有…的地方，就有…
wherever there is …, there is …
Structure
有 名词 的地方 ， 就有 名词
What it means
A sweeping, generalising claim: wherever the first thing is found, the second is found too.
How it is built
有 + noun + 的地方，就有 + noun: 有水的地方，就有生命 (wherever there is water, there is life). Short forms often drop the comma: 有华人的地方就有春节.
When to use it
Popular in headlines, speeches and tributes. It is about place; for “whenever” about time, use 每当… instead.
Watch out
Keep 的地方 and the first 有: ✗ 有华人，就有…… ✗ 在华人的地方，就有…… ✓ 有华人的地方，就有……
Examples
有华人的地方，就有邓丽君的歌声。
Wherever there are Chinese people, there is Teresa Teng’s voice.
有水的地方，就有生命。
Wherever there is water, there is life.
有中国人的地方，就有中餐馆。
Wherever there are Chinese people, there are Chinese restaurants.
Learn this in Lesson 243 · HSK 9+: 从周璇到邓丽君 (From Zhou Xuan to Teresa Teng)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →