Unit 7

1.A:Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò?您在哪里工作?Where do you work?
 B:Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyàn gōngzuò.我在美国国务院工作。I work with the State Department.
     
2.A:Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò?您在哪里工作?Where do you work?
 B:Wǒ shì xüésheng.我是学生。I'm a student.
     
3.A:Nǐn lái zuò shénme?您来做什么?What did you come here to do?
 B:Wǒ lái niàn shū.我来念书。I came here to study.
     
4.A:Òu, wǒ yě shì xüésheng.哦,我也是学生。Oh, I'm a student too.
 B:Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme?请问,你念什么?May I ask, what are you studying?
 B:Wǒ niàn lìshǐ.我念历史。I'm studying history.
     
5.A:Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme?可先生,你念什么?What are you studying, Mr. Cook?
 B:Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén.我在这里学中文。I'm studying Chinese here.
     
6.A:Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma?请问,你学过英文吗?May I ask, have you ever studied English?
 B:Xüéguo学过。Yes.
     
7.A:Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?请问,你会说英文吗?May I ask, can you speak English?
 B:Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn.我会说一点。I can speak a little.
     
8.A:Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguó huà ma?你太太也会说中国话吗?Can your wife speak Chinese too?
 B:Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō.不会,她不会说。No, she can't.
     
9.A:Nǐde Zhōngguó huà hěn hǎo.你的中国话很好。Your Chinese is very good.
 B:Náli, náli. wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn.哪里,哪里。我就说一点。Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little.
     
10.A:Nǐ shì zài náli xüéde?你是在哪里学的?Where did you study it?
 B:Wǒ shì zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde.我是在华盛顿学的。I studied it in Washington.
     
11.A:Nǐ shì zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma?你是在大学学的英文吗?Did you study English at college?
 B:Shìde, wǒ shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén.是的,我是在台湾大学学的英文。Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University.

jīngxüé经学classics
Rìwén日文Japanese language
wénxüé文学literature
zhènzhixüé政治学political science
nánto be difficult
róngyi容易to be easy
xüéxí (xüéxi)学习to study, to learn
daxüé大学university
huàlanguage, words
huàshèngdùn华盛顿Washington
huìto know how to, to can
jīngjixüé经济学economics
lìshǐ历史history
Měiguó Guówùyüàn美国国务院U.S. Department of State
nánto be difficult
niàn (shū)念书to study
Rìwén日文Japanese language
shuō (huà)说话to speak, to talk
xüéto study
xüéshēng (xüésheng)学生student
xüéxí (xüéxi)学习to study, to learn (PRC)
yìdiǎn一点a little
Yīngwén英文English
zhènzhixüé政治学political science
Zhōngwén中文Chinese
zuòto do
shénme dìfang什么地方where, what place

1.A:Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò?您在哪里工作?Where do you work?
 B:Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò.我在美国国务院工作。I work with the State Department.
     
2.A:Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò?您在哪里工作?Where do you work?
 B:Wǒ shì xüésheng.我是学生。I'm a student.

Zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò means either "work at the State Department" (i.e., at main State in Washington, D,C.) or "work in the organisation of the State Department" (no matter where assigned). Here the expression is translated loosely as "work with the State Department," meaning "in the organization.

3.A:Nǐn lái zuò shénme?您来做什么?What did you come here to do?
 B:Wǒ lái niàn shū.我来念书。I came here to study.
     
4.A:Òu, wǒ yě shì xüésheng.哦,我也是学生。Oh, I'm a student too.
 B:Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme?请问,你念什么?May I ask, what are you studying?
 B:Wǒ niàn lìshǐ.我念历史。I'm studying history.

Purpose: When lái, "to come," is followed by another verb, the second verb expresses the purpose of the subject's coming. The "purpose of coming" may be emphasized by the shì...de construction, with the marker shì before the verb lái:

Wǒ shì lái nián shūde.I came to study.

Niàn shū: Niàn by itself means "to read aloud." When followed by an object, the expression means "to study." Shū is "book(s)," but niàn shū simply means "to study." Shū is used as a general object, standing for whatever is being studied.

Niàn lìshǐ: When you are talking about studying a particular subject, niàn is followed by the name of that subject rather than by the general object shū.

To have the meaning "to study," niàn must be followed by either the general object shū or a specific object such as the name of a subject.

