Taiwanese "you"

Taiwanese Mandarin differs slightly from Mainland Mandarin. A characteristic of Taiwanese Mandarin is the usage of 有.


Basic Usage

Some verbs, especially when followed by certain complements, indicate completeness. When 有 is used with these verbs, it's a clear reference to the past.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

  • 我们 有 听懂 你 的 话 。Wǒmen yǒu tīng dǒng nǐ dehuà.We understood what you said.
  • 我们 都 有 听到 宝宝 哭 。Wǒmen dōu yǒu tīng dào bǎobǎo kū.We all heard the baby cry.
  • 我 有 看到 他们 吵架 。Wǒ yǒu kàn dào tāmen chǎojià.I saw them fighting.

When 有 is put in front of action verbs in Taiwanese Mandarin, it can indicate that the verb is still continuing.

  • 他 有 学 ，而且 很 喜欢 。Tā yǒu xué, érqiě hěn xǐhuān.He's studying it and he likes it very mych.
  • 我 有 吃 ，但是 不太 饿 。Wǒ yǒu chī, dànshì bù tài è.I have eaten, but I didn't eat much.

Adjectives after 有

Adjectives can also follow 有. This pattern is used in the past tense, and a 到 must follow the adjectives.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Adj. + 到

Examples

  • 昨天 搬家 ，真的 有 累 到 。Zuótiān bānjiā, zhēn de yǒu lèi dào.I was moving yesterday and I was so tired.
  • 他 突然 要 分手 ，我 真的 有 伤 到 。Tā túrán yào fēnshǒu, wǒ zhēn de yǒu shāng dào.He asked to break up out of nowhere. I was so hurt.
  • 你们 突然 大叫 着 跑 出来 ，我 真的 有 吓 到 ！Nǐmen túrán dà jiàozhe pǎo chūlái, wǒ zhēn de yǒu xià dào!You guys suddenly came running out screaming loudly. I was so scared!

Adj. not in the past tense using 有

Some adjectives can follow 有 and are not used as the past tense.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Adj.

Examples

  • 大家 都 有 激动 。Dàjiā dōu yǒu jīdòng.Everyone is excited.
  • 我 有 紧张 吗 ？Wǒ yǒu jǐnzhāng ma?Do I look like I'm nervous?
  • 你 说话 有 不 礼貌 。Nǐ shuōhuà yǒu bù lǐmào.The way you speak is impolite.

过 after the verb

Structure

Subj. + 有 + Verb + 过 + Obj.

Examples

  • 我 有 去 过 中国 。Wǒ yǒu qù guò Zhōngguó.I have been to China.
  • 我 有 学 过 这 个 词 。Wǒ yǒu xué guò zhè gè cí.I have studied this word.
  • 你 有 见 过 那 个 人 吗？Nǐ yǒu jiàn guò nàgè rén ma?Have you seen that person before?
  • 你 有 自己 做 过 饭 吗 ？Nǐ yǒu zìjǐ zuò guò fàn ma?Have you ever cooked for yourself?

在 after 有

In Standard Mandarin, using 在 before a verb is the equivalent to the English –ing. When used with 有 in front of it, it is usually referring to habitual action, or an action that can be stopped. This is not in the past tense, but rather a continuing action.

Structure

Subj. + 有 + 在 + Verb

Examples

  • 你 有 在 做 兼职 吗？Are you doing a part time job?
  • 我 有 在 考虑 跟 她 分手 。I am considering breaking up with her.
  • 我 妈妈 有 在 吃素 。My mom is now a vegetarian.

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

HSK5
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