Definition
有 (yǒu) is the basic verb for 'to have' and 'there is/are' in Chinese. It's the most general and common word for possession and existence. Unlike 拥有 (yōng yǒu) or 具有 (jù yǒu), which are formal and used for abstract or important things, 有 is used in everyday speech for concrete objects, people, and simple existence.
verb
to haveto possessthere isthere are (indicating existence)
Easily confused
- 朝cháolook-alike(verb) to face (a direction); to make a pilgrimage to
- 又yòusound-alike(adverb) again (of a past or habitual action)
- 肠chánglook-alikeintestines
- 由yóusound-alike(preposition) by (indicating the agent or doer of an action)
- 服fúlook-aliketo take (medicine)
- 右yòusound-alikeright side; right (direction)
- 油yóusound-alikeoil
- 游yóusound-aliketo swim
Examples
- 有。Wǒ yǒu yì běn shū.I have a book.
- 有。Xuéxiào yǒu hěn duō lǎoshī.There are many teachers at the school.
- 有？Nǐ yǒu māo ma?Do you have a cat?
Grammar
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