Welcome to Lesson 11 of the Latinum Institute's Mandarin Chinese course for English speakers. In this lesson, we will explore the Chinese word 有 (yǒu), which means "have" or "there is/are." This fundamental verb is one of the most frequently used words in Mandarin Chinese and is essential for basic communication. For the complete course index and additional lessons, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The word 有 (yǒu) serves multiple functions in Mandarin Chinese. While it primarily translates to "have" in the possessive sense, it also functions as an existential verb meaning "there is/are." Unlike English, which uses different constructions for possession and existence, Mandarin efficiently uses 有 for both purposes.
Question: What does 有 (yǒu) mean in Mandarin Chinese? Answer: 有 (yǒu) is a versatile verb that means "to have" in the possessive sense and "there is/are" in the existential sense. It is pronounced with a rising-falling tone (third tone) and is one of the most essential verbs in Mandarin Chinese.
In this lesson, you will encounter 有 (yǒu) in various contexts and sentence positions. The examples demonstrate its use for: -
Expressing possession (I have a book) -
Indicating existence (There is a cat) -
Forming questions about possession or existence -
Creating negative statements with 没有 (méiyǒu) -
Showing comparison and quantity
Course Title: Mandarin Chinese Language Learning Materials Level: Beginner to Intermediate Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Mandarin Chinese Lesson Focus: The verb 有 (yǒu) - possession and existence Learning Objectives: Students will be able to use 有 correctly in various contexts
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有 (yǒu) means both "have" and "there is/are" -
The negative form is 没有 (méiyǒu), not 不有 -
有 can express possession, existence, comparison, and past experience -
Word order with 有 follows Subject + 有 + Object pattern -
Questions are formed by adding 吗 (ma) or using 有没有 structure
11.1 我 (wǒ) I 有 (yǒu) have 一 (yī) one 本 (běn) [classifier] 书 (shū) book
11.2 她 (tā) she 有 (yǒu) has 两 (liǎng) two 个 (gè) [classifier] 哥哥 (gēge) older-brother
11.3 教室 (jiàoshì) classroom 里 (lǐ) inside 有 (yǒu) there-are 很多 (hěnduō) many 学生 (xuésheng) students
11.4 你 (nǐ) you 有 (yǒu) have 时间 (shíjiān) time 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.5 他们 (tāmen) they 没 (méi) not 有 (yǒu) have 钱 (qián) money
11.6 这里 (zhèlǐ) here 有 (yǒu) there-is 人 (rén) person 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.7 我 (wǒ) I 家 (jiā) home 有 (yǒu) has 三 (sān) three 只 (zhī) [classifier] 猫 (māo) cat
11.8 昨天 (zuótiān) yesterday 有 (yǒu) there-was 雨 (yǔ) rain
11.9 桌子 (zhuōzi) table 上 (shàng) on 有 (yǒu) there-is 什么 (shénme) what
11.10 她 (tā) she 有 (yǒu) has 很 (hěn) very 漂亮 (piàoliang) beautiful 的 (de) [possessive] 衣服 (yīfu) clothes
11.11 中国 (Zhōngguó) China 有 (yǒu) has 很 (hěn) very 长 (cháng) long 的 (de) [possessive] 历史 (lìshǐ) history
11.12 你 (nǐ) you 有 (yǒu) have 没 (méi) not 有 (yǒu) have 看见 (kànjiàn) see 他 (tā) him
11.13 商店 (shāngdiàn) store 里 (lǐ) inside 有 (yǒu) there-are 各种 (gèzhǒng) various 东西 (dōngxi) things
11.14 我们 (wǒmen) we 有 (yǒu) have 一个 (yīge) one-[classifier] 问题 (wèntí) question
11.15 明天 (míngtiān) tomorrow 有 (yǒu) there-will-be 考试 (kǎoshì) exam
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11.1 我有一本书。 I have a book.
11.2 她有两个哥哥。 She has two older brothers.
11.3 教室里有很多学生。 There are many students in the classroom.
11.4 你有时间吗？ Do you have time?
11.5 他们没有钱。 They don't have money.
11.6 这里有人吗？ Is there anyone here?
11.7 我家有三只猫。 My home has three cats.