Verb types: Zuò, "to do," and niàn (shū), "to study," are action verbs. Both are made negative with bu when referring to actions not yet finished Both may take completion le_or its negative méi.

Tā bú niàn shū.He doesn't study.
Tā méi niàn shū.He didn't study.
Tā yǐjǐng niàn shù le.He has already studied.
7.A:Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?请问,你会说英文吗?May I ask, can you speak English?
 B:Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn.我会说一点。I can speak a little.
     
8.A:Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguó huà ma?你太太也会说中国话吗?Can tour wife speak Chinese too?
 B:Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō.不会,她不会说。No, she can't.

Huì, "to know how to," "can," is an auxiliary verb. It is used before the main verb to express an attitude toward the action or to express the potential of action. Xiǎng, "to want to," "would like to," is also an auxiliary verb. "Should," "must," and "may" are other examples of auxiliary verbs. All auxiliary verbs in Chinese are state verbs, which means that is always used to make them negative. Auxiliary verbs never take the aspect marker le for completed action, regardless of whether you are talking about past, present, or future.

Tā qǜnián bú huì shuō Yīngwén.He couldn’t speak English last year.

When the marker le is used, it is the aspect marker for new situations.

Tā qǜnián bú huì shuō Yīngwén, xiànzài huì le,

Last year he couldn’t speak English, but now he can.

Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn, "工 can speak a little": The word yìdiǎn, literally "a dot," functions as a noun. It is used in a sentence to mean "a little bit" where a noun object, such as Yīngwén, "English," might be used.

Yìdiǎn may not be used directly after an auxiliary verb, which must be followed by another verb.

Shuō, "to speak," "to talk," is another example of a verb which must always have an object. Shuō must be followed by either:

Bú huì: The short yes/no answer to a question containing the auxiliary verb huì is formed with huì rather than with the main verb.

Zhōngguó huà: This expression refers only to the spoken language, in contrast to Zhōngwén, which refers to both the spoken and written language.

11.A:Nǐ shì zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma?你是在大学学的英文吗?Did you study English at college?
 B:Shìde, wǒ shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén.是的,我是在台湾大学学的英文。Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University.

In the Peking dialect of Standard Chinese, which is the model for grammatical patterns presented in this course, the -de of a shì...de construction comes between the verb and its object. The object, therefore, is outside the shì...de construction. Compare "I studied here" with "I studied English here":

However, you may hear some Standard Chinese speakers who place the object inside the shì...de construction.

shìzài zhèrxüé-de. 
shìzài zhèrxüé-deYīngwén.

Table 2.74. 

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

国务院

Guówùyüàn

Department of State

 

他/她在国务院工作。

Tā zài Guówùyüàn gōngzuò.

He/she works with the Department of State.

2.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

邮政局

yóuzhèngjǘ

post office

 

他/她在邮政局工作。

Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò.

He/she works at the post office.

3.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

银行

yínháng

bank

 

他/她在银行工作。

Tā zài yínháng gōngzuò.

He/she works at the bank.

4.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

武官处

Wǔguānchù

defense attache office

 

他/她在武官处工作。

Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò.

He/she works at the defense attache office.

5.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

国宾大饭店

Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn

Ambassador Hotel

 

他/她在国宾大饭店工作。

Tā zài Guóbín Dàfàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Ambassador Hotel.

6.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

北京大饭店

Běijīng Dàfàndiàn

Běijīng Grand Hotel

 

他/她在北京大饭店工作。

Tā zài Běijīng Dàfàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Běijīng Grand Hotel.

7.

他/她在哪里工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

 

⺠族饭店

Mínzǔ Fàndiàn

Nationalities Hotel

 

他/她在族饭店工作。

Tā zài Mínzú Fàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Nationalities Hotel.

Table 2.75. 

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

他/她是学生,他/她学中文。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā xüé zhōngwén.

He/she is a student, he/she studies Chinese.

 

这里

zhèli

here

 

他/她是学生,他/她在这里学中文。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén.

He/she is a student, he/she studies Chinese here.

2.

他/她是学生,他/她学中国化。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā xüé zhōngguó huà.

He/she is a student, he/she studies Chinese.

 

那里

nàli

there

 

他/她是学生,他/她在那里学中国花。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài nàli xüé zhōngguó huà.

He/she is a student, he/she studies Chinese there.

3.

他/她是学生,他/她年什么?

Tā shì xüésheng, tā nián shénme?

He/she is a student, what does he/she study?

