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有没有 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
有没有yǒuméiyǒuis there or notHSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, Hard
yǒuméiyǒu(you3 mei2 you3)you mei you
  1. 1is there or not
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March 24, 2026

有没有yǒuméiyǒu(you3 mei2 you3)

有没有 (yǒu méiyǒu) is a phrase used to ask if something exists or if someone has something. It's commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when inquiring about the availability of items or experiences.

Strokes19DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, asking about availability (有没有) can reflect concern for community and sharing. It is common to inquire whether someone has food or resources in social settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine you’re searching for something. The character 有 (yǒu) looks like a person (亻) holding something (有), and 没 (méi) can be visualized as a person looking disappointed when they can't find it. Together, they ask: 'Do you have it, or do you not?'

Meanings of 有没有

yǒuméiyǒu(you3 mei2 you3)
1is there or not
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About 有没有

有没有Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 有没有

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in informal contexts when asking about possessions or existence. A common mistake is to drop the second part, saying just '有?' which can sound abrupt. Ensure to use the full phrase for politeness.

HSK Study Tips

Though '有没有' is not a standalone word in the HSK levels, it appears frequently in beginner conversations. Focus on using it in questions to ask about items or experiences, as it’s foundational for daily interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the tone of 没有, pronouncing it as 'méi yǒu' instead of the correct 'méi yǒu'. Additionally, some may omit the first part, only saying '有' which can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 有没有

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Component Characters

有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
View full entry
没méi(negative prefix for verbs)
HSK 17 strokes氵
View full entry
有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
View full entry

How to say is there or not in Chinese

“is there or not” in Chinese is有没有yǒuméiyǒu

有没有 (yǒu méiyǒu) is a phrase used to ask if something exists or if someone has something. It's commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when inquiring about the availability of items or experiences.

When to use 有没有

This phrase is often used in informal contexts when asking about possessions or existence. A common mistake is to drop the second part, saying just '有?' which can sound abrupt. Ensure to use the full phrase for politeness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the tone of 没有, pronouncing it as 'méi yǒu' instead of the correct 'méi yǒu'. Additionally, some may omit the first part, only saying '有' which can lead to misunderstanding.

Write 有没有

有
没
有

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Frequently Asked Questions about 有没有

It's best to avoid using 有没有 in very formal contexts; instead, use more formal phrases like '是否有'.

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