HSK Guide

有 yǒu — to have, to possess

yǒu (third tone, dipping)you3

to have, to possess

HSK 1· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 1· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
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Meanings

  1. to have, to possess

    To own or to hold. It is the one verb in Mandarin that is negated with 没 rather than 不 — 没有, never 不有.

    verb

  2. there is, there are (existence)

    verb

    For existence the place comes first: 桌子上有一本书 "there’s a book on the desk".

Character breakdown

  • 有
    yǒu (third tone, dipping)

    to have, to possess; there is, there are; to exist

    6 strokes⿸𠂇月Radical 月

Example sentences

  • 我有一个中国朋友。我有一個中國朋友。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yǒu (third tone, dipping) yí (second tone, rising) ge (neutral tone) Zhōngguó (first tone, high and level) péngyou. (second tone, rising)···

    I have a Chinese friend.

  • 桌子上有一本书。桌子上有一本書。Zhuōzi (first tone, high and level) shàng (fourth tone, falling) yǒu (third tone, dipping) yì (fourth tone, falling) běn (third tone, dipping) shū. (first tone, high and level)···

    There’s a book on the desk.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite我不有钱。

    Correct我没有钱。

    有 is the single verb that refuses 不. Whatever the tense, its negative is 没有 — or just 没 in quick speech.

Similar words

Words containing 有