 

这里

zhèli

here

 

他/她是学生,他/她这里 什么?

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài zhèli nián shénme?

He/she is a student, what does he/she study here?

4.

他/她是学生,他/她年历史。

Tā shì xǘsheng, tā nián lìshǐ.

He/she is a student, he/she studies history.

 

哪里

náli?

there?

 

他/她是学生,他/她在那里年历史?

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài náli nián lìshǐ?

He/she is a student, does he/she study history there?

5.

他/她是学生,他/她年文学。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā nián wénxüé.

He/she is a student, he/she studies literature.

 

这里

zhèli

here

 

他/她是学生,他/她这里年文学。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài zhèli nián wénxüé.

He/she is a student, he/she studies literature here.

6.

他/她是学生,他/她学法文。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā xüé fàwén.

He/she is a student, he/she studies French.

 

那里

nàli

there

 

他/她是学生,他/她在那里学法文。

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài nàli xüé fàwén.

He/she is a student, he/she studies French there.

7.

他/她是学生,他/她学什么?

Tā shì xüésheng, tā xüé shénme?

He/she is a student, what does he/she study?

 

这里

zhèli

here

 

他/她是学生,他/她在这里学什么?

Tā shì xüésheng, tā zài zhèli xüé shénme?

He/she is a student, what does he/she study here?

Table 2.76. 

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

请问,

Qǐngwèn, tā niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is he/she studying?

 

经济学

jīngjixüé

economics

 

他/她念经济学。

Tā niàn jīngjixüé.

He/she studies economics.

2.

请问,王大连念什么?

Qǐngwèn, Wáng Dànián niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Wáng Dànián studying?

 

文学

wénxüé

literature

 

他念文学。

Tā niàn wénxüé.

He studies literature.

3.

请问,方小姐念什么?

Qǐngwèn, Fāng xiǎojiě niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Miss Fāng studying?

 

中国文学

zhōngguó wénxüé

Chinese literature

 

她念文学。

Tā nián zhōngguó wénxüé.

She studies Chinese literature.

4.

请问,他/她妹妹念什么?

Qǐngwèn, tā mèimei niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is his/her younger sister studying?

 

政治学

zhèngzhixüé

political science

 

她念政治学。

Tā niàn zhèngzhixüé.

She studies political science.

5.

请问,他/她爱人念什么?

Qǐngwèn, tā àiren niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is his/her spouse studying?

 

历史

lìshǐ

history

 

他/她念历史。

Tā niàn lìshǐ.

He/she studies history.

6.

请问,孙蕙然念什么?

Qǐngwèn, Sūn Huìrán niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Sūn Huìrán studying?

 

中国历史

zhōngguó lìshǐ

Chinese history

 

她念中国历史。

Tā niàn Zhōngguó lìshǐ.

She studies Chinese history.

7.

请问,他/她男孩子念什么?

Tā nánháizi niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is his/her boy studying?

 

经济学

jīngjixüè

economics

 

他念经济学。

Tā niàn jīngjixüé.

He/she studies economics.

Table 2.79. 

Question Answer
    
1.

请问,他/她来念书吗?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn shū ma?

May I ask, did he/she come to study?

 

对了,他/她来念书。

Duì le, tā lái niàn shū.

Yes, he/she came to study.

2.

请问他/她来念中文吗?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn zhōngwén ma?

May I ask, did he/she come to study Chinese?

 

对了,他/她 来念在嗯文。

Duì le, tā lái niàn zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she came to study Chinese.

3.

请问,他/她来念经济学吗?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn jīngjixüé ma?

May I ask, did he/she come to study economics?

 

对了,他/她 来念经济学

Duì le, tā lái niàn jīngjixüě.

Yes, he/she came to study economics.

4.

请问他/她妹妹来念英文吗?

Qǐngwèn, tā mèimei lái niàn yīngwén ma?

May I ask, did his/her younger sister come to study English?

 

对了,她来念英文。

Duì le, tā lái niàn yīngwén.

Yes, she came to study English.

5.

请问,陈先生来念政治学吗?

Qǐngwèn, Chén xiānsheng lái niàn zhèngzhixüé ma?

May I ask, did Mr. Chén come to study political science?

 

对了,他来念政治学。

Duì le, tā lái niàn zhèngzhixüé.

Yes, he came to study political science.

6.

请问,王先生来学法文吗?

