Grammar Point:
In Chinese, we use 有 yǒu to talk about the existence of something without specifying what it is. After 有 yǒu we describe what the thing does or is like.
Structure
有 + (Number + MW) + N
有一天有一天
One day
有三隻狗有三只狗
There are three dogs.
有一個人來找你有一个人来找你
Someone is coming to see you.
有天你會知道我的好有天你会知道我的好
One day you will know my kindness.
有人住在這裡嗎?有人住在这里吗?
Is anyone living here?
有沒有人要喝咖啡?有没有人要喝咖啡?
Does anyone want coffee?
有沒有地方我可以帶狗去?有没有地方我可以带狗去?
Is there anywhere I can take my dog?
Negation
沒有人要跟你去日本没有人要跟你去日本
No one wants to go to Japan with you.
沒有一個地方可以帶狗没有一个地方可以带狗
There is nowhere to take the dog.
沒有學生喜歡你没有学生喜欢你
No students like you.
Compare These Two
有一本書在桌上有一本书在桌上
It focuses on the existence of a book on the table. It can be translated as “There is a book on the table.”
有一本書在桌上,你可以拿去看有一本书在桌上,你可以拿去看 ❌
The issue with the sentence lies in the connection between these two parts. While the first part establishes the existence of the book on the table, the second part suggests an action (taking the book to read) without clearly specifying that the book on the table is the one to be taken.
桌上有一本書桌上有一本书
It focuses on the location of the book, emphasizing that it is on the table. It can be translated as “On the table, there is a book.”
桌上有一本書,你可以拿去看桌上有一本书,你可以拿去看 ✅
This way, the action of taking and reading the book is directly linked to the book that is on the table, making the sentence more clear and coherent.
- Negation word:不bù and 沒méi (HSK 1)
- Using Yǒu to Express Existence (HSK 1)
- Using Yǒu to Express Estimation (HSK 2)
- Using Yǒu to Express Attachment (HSK 5)