# HSK 5 Grammar: Subject + 有 + 着 + Object (有着 Sentence Pattern) | HSKReady

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Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-5-g049
HSK levels: 5
Updated: 2026-10-23T04:56:58.887Z
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Learn how to use the HSK 5 special sentence pattern Subject + 有 + 着 + Object to describe enduring states of existence and abstract possession in Chinese.

Grammar

[HSK 5 · Sentence types › Special sentence patterns › 有 sentences 3](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5#hsk-5-g049)

# HSK 5 Special Sentence Patterns: Expressing Existence and Possession with 有着 (yǒu zhe)

有着 (yǒu zhe) presents existence or possession as a descriptive state. It is common when describing qualities, relationships and scenes. 着 does not by itself mean that the state is permanent or long-lasting; context supplies its duration.

Subject 有 着 Object phrase

Example sentence

这两个沿海城市之间有着密切的经济联系。

zhè liǎng gè yánhǎi chéngshì zhījiān yǒu zhe mìqiè de jīngjì liánxì.

There is a close economic connection between these two coastal cities.

Expresses an enduring state of existence/relationship between two entities using an abstract modified object.

A common mistake

× 我有着笔。

wǒ yǒu zhe bǐ.

Intended: I have a pen.

Unnatural for a routine statement about an item you have: use 我有笔. The issue is the context and descriptive tone of 有着, not a universal rule excluding pens or all bare nouns from any descriptive sentence.

Corrected example: 我有笔。

**Read the full explanation and examples**

## What Does 有着 (yǒu zhe) Express?

Every Chinese learner starts with 有 (yǒu) to say that someone has something or that something exists in a place. In the HSK 5 syllabus under Special Sentence Patterns (特殊句型, tèshū jùxíng), you encounter a more literary and descriptive variation of the 有 (yǒu) sentence: combining 有 (yǒu) directly with the aspect particle 着 (zhe) to express existence (存在, cúnzài) or possession (具有, jùyǒu).

Subject 有 着 Object phrase

Plain 有 works in both ordinary factual statements and rich descriptions. 有着 often gives a more descriptive presentation of a state. That state can be brief, as in 此刻我有着一个大胆的想法 (“At this moment I have a bold idea”); no minimum duration or inherent quality is required.

## Two Core Uses: Possession (具有) and Existence (存在)

The syllabus defines two closely related functions for this pattern. First, it expresses 具有 (jùyǒu)—possessing notable qualities, attributes, relationships, or influences. In these sentences, the subject is typically a person, organization, artwork, or concept, and the object is an abstract noun phrase describing a lasting trait.

这两个沿海城市之间有着密切的经济联系。

zhè liǎng gè yánhǎi chéngshì zhījiān yǒu zhe mìqiè de jīngjì liánxì.

There is a close economic connection between these two coastal cities.

Expresses an enduring state of existence/relationship between two entities using an abstract modified object.

传统戏剧对当地人的日常生活有着深远的影响。

chuántǒng xìjù duì dāngdì rén de rìcháng shēnghuó yǒu zhe shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng.

Traditional theatre has a profound influence on the daily lives of local people.

Common collocation: 对...有着...的影响 (duì... yǒu zhe... de yǐngxiǎng, to have a ... influence on...).

这位年轻的建筑师有着自己独特的设计风格。

zhè wèi niánqīng de jiànzhùshī yǒu zhe zìjǐ dútè de shèjì fēnggé.

This young architect possesses a unique design style of their own.

Expresses 具有 (jùyǒu, possessing an inherent characteristic or quality).

For existence, a location or domain can introduce a descriptive scene, as in the forest example below. The library example instead attributes a long history to the library. Both fit the broad existence/possession functions, but they do not all have a locative subject or express physical ownership.

这片原始森林里有着各种各样的珍稀植物。

zhè piàn yuánshǐ sēnlín lǐ yǒu zhe gèzhǒng gèyàng de zhēnxī zhíwù.

