, it can form new structures. For example, 无法 (wúfǎ) is a common way to say 'unable to' or 'have no way to' do something.
How do you pronounce it?
wú
Did you know?
- In the philosophy of Taoism, the concept of 无 (wu) represents a creative void or 'nothingness' that is the source of all existence.
- Because 无 is highly formal, using it in casual daily conversation might make you sound like you are reading from a classical poem or a legal document.
- The character 无 was officially readopted by the People's Republic of China in 1956 as part of a movement to simplify the writing system.
Examples in context
- 无论如何，都不关你的事。In any case, it's none of your business.This sentence shows how to use 无 to say something is none of someone's business.Tatoeba #392268 by GlossaMatik, translation #36982 by CM
- 所有的老师都无法解决这个问题。None of the teachers could solve the problem.This sentence uses 无 to indicate that no one was able to solve a problem.Tatoeba #493468 by biglion, translation #37486 by CK
- 当我还是年轻人的时候，我脑袋上有很多头发，胸上无毛。现在，恰恰相反。When I was a teenager I had lots of hair on my head and none on my chest. Now it's just the opposite.This sentence uses 无 to describe having no hair on a specific part of the body.Tatoeba #812310 by fucongcong, translation #643287 by darinmex
- 对不起，我现在一无所有，无法提供帮助。I'm sorry, I have nothing and cannot offer any help at the moment.
- 我没有时间参加派对。I have no time to attend the party.
- 请确认无错误后再提交文件。Please ensure there are no errors before submitting the document.
- 我没有钱买新手机。I don't have money to buy a new cell phone.
- 我今天下午要开会，晚上木有时间。I have a meeting this afternoon, no time in the evening.
Example conversation
Haoran and Zihan are checking the inventory of a shared kitchen.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，厨房里还有牛奶吗？Zǐhán, chúfáng lǐ hái yǒu niúnǎi ma?Zihan, is there any milk left in the kitchen?
- 梓涵 Zihan很抱歉，现在无牛奶了。Hěn bàoqiàn, xiànzài wú niúnǎi le.I'm sorry, there is no milk now.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们现在去超市买一些吧。Nà wǒmen xiànzài qù chāoshì mǎi yīxiē ba.Then let's go to the supermarket and buy some now.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，浩然，走吧。Hǎo de, Hàorán, zǒu ba.Okay, Haoran, let's go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 无, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
