Chinese word

有所

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu suǒ

Meaning

  • adverbto some extent

Example

我对这件事有所了解。wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì yóu suǒ liáo jiě

I have some understanding of this matter.

Illustration for 有所 (to some extent)

More examples

经过几个月的训练，他的汉语水平有所提高。jīng guò jǐ gè yuè de xùn liàn tā de hàn yǔ shuǐ píng yóu suǒ tí gāo

After several months of training, his Chinese proficiency has improved somewhat.

Core concept

Places a verb or adjective on a scale where some effect appears, without suggesting a full or strong result.

Common phrases

  • 有所了解yóu suǒ liáo jiě

    have some understanding

  • 有所提高yóu suǒ tí gāo

    improve somewhat

  • 有所帮助yóu suǒ bāng zhù

    be of some help

Similar words

有点儿yóu diǎnr: Marks a small degree, especially for feelings or physical states, in casual spoken Chinese.
有些yǒu xiē: Indicates an unspecified amount or degree that is present to some extent.
稍微shāo wēi: Shows a very small degree, often for a gentle adjustment or a tactful statement.

Definition in Chinese

常置于动词或形容词之前，表示在某一方面存在一定程度或轻微变化，多用于书面语和正式场合。cháng zhì yú dòng cí huò xíng róng cí zhī qián biǎo shì zài mǒu yì fāng miàn cún zài yí dìng chéng dù huò qīng wēi biàn huà duō yòng yú shū miàn yǔ hé zhèng shì chǎng hé

Word origin

有所 (yǒusuǒ, "to have something in a particular respect") grows from 有 (yǒu, "to exist or have") plus 所 (suǒ, "that which is concerned"), linking existence with a result in a particular area.

Usage tips

  • For everyday conversation, its register is relatively formal, while ordinary spoken Chinese usually chooses simpler wording for the same kind of limited statement.

Other meanings

  • slightlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word