en
cs
da
de
it
plYǒu 有 ‘there is; there are’ is one of the non-action verbs used in an existential sentence. The subject of an existential sentence with yǒu 有 is a word or a phrase indicating the location, and the object is an indefinite noun that provides new information. This structure is similar to ‘there is’ or ‘there are’ in English, which conveys the meaning of ‘something exists somewhere’. Note that the verb shì 是 ‘to be’ has a similar usage as well—check Existential sentences for more details.
Structure
Basic form
In an existential sentence, yǒu 有 is placed between the place and the object.
Negation
An existential sentence with yǒu 有 can only be negated by méi 没/沒, and bù 不 cannot be used. The nominal object is usually a generic noun without an attributive phrase consisting of a numeral and a measure word unless such information is the focus of the sentence.
Note: yǒu 有 in a negative sentence can be omitted.
Question
There are two ways to form a yes-no question with yǒu 有: using the question particle ma 吗/嗎 or combining the affirmative and negative forms into yǒu méi yǒu 有没有/有沒有. The rule of negation also applies to the question form: the object should be generic and not preceded by a ‘numeral-measure word’ attributive unless such information is the focus of the sentence.
We can use yǒu 有 as an affirmative answer and (méi) yǒu 没/沒(有) as a negative answer to the questions above. Yǒu 有 and (méi) yǒu 没/沒(有) can be used solely as predicates when giving a short answer.
With an adverb
Like other verbs, when there is an adverb in a sentence with yǒu 有, the adverb should precede yǒu 有.
Omission of the subject
When the context is clear, the subject before yǒu 有 can be omitted.
Functions
1. Existential yǒu 有 expressing existence
The existential sentence with yǒu 有 indicates that some people or thing(s) are located or exist in a particular location. The object is usually an indefinite noun and unknown to the listener. In the affirmative form, the object is often modified by an adjective or an attribute consisting of a numeral and a measure word.
The subject indicating location is usually 1) a noun, 2) a noun/personal pronoun + localizer, 3) a localizer, or 4) a pronoun referring to a place.
Note: The preposition zài 在 ‘in; at’ should not be used before the location.
In Chinese existential sentences with yǒu 有, a time phrase can occupy the subject position of the sentence instead of a location phrase. This time phrase sets the temporal context of the existence of the object.
Difference between the existential sentences with yǒu 有 and shì 是
Existential sentences with yǒu 有 generally indicate the presence of one or more objects in a particular place. They introduce new information into the discourse and are typically translated as ‘There is/There are …‘. In contrast, when shì 是 is used, the speaker already presupposes the existence of an object in a given space, and the sentence functions to identify that object (usually a single one). In this case, the meaning is closer to ‘What is there is a …‘.