Expressing comparable degree with "you"

有 (yǒu), besides just meaning "to have," can also be used in comparisons. It's what you use instead of 比 (bǐ) if something is "as [Adj.] as" something else.

Using 有 in a Question

The structure is very straightforward. It literally means "A has B's [Adj.]." The meaning is "A is as [Adj.] as B." This pattern is often used in questions.

Structure

A + 有 + B + Adj. + 吗?

This form is often used with 那么, which in this case means "as much." And it indicates that B is already very [Adj.]. When B is absent, 那么 mean "so" or "that".

A + 有 +(+ B)那么 + Adj. + 吗?

Examples

  • 我 帅 吗 ?yǒu wǒ shuài ma?Is he as handsome as me?
  • 泰国 日本 好玩 吗 ?Tàiguó yǒu Rìběn hǎowán ma?Is Thailand as fun as Japan?
  • 你 去 过 的 地方 我 多 吗 ?Nǐ qù guo de dìfang yǒu wǒ duō ma?Have you been to as many places as I have?
  • 你 的 工资 他 的 工资 那么 高 吗 ?Nǐ de gōngzī yǒu tā de gōngzī nàme gāo ma?Is your salary as high as his?
  • 那么 厉害 吗 ?yǒu nàme lìhai ma?Is he that good?

Using 有 in a Statement

Notice that all these example sentences are questions. This form can also be used in simple statements. Note that 描述人身高、体重或空间大小时,用数字加相应的计量单位,如"米、公斤、平方米"即可,不用加"高、重、大"。

Structure

A + 有+ B + number + 高 / 深 / 宽 / 长

如果不确定具体的number,可以用参照物B来代替:

A + 有+ B(+ 那么)+ 高 / 深 / 宽 / 长

Examples

  • 一 米 九 。yǒu wǒ gāo.His height is 1.9 meter.
  • 我 家 一百 三十 平 。Wǒ jiā yǒu yī bǎi sānshí píng.My house is 130 square meters.
  • 河水 十 米 深 。Héshuǐ yǒu shí mǐ shēn.This river is ten meters deep.
  • 他 都 他 爸爸 高 了。Tā dōu yǒu tā bàba nàme gāo le.He is already as tall as his father.
  • 这 座 桥 两 公里 长 。This bridge is 2 kilometers long.
  • 这个 孩子 才 十 岁,已经 一百 五十 斤 了 。This kid is only ten, but he's already 150 kilograms.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books