The Set Phrase “有A有B”

In Chinese, the pattern “有A有B” (yǒu A yǒu B) says that a place, a thing or a situation holds several different things, qualities or people at once.

A and B are usually one-syllable words, though they can be two-syllable ones.

In meaning, A and B are usually: 1. related to each other; 2. similar to each other; 3. or opposite to each other.

Basic structure

有 + A + 有 + B

In English, depending on context: there is both A and B both A and B

郊区有山有水，还有很多农家乐

有 + 山 + 有 + 水 have + mountains + have + water

有山有水 — mountains and water alike 郊区 — suburbs 山 — mountain 水 — water 还有 — there are also 很多农家乐 — many rural guesthouses

Here 山 and 水 are things related in meaning.

超市里的苹果有大有小，有红有绿，看起来都非常好吃

有 + 大 + 有 + 小 some big + some small 有 + 红 + 有 + 绿 some red + some green

苹果 — apple 有大有小 — big ones and small ones 有红有绿 — red ones and green ones 看起来 — by the look of them 非常好吃 — very tasty

Here: 大 ↔ 小 — big ↔ small 红 ↔ 绿 — red ↔ green

春天，公园里到处都是人，有男有女，有大人有孩子，特别热闹

有 + 男 + 有 + 女 men and women 有 + 大人 + 有 + 孩子 adults and children

春天 — in spring 公园里 — in the park 到处 — everywhere 有男有女 — men and women 有大人有孩子 — adults and children 特别热闹 — especially lively

In this example 大人 and 孩子 are two-syllable words, yet they still fill the 有A有B pattern.

有 + A + 有 + B

There is both A and B. A and B are usually related, similar or opposite in meaning.

有山有水

有大有小

有红有绿

有男有女

有大人有孩子