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Tā shuō zuìjìn méiyǒu xiāoxi, wǒ yě bù zhīdào.

她Tā　说shuō　最近zuìjìn　没有méiyǒu　消息xiāoxi，　我wǒ　也yě　不bù　知道zhīdào。Tā shuō zuìjìn méiyǒu xiāoxi, wǒ yě bù zhīdào.
She said there’s no news recently; I don’t know either.
FromLesson 8inHardcore Chinese
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Questions & Answers about Tā shuō zuìjìn méiyǒu xiāoxi, wǒ yě bù zhīdào.

Why is 没有 used instead of 不 in 最近没有消息?
  • 没有 negates existence or past occurrence (there has not been any news), and it’s the correct negation for 有. You can’t say “不有”.
  • 不 is used for habitual, general, or future negation of actions/states, not for existence. So here only 没(有) works.
Can I drop 有 and say 最近没消息?
Yes. 最近没消息 is common and slightly more casual. 最近没有消息 is a bit more neutral/formal. Meaning is the same.
Where does 也 go in 我也不知道? Could I say 我不也知道?
  • The usual order is: Subject + 也
    • (negation) + verb: 我也不知道.
  • 我不也知道 is ungrammatical here. Put 也 before 不/没 and before the verb.
Does 我也不知道 mean “me neither/I don’t know either”?

Yes. It expresses agreement with a prior negative about knowing.

  • A: 你知道吗？ B: 我也不知道。 = “I don’t know either.”
Why not say 没知道?
  • The standard negation of 知道 is 不知道, not 没(有)知道.
  • If you need a “didn’t manage to find out” idea, say things like 没弄清楚 or 没听说 instead.
Should there be a 了 after 说 (e.g., 她说了)? What’s the nuance?
  • 她说最近没有消息 is fine; context/time words already situate it.
  • 她说了最近没有消息 emphasizes the completion of her saying it (often a specific past event).
  • 她说过最近没有消息 means “she has said (before) that there hasn’t been any news recently.”
Do I need a word like “that” after 说? How do I mark quotes?

Chinese doesn’t need a “that.” You can use:

  • Indirect: 她说最近没有消息。
  • Direct: 她说：“最近没有消息。”
What does 最近 modify here? Could I say 没有最近消息?
  • 最近 is a time adverbial modifying the whole clause: “there has been no news lately.”
  • 没有最近消息 is unnatural. If you mean “recent news,” say 最近的消息.
What’s the difference between 消息, 新闻, and 通知?
  • 消息: “news/word/information” (updates, word from someone). E.g., 有什么新消息吗？
  • 新闻: news as reported by media (news articles, broadcasts).
  • 通知: an official notice/notification (announcement directed to people).
What measure word do I use with 消息?
Use 条: 一条消息 / 几条消息. You’ll also see set phrases like 好消息/坏消息 without a measure word.
How do I pronounce the whole sentence? Any tone-sandhi or neutral tones?
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō zuìjìn méiyǒu xiāoxi, wǒ yě bù zhīdào.
  • Neutral tones: 消息 xiāoxi (second syllable neutral), 知道 zhīdào (second syllable often neutral).
  • Tone sandhi: 我也 (wǒ yě) is pronounced like “wó yě” (3rd + 3rd → 2nd + 3rd). 不 stays bù here because the next syllable (zhī) is 1st tone.
Are 她, 他, and 它 all pronounced the same?
Yes, all are tā (first tone). Writing distinguishes female/male/it; speech relies on context.
What’s the role of the comma here? Do I need a conjunction?
Chinese often links related clauses with a comma: 她说……，我也不知道。 You don’t need an explicit “and.” You could add connectors for clarity or nuance, but it’s not required.
How do I say “She told me there hasn’t been any news recently”?
  • 她跟我说最近没有消息。
  • 她对我说最近没有消息。
  • 她告诉我最近没有消息。
    Note: 告诉 requires an object (the person told). 说 can optionally take one with 跟/对.
How can I emphasize “no news at all”?
  • 一点(儿)消息也/都没有。
  • More formal/literary: 毫无消息。
How do I say “There’s still no news (yet)”?
Use 还 for “still/yet”: 最近还没有消息。
Can I use 讲 instead of 说?
In many southern varieties and in Taiwan, 讲 is common in speech. In standard Mainland usage, 说 is the general verb “to say,” while 讲 often leans toward “to speak/explain/tell (a story).” Here, 说 is the safest default.
What’s the deal with 知道 having 道? Can I just say 不知?
知道 is a set verb meaning “to know.” Historically, 道 was a complement; today it’s part of the word. 不知 exists but is formal/literary; in everyday speech use 不知道.

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