jùyǒu: 具有 - To Possess, To Have (formal)

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the formal Chinese verb 具有 (jùyǒu), which translates to “to possess” or “to be endowed with.” This guide breaks down the key differences between 具有 and the more common 有 (yǒu), showing you how to use 具有 correctly to describe abstract qualities, characteristics, and significance in formal or written Chinese. Master this HSK 4 word to elevate your language skills.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jù yǒu
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To possess or be endowed with (typically an abstract quality, characteristic, or significance).
• In a Nutshell: Think of 具有 (jùyǒu) as the formal, “business suit” version of the everyday word 有 (yǒu - to have). While you use 有 for concrete things like “I have a book” (我有一本书), you use 具有 for abstract concepts like “This plan has great significance” (这个计划具有重要意义). It's used to say something *inherently possesses* a certain quality, feature, or potential, and you'll see it most often in writing, formal speeches, and academic contexts.

• 具 (jù): This character originally depicted two hands offering a cowry shell (an ancient form of money), evolving to mean “tool” or “utensil.” By extension, it also gained the meaning “to possess,” “to provide,” or “to be equipped with.” Think of being “equipped with” a certain quality.
• 有 (yǒu): This is one of the most basic and common characters, meaning “to have” or “to exist.”

Combining 具 (jù - to be equipped with) and 有 (yǒu - to have) creates a more formal, literary compound verb that emphasizes the inherent possession of an abstract quality. It’s a stronger, more descriptive way of saying something “has” a certain characteristic.

While 具有 (jùyǒu) itself isn't a deep cultural concept like 关系 (guānxi), its usage reveals an important aspect of Chinese communication: the clear distinction between formal and informal registers. In English, the verb “to have” or “to possess” can be used in both a casual conversation (“He has a great sense of humor”) and a formal document (“The property possesses historical value”). The context, not the verb itself, usually dictates the formality. In Chinese, the choice between 有 (yǒu) and 具有 (jùyǒu) immediately signals the level of formality. Using 具有 in a casual chat about your friend might sound stiff or overly academic. Conversely, using only 有 in a formal report or business proposal might seem too simplistic or unprofessional. This linguistic choice reflects a cultural value for precision and appropriateness in communication, where using the right word for the right occasion is a sign of education and respect for the context.

You'll encounter 具有 (jùyǒu) primarily in more formal or structured situations.

• Written Language: It is extremely common in product descriptions, company profiles, academic papers, news reports, and legal documents. For example, a phone's product description might say it `具有防水功能` (jùyǒu fángshuǐ gōngnéng - has a waterproof function).
• Formal Speeches & Presentations: When a CEO gives a speech about a new strategy, they might say the plan `具有巨大的潜力` (jùyǒu jùdà de qiánlì - has enormous potential).
• Describing Abstract Qualities: This is the word's main job. It's almost always followed by a noun that is an abstract concept, such as:
  • Significance (意义 - yìyì)
  • Characteristics (特点 - tèdiǎn)
  • Risk (风险 - fēngxiǎn)
  • Potential (潜力 - qiánlì)
  • Value (价值 - jiàzhí)
  • Authority (权威性 - quánwēixìng)

