beginnerA1 · TOCFL a1word ordersentence pattern
有
Pattern
Place / time + 有 + noun
Key words
Core idea
Existential sentences with 有 say that something exists in a place or time. The place or time comes first, then 有, then the thing that exists.
This is the Mandarin equivalent of many English “there is” or “there are” sentences.
Compare with possession
When a person comes before 有, the meaning is often possession: someone has something. When a place or time comes before it, the meaning is often existence: something is there or happening then.
Examples
桌上有一本书。
Zhuō shàng yǒu yì běn shū.
There is a book on the table.
学校旁边有一家咖啡店。
Xuéxiào pángbiān yǒu yì jiā kāfēidiàn.
There is a coffee shop next to the school.
今天晚上有电影。
Jīntiān wǎnshang yǒu diànyǐng.
There is a movie tonight.
Common mistakes
Avoid
一本书有桌上。
Use
桌上有一本书。
In existential sentences, the place or time normally comes before 有.