一些 (yīxiē) and 有些 (yǒuxiē) are both used to describe a certain amount or some quantity, meaning “some” in English. But in specific context, their usages and meanings differ.
Major differences between 一些 (yīxiē) and 有些 (yǒuxiē)
有些 As a pronoun VS 一些 As a classifier
- 一些 is often used to indicate a general, non-specific quantity. It doesn’t imply anything about the nature or characteristics of the items or people being referred to. While 有些 implies a specific subset of items or people within a larger group. It often suggests that the items or people have particular characteristics or qualities that set them apart.
e.g.
I bought some apples.
√ 我买了一些苹果。(Wǒ mǎile yīxiē píngguǒ.)
× 我买了有些苹果。(Wǒ mǎile yǒuxiē píngguǒ.)
It’s strange that some people actually like getting drunk.
× 很奇怪，一些人就喜欢喝醉。(Hěn qíguài, yīxiē rén jiù xǐhuān hē zuì.)
√ 很奇怪，有些人就喜欢喝醉。(Hěn qíguài, yǒuxiē rén jiù xǐhuān hē zuì.)
There are some people at the meeting that I don’t recognize.
× 来开会的人里一些我不认识。(Lái kāihuì de rén lǐ yīxiē wǒ bù rènshi.)
√ 来开会的人里有些我不认识。(Lái kāihuì de rén lǐ yǒuxiē wǒ bù rènshi.)
Can you give me some books that you won’t read for now?
√ 你能送给我一些暂时不看的书吗？(Nǐ néng sòng gěi wǒ yīxiē zànshí bù kàn de shū ma?)
× 你能送给我有些暂时不看的书吗？(Nǐ néng sòng gěi wǒ yǒuxiē zànshí bù kàn de shū ma?)
- 有些 and 一些 both can be the adverbial modifier or subject in a sentence. But 有些 cannot be the object. 一些 can be complement after adjective or verb phrase.
These flowers are so beautiful! Sell me some, please!
√ 这些花好漂亮！你卖给我一些吧！(Zhèxiē huā hǎo piàoliang! Nǐ mài gěi wǒ yīxiē ba!)
× 这些花好漂亮！你卖给我有些吧！(Zhèxiē huā hǎo piàoliang! Nǐ mài gěi wǒ yǒuxiē ba!)
With so many books, why don’t you read some as well?
√ 那么多书，你也读一些吧？(Nàme duō shū, nǐ yě dú yīxiē ba?)
× 那么多书，你也读有些吧？(Nàme duō shū, nǐ yě dú yǒuxiē ba?)
My Chinese is a bit better than his.
我的汉语比他的汉语好一些。(Wǒ de Hànyǔ bǐ tā de Hànyǔ hǎo yīxiē.)
我的汉语比他的汉语好有些。(Wǒ de Hànyǔ bǐ tā de Hànyǔ hǎo yǒuxiē.)
His appearance has changed a bit.
他的样子变了一些。(Tā de yàngzi biàn le yīxiē.)
他的样子变了有些。(Tā de yàngzi biàn le yǒuxiē.)
- Sometimes, “很” can be put before 有些 to indicate a large amount of quantity. 一些 can’t be used in this case.
e.g.
He is a banker and has quite a bit of money.
× 他是一个银行家，很一些钱。(Tā shì yīgè yínhángjiā, hěn yīxiē qián.)
√ 他是一个银行家，很有些钱。(Tā shì yīgè yínhángjiā, hěn yǒuxiē qián.)
She is a young entrepreneur and quite capable.
× 她是一个年轻的企业家，很一些能力。(Tā shì yīgè niánqīng de qǐyèjiā, hěn yīxiē nénglì.)
√ 她是一个年轻的企业家，很有些能力。(Tā shì yīgè niánqīng de qǐyèjiā, hěn yǒuxiē nénglì.)
As an adverb
有些 can also be an adverb, meaning “somewhat” “rather” to indicate the low degree. 一些can not be used in this case.
e.g.
天太冷了，我有些感冒。(Tiān tài lěng le, wǒ yǒuxiē gǎnmào.) It’s too cold, and I’m somewhat catching a cold.
这里太黑了，大家有些害怕。(Zhèlǐ tài hēi le, dàjiā yǒuxiē hàipà.) It’s too dark here, and everyone is a bit scared.
她好像有些不高兴。(Tā hǎoxiàng yǒuxiē bù gāoxìng.) She seems a bit unhappy.
我有些走不动了，想休息一下。(Wǒ yǒuxiē zǒu bù dòng le, xiǎng xiūxi yīxià.) I’m somewhat unable to walk further and would like to rest for a bit.
Exercise