11.8 昨天有雨。 There was rain yesterday.
11.9 桌子上有什么？ What is on the table?
11.10 她有很漂亮的衣服。 She has very beautiful clothes.
11.11 中国有很长的历史。 China has a very long history.
11.12 你有没有看见他？ Have you seen him?
11.13 商店里有各种东西。 There are various things in the store.
11.14 我们有一个问题。 We have a question.
11.15 明天有考试。 There will be an exam tomorrow.
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11.1 我有一本书。
11.2 她有两个哥哥。
11.3 教室里有很多学生。
11.4 你有时间吗？
11.5 他们没有钱。
11.6 这里有人吗？
11.7 我家有三只猫。
11.8 昨天有雨。
11.9 桌子上有什么？
11.10 她有很漂亮的衣服。
11.11 中国有很长的历史。
11.12 你有没有看见他？
11.13 商店里有各种东西。
11.14 我们有一个问题。
11.15 明天有考试。
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The verb 有 (yǒu) is unique in Mandarin Chinese grammar and follows specific rules that differ from English "have."
1. Basic Structure The basic word order is: Subject + 有 + Object Example: 我有书 (wǒ yǒu shū) - I have books
2. Negation Unlike most Chinese verbs that use 不 (bù) for negation, 有 uses 没 (méi): -
Positive: 有 (yǒu) -
Negative: 没有 (méiyǒu) or simply 没 (méi) Never say 不有 - this is incorrect!
3. Questions There are three ways to form questions with 有: -
Add 吗 (ma): 你有钱吗？ (Do you have money?) -
Use 有没有: 你有没有钱？ (Do you have money or not?) -
Use question words: 你有什么？ (What do you have?)
4. Existential Usage 有 also means "there is/are" to indicate existence: -
桌子上有书 (There are books on the table) -
Location typically comes before 有 in existential sentences
5. Tense 有 doesn't change form for different tenses. Context indicates time: -
我有书 (I have a book) - present -
我昨天有书 (I had a book yesterday) - past -
我明天有书 (I will have a book tomorrow) - future
1. Using 不 instead of 没 Incorrect: 我不有书 Correct: 我没有书
2. Forgetting classifiers English: I have three books Incorrect: 我有三书 Correct: 我有三本书 (with classifier 本)
3. Word order in existential sentences Incorrect: 有很多人在公园里 Correct: 公园里有很多人 (location first)
4. Confusing 有 with 是 (shì - to be) 有 indicates possession/existence 是 indicates identity/equation
English distinguishes between: -
Possession: "I have a book" -
Existence: "There is a book"
Mandarin uses 有 for both: -
Possession: 我有书 -
Existence: 有书
English uses "do/does" for questions and "don't/doesn't" for negatives. Mandarin uses 吗 or 有没有 for questions and 没有 for negatives.
Step 1: Identify if you're expressing possession or existence Step 2: Place the subject (for possession) or location (for existence) first Step 3: Add 有 Step 4: Add the object (remember classifiers for countable nouns) Step 5: For questions, add 吗 or use 有没有 Step 6: For negatives, use 没有, never 不有
有 (yǒu) - third tone Functions: possession, existence, experience Negative: 没有 (méiyǒu) Question forms: -
Statement + 吗 -
Subject + 有没有 + Object -
Subject + 有 + Question Word
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Understanding 有 (yǒu) provides insight into Chinese thought patterns and cultural expressions. In Chinese culture, the concept of possession is often expressed more subtly than in English. While English speakers might emphasize individual ownership, Chinese speakers often use 有 in ways that reflect collective thinking.
The phrase 有意思 (yǒu yìsi - literally "has meaning") means "interesting," showing how 有 extends beyond simple possession. Similarly, 有名 (yǒumíng - literally "has name") means "famous." These compound words reveal how Chinese conceptualizes abstract qualities as things one can "have."
In polite conversation, Chinese speakers often use 有 in indirect ways. For example, instead of directly refusing, one might say 我有事 (wǒ yǒu shì - "I have matters") to politely indicate being busy. The expression 有空 (yǒu kòng - literally "have emptiness") means to have free time, reflecting the philosophical concept that emptiness creates space for possibility.
