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Questions & Answers about wǒ yǒu diànnǎo.
Why is it 有 instead of 是 to express “have”?
In Mandarin, possession is expressed with the verb 有 (yǒu) “to have/there is,” not with 是 (shì) “to be.” So you say 我有电脑 “I have a computer,” never 我是电脑 (that means “I am a computer”).
Do I need to add “a” (a number and measure word) like 一台?
Chinese has no articles. If you aren’t specifying quantity, 我有电脑 is natural. To emphasize “one,” add a numeral and classifier: 我有一台电脑.
Does 我有电脑 mean exactly one computer?
Not necessarily. It’s indefinite/generic (“I have a computer” as a type). For exact numbers, say 我有一台/两台/三台电脑 or for plural in general, 我有很多电脑.
Which measure word should I use with 电脑?
Use 台 (tái) most commonly (Mainland). 部 (bù) is also common, especially in Taiwan/HK. 个 (gè) is heard colloquially but is best avoided in careful speech. Examples: 一台电脑 / 两部电脑.
Is 电脑们 a correct plural?
No. 们 is mainly for people/pronouns (e.g., 我们). For objects, indicate plurality with number + classifier: 两台电脑, or with quantifiers: 很多电脑.
How do I ask “Do you have a computer?”
- Particle question: 你有电脑吗？
- A-not-A: 你有没有电脑？ Short answers: 有。/ 没有。 In a shop you might hear subjectless: 有电脑吗？ (“Do you have computers?”).
How do I say “I don’t have a computer”? Is 不有 okay?
Say 我没有电脑 (or colloquially 我没电脑). Modern Mandarin doesn’t use 不有 to negate 有.
Do I need 了 here? What’s the difference with 有了?
No 了 is needed for a simple fact. 我有了电脑 or 我有电脑了 adds a “newly acquired/now (change of state)” meaning: “I’ve got a computer now.”
How do I say “I used to have a computer, but not now”?
我以前有电脑，但现在没有了。 or 我有过电脑，但现在没有了。
How is the sentence pronounced with tones?
Because of third‑tone sandhi, 我 (wǒ, 3rd) + 有 (yǒu, 3rd) becomes wó yǒu (2nd + 3rd). So say: wó yǒu diànnǎo.
Can I drop the subject 我?
Yes, when context supplies it. As an answer: —谁有电脑？—我有。 In a store: 有电脑吗？ (“Do you have computers?”). Note that bare 有电脑 can also be existential (“there is a computer”) when preceded by a location.
What’s the difference between 我有电脑 and 桌子上有电脑?
我有电脑 uses 有 for possession (owner as subject). 桌子上有电脑 uses 有 existentially with a location phrase: “There is a computer on the table.”
What’s the difference between 我有电脑 and 我的电脑?
我有电脑 asserts possession exists. 我的电脑 is “my computer” (a specific noun phrase), e.g., 我的电脑很旧 (“My computer is old”).
How do I say “I have a laptop/desktop”?
- Laptop: 我有笔记本电脑 / 我有一台笔记本电脑.
- Desktop: 我有台式电脑/台式机 / 我有一台台式电脑.
Can I say 我在有电脑 or 我正在有电脑?
No. Progressive markers 在/正在 aren’t used with 有 for possession. Just say 我有电脑.
What’s the basic word order here?
Standard SVO: Subject 我 + Verb 有 + Object 电脑. No articles; add a classifier only when counting: 我有两台电脑.