How to say “there is” in Chinese with 有 (yǒu)
Place + 有 (yǒu) + Obj.
Expressing existence with "有 (yǒu)"
Place + 有 (yǒu) + Obj.
HSK 1VerbsExpressing existence with "有 (yǒu)"
Rule structure
To state that something exists in a location, use [Place + 有 (yǒu) + Object]. It is the equivalent of "there is/are".
Rule structure
To state that something exists in a location, use [Place + 有 (yǒu) + Object]. It is the equivalent of "there is/are".
Examples
桌子上有一本书。
Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yì běn shū.
There is a book on the table.
Examples
桌子上有一本书。
Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yì běn shū.
There is a book on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Expressing existence with "有 (yǒu)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Place + 有 (yǒu) + Obj.. For example: 桌子上有一本书。 — “There is a book on the table.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
桌子上有一本书。 — “There is a book on the table.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 1.
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More HSK 1 grammar rules
Directional verbs "来 (lái)" and "去 (qù)"
来 (lái) / 去 (qù) + Place
Saying names with "叫 (jiào)" + name
叫 (jiào) + Name
Expressing existence in a place with "在 (zài)"
Subj. + 在 (zài) + Place
Using the verb "去 (qù)"
去 (qù) + Place
Expressing possession with "有 (yǒu)"
Subj. + 有 (yǒu) + Obj.
Polite requests with "请 (qǐng)"
请 (qǐng) + Verb
"A is B" with "是 (shì)"
A + 是 (shì) + B
Structure of days of the week with "星期 (xīngqī)"
星期 (xīngqī) + Number