⋯⋯没⋯⋯了
…… méi …… le
Expressing duration of inaction
To say how long something hasn't happened, the duration goes before the negated verb.
Subj. + Duration + 没 + Verb + 了
How it works
他已经一个星期没洗澡了 — he hasn't showered for a week. Note the order: duration, then 没, then verb, then 了.
This is the opposite of positive duration, where the time follows the verb: 他洗了一个星期. Negative duration puts the time first.
The 了 at the end is what makes it "up to now".
Examples
tā yǐ jīng yí gè xīng qī méi xǐ zǎo le
他已经一个星期没洗澡了。
He hasn't showered in a week.
wǒ sān nián méi huí jiā le
我三年没回家了。
I haven't been home for three years.
wǒ men hěn jiǔ méi jiàn le
我们很久没见了。
It's been a long time since we last met.
Common mistakes
- The duration must precede 没, not follow the verb.