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.

Basic Pattern

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. 注意B往往是被肯定的一方。

Structure

A + 有 + B + Adj. + 吗 ？

or

A + 有 + Verb + 得 + Adj. + 吗 ？

Examples

• 他 有 我 帅 吗 ？Tā yǒu wǒ shuài ma?Is he as handsome as me?
• 你 的 压力 有 我 大 吗 ？Is your pressure as much as mine?
• 你 有 老板 忙 吗 ？Are you as busy as the boss?
• 你 有 他 说 得 好 吗 ？Can you speak as well as he does?
• 他 有 老师 懂 得 多 吗 ？Does he know even more about the teacher?

Advanced Pattern

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

• 她 有 那么 漂亮 吗 ？Tā yǒu nàme piàoliang ma?Is she that pretty? Really?
• 你 有 他 那么 吗 ？Tā yǒu nàme piàoliang ma?Is she that pretty? Really?

• 他 有 姚明 那么 高 吗 ？Tā yǒu YáoMíng nàme gāo ma?Is he as tall as YaoMing?

See also

• Basic comparisons with "meiyou"
• Basic comparisons with "bi"
• Basic comparisons with "bu bi"
• Comparisons with "buru"
• Basic comparisons with "yiyang"

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 33-4) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 现代汉语八百词 (pp. 631) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy