Asking a question with a negative verb (見なかった?)


In Yotsubato Ch. 1, Fuuka asks Ena:

> 変な子みなかった？

I understand this to mean "Have you seen a strange kid?" But I'm a bit hung up
on the negative form of the verb here. Why not ask:

> 変な子みた?

Is there a difference in meaning or nuance?

I know that negative verbs in questions can be used invitationally or
rhetorically as in:

> ゲームをいっしょにしない？

or

> このケーキは甘すぎじゃない？

But somehow this case seems different to me. Is it the same or related grammar
pattern? Or is it a different pattern that someone can point me to?




When you say 変な子見なかった？, you hope that he saw the kid or you think he probably
saw the kid.

> 小学生の女の子来ませんでしたか？  
>  Did an elementary school girl come here?

When you say this, the situation will be like you are looking for your
daughter.

> 先生来た？  
>  Did teacher come here?

When you say this, the situation will be like you saw the teacher walking
toward the classroom, and just asks if he came here.

> 変な子見なかった？ Did you see a strange kid?

When you say this, the situation will be like you saw a strange kid in a
restaurant, after you got out of there you ask your friend who you had lunch
with.

> 変な子見た？ Did you see a strange kid?

When you say this, the situation will be like you want to tell him why the kid
is strange and how funny it is. And you may say “見た？” more loudly for
emphasis.

But this is just tendency, nuance. You can say whichever you want.




When you say 変な子見なかった？, you hope that he saw the kid or you think he probably
saw the kid.

> 小学生の女の子来ませんでしたか？  
>  Did an elementary school girl come here?

When you say this, the situation will be like you are looking for your
daughter.

> 先生来た？  
>  Did teacher come here?

When you say this, the situation will be like you saw the teacher walking
toward the classroom, and just asks if he came here.

> 変な子見なかった？ Did you see a strange kid?

When you say this, the situation will be like you saw a strange kid in a
restaurant, after you got out of there you ask your friend who you had lunch
with.

> 変な子見た？ Did you see a strange kid?

When you say this, the situation will be like you want to tell him why the kid
is strange and how funny it is. And you may say “見た？” more loudly for
emphasis.

But this is just tendency, nuance. You can say whichever you want.

