The “有” construction (2)

In Chinese “有 + a quantity phrase” states that something has reached a certain amount.

Basic structure

有 + number + measure word / time expression

Meaning: to have reached … it has been …

你(Nǐ)有(yǒu)一(yì)年(nián)没(méi)回(huí)国(guó)了(le)吧(ba)？

You haven't been home for a year now, have you?

有 + 一年 + 没回国 a year + not gone home

有(yǒu)一(yì)年(nián)it's been a year

没(méi)回(huí)国(guó)haven't gone home

了(le)吧(ba)seeking confirmation

Here 有一年 says the time has reached a full year.

你(Nǐ)女(nǚ)儿(ér)今(jīn)年(nián)有(yǒu)10岁(shí)了(suì)吧(le)？

Your daughter is ten this year, isn't she?

有 + 10岁 reach ten years old

你(nǐ)女(nǚ)儿(ér)your daughter

今(jīn)年(nián)this year

有(yǒu)10岁(shí)了(suì)has turned ten

吧(ba)seeking confirmation

Here 有10岁 says the age has reached ten.

我(Wǒ)有(yǒu)一(yí)个(ge)月(yuè)没(méi)给(gěi)家(jiā)里(lǐ)打(dǎ)电(diàn)话(huà)了(le)。

I haven't phoned home for a month.

有 + 一个月 + 没给家里打电话 a month + not phoned home

有(yǒu)一(yí)个(ge)月(yuè)it's been a month

没(méi)给(gěi)家(jiā)里(lǐ)打(dǎ)电(diàn)话(huà)haven't phoned home

了(le)marks the state continuing up to now

有 + number / quantity phrase

Meaning: it states that an age, a length of time or another quantity has reached a certain level.

有一年 — it's been a year 有10岁 — has turned ten 有一个月 — it's been a month