Qǐngwèn, Wáng xiānsheng lái xüé fàwén ma?

May I ask, did Mr. Wáng come to learn French?

 

对了,他来学法文。

Duì le, tā lái xüé fàwén.

Yes, he came to learn French.

7.

请问,张小姐来学日文吗?

Qǐngwèn, Zhāng xiǎojiě lái xüè rìwén ma?

May I ask, did Miss Zhāng come to learn Japanese?

 

对了,她来学日文。

Duì le, tā lái xüé rìwén.

Yes, she came to learn Japanese.

Table 2.80. 

Question Answer
    
1.

他/她是在大学学的中文吗?

Tā shì zài dàxüé xüéde zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in college?

 

是的,他/她是在大学学的中文。

Shìde, tā shì zài dàxüé xüéde zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she studied Chinese in college.

2.

他/她是在美国学的中文吗?

Tā shì zài Měiguo xüéde zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she learn Chinese in America?

 

是的,他/她是在美国学的中文。

Shìde, tā shì zài Měiguó xüéde zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she learned Chinese in America.

3.

他/她是在台湾大学念的英文吗?

Tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde yīngwén ma?

Did he/she study English in Taiwan?

 

是的,他/她是在台湾大学念的英文。

Shìde, tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niánde yīngwén.

Yes, he/she studied English in Taiwan.

4.

他/她是在美国念的历史吗?

Tā shì zài Měiguó niànde lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study history in America?

 

是的,他/她是在美国念的历史。

Shìde, tā shì zài Měiguó niànde lìshǐ.

Yes, he/she studied history in America.

5.

他/她是在加州念的政治学吗?

Tā shì zài Jiāzhōu niànde zhèngzhixüé ma?

Did he/she study political science in California?

 

是的,他/她是在加州念的政治学。

Shìde, tā shì zài Jiāzhōu niànde zhèngzhixüé.

Yes, he/she studied political science in California.

6.

他/她是在中国念的中国文学吗?

Tā shì zài zhōngguó niànde zhōngguó wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study Chinese literature in China?

 

是的,他/她是在中国念的中国文学。

Shìde, tā shì zài Zhōngguó niànde zhōngguó wénxüé.

Yes, he/she studied Chinese literature in China.

7.

他/她是在华盛顿念的经济学吗?

Tā shì zài Huáshèngdùn niànde jīngjixüé ma?

Did he/she study economics in Washington?

 

是的,他/她是在华盛顿念的经济学。

Shìde, tā shì zài Huáshèngdùn niànde jīngjixüé.

Yes, he/she studied economics in Washington.

[Note]Note

All these sentences could be translated with "is coming" instead od "did come".

Table 2.81. Give negative responses to all the questions, and complete your answers according to the cues.

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

他/她是在中国学的中国话吗?

Tā shì zài zhōngguó xüéde Zhōngguó huà ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in China?

 

美国

Měiguó

America

 

不是,他/她是在美国学的中国话。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Měiguó xüéde Zhōngguó huà.

No, he/she studied Chinese in America.

2.

他/她是在美国念的法文吗?

Tā shì zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén ma?

Did he/she study French in America.

 

加拿大

Jiānádà

Canada

 

不是,他/她是在加拿大念的法文。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Jiānádà niànde Fàwén.

No, he/she studied French in Canada.

3.

他/她是在台湾大学念的政治学吗?

Tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde zhēngzhixüé ma?

Did he/she study political science in a Taiwan University?

 

美国大学

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

 

不是,他/她是在美国大学念的政治学。

Bú shi, tā shì zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde zhèngshixüé.

No, he/she studied political science in an American University.

4.

他/她是在英国念的文学吗?

Tā shì zài Yīngguó niànde Yīngguó wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study English literature in England?

 

美国大学

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

 

不是,他/她是在美国大学念的英国文学。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Yīngguó wénxüé.

No, he/she studied English literature in an American University.

5.

他/她是在加州念的经济学吗?

Tā shì zài Jiāzhōu niànde jīngjixüé ma?

Did he/she study economics in California?

 

台湾大学

Táiwān Dàxüé

National Taiwan University

 

不是,他/她是在台湾大学念的经济学。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde jīngjixüé.

No, he/she studied economics in a Taiwan national university.

6.

他/她是在中国念的历史吗?

Tā shì zài Zhōngguó niànde Zhōngguó lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study Chinese history in China?

