有
The English phrase 'has' is translated into Chinese as 有.
Unlike in English where 'has' and 'there is' are distinct, 有 can be used to express both possession ('I have a cat') and existence ('There is a cat').
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 有 does not change its form based on the subject (person or number). It remains 有 regardless of whether the subject is I, you, he or they. The negative form of 有 is 没有. To form a question with 有, you can place 有 in front of the subject or use the affirmative-negative structure 有没有.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 是 (to be) instead of 有 (to have) when trying to say someone possesses a quality or an object.
Did you know?
- The early definition of 有 was linked to solar and lunar eclipses, which were viewed as inauspicious events.
- Although many people believe the character 有 represents a hand holding meat, ancient oracle bone scripts show no evidence of meat in its original form.
Examples in context
- 他有很多钱。He has a lot of money.This sentence shows how to say someone has a lot of money using 有.Tatoeba #480581 by biglion, translation #480576 by CK
- 他有很多书。He has books galore.This sentence shows how to express that someone has many books using 有.Tatoeba #2032311 by ydcok, translation #322082 by shekitten
- 他有长头发。He has long hair.This sentence shows how to say someone has long hair using 有.Tatoeba #4761437 by billt_estates, translation #705440 by papabear
- 他有一本好书。He has a good book.
- 这个项目具有重要意义。This project has significant meaning.
- 她拥有很多财富。She has a lot of wealth.
- 我们家有着一个美丽的花园。We have a beautiful garden at home.
- 我有了新工作。I have a new job now.
- 778 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new restaurant in town.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那家餐厅有没有好吃的菜？Nà jiā cāntīng yǒu méiyǒu hǎochī de cài?Does that restaurant have delicious food?
- 志强 Zhiqiang他家有很多特色菜。Tā jiā yǒu hěnduō tèsè cài.They have many specialty dishes.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那我们今天去吃吧。Nà wǒmen jīntiān qù chī ba.Then let's go eat there today.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，我也很饿了。Hǎo, wǒ yě hěn è le.Okay, I am hungry too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 有, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
