HSK 1
“有”字句1
“ yǒu ” zì jù 1
Sentence structures with '有' (表示领有 expressing possession and 表示存在 expressing existence)
Explanation
The 有 (yǒu - to have) sentence expresses two ideas: possession and existence.
possession (表示领有 biǎoshì lǐngyǒu) → Person + 有 + thing: 我有很多书 (I have many books); existence (表示存在 biǎoshì cúnzài) → Place + 有 + thing: 房间里有两张桌子 (there are two tables in the room).
use 有 to say that someone possesses something, or that something exists at some place.
the negative of 有 is ALWAYS 没有 (méiyǒu); one absolutely does not say 不有. This is an exception, since most other verbs are negated with 不. Also, when counting things you must use the correct measure word (a counting unit, like English "a piece of", "a cup of") (张 zhāng for flat-surfaced tables and chairs): 两张桌子.
Examples
(1) Expressing possession (having something)
I have a lot of books.
He does not have an older brother.
A week has seven days.
(2) Expressing existence (there is something somewhere)
There are two tables in the room.
There are no tables in the room.
Practice
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Learn ““有”字句1” effectively
The grammar point ““有”字句1” (Sentence structures with '有' (表示领有 expressing possession and 表示存在 expressing existence)) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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