Meaning
Indicates possession or existence.
Cultural Background
In business, asking if someone 'has' a certain resource is a polite way to gauge their capability. Usage is identical to the mainland, but the tone is often softer in social settings. Cantonese speakers use {有|yǒu} (yau) in the same way, often in code-switching with English. Used in Singlish to express possession, often with a unique sentence structure.
The 'Location' Rule
Always remember: {有|yǒu} is for things, {在|zài} is for places.
Don't use '不'
Never say '不有'. Always use '没有'.
Meaning
Indicates possession or existence.
The 'Location' Rule
Always remember: {有|yǒu} is for things, {在|zài} is for places.
Don't use '不'
Never say '不有'. Always use '没有'.
Use it for existence
It's the most natural way to say 'there is' in Chinese.
Social usage
Use it to ask about people's availability.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
{我|wǒ} _____ {一|yī}{个|gè}{苹|píng}{果|guǒ}.
Use {有|yǒu} to indicate possession.
Choose the correct negative form.
How do you say 'I don't have time'?
Always negate {有|yǒu} with {没|méi}{有|yǒu}.
Match the Chinese phrase to its English meaning.
Match: 1. {有|yǒu}{时|shí}{候|hou} 2. {没|méi}{有|yǒu} 3. {有|yǒu}{名|míng}
Vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {你|nǐ}{有|yǒu}{地|dì}{图|tú}{吗|ma}? B: _____
Direct answer to a question.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises{我|wǒ} _____ {一|yī}{个|gè}{苹|píng}{果|guǒ}.
Use {有|yǒu} to indicate possession.
How do you say 'I don't have time'?
Always negate {有|yǒu} with {没|méi}{有|yǒu}.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Vocabulary matching.
A: {你|nǐ}{有|yǒu}{地|dì}{图|tú}{吗|ma}? B: _____
Direct answer to a question.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, only for possession and existence.
Yes, it functions primarily as a verb.
In casual speech, 'you' is often dropped.
Use the A-not-A structure: {有|yǒu}{没|méi}{有|yǒu}?
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
Yes, '{有|yǒu}{时|shí}{间|jiān}' means 'to have time'.
{有|yǒu} means 'there is', {在|zài} means 'is located at'.
Yes, '{我|wǒ}{有|yǒu}{哥|gē}{哥|ge}' means 'I have an older brother'.
Yes, it is very common in professional settings.
Use '{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{有|yǒu}'.
The character is the same, but pronunciation varies.
Yes, '{有|yǒu}{意|yì}{义|yì}' means 'meaningful'.
Related Phrases
{没|méi}{有|yǒu}
contrastDo not have
{有|yǒu}{时|shí}{候|hou}
builds onSometimes
{有|yǒu}{名|míng}
builds onFamous
{拥|yōng}{有|yǒu}
specialized formTo possess