In this primeval forest, there are all kinds of rare plants.

Expresses 存在 (cúnzài, existence in a location) with a descriptive quantifying phrase.

这座古老的图书馆有着上百年的历史。

zhè zuò gǔlǎo de túshūguǎn yǒu zhe shàng bǎi nián de lìshǐ.

This ancient library has a history of over a hundred years.

Describes an enduring historical attribute belonging to the subject.

## How to Build the Object Phrase

A detailed noun phrase often fits the descriptive tone of 有着, as in 密切的联系 or 上百年的历史. This is a usage tendency, not a ban on short nouns or concrete things: 她眼里有着光 can be natural in a descriptive context. For routine inventory such as “I have a pen”, plain 有 is usually clearer.

- Adjective + 的 (de) + Abstract Noun: such as 密切的联系 (mìqiè de liánxì, close connection), 深远的影响 (shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng, profound influence), or 重要的意义 (zhòngyào de yìyì, important significance).

- Pronoun/Determiner + Modifier + Noun: such as 自己独特的风格 (zìjǐ dútè de fēnggé, one's own unique style) or 共同的目标 (gòngtóng de mùbiāo, a shared goal).

- Quantifying Phrase + Noun: indicating variety or scale, such as 各种各样的植物 (gèzhǒng gèyàng de zhíwù, all kinds of plants) or 上百年的历史 (shàng bǎi nián de lìshǐ, over a hundred years of history).

Note on scope: Do not confuse this pattern with the separate structure Verb + 有 (yǒu) + Object (such as 写有, xiě yǒu or 印有, yìn yǒu), which expresses that something is attached or inscribed on a surface. Here, 有 (yǒu) is the main verb itself, followed directly by 着 (zhe).

## Contrasting 有着 (yǒu zhe) and Plain 有 (yǒu)

In many written sentences describing abstract qualities, replacing 有着 (yǒu zhe) with plain 有 (yǒu) is grammatically possible, though plain 有 (yǒu) sounds flatter and less descriptive. However, the reverse is not true: you cannot freely upgrade every plain 有 (yǒu) to 有着 (yǒu zhe).

For a routine appointment or inventory, plain 有 is usually the natural choice. 有着 is not excluded merely because an object is concrete or a state is temporary: it depends on whether a descriptive presentation fits the sentence.

我今天下午有一个重要会议。

wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu yī gè zhòngyào huìyì.

I have an important meeting this afternoon.

Plain 有 is natural for an ordinary statement of today’s schedule. The preference concerns the communicative context, not a rule that temporary states can never use 有着.

× 我有着笔。

wǒ yǒu zhe bǐ.

Intended: I have a pen.

Unnatural for a routine statement about an item you have: use 我有笔. The issue is the context and descriptive tone of 有着, not a universal rule excluding pens or all bare nouns from any descriptive sentence.

Corrected example: 我有笔。

我有笔。

wǒ yǒu bǐ.

I have a pen.

Correct replacement using plain 有 (yǒu) for simple physical possession.

For ordinary negation, use 没有 before the object rather than mechanically forming 没有着. Questions can retain 有着, as in 这两个方案有着相同的风险吗？ (“Do these two plans have the same risks?”). Choosing a question does not by itself require dropping 着.

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I negate a sentence with 有着 (yǒu zhe)?**

In standard usage, you drop 着 (zhe) when negating and simply use 没有 (méiyǒu) before the object phrase, such as 没有任何联系 (méiyǒu rènhé liánxì, have no connection at all). While 没有着 (méiyǒu zhe) is avoided, in formal writing you may occasionally see 不具有 (bù jùyǒu) if the author wants to keep a formal register.

**Is 有着 (yǒu zhe) only used in writing?**

It is most common in written Chinese, news reports, essays, and narratives, but it also appears naturally in formal speech, presentations, and thoughtful discussions when describing qualities, backgrounds, or relationships.

**Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 399](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=399)

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