The existential use of 有 appears frequently in Chinese proverbs and idioms. The saying 有志者事竟成 (yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng - "where there's a will, there's a way") literally translates as "those who have ambition, matters will finally succeed."
In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, 有 and its opposite 无 (wú - nothing/without) represent fundamental concepts of existence and non-existence, presence and absence. This philosophical dimension adds depth to what might seem like a simple verb.
For English speakers, mastering 有 means understanding not just its grammatical functions but also its cultural implications. It's a gateway to thinking in Chinese patterns rather than translating directly from English structures.
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From 《论语》(Lúnyǔ - The Analects) Book 1, Chapter 1:
子 (zǐ) Master 曰 (yuē) said: 学 (xué) study 而 (ér) and 时 (shí) time 习 (xí) practice 之 (zhī) it，不 (bù) not 亦 (yì) also 说 (yuè) pleased 乎 (hū) [question-particle]？有 (yǒu) have 朋 (péng) friend 自 (zì) from 远 (yuǎn) far 方 (fāng) place 来 (lái) come，不 (bù) not 亦 (yì) also 乐 (lè) happy 乎 (hū) [question-particle]？
子曰：学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？
The Master said: "To study and at times practice what you have learned, is this not a pleasure? To have friends come from distant places, is this not a joy?"
子曰：学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？
This famous opening passage from the Analects demonstrates 有 in its existential sense. The phrase 有朋自远方来 literally means "there are friends from distant places coming." Here, 有 introduces the existence of friends arriving, showing how classical Chinese used this verb in sophisticated literary contexts.
The structure 有 + Subject + Verb phrase is classical and differs slightly from modern usage. In modern Chinese, we might say 朋友从远方来 (friends come from distant places), but Confucius uses 有 to emphasize the fortunate existence of such friends.
Note how 有 creates a sense of blessing or fortune - it's not just that friends come, but that one "has" the experience of friends coming. This subtle use of 有 adds philosophical depth, suggesting that such visits are possessions to be treasured.
The rhetorical questions using 不亦...乎 (is it not...?) are classical Chinese structures that assume positive answers, emphasizing the joy of learning and friendship - core Confucian values that remain important in Chinese culture today.
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11.16 服务员 (fúwùyuán) waiter，你们 (nǐmen) you-plural 有 (yǒu) have 菜单 (càidān) menu 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.17 我们 (wǒmen) we 这里 (zhèlǐ) here 有 (yǒu) have 很 (hěn) very 新鲜 (xīnxiān) fresh 的 (de) [possessive] 海鲜 (hǎixiān) seafood
11.18 你 (nǐ) you 有 (yǒu) have 什么 (shénme) what 推荐 (tuījiàn) recommendation 的 (de) [possessive] 菜 (cài) dish
11.19 对不起 (duìbùqǐ) sorry，我们 (wǒmen) we 今天 (jīntiān) today 没 (méi) not 有 (yǒu) have 北京 (Běijīng) Beijing 烤鸭 (kǎoyā) roast-duck
11.20 这个 (zhège) this 餐厅 (cāntīng) restaurant 有 (yǒu) has 素食 (sùshí) vegetarian 的 (de) [possessive] 选择 (xuǎnzé) options 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.21 我 (wǒ) I 有 (yǒu) have 过敏 (guòmǐn) allergy，不 (bù) not 能 (néng) can 吃 (chī) eat 花生 (huāshēng) peanuts
11.22 桌子 (zhuōzi) table 上 (shàng) on 有 (yǒu) there-are 筷子 (kuàizi) chopsticks 和 (hé) and 勺子 (sháozi) spoons
11.23 你们 (nǐmen) you-plural 有 (yǒu) have 没 (méi) not 有 (yǒu) have 儿童 (értóng) children 餐 (cān) meal
11.24 厨房 (chúfáng) kitchen 里 (lǐ) inside 还 (hái) still 有 (yǒu) have 饺子 (jiǎozi) dumplings 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.25 我们 (wǒmen) we 有 (yǒu) have 四 (sì) four 个 (gè) [classifier] 人 (rén) people，需要 (xūyào) need 大 (dà) big 桌子 (zhuōzi) table
11.26 这里 (zhèlǐ) here 有 (yǒu) there-is 空调 (kōngtiáo) air-conditioning，不 (bù) not 太 (tài) too 热 (rè) hot
11.27 账单 (zhàngdān) bill 上 (shàng) on 有 (yǒu) there-is 服务费 (fúwùfèi) service-charge 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.28 我 (wǒ) I 只 (zhǐ) only 有 (yǒu) have 现金 (xiànjīn) cash，没 (méi) not 有 (yǒu) have 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) credit-card
11.29 附近 (fùjìn) nearby 有 (yǒu) there-is 停车场 (tíngchēchǎng) parking-lot 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
11.30 晚上 (wǎnshang) evening 九点 (jiǔdiǎn) nine-o'clock 以后 (yǐhòu) after 还 (hái) still 有 (yǒu) have 位子 (wèizi) seats 吗 (ma) [question-particle]
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11.16 服务员，你们有菜单吗？ Waiter, do you have a menu?
