Taiwanese "you"

You've likely learned long ago that the particle 过 is placed after verbs to indicate a prior experience. In Taiwan (and some areas of mainland China), however, a 有 frequently comes before the verbs as well in spoken Mandarin.

Original Structure

Subject + Verb + 过 + Object

Taiwanese Version of the Structure

Note the addition of the 有 here before the verb.

Subject + 有 + Verb + 过 + Object

In Beijing Mandarin, this use of the 有 is officially incorrect. It is, however, extremely common in spoken Mandarin in Taiwan and even some neighboring parts of mainland China.

Examples

• 我 有 去 过 中国。I have been to China.
• 他 有 吃 过 小笼包。He has eaten steamed dumplings.
• 你 有 见 过 那 个 人 吗？Have you seen that person before?
• 我 有 做 过 这样 的 工作。I have done work like this before.
• 你 有 自己 做 过 饭 吗？Have you ever cooked for yourself?
• 你 有 学 过 中文？Have you ever studied Chinese?
• 你 有 看 过 这 个 电影 吗？Have you seen this movie?
• 我 有 学 过 这 个 词。I have studied this word.
• 我 有 用 过 电脑，我 会 用。I have used a computer before, I can use it.
• 我 有 买 过 这里 的 巧克力，不 好吃。I have bought the chocolate here, it's not good.

Sources and further reading

Books

• A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (p. 138) →buy
• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 59-60) →buy
• Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册) (pp. 73-4) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 83- 4) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 345-7) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 49-51) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 76-7, 230-2) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 175-6) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 188)→buy

Websites

• ChinesePod: Qing Wen - 过(guo) (free podcast content)

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