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 了
Structure
Location Word + Verb + 了 + [Noun Phrase]
Examples
- 地下室 里 堆 了 很 多 旧 东西 。There are lots of old stuff the basement.
- 楼下 停 了 几 辆 车 。 A few cars are parked downstairs.
- 锅 里 煮 了 鸡汤 。I made chicken soup in the pot.
Existential Sentences with 是
表示对一种存在的判断，主语必须是表示方位或处所意义的词语。是字句对事物的判断具有排他性，"是"后面的宾语是这个处所范围内唯一的事物。
Structure
Location Word + 是 + [Noun Phrase]
Examples
- 洗衣机 里 是 一些 脏 衣服 。There is nothing in the washing machine other than the dirty clothes.There are dirty clothes inside the washing machine.
- 袋子 里 是 我 的 午饭 。The only thing in the bag is my lunch.My lunch is in the bag.
- 墙 上 都 是 他 家人 的 照片 。There is nothing on the wall other than his family's photos.His family's photos are hanging on the wall.
- 盒子 里 是 你 的 礼物 。Other than your gift, there is nothing else in the box.The gifts that I bought for my friends are inside my suitcase.
- 桌子 上 是 孩子们 昨天 画 的 画 。The pictures that the kids drew yesterday are the only things on the desk.The pictures that the kids drew yesterday are on the desk.
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
