没有
Pattern
A 没有 B + adjective
Key words
Core idea
没有 can compare two things and say that the first does not reach the same degree as the second. It is the beginner-safe way to express “not as... as.”
The standard of comparison comes after 没有, and the adjective comes after that.
Compare with negating a comparison
English often says “not more than” or “not as.” Mandarin beginners should not mechanically put 不 before 比 for this meaning. Use 没有 when the intended meaning is lower degree.
Examples
我没有他高。
Wǒ méiyǒu tā gāo.
I am not as tall as he is.
这杯咖啡没有那杯热。
Zhè bēi kāfēi méiyǒu nà bēi rè.
This cup of coffee is not as hot as that one.
今天没有昨天忙。
Jīntiān méiyǒu zuótiān máng.
Today is not as busy as yesterday.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我不比他高。
Use
我没有他高。
For the beginner meaning not as tall as, use 没有 before the comparison standard.
Seen in stories
Not as Quiet as Yesterday
可是今天早上，它没有昨天安静。
But this morning, it is not as quiet as yesterday.
Not as Quiet as Yesterday
物业经理上楼检查，发现二楼没有一楼吵。
The property manager goes upstairs to inspect and finds the second floor is not as noisy as the first.
Not as Quiet as Yesterday
三楼没有二楼安静，四楼的声音却最大。
The third floor is not as quiet as the second, but the fourth floor is loudest.
Not as Quiet as Yesterday
老人笑着说：“原来我们这栋楼从来没有我想的那么安静。”
The man laughs and says, “It turns out our building has never been as quiet as I thought.”
Not as Quiet as Yesterday
三号楼比以前热闹，却没有以前孤单了。
Building Three is livelier than before, but not as lonely.
Show 4 more story examples
The Quieter KTV Room
阿凯一群人只是想聊天，所以请柜台安排没有那么吵的包厢。
Akai’s group only wants to talk, so they ask the front desk for a room that is not so noisy.
The Quieter KTV Room
柜台说最里面的没有外面热闹，应该很适合。
The clerk says the innermost room is not as lively as the outer ones and should suit them.
The Quieter KTV Room
团长听见他说话，觉得他的声音没有想象中那么普通。
The conductor hears him speak and thinks his voice is not as ordinary as expected.
The Quieter KTV Room
他的朋友隔着墙听，发现这次没有刚才那么吵。
His friends listen through the wall and find it is not as noisy as before.