 

加州大学

Jiāzhōu Dàxüé

University of California

 

不是,他/她是在加州大学念的中国历史。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó lìshǐ.

No, he/she studied Chinese history in the California university.

7.

他/她是在加拿大念的中文吗?

Tā shì zài Jiānádà niànde Zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she study the Chinese language in Canada?

 

台湾

Táiwān

Taiwan

 

不是,他/她是在台湾念的中文。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Táiwān niànde zhōngwén.

No, he/she studied the Chinese language in Taiwan.

Table 2.82. Give negative or affirmative responses to all the questions according to the cues.

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

他/她是在华盛顿学的中国话吗?

Tā shì zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōngguó huà ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in Washington?

 

华盛顿

Huáshēngdùn

Washington

 

是的,他/她是在华盛顿学的中国话。

Shìde, tā shì zài Huáshēngdùn xüéde Zhōnggúo huà.

he/she studied Chinese in Washington.

2.

他/她是在台湾大学念的中国历史吗?

Tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study Chinese history in Taiwan University?

 

美国大学

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

 

不是,他/她是在美国大学念的中国历史。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó lìshǐ.

No, he/she studied Chinese history in an American University.

3.

他/她是在大学中文吗?

Tā shì zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she learn Chinese in college?

 

大学

dàxüé

college

 

是的,他/她是在大学学的中文。

Shìde, tā shì zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she learned Chinese in college.

4.

他/她是在台湾大学念的中国文学吗?

Tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study Chinese literature in National Taiwan University?

 

加州大学

Jiāzhōu Dàxüé

University of California

 

不是,他/她是在加州大学念的中国文学。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó wénxüé.

No, he/she studied Chinese literature in the University of California.

5.

他/她是在美国大学念的文学吗?

Tā shì zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study literature in the University of America?

 

美国大学

Měiguó Dàxüé

University of America

 

是的,他/她是在美国大学念的文学。

Shìde, tā shì zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé.

Yes, he/she studied literature in the University of America.

6.

他/她是在加州念的政治学吗?

Tā shì zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde zhèngzhixüé ma?

Did he/she study political science in a University of California?

 

台湾大学

Táiwān Dàxüé

University of Taiwan

 

不是,他/她是在台湾大学念的政治学。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde shèngzhixüé.

No, he/she studied political science in University of Taiwan.

7.

他/她是在法国念的法文吗?

Tā shì zài Fàguó niànde Fàwén ma?

Did he/she study French in France?

 

美国

Měiguó

America

 

不是,他/她是在美国念的法文。

Bú shì, tā shì zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén.

No, he/she studied French in University of America.

Table 2.84. 

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

我学中文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén.

I'm studying Chinese.

 

日文

Rìwén

Japanese

 

我学中文,我也学日文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén, wǒ yě xüé Rìwén.

I'm studying Chinese,and I'm studying Japanese too.

2.

我学法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén.

I'm studying French.

 

他/她

he/she

 

我学中文,他/她中文,他/她也学中文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén, tā yě xüé Zhōngwén.

I'm studying French, and he/she is studying Chinese too.

3.

他/她学法文。

Tā xüé Fàwén.

He/she is studying French.

 

德文

Déwén

German

 

他/她学法文,他/她也学德文。

Tā xüé Fàwén, tā yě xüé Déwén.

He/she is studying French, and he/she is studying German too.

4.

我学法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén.

I'm studying French.

 

他/她

he/she

 

我学法文,他/她也学法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén, tā yě xüé Fàwén.

I'm studying French, and he/she is studying French too.

5.

我学政治学。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé.

I'm studying political science.

 

他/她

he/she

 

我学政治学,他/她也学政治学。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé, tā yě xüé zhèngzhixüé.

I'm studying political science, and he/she is studying political science too.

6.

我学政治学。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé.

I'm studying political science.

 

经济学

jīngjixüé

economics

 

我学政治学,我也学经济学。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé, wǒ yě xüé jīngjixüé.

I'm studying political science, and I'm studying economics too.

7.

我学文学。

Wǒ xüé wénxüé.

I'm studying literature.

 

历史

lìshǐ

history

 

我学文学,我也学历史。

Wǒ xüé wénxüé, wǒ yě xüé lìshǐ.

I'm studying literature, and I'm studying history too.

Table 2.85. 

Question Answer
    
1.

