Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Never (before): Indicates that an action or state has not occurred at any time in the past up to the present moment. It emphasizes the absolute absence of an experience or event.

Usage

• Position in a Sentence: Typically placed before the main verb in a negative sentence structure.
• Function: Used to strongly negate an action or experience in the past, emphasizing "not even once."
• Common Structure: Subject + chưa hề + Verb (+ Object).

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi chưa hề gặp ông ta. (I have never met him.)
  • Cô ấy chưa hề nói dối. (She has never lied.)
  • Họ chưa hề đến thăm thành phố này. (They have never visited this city.)

Advanced Usage

• chưa hề... bao giờ: This is a reinforcing structure. can be combined with (ever) at the end of the sentence for added emphasis on "never ever."
  • Tôi chưa hề thấy điều đó bao giờ. (I have never seen that ever.)
• Contrast with : While means "not yet" (implying it may happen later), means "never (before)" and is stronger, often ruling out any past occurrence.

Variants and Related Words

• Chưa từng: A very close synonym, also meaning "never (before)." The usage is nearly identical.
  • Anh ấy chưa từng thất bại. (He has never failed.)
• Chưa bao giờ: Another synonym with the same core meaning, literally "not ever."
  • Tôi chưa bao giờ quên. (I have never forgotten.)

Synonyms

• Never: (English equivalent) Not at any time.
• Not ever: (English equivalent) Emphatic form of "never."

Notes on Meaning

• Temporal Scope: specifically refers to the period from the past up to now. It does not typically refer to the future.
• Emphasis: It carries a stronger emphatic tone than the simple negation (not). It highlights a complete lack of experience.

1. Never
   • tôi chưa hề gặp ông ta
     I have never met him