たことがあるHave done; have never done
たことがある says that someone has had a particular experience at least once. Its negative form says that the experience has never occurred.
Experience rather than a dated event
Use this pattern when the important question is whether an experience exists in someone's history. The exact time is usually unimportant, although a broad period such as childhood or student days can be included.
子どものころ、馬に乗ったことがあります。
I have ridden a horse before, when I was a child.
AnalyzeShowing how many times
一度 can specify one experience, while 何度か means that it happened several times. With a negative ending, 一度も means “not even once.”
Past form versus nonpast form
The past form before ことがある describes prior experience. A nonpast verb in the same position instead says that something happens occasionally.
More examples
納豆を食べたことがありますか。
Have you ever eaten natto?
Analyzeいいえ、一度も食べたことがありません。
No, I have never eaten it.
Analyze学生のとき、何度か富士山に登ったことがある。
When I was a student, I climbed Mount Fuji several times.
Analyze仕事で外国のお客さんに日本語を教えたことがあります。
I have taught Japanese to overseas clients for work.
Analyze夜行列車で旅行したことがあります。
I have traveled by overnight train.
Analyze京都のお寺に泊まったことがある。
I have stayed overnight at a temple in Kyoto.
Analyze