Meaning
尚未 is a formal or written way to express 'not yet'. It indicates that something has not happened or been completed up to the present moment, but there is an expectation or possibility it will happen in the future. It is more literary and formal than the colloquial 还没.
Usage
尚未 is primarily used in formal writing, news reports, official documents, and formal speech. In everyday conversation, Chinese speakers typically use 还没 (hái méi) or 还没有 (hái méi yǒu) instead. 尚未 often appears before verbs and carries a somewhat more serious or official tone.
Examples
- 01这个项目尚未完成，还需要更多时间。, .This project has not yet been completed and still needs more time.
- 02警方表示案件尚未侦破，调查仍在进行中。, .The police stated that the case has not yet been solved and the investigation is still ongoing.
Characters
Common collocations
- 尚未完成not yet completed
- 尚未确定not yet confirmed
- 尚未解决not yet resolved
- 尚未发现not yet discovered
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have classical roots. 尚 originally meant 'to esteem' or 'to value' but developed the meaning 'still' in classical Chinese. 未 is one of the twelve Earthly Branches and has meant 'not yet' since ancient times.