过
experiential aspect particle; to pass; to cross
guo
What does 过 mean?
过 has two main jobs that beginners must keep separate. (1) As the experiential aspect particle (toneless guo), it goes right after a verb to mean 'have ever done X (at least once in the past).' 我去过北京 = 'I've been to Beijing (at some point).' Negate with 没 + verb + 过: 我没去过 ('I've never been'). This is different from 了, which marks a completed event tied to a specific occasion: 我去了北京 = 'I went to Beijing (and we both know which time).'
(2) As the full verb 过 (guò, fourth tone), it means 'to pass / cross / go through' — 过马路 (cross the street), 过桥 (cross a bridge), 过生日 (celebrate / 'pass through' a birthday),
Character breakdown
to pass; to cross; experiential marker (the 辶 walking radical signals movement / passing through)
Memory hook: Think of 过 as 'passing through' an experience — you walked across it once, even if you can't say exactly when.
Example sentences
你去过中国吗？
Nǐ qù guo Zhōngguó ma?
Have you ever been to China?
spoken
我吃过北京烤鸭。
Wǒ chī guo Běijīng kǎoyā.
I've eaten Beijing roast duck before.
spoken
他没看过这个电影。
Tā méi kàn guo zhège diànyǐng.
He hasn't seen this movie.
neutral
小心过马路。
Xiǎoxīn guò mǎlù.
Be careful crossing the street.
spoken
我们一起过生日，好吗？
Wǒmen yìqǐ guò shēngrì, hǎo ma?
Let's celebrate the birthday together, okay?
spoken
Common phrases with 过
Synonyms
曾经 ('once / previously') is the adverb form often paired with 过 in writing: 我曾经去过北京. 曾经 is more formal; 过 alone works for everyday speech.
Don't confuse 过 with
了 marks a completed/perfective event ('it happened'); 过 marks an experience ('has ever happened'). 我吃了饺子 = I ate the dumplings (this specific time). 我吃过饺子 = I've had dumplings before (some unspecified time).
过去 ('the past' or 'go over there') is a two-character word, both characters used together. The aspect particle 过 stands alone after a verb.
FAQ
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