Experiential aspect with 过
过 is a verb suffix for the indefinite past. It focuses on an action that has occurred in the past and signals that it is relevant to the current discourse.
How to use 过
过 
immediately follows the verb. If the verb has an object, it follows 过.
Verbs with 过 are usually translated into English using the present perfect tense.
immediately follows the verb. If the verb has an object, it follows 过.
Verbs with 过 are usually translated into English using the present perfect tense.Scheme
verb
过
(object)
Examples
他们去过中国
They have been to China
tāmen qùguò zhōngguó
我看过这部电影
I’ve seen this film before
wǒ kànguò zhè bù diànyǐng
Pay attention
Verb suffixes 了 and 过 are different.
The suffix 了 signals that an action is viewed as bounded and complete.
The suffix 过 focuses on an action that has occurred in the past and we have the experience of doing it.
If there are several verbs in the sentence, 过 is usually placed after the last one.
Examples
你用筷子吃过饭没有？
Have you ever eaten with chopsticks?
nǐ yòng kuàizi chīguò fàn méiyǒu
We may place 了 after a verb with the suffix 过, which indicates a finished action.
Examples
我听过了双方的意见
I have listened to both sides
wǒ tīngguò le shuāngfāng de yìjiàn
我对这件事认真考虑过了
I've thought it through
wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì rènzhēn kǎolǜguò le
过 may also follow adjectives to express the quality of a situation in the past, which has now changed.
Examples
他们中一些人曾经冷过、饿过
Some of them were cold and hungry (the situation is now different)
tāmen zhōng yìxiē rén céngjīng lěngguò, èguò
我曾经胖过
I used to be fat (now I’m not)
wǒ céngjīng pàngguò
The suffix 过 is not used with:
1) modal verbs, except 当 .
E.g. 能 , 要 .
2) link-verbs.
E.g. 是 , 在 .
.
E.g. 能 , 要 .
2) link-verbs.
E.g. 是 , 在 .Negation with 过
The negative sentence is made up by placing 没 or 没有 before the verb. We often put 从来 before the negative particle in these sentences.
In English it is usually translated as "I have never done sth before".
or 没有 before the verb. We often put 从来 before the negative particle in these sentences.
In English it is usually translated as "I have never done sth before". Pay attention
Mind the use of 过 after the verb.
Scheme
subject
(从来)
没/没有
verb
过
object
Examples
我从来没尝过更好吃的
I have never tasted anything better
wǒ cónglái méi chángguò gèng hǎochī de
这件事我没告诉过你
I haven’t told you about this
zhè jiàn shì wǒ méi gàosuguò nǐ
Questions with 过
There are two ways to make a question with 过:
1) put 没有 at the end of the sentence.
Pay attention
Note the use of 过 after the verb.
Examples
他们去过中国没有？
Have they ever been to China?
tāmen qùguò zhōngguó méiyǒu
这件事我告诉过你没有？
Have I told you about this?
zhè jiàn shì wǒ gàosuguò nǐ méiyǒu
2) double the verb using a negation.
过 is placed after the second verb. If there is an object, it follows 过.
Pay attention
In verb-object constructions, we must double the verb. The nominal part goes after 过.
Examples
你看没看过这部电影？
Have you seen this film?
nǐ kàn méi kànguò zhè bù diànyǐng
她结没结过婚？
Has she been married?
tā jié méi jié jiéguò hūn
Equivalent of 过 in formal speech
In formal speech, we use adverbs 曾 or 曾经 instead of 过.
They go before the verb.
We may put 过 after the verb, but it’s optional.
or 曾经 instead of 过.
They go before the verb.
We may put 过 after the verb, but it’s optional.Examples
我曾经见他一面
I have seen him (once)
wǒ céngjīng jiàn tā yímiàn
父亲曾教过我骑马
My father taught me how to ride a horse
fùqīn céng jiàoguò wǒ qímǎ
The negative sentence is made up with 不 before 曾 and 曾经.
before 曾 and 曾经.
Examples
我不曾经见过他面
I haven’t seen him before
wǒ bù céngjīng jiànguò tā miàn
父亲不曾教过我骑马
My father didn’t teach me how to ride a horse
fùqīn bù céng jiàoguò wǒ qímǎ