Kilo Lingo

Mandarin · Chapter 3 · Lesson 5 · Common mistake

在 or 有?

Both turn up when you say where something is, and they are not interchangeable.

The rule

有 (you3) says something EXISTS somewhere: the place comes first, then 有, then the thing. 在 (zai4) says a KNOWN thing is located somewhere: the thing comes first, then 在, then the place. If your listener already knows what you are talking about, use 在.

Pick the right one

0/6

Pick the right one: 在 or 有.

  1. 我家。 (I am at home)

    wǒ ___ jiā 。 (I am at home)

  2. 这里人。 (there are people here)

    zhè lǐ ___ rén 。 (there are people here)

  3. 他不这里。 (he is not here)

    tā bù ___ zhè lǐ 。 (he is not here)

  4. 家里什么？ (what is in the house?)

    jiā lǐ ___ shén me ？ (what is in the house?)

  5. 我的朋友这里。 (my friend is here)

    wǒ de péng yǒu ___ zhè lǐ 。 (my friend is here)

  6. 这里没。 (there is nothing here)

    zhè lǐ méi ___。 (there is nothing here)

This gets a lesson of its own in chapter 11, where it is covered properly. This drill is the shape of it.

Read ahead: the full lesson