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The usage of 还 (hái) and 也 (yě)

Feb. 6, 2013

The correct answer is B.

Translation:

Wǒ yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ.
Li Hua:我  有     两 个     苹果。

I have two apples.

Wǒ yě yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ.
Li Ming:我 也  有     两 个     苹果。

I also have two apples.

Explanation:

Both 还 (hái) and 也 () are adverbs in Chinese meaning “also.” But 还 (hái) is usually used to give more information. When one person has one thing, but also has another thing, “还 (hái)” can be used. Generally, there is only one subject. 也 () is usually used when one person has the same thing as another person, there are two subjects.

In the above conversation, Li Hua says she has two apples. Li Ming says he has two apples as well. The two people are talking about the same thing: apples. So in Chinese, Li Ming should say 我有两个苹果 (wǒ yě yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ).

Examples:

Wǒ yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ, hái yǒu liǎngge júzi.
1. 我   有    两个      苹果,有    两个  桔子。

I have two apples, and I also have two oranges.

Wǒ xǐhuan chī píngguǒ, tā yě xǐhuan chī píngguǒ.
2. 我    喜欢    吃   苹果,  他  喜欢  吃    苹果。

I like eating apples, and he also likes eating apples.

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Comments

I respectfully submit that either could be correct, depending on context. “I have two bananas. I also have two apples.” In this case, also means “in addition” and it’s “hui.” Dui by dui?

Thanks for the clarification of using hai and ye.

Hello N,

You are welcome. I hope you like the blog.

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