Có (to have/there is) in Vietnamese

Overview

"Có" is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in Vietnamese. It functions as a verb meaning "to have," an existential marker meaning "there is/there are," and even serves as an affirmative response meaning "yes." Its negation, "không có," is equally pervasive, appearing in countless everyday expressions.

At the CEFR A1 level, mastering "có" in its basic uses is essential for daily communication. Whether expressing possession, asking about availability, or confirming something exists, "có" appears in nearly every conversation. Unlike English, which uses distinct structures for "I have," "there is," and "yes," Vietnamese consolidates these into a single word.

"Có" also plays a structural role in the yes/no question pattern "có...không?" which is one of the most common question forms in Vietnamese. Understanding this pattern unlocks a huge range of basic conversational ability.

How It Works

Possession (to have):

Pattern	Example	Meaning
Subject + có + Object	Tôi có xe.	I have a car.
Subject + không có + Object	Tôi không có tiền.	I don't have money.

Existential (there is/are):

Pattern	Example	Meaning
Có + Noun	Có người đến.	Someone came. / There is someone coming.
Không có + Noun	Không có nước.	There is no water.

Yes/No question pattern:

Pattern	Example	Meaning
Subject + có + Verb + không?	Bạn có đi không?	Are you going?
Có + Noun + không?	Có nước không?	Is there water?

Affirmative response:

Question	Answer
Có nước không?	Có. (Yes.)
Bạn có đi không?	Có. (Yes, I am.)

Examples in Context

Vietnamese	English	Note
Tôi có xe.	I have a car.	possession
Có ai không?	Is anyone there?	existential question
Có nước không?	Is there water?	existential question
Không có vấn đề.	No problem.	negated existential
Có, tôi đi.	Yes, I'm going.	affirmative answer
Bạn có bút không?	Do you have a pen?	possession question
Ở đây có nhà hàng không?	Is there a restaurant here?	existential with location
Tôi có hai anh em.	I have two siblings.	possession with number
Không có gì.	It's nothing. / You're welcome.	common phrase
Có thể.	Maybe. / It's possible.	idiomatic use

Common Mistakes

Omitting Có in Yes/No Questions

• Wrong: Bạn đi không?
• Right: Bạn có đi không?
• Why: While the shortened form is heard in casual speech, the full "có...không" pattern is standard and clearer.

Confusing Có with Là for Existence

• Wrong: Là nhà hàng ở đây. (intending "there is a restaurant here")
• Right: Có nhà hàng ở đây.
• Why: "Là" is for identity/equation; "có" is for existence and possession.

Using Có with Adjectives

• Wrong: Tôi có mệt. (intending "I am tired")
• Right: Tôi mệt.
• Why: "Có" is not used as "to be" with adjectives. Adjectives stand alone as stative verbs.

Usage Notes

"Có" appears in many fixed expressions: "không có gì" (you're welcome / it's nothing), "có thể" (maybe / can), "có lẽ" (perhaps). Learning these as chunks accelerates fluency.

In Southern Vietnamese, "có" is sometimes inserted before adjectives for emphasis ("có đẹp" = "is indeed beautiful"), a pattern less common in the North. This emphatic use is distinct from the standard grammar rules.

Practice Tips

• Practice the "có...không?" question pattern with different verbs: "Bạn có ăn không?" (Are you eating?), "Bạn có biết không?" (Do you know?). This single pattern handles most yes/no questions.
• Learn "không có" as a unit. It appears so frequently ("không có tiền," "không có thời gian," "không có vấn đề") that treating it as a single chunk improves fluency.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Personal Pronouns — subjects used with có for possession sentences