Alternative existential sentences
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It's not just 在 and 有 that can be used to form existential sentences, expressing something's existence in a certain place or location. The word order may be a little different from what you are used to, but these are still fairly ways to make everyday statements such as, "there is a book lying on the desk."
Contents
Existential Sentences with 着
Structure
Location Word + Verb + 了／着 + [Noun Phrase]
Examples
- 桌子 上 放 着 一 本 书。There is a book lying on the table.
- 公园 的 椅子 上 坐 着几 个 人。Some people are sitting in the chairs in park.
- 柜子 里 挂 着 一些 衣服。There are some clothes hanging inside the closet.
Existential Sentences with 是
Existential sentences have three kinds of verbs: 有 (yǒu), 是 (shì), and verbs that express bodily gestures or actions like 拿 (ná).
Structure
Place Word/Phrase + Verb + 了／着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun
Examples
- 洗衣机 里 是 一些 衬衫。Inside the washing machine are some shirts.
- 桌 上 有 一 个 手机。There is a cell phone on the desk.
Note when using existential sentences, you are describing an object's existence in some place or location. Also, when using 有 and 是, note that 是 is used to describe a singular, or one object existing somewhere while 有 can refer to multiple objects/ people.
See Also
- Indicating location with "zai" before verbs
- Special cases of "zai" following verbs
- Expressing existence in a place with "zai"
Sources and Further Reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 128) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 191) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 264, 325)→buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 40-1, 164-5, 185) →buy