林先生在华盛顿。他学过法文。

Lín xiāngsheng zài Huáshèngdùn. Tā xüéguo Fàwén.

Mr. Lín was in Washington. He studied French.

 

林先生在华盛顿学过法文。

Lín xiānsheng zài Huáshèngdùn xüéguo Fàwén.

Mr. Lín studied French in Washington.

2.

⻩小姐在美国。她念过政治学。

Huáng xiǎojiě zài Měiguó. Tā niànguo zhèngzhixüé.

Miss Huáng was in America. She studied political science.

 

⻩小姐在美国念过政治学。

Huáng xiǎojiě zài Měiguó niànguo zhènghixüé.

Miss Huáng studied political science in America.

3.

刘太太在加州大学。她念过经济学。

Liú tàitai zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé. Tā niànguo jīngjixüé.

Mrs. Liú was in the University of California. She studied economics.

 

刘太太在加州大学念过经济学。

Liú tàitai zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànguo jīngjixüé.

Mrs. Liú studied economics in the University of California.

4.

宋先生在美国。他念过历史。

Sòng xiānsheng zài Měiguó. Tā niànguo lìshǐ.

Mr. Sòng was in America. He studied history.

 

宋先生在美国念过历史。

Sòng xiānsheng zài Měiguó niànguo lìshǐ.

Mr. Sòng studied history in America.

5.

他/她在北京。他/她学过中文。

Ta zài Běijīng. Tā xüéguo Zhōngwén.

He/she was in Běijīng. He/she learned Chinese.

 

他/她在北京学过中文。

Tā zài Běijīng xüéguo zhōngwén.

He/she learned Chinese in Běijīng.

6.

孙小姐在加拿大他念英国文学。

Sūn xiǎojiě zài Jiānádà. Tā niànguo Yīngguó wénxüé.

Miss Sūn was in Canada. She studied English.

 

孙俄在加拿大念过英国文学。

Sūn xiǎojiě zài Jiānádà niànguo Yīngguó wénxüé.

Miss Sūn studied English in Canada.

7.

他/她在中国。他/她念过中国文学。

Tā zài Zhōngguó. Tā niánguo Zhōngguó wénxüé.

He/she was in China. He/she studied Chinese literature.

 

他/她在中国念过中国文学。

Tā zài Zhōngguó niànguo Zhōngguó wénxüé.

He/she studied Chinese literature in China.

Table 2.87.  Give an affirmative or a negative response to each question, according to the cues.

Question Cue Answer
      
1.

他/她会说中国话吗?

Tā huì shuō Zhōngguó huà ma?

Can he/she speak Chinese?

 

学过

xüéguo

have studied

 

会,他/她会说中国话。

Huì, tā huì shuō Zhōngguó huà.

Yes, he/she can speak Chinese.

2.

他/她会说中国吗?

Tā huì shuō Zhōngguó huà ma?

Can he/she speak Chinese?

 

没学过

méi xüéguo

haven't studied

 

不会,他/她会说中国话。

Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō Zhōngguó huà.

No, he/she cannot speak Chinese.

3.

他/她会说法文吗?

Tā àiren huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can his/her spouse speak French?

 

学过

xüéguo

have studied

 

会,他/她爱人会说法文。

Huì, tā airen huì shuō Fàwén.

Yes, his/her spouse can speak French.

4.

他/她父亲会说日文吗?

Tā fùqin huì shuō Rìwén ma?

Can his/her mother speak Japanese?

 

没学过

méi xüéguo

haven't studied

 

不会,他父亲不会说日文。

Bú huì, tā fùqin bú huì shuō Rìwén.

No, his/her mother cannot speak Japanese.

5.

李同志会说德文吗?

Lǐ tóngzhì huì shuō Déwén ma?

Can comrade speak German?

 

没学过

méi xüéguo

haven't studied

 

不会,李同志不会说德文。

Bú huì, Lǐ tóngzhì bú huì shuō Déwén.

No, comrade cannot speak German.

6.

王同志会说英文吗?

Wáng tōngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén ma?

Can comrade Wáng speak English?

 

学过

xüéguo

have studied

 

会,王同志会说英文。

Huì, Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén.

Yes, comrade Wáng can speak English.

7.

陈同志会说法文吗?

Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can comrade Chén speak French?

 

学过

xüéguo

have studied

 

会,陈同志会说法文。

Huì, Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén.

Yes, comrade Chén can speak French.