占有

• Pinyin: zhàn yǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 占 = to occupy/possess; 有 = to have/exist

Meaning

To possess; to occupy; to own. Having control or ownership over something.

Can refer to physical possession, market share, or holding a position. Legal term in property law. Common phrases: 占有率 (market share/occupancy rate), 占有欲 (possessiveness), 占有优势 (hold an advantage). More formal than 拥有.

Examples

1. 这款手机在年轻消费者中占有很大的市场份额。 This phone occupies a large market share among young consumers.
2. 他对朋友的占有欲太强了，让人感到不舒服。 His possessiveness toward friends is too strong, making people uncomfortable.
3. 这个国家占有丰富的石油资源。 This country possesses abundant oil resources.

Usage Guide

Context: business, legal, economics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们公司占有百分之三十的市场份额。(Our company holds thirty percent market share.)
• 这种资源被少数人占有。(This resource is possessed by a few people.)

Don't Say

• 占有这本书 (For casually having a book, use 有 or 拥有 — 占有 sounds possessive or legal)

Origin & History

Compound of 占 (to occupy, possess) and 有 (to have). To occupy and have.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal