To hold something in the hand—originally a piece of meat (肉) showing possession. To have, own, or exist; there is/are; to be present or available.
有
Existing in space, holding resources, or possessing something.
有 acts like a treasure chest opening up. In Chinese, locations act like containers: the room holds people (房间里有人), the store holds fruit (商店里有很多水果), and your pocket holds money (我有钱).
Common Usage & Traps
- 有钱 — have money, rich
- 有人 — there is someone
- 很多水果 — a lot of fruit
- 有一点儿 — a little bit (annoying/cold)
- 没有 — don't have, there is no
-
我不有时间我没有时间有 strictly refuses 不. The negative form is always 没有, never 不有.
-
桌子是在有书桌子上有书Never cram 是 and 有 together into the same slot to mean 'there is'.
What is the difference between 桌子上有书 and 书在桌子上?
Place + 有 + Thing introduces what exists there; Thing + 在 + Place tracks location.
| Starting Focus | Structure Formula | Natural Example | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus on the space | Place + 有 + Item | 商店里有很多水果。 | There is a lot of fruit in the store. |
| Focus on the object | Item + 在 + Place | 水果在商店里。 | The fruit is inside the store. |
Why can you never say 我不有钱 for 'I don't have money'?
有 is the one core word that strictly rejects 不. Always say 没有.
| Situation | Natural Expression | Forbidden Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Having no money | 我没有钱。 | 我不有钱。 |
| Having no time | 今天没有时间。 | 今天不有时间。 |
| Asking yes/no question | 你有没有? | 你有不有? |
When do you say 有一点儿 versus just 一点儿?
有一点儿 + Adjective (complaining); Verb + 一点儿 + Noun (a little quantity).
| Pattern | Slot Position | Natural Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 有一点儿 + Adjective | Before descriptive word | 天气有一点儿冷。 | The weather is slightly cold. |
| Verb + 一点儿 + Noun | Between verb and object | 喝一点儿茶吧。 | Drink a little tea. |
Appears in Stories 24 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
-
我看见超市 有 大苹果,也 有 小苹果。
-
我 有 四十五块钱。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
-
这个商店 有 很多东西, 有 吃的东西也 有 喝的东西。
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
-
你 有 热茶喝吗?
Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.
-
他 有 一个小杯子,是一个咖啡杯。
-
他也 有 一个大杯子,是一个茶杯。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
-
有 个叫谢安的人,很 有 才华,也很 有 名气。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
-
“小包先生”的家 有 六口人,他的爸妈、儿子、女儿和他们两口子。
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
-
坐车要九块钱,高先明手里 有 四块钱,少五块钱。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
-
可是今年很奇怪,天上很少 有 云,也很少下雨,一直非常热。
-
不过,好在没有听说 有 起火的地方。
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
-
一个苹果能 有 多贵?
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
-
天天晚上八点,都 有 一个老先生来。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
-
饭店里 有 一个老先生。
-
面条里 有 一个鸡蛋。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
-
对方便面,很多人都 有 各种各样的消极的印象,比如没有营养、有毒,油、盐含量高等等。
-
这就是为什么方便面里都 有 一个小盐包。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
-
前天 有 个朋友告诉我,要想了解老北京的文化,应该去老茶馆喝一次"大碗儿茶"。
-
很多老北京以前是 有 去茶馆儿喝茶的习惯的。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
-
你 有 汉语老师和中文老师吗?
-
我 有 一位汉语老师。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
-
白天明看见老先生的家里, 有 一只很大很白的大猫。
-
白天明问:“老先生,您家里 有 大白猫,您怎么还要找大白猫呢?”
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
-
桌子上 有 老先生写的字:“我的朋友,你天天都好!”
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
-
在他的晚年, 有 一位卖饼干的小人物成了他的朋友,给他带来一点意外和许多快乐。
-
““我还可以说,我们这个地方, 有 一个卖饼干的,每天在街上叫卖饼干,但他还愿意关心国家大事,关心英美的政治制度,希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事,已够使我乐观,使我高兴了。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
-
后天 有 个好电影。
-
今年 有 了新工作。
Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.
-
北京到上海 有 飞机,也 有 火车。
Join a shopper on a quick trip to the store. You'll learn simple words for shopping and feelings in this easy-to-follow story.
-
这个商店 有 很多东西。
Ever noticed how similar Chinese words can be? This rhyme plays with place names and homophones, from schools to hotels, even throwing in Samsung's origin. A lighthearted way to boost your word power.
-
学院 有 院子,影院没院子,医院是院子?
-
书店 有 好书,饭店吃和住,酒店没有酒。
In this easy story, you will follow a simple trip to the supermarket to buy apples. Practice numbers, question words, and nationalities in a real-life shopping context.
-
我 有 十五块钱。
Read about a work trip to Beijing where a group of colleagues takes a very large airplane. Practice weather words and actions in a simple travel story.
-
我们下飞机的时候是白天,但是天气 有 一点儿冷。
Shopping for fruit is a common daily task in China. Practice saying prices, counting items, and using simple shopping phrases while buying five apples for three yuan.
-
这个商店 有 很多水果。
-
我 有 三块钱。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!