Grammar 06 - Cantonese Location & Existence 喺(hai2) & 有(jau5)

In Cantonese, understanding how to correctly use 喺 and 有 is essential for accurately describing the location and existence of things. While both words play crucial roles in communication, they serve different purposes and are often used in specific contexts. This blog post will explore the distinctions between 喺 and 有, provide usage patterns, and offer practical examples to help you master these fundamental aspects of Cantonese grammar.
grammar06 Cantonese Location and Existence 喺(hai2) 有(jau5)

Table of Content

#   Grammar Pattern
#   Examples Sentences
=   Location or existence of something
=   Location of static action

When talking about the location or existence of something, 喺() and 有() are commonly used. 喺 is also used when denoting the location of a static action. Literally, 喺 means "at/on/in," while 有 means "to have."

喺 exists exclusively in Cantonese, with its Mandarin equivalent being 在.

Grammar Pattern

喺 is always followed by a location to convey the meaning of "at/on/in some place." On the other hand, 有 is always followed by a noun to indicate the existence of that noun.

【Noun - 喺() - Location】

【Location - 有() - Noun】

Examples Sentences

Location or existence of something

  1. 你()喺()邊()度()呀()？
    Where are you?
    (lit. You at where?)

  2. 我()喺()公()司()
    I am at the office.

  3. 醫()生()喺()邊()度()呀()？
    Where is the doctor?
    (lit. Doctor at where?)

  4. 醫()生()喺()嗰()度()
    The doctor is over there.

  5. 邊()度()有()醫()生()呀()？
    Is there a doctor?
    (lit. Where has doctor?)

  6. 嗰()度()有()醫()生()
    There is a doctor.
    (lit. There has doctor.)

    Sentence 3 sounds more specific, assuming a doctor exists or asking about the location of a particular doctor. Sentence 5 is about finding a doctor generally (who might not exist or about a particular one) and asking about the location. This is why we never say 邊度有你? to mean "Where are you?" because this question is always specifically about "YOU" who must exist.

  7. 廁()所()喺()邊()度()呀()？
    Where is the toilet?
    (lit. Toilet at where?)

  8. 邊()度()有()廁()所()呀()？
    Is there a toilet?
    (lit. Where has toilet?)

    The first sentence assumes there might be a toilet nearby and asks about its location, while the second sentence just asks where a toilet can be found.

One common mistake English learners make is saying "Here/There have" when describing the existence of something. This is because they directly translate from 呢度有/嗰度有. Similarly, some English speakers might say 呢度係/嗰度係 when directly translating from "Here/There is," which is incorrect.

Location of static action

  1. 我()喺()房()食()緊()飯()
    I am eating in the room.

  2. 佢()喺()學()校()上()緊()堂()
    He/She is having lessons at school.

Remember not to mix up 係() (verb to be) and 喺() (at/in/on). Although they sound similar, they have totally different meanings. For example, 我喺廁所 means "I am in the toilet," while 我係廁所 means "I am the toilet."

Review the usage of 係() in Grammar01 - Linking Verb 係