Taiwanese "you"

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Taiwanese Mandarin differs slightly from Mainland Mandarin. (Don't be surprised if a Beijinger tells you these patterns are 100% wrong.) A characteristic of Taiwanese Mandarin is the extensive usage of 有 as in the examples that follow.

NOTE: we're talking about regional usage of Mandarin Chinese here, not other Taiwanese dialects/topolects. It's good for upper intermediate learners to know about these patterns simply because at this level you don't want to be confused by the basic grammar of a Taiwanese speaker's Mandarin.

Basic Usage

Some verbs, especially when followed by certain complements, indicate completeness. When 有 is used with these verbs, it's a clear reference to the past.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

  • 我们 听懂 你 的 话 。Wǒmen yǒu tīng dǒng nǐ dehuà.We understood what you said.
  • 我们 都 听到 宝宝 哭 。Wǒmen dōu yǒu tīng dào bǎobao kū.We all heard the baby cry.
  • 看到 他们 吵架 。yǒu kàn dào tāmen chǎojià.I saw them fighting.

When 有 is put in front of action verbs in Taiwanese Mandarin, it can indicate that the verb is still continuing.

  • 学 ,而且 很 喜欢 。yǒu xué, érqiě hěn xǐhuan.He's studying it and he likes it very much.
  • 吃 ,但是 不太 饿 。yǒu chī, dànshì bù tài è.I am eating, but I'm not too hungry.

Adjectives after 有

Adjectives can also follow 有. This pattern is used for statement about the past, and a 到 must follow the adjectives.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Adj. + 到

Examples

  • 昨天 搬家 ,真的 Zuótiān bānjiā, zhēn de yǒu lèi dào.I was moving yesterday and I was so tired.
  • 他 突然 要 分手 ,我 真的 Tā tūrán yào fēnshǒu, wǒ zhēn de yǒu shāng dào.He asked to break up out of nowhere. I was so hurt.
  • 你们 突然 大叫 着 跑 出来 ,我 真的 Nǐmen tūrán dà jiàozhe pǎo chūlai, wǒ zhēn de yǒu xià dào!You guys suddenly came running out screaming loudly. I was so scared!

Adj. not in the past tense using 有

Some adjectives can follow 有 when not referring to past events.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Adj.

Examples

  • 大家 都 激动 。Dàjiā dōu yǒu jīdòng.Everyone is excited.
  • 紧张 吗 ?yǒu jǐnzhāng ma?Do I look like I'm nervous?
  • 你 说话 不 礼貌 。Nǐ shuōhuà yǒu bù lǐmào.The way you speak is impolite.

Used with Verb + 过

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Verb + 过 + Obj.

Examples

  • 中国 。yǒuguò Zhōngguó.I have been to China.
  • 这 个 词 。yǒu xué guò zhège cí.I have studied this word.
  • 那 个 人 吗?yǒu jiàn guò nàge rén ma?Have you seen that person before?
  • 自己 做 饭 吗 ?yǒu zìjǐ zuò guò fàn ma?Have you ever cooked for yourself?

在 after 有

In Standard Mandarin, using 在 before a verb is similar to adding -ing after a verb in English. When used with 有 in front of it, it is usually referring to habitual action, or an action that can be stopped. This is not referring to the past, but rather a continuing action.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + 在 + Verb

Examples

  • 做 兼职 吗?yǒu zài zuò jiānzhí ma?Are you doing a part time job?
  • 考虑 跟 她 分手 。yǒu zài kǎolǜ gēn tā fēnshǒu.I am considering breaking up with her.
  • 我 妈妈 吃素 。Wǒ māma yǒu zài chīsù.My mom eats vegetarian.

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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