Question 1

What's the difference between 有的 and 一些 when both mean 'some'?

Accepted Answer

有的 splits a known group into some... others; 一些 just gives an indefinite amount. 有的 points at a specific set already in your head. It often sets up a contrast: 有的喜欢茶，有的喜欢咖啡. 一些 just means an unspecified amount, like a handful or a bit. You can say 一些人, but it doesn't force a some-vs-others split.

Question 2

Do you always need a noun after 有的?

Accepted Answer

No. 有的 can be the subject by itself when the group is already clear. You don't need to repeat the noun after every 有的. If everyone knows you're talking about apples, say 有的很甜，有的很酸. The noun can appear once before, and then 有的 carries the rest. It still means some of them, not a random some in a void.

Question 3

How do you say 'some... some...' in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

Repeat 有的 for 'some... others...' when you split one group into two sides. The pattern is 有的 + noun + verb, then 有的 + verb again. You can drop the noun in the second half if it's obvious. It is not the same as listing random items with 一些. This creates a balanced contrast, like a seesaw between two groups.

“有的大学大，
有的大学小。” (Some universities are big, and some universities are small.) ── 《小大学和大小学》

Dimension	Natural	Avoid
Core meaning	有的 picks some members out of a known group	一些 gives a vague amount
Typical pattern	有的人喜欢茶，有的人喜欢咖啡。	有的一些人喜欢茶。
Group split	有的学生来了，有的没来。	一些学生来了，一些没来。 (works, but less sharp)

Dimension	Natural	Avoid
With noun	有的学生很用功。	有的很用功学生。
Noun already clear	这些苹果，有的甜，有的酸。	这些苹果，有的。
Bare answer	有的很甜，有的很酸。	A: 你喜欢哪种苹果？ B: 有的。

Dimension	Natural	Avoid
Parallel split	有的大学大，有的大学小。	一些大学大，一些大学小。 (possible, but flatter)
Short second half	有的大学大，有的小。	有的大学大，大学小。 (missing 有的)
Meaning	splits one known group into two parts	lists unrelated items

有的

Common Usage & Traps

What's the difference between 有的 and 一些 when both mean 'some'?

Do you always need a noun after 有的?

How do you say 'some... some...' in Chinese?

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