Experience with 过

过 (guo) is an aspect particle placed directly after a verb to indicate that the action has been experienced at least once before. It answers the question "Have you ever...?" rather than "Did you...?" The focus is on life experience, not a specific past event.

For example, "我吃过北京烤鸭" (wǒ chī guo Běijīng kǎoyā) means "I have eaten Peking duck (before)." It doesn't say when — it simply confirms the experience. Compare this with 了, which marks a completed action at a specific time: "我吃了北京烤鸭" means "I ate Peking duck" (referring to a specific occasion).

To negate an experience, use 没(有) before the verb and keep 过 after it: "我没吃过北京烤鸭" — "I have never eaten Peking duck." Do NOT use 不 for negation with 过.

To ask about experience, add 吗 at the end: "你去过中国吗？" — "Have you ever been to China?" You can also use the verb-没-verb pattern: "你去没去过中国？" This is a natural and common question form.