What does 有 mean in Chinese?

有 (yǒu) means "to have; there is; there are; to exist; to be" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 有?

有 is pronounced "yǒu" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 有?

有 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 有?

Common words with 有 include 享有 (to enjoy (rights, privileges etc)), 一无所有 (not having anything at all (idiom); utterly lacking), 三生有幸 (the blessing of three lifetimes (idiom)), 也有今天 ((coll.) to get one's just deserts), 事业有成 (to be successful in business).

How do you write 有?

有 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 月. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

有 (yǒu), to have

有

yǒu

to have; there is; there are; to exist

HSK 1verb6 strokes

Character Breakdown

有 = 𠂇 + 月

A hand reaching for the moon — to have ambition

Radical: 月 (no. 130)Strokes: 6

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to have
there is
there are
to exist
to be

Example Sentences

我有一只猫。

Wǒ yǒu yī zhī māo

I have a cat

Words Containing 有

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
享有	xiǎng yǒu	to enjoy (rights, privileges etc)	HSK 7-9
一无所有	yī wú suǒ yǒu	not having anything at all (idiom); utterly lacking	HSK 7-9
三生有幸	sān shēng yǒu xìng	the blessing of three lifetimes (idiom)
也有今天	yě yǒu jīn tiān	(coll.) to get one's just deserts

→

存有(cún yǒu)· to hold in storage

→

一分为二(yī fēn wéi èr)· one divides into two

→

一把钥匙开一把锁(yī bǎ yào shi kāi yī bǎ suǒ)· One key opens one lock.

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Grammar Notes

Questions with 吗HSK 1

Statement + 吗？

Negation with 不HSK 1

Subject + 不 + Verb / Adjective

Negation with 没 / 没有HSK 1

Subject + 没(有) + Verb / Object

Adjectives with 很HSK 1

Subject + 很 + Adjective

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

有: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 有 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

有