Word Guide
How to pronounce 没有 (méi yǒu)
没有 means "don't have; there isn't". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Pinyin
méi yǒu
Tone Pattern
Tone 2 + Tone 3
Pronunciation Focus
toneContrast
How to say it
Guided fix
How to shape this pronunciation
What to do
Say méi slowly first, then keep the target sound steady as you move through the rest of 没有.
What to avoid
Do not let the whole word flatten into one rushed shape. Keep the target consonant or tone contrast clear.
What to listen for
The key sound should stay distinct instead of collapsing toward the nearest easy English habit.
Quick self-check
Say méi yǒu once slowly and once at normal speed. If the target sound disappears when you speed up, it is not stable yet.
Phonetic Breakdown
m+ei_y+ou
Most common error
Error summary
The contour often gets flattened, so Tone 2 and Tone 3 stop sounding distinct.
Focus area
ToneContrast
Difficulty
Easy
HSK Level
HSK1
Related pronunciation rules
Practice similar examples
Hear the same pattern in sentences
我没去。 (wǒ méi qù.)
Keep méi genuinely rising so it does not merge with the low shape of wǒ.
很贵。 (hěn guì.)
Keep the rising-versus-low contrast clear in 很贵。 (hěn guì.) instead of leveling the contour.
钱不多。 (qián bù duō.)
Keep the rising-versus-low contrast clear in 钱不多。 (qián bù duō.) instead of leveling the contour.