11.17 我们这里有很新鲜的海鲜。 We have very fresh seafood here.
11.18 你有什么推荐的菜？ What dishes do you have to recommend?
11.19 对不起，我们今天没有北京烤鸭。 Sorry, we don't have Peking duck today.
11.20 这个餐厅有素食的选择吗？ Does this restaurant have vegetarian options?
11.21 我有过敏，不能吃花生。 I have allergies, I cannot eat peanuts.
11.22 桌子上有筷子和勺子。 There are chopsticks and spoons on the table.
11.23 你们有没有儿童餐？ Do you have children's meals?
11.24 厨房里还有饺子吗？ Are there still dumplings in the kitchen?
11.25 我们有四个人，需要大桌子。 We have four people, we need a big table.
11.26 这里有空调，不太热。 There is air conditioning here, it's not too hot.
11.27 账单上有服务费吗？ Is there a service charge on the bill?
11.28 我只有现金，没有信用卡。 I only have cash, I don't have a credit card.
11.29 附近有停车场吗？ Is there a parking lot nearby?
11.30 晚上九点以后还有位子吗？ Are there still seats available after 9 PM?
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11.16 服务员，你们有菜单吗？
11.17 我们这里有很新鲜的海鲜。
11.18 你有什么推荐的菜？
11.19 对不起，我们今天没有北京烤鸭。
11.20 这个餐厅有素食的选择吗？
11.21 我有过敏，不能吃花生。
11.22 桌子上有筷子和勺子。
11.23 你们有没有儿童餐？
11.24 厨房里还有饺子吗？
11.25 我们有四个人，需要大桌子。
11.26 这里有空调，不太热。
11.27 账单上有服务费吗？
11.28 我只有现金，没有信用卡。
11.29 附近有停车场吗？
11.30 晚上九点以后还有位子吗？
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1. Asking about availability The most common use of 有 in restaurants is asking if something is available: -
有...吗？ (Do you have...?) -
有没有...？ (Do you have... or not?)
2. Location + 有 for describing what's available When describing what the restaurant offers: -
我们这里有... (We have... here) -
菜单上有... (On the menu there is...)
3. Negative responses about availability Service staff often use: -
对不起，没有 (Sorry, we don't have) -
今天没有 (Today we don't have)
4. Personal dietary restrictions Using 有 to express allergies or dietary needs: -
我有过敏 (I have allergies) -
我有特殊要求 (I have special requirements)
5. Time-specific availability Combining 有 with time expressions: -
现在有... (Now there is...) -
...以后还有...吗？ (After... is there still...?)
你们有英文菜单吗？ (Do you have an English menu?) 还有别的吗？ (Is there anything else?) 有推荐的吗？ (Do you have any recommendations?) 这个菜有辣椒吗？ (Does this dish have chili peppers?) 有折扣吗？ (Is there a discount?)
In Chinese restaurants, asking with 有没有 is often more polite than direct commands. Instead of saying "Give me the menu," Chinese speakers typically ask "Do you have a menu?" This indirect approach reflects cultural preferences for maintaining harmony and giving the other person face.
When something isn't available, staff will often suggest alternatives using 有: 我们没有A，但是有B (We don't have A, but we have B).
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