从未

• Pinyin: cóng wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 从 = from; 未 = not yet, never

Meaning

Never; have never. A formal adverb emphasizing that something has not happened at any point in time.

More literary and formal than 从来没有. Often used in written language, speeches, and formal statements. Carries weight and finality in its negation.

Examples

1. 他从未想过有一天自己能站上世界冠军的领奖台。 He never imagined that one day he would stand on the world championship podium.
2. 这种事在我们公司的历史上从未发生过。 Such a thing has never happened in the history of our company.
3. 她从未向任何人透露过这个秘密。 She has never revealed this secret to anyone.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, emphasis

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 我从未见过这样的场面。(I have never seen such a scene.)
• 这是从未有过的突破。(This is an unprecedented breakthrough.)

Don't Say

• 他从未经常这样 (Contradictory — 从未 means 'never,' which contradicts 经常 meaning 'often')

Origin & History

Compound of 从 (from) + 未 (not yet, never). Classical construction for emphatic negation of past experience.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated