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拥有 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
拥有yōngyǒuto haveHSK 5, v, rank #737, Hard
拥有yōngyǒuto possessHSK 5, v, rank #737, Hard
yōngyǒu(yong1you3) T1
  1. 1to have
  2. 2to possess
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March 24, 2026
拥有(擁有)yōngyǒu(yong1you3)

拥有 (yǒngyǒu) means 'to have' or 'to possess,' often implying ownership of both tangible and intangible assets. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as discussions about property, rights, or qualities, and carries a sense of value regarding what is possessed.

Frequency#737DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of ownership can be deeply tied to social and familial responsibilities, where possessing property or wealth can reflect one's status and duty to provide for the family.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding a trophy (拥有) high above their head, displaying not just ownership but pride in their achievement. The character 拥 (yǒng) looks like a person holding something (the 'arms' on either side) while 有 (yǒu) resembles a person with a small dot above them, symbolizing the idea of having something valuable.

Meanings of 拥有

yōngyǒu(yong1you3)
1to have
2to possess
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 拥有

拥有Simplified
擁有Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#737Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 拥有

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Podcast: 拥有

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AI Study Notes for 拥有

Quick Contrast

拥有 (yǒngyǒu) vs 具有 (jùyǒu) — use 拥有 when emphasizing possession or ownership, while 具有 conveys having certain qualities or characteristics.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding a trophy (拥有) high above their head, displaying not just ownership but pride in their achievement. The character 拥 (yǒng) looks like a person holding something (the 'arms' on either side) while 有 (yǒu) resembles a person with a small dot above them, symbolizing the idea of having something valuable.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 拥有 with just 有 (yǒu), which is more casual and general. 拥有 is more formal and often used in written contexts. Common collocations include 拥有权利 (to possess rights) and 拥有财富 (to possess wealth).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 拥有 is often seen in academic texts discussing philosophy, economics, or law. Focus on its usage in formal writing and try to connect it with other words that describe possession or ownership to enhance understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of ownership can be deeply tied to social and familial responsibilities, where possessing property or wealth can reflect one's status and duty to provide for the family.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 拥有 in informal contexts where 有 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我拥有一个好朋友' instead of '我有一个好朋友' (I have a good friend). Remember to reserve 拥有 for more formal or significant ownership situations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 拥有

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Component Characters

拥yōngto hold
HSK 48 strokes扌
View full entry
有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
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Write 拥有

拥
有

Practice writing 拥有 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 拥有

拥有 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

所谓知足常乐，就是对自己____的感到满足，这样才能快乐。

"Contentment brings happiness" means being satisfied with what you have — only then can you be happy.

Example Sentences for 拥有 (10)

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1
人群为了被视为最值得拥有的物品涌入屋里。

rén qún wéi le bèi shì wéi zuì zhí dé yōng yǒu de wù pǐn yǒng rù wū lǐ。

The crowd moved indoors for what were deemed the most desirable items.
2
请记住，幸福不在于你是谁或者你拥有什么，而仅仅取决于你的心态！

qǐng jì zhù， ， xìng fú bù zài yú nǐ shì shuí huò zhě nǐ yōng yǒu shí， mó ， ér jǐn jǐn qǔ jué yú nǐ de！

Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think.--Dale Carnegie
3
你知道，残疾人士也拥有投票权。

nǐ zhī dào， ， cán jí rén shì yě yōng yǒu tóu piào。

People with disabilities have got a vote as well, you know.
4
拥有学位并不能保证你就能获得财富。

yōng yǒu xué wèi bìng bù néng bǎo zhèng nǐ jiù néng huò dé cái fù。

A degree does not give you a divine right to wealth.
5
毫无疑问她是我们拥有的最为出众的王后。

háo wú yí wèn tā shì wǒ mén yōng yǒu de zuì wéi chū zhòng de wáng hòu。

She was surely the most distinguished queen consort we have had.
6
我梦想在乡间拥有一栋房子。

wǒ mèng xiǎng zài xiāng jiān yōng yǒu yī dòng fáng zǐ。

My dream is to have a house in the country.
7
他总是渴望拥有新的经历，而且永远愿意尝试。

tā zǒng shì kě wàng yōng yǒu xīn de jīng lì， ， ér qiě yǒng yuǎn yuàn yì cháng。

He is always eager for new experiences and ever-willing to experiment.
8
在塞伊有生之年，他的作品拥有大量的读者。

zài sāi yī yǒu shēng zhī nián， ， tā de zuò pǐn yōng yǒu dà liáng de dú。

Say's writings reached a wide audience during his lifetime.
9
在我看来，要拥有完美身材就要非常苗条。

zài wǒ kàn lái， ， yào yōng yǒu wán měi shēn cái jiù yào fēi cháng miáo。

My idea of physical perfection is to be very slender.
10
幸福就是有能力充分享受你拥有的一切。

xìng fú jiù shì yǒu néng lì chōng fēn xiǎng shòu nǐ yōng yǒu de yī qiē。

Hap-piness is the ability to make the most of what you have.

Cultural Notes for 拥有

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of ownership can be deeply tied to social and familial responsibilities, where possessing property or wealth can reflect one's status and duty to provide for the family.

Frequently Asked Questions about 拥有

Yes, 拥有 can refer to both tangible items like property and intangible assets like rights or qualities.