• Example 1:
  • 这个城市具有悠久的历史。
  • Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì jùyǒu yōujiǔ de lìshǐ.
  • English: This city possesses a long history.
  • Analysis: A very common and classic use of 具有. “History” is an abstract concept that a place possesses. Using 有 would be grammatically possible but far less descriptive and formal.
• Example 2:
  • 他的设计具有独特的个人风格。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shèjì jùyǒu dútè de gèrén fēnggé.
  • English: His design has a unique personal style.
  • Analysis: “Style” (风格) is an abstract quality. 具有 is used here to formally describe what makes the design special.
• Example 3:
  • 这份合同从签字之日起具有法律效力。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong cóng qiānzì zhī rì qǐ jùyǒu fǎlǜ xiàolì.
  • English: This contract has legal effect from the date of signing.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of formal, official language. “Legal effect” (法律效力) is a formal, abstract concept that the contract is endowed with.
• Example 4:
  • 我们相信这个新项目具有巨大的市场潜力。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xiāngxìn zhège xīn xiàngmù jùyǒu jùdà de shìchǎng qiánlì.
  • English: We believe this new project possesses huge market potential.
  • Analysis: Used in a business context. “Market potential” (市场潜力) is an abstract quality that you are ascribing to the project.
• Example 5:
  • 作为领导者，你必须具有很强的责任心。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǐngdǎozhě, nǐ bìxū jùyǒu hěn qiáng de zérènxīn.
  • English: As a leader, you must possess a strong sense of responsibility.
  • Analysis: Here, 具有 is used to describe a necessary personal quality or trait for a certain role. 具备 (jùbèi) could also be used here.
• Example 6:
  • 这部电影具有很高的艺术价值。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng jùyǒu hěn gāo de yìshù jiàzhí.
  • English: This movie has high artistic value.
  • Analysis: “Artistic value” (艺术价值) is an abstract concept used in critiques and reviews. 具有 is the perfect verb for this context.
• Example 7:
  • 这项投资具有一定的风险。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng tóuzī jùyǒu yīdìng de fēngxiǎn.
  • English: This investment carries a certain amount of risk.
  • Analysis: “Risk” (风险) is another abstract noun frequently paired with 具有. This phrasing is common in financial and business reports.
• Example 8:
  • 这本书对初学者来说不具有太大的实用性。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū duì chūxuézhě lái shuō bù jùyǒu tài dà de shíyòngxìng.
  • English: For beginners, this book doesn't have much practicality.
  • Analysis: This example shows the negative form, 不具有 (bù jùyǒu), meaning “does not possess.” “Practicality” (实用性) is an abstract quality.
• Example 9:
  • 他的话具有很强的说服力。
  • Pinyin: Tā de huà jùyǒu hěn qiáng de shuōfúlì.
  • English: His words possess strong persuasive power.
  • Analysis: “Persuasive power” (说服力) is an intangible quality of his speech.
• Example 10:
  • 能解决这个问题的人才具有稀缺性。
  • Pinyin: Néng jiějué zhège wèntí de réncái jùyǒu xīquēxìng.
  • English: The talent capable of solving this problem is rare (possesses rarity).
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how 具有 can be paired with nouns ending in -性 (-xìng), which is equivalent to the English “-ity” or “-ness” (e.g., 稀缺性 - rarity/scarcity, 重要性 - importance).

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 具有 (jùyǒu) with 有 (yǒu). Rule of Thumb:

• Use 有 (yǒu) for concrete objects, people, and simple abstract ideas in everyday speech.
• Use 具有 (jùyǒu) for complex, abstract qualities/features in formal and written contexts.

Common Mistakes:

• Incorrect: 我具有一个苹果。 (Wǒ jùyǒu yī gè píngguǒ.)
  • Why it's wrong: An apple is a concrete, physical object. You don't formally “possess” it in this way.
  • Correct: 我有一个苹果。 (Wǒ yǒu yī gè píngguǒ.)
• Incorrect: 他具有很多朋友。 (Tā jùyǒu hěn duō péngyǒu.)
  • Why it's wrong: You don't “possess” friends like a quality. This sounds very unnatural and cold.
  • Correct: 他有很多朋友。 (Tā yǒu hěn duō péngyǒu.)
• Incorrect: 我的手机具有一个摄像头。 (Wǒ de shǒujī jùyǒu yī gè shèxiàngtóu.)
  • Why it's wrong: While a feature, a camera is still a physical component. It's better and more natural to use 有. 具有 would be better used to describe an abstract *function* of the camera, like “具有强大的夜拍功能” (has a powerful night-shot function).
  • Correct: 我的手机有一个摄像头。 (Wǒ de shǒujī yǒu yī gè shèxiàngtóu.)

• 有 (yǒu) - The general, all-purpose word for “to have” or “to exist.” 具有 is its formal, abstract counterpart.
• 拥有 (yōngyǒu) - To own, to possess. This verb implies a stronger sense of ownership and control than 有. It can be used for both valuable concrete things (e.g., a house, a company) and abstract things (e.g., talent, power). It sits between 有 and 具有 in some ways.
• 具备 (jùbèi) - To be equipped with, to satisfy (conditions). Very similar to 具有, but often used for skills, qualifications, or conditions required to meet a standard. (e.g., 具备…资格 - to have the qualifications for…).
• 特点 (tèdiǎn) - A characteristic, a feature. This noun is a very common object for the verb 具有. (e.g., 具有…特点).
• 性质 (xìngzhì) - Nature, character, quality. Another abstract noun often paired with 具有. (e.g., 具有…的性质).
• 意义 (yìyì) - Meaning, significance. A classic abstract noun used with 具有. (e.g., 具有重要的意义).
• 包含 (bāohán) - To contain, to include. This verb focuses on the components or elements *inside* something, whereas 具有 focuses on the inherent qualities or features *of* something.
• 存在 (cúnzài) - To exist, to be. This is about existence itself, not possession of qualities. (e.g., 这个问题存在 - This problem exists).