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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

要X有X，要Y有Y for “Has Everything You Could Want”

Use 要X有X，要Y有Y to say someone or somewhere has everything needed, and 要X没X，要Y没Y to say it has nothing at all.

Pattern

要 + X + 有 + X，要 + Y + 有 + Y / 要 + X + 没 + X，要 + Y + 没 + Y

Name what one might want after 要, then repeat it after 有 (has it) or 没 (lacks it). Two or more of these together sum up a strong yes or no.

这个地方要山有山，要水有水，风景美极了。

When to use 要X有X，要Y有Y for “Has Everything You Could Want”

要X有X means “if you want X, there is X.” Say it about two or more things and you praise someone or somewhere for having everything: 要山有山，要水有水 means “mountains, water, it has it all.”

她要能力有能力，要经验有经验，大家都很信任她。

She has ability and experience, so everyone trusts her.

这个小村子以前要路没路，要车没车，出门很不方便。

This little village used to have no roads and no cars, so getting anywhere was very hard.

我们队要人没人，要时间没时间，怎么跟他们比？

Our team has no players and no time. How can we compete with them?

这个公园要花有花，要树有树，周末人特别多。

This park has flowers and trees, everything you’d want, so it’s really crowded at weekends.

Common traps

  • Repeat the same noun: 要山有山, not 要山有水.
  • Choose 有 for praise and 没 for complaints, and make the comment that follows match.
  • Usually use at least two parts; a single 要X有X can sound unfinished (except set phrases like 要什么有什么).

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

她要能力有能力，要经验 经验，大家都很信任她

She has ability and experience, so everyone trusts her
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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