還沒有…… /还没有……
hái méiyǒu …
The English phrase 'not yet' is translated into Chinese as 還沒有…… /还没有…… (hái méiyǒu …) If unsure, use 還沒有…… /还没有…… Wiktionary also lists 尚未 (shàngwèi) and 未 (wèi).
Meaning: not for the moment, though expected later (adv)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 還沒有…… /还没有…… | hái méiyǒu … | |
| 尚未 | shàngwèi | literary |
| 未 | wèi |
This phrase is used to indicate that something has not happened for the moment, though it is expected to happen later.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 還沒有 (hái méiyǒu) literally means 'still not have', combining 還 (still/yet) and 沒有 (not have/did not).
Which one should you use?
還沒有…… /还没有…… is the standard way to say 'not yet' in spoken, everyday conversation. 尚未 (shàngwèi) is a more formal phrase, while the single character 未 (wèi) acts as a formal, abbreviated version of 'not yet' used in classical or highly formal written contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When responding to a question such as 'Have you eaten?', 還沒有 can function as a complete sentence meaning 'Not yet'. In formal writing, the single character 未 can also serve as a concise form of 'not yet'.
How do you pronounce it?
hái méiyǒu …
Did you know?
- The formal character for 'not yet', 未, originally depicted a lush tree with many branches. It is also one of the twelve 'earthly branches' used in traditional Chinese timekeeping and zodiacs.
- In Chinese culture, responding to 'Have you eaten?' with 還沒有 is often a social opening for the other person to invite you to a meal.
- In certain contexts, using 還沒有 can imply a level of anticipation or a promise that the action will definitely happen soon.
Examples in context
- 第二次世界大战尚未结束。The Second World War was not yet over.This sentence shows how to use 尚未 to describe a historical event that was not yet over.Tatoeba #2306344 by Deanna, translation #804207 by Source_VOA
- 我还没吃饭I haven't eaten yet.
- 她尚未完成工作She has not yet finished her work.
- 我们暂时没有空We don't have time at the moment.
- 他还没来呢He hasn't arrived yet.
- 我还没有吃晚饭哦I haven't had dinner yet, you know.
- 这个电影我还没有看啊I haven't watched this movie yet, you know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “not yet” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 未, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
