过
experiential aspect particle; to pass; to cross
HSK level
- Pinyin
- guo
- Part of speech
- particle
- Level
- HSK 2
- Strokes
- 6
- Register
- neutral
Stroke order for 过
过 is written with 6 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
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), 过年 (celebrate New Year).
Same character, two readings, two grammars. In conversation, the particle 过 is what makes 'have you ever...?' questions possible — 你吃过饺子吗？('have you ever eaten dumplings?') is one of the most useful HSK 2 patterns.
Note: Neutral and extremely common. As the aspect particle, 过 is always toneless (guo); as a full verb 'pass / cross / celebrate,' it's fourth-tone guò.
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.
锅 ('pot / wok') is first tone and has the 金 metal radical. 过 has the 辶 walking radical. Same vowel, completely different meaning.
FAQ
Acquire it by listening
Meet 过 again — in real Chinese, at your level.
Fluentide turns real news into Chinese listening at your exact level, so words like 过 show up again and again in natural sentences — with pinyin and translation every time. No flashcards. Free to start.