有人

• Pinyin: yǒu rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 有 = 'to have/there is'; 人 = pictograph of a standing person

Meaning

Someone; somebody; there is someone. Indicates the existence of an unspecified person.

A very basic and common expression. Used to say 'someone' without specifying who: 有人找你 (someone is looking for you). Also used to indicate occupancy: 有人! (occupied! — said from inside a toilet stall). Opposite of 没人 (no one/nobody).

Examples

1. 外面有人在敲门。 Someone outside is knocking on the door.
2. 有人给你打电话了。 Someone called you.
3. 有人说学中文很难。 Some people say learning Chinese is very difficult.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 有人在吗？(Is anyone there?)
• 有人帮你拿行李了吗？(Has someone helped you with your luggage?)

Don't Say

• 有人们来了。(Don't add 们 to 人 in 有人 — 有人 already means 'someone' and doesn't need a plural marker.)

Origin & History

Simple combination of 有 (there is/to have) and 人 (person), literally 'there is a person.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal