Show characters pinyin, zhuyin translations in text tooltips status line separate wordlist Link characters to online dictionaries Only treat the first occurrence of each word Include links to audio text-to-speech tooltips require DHTML; status-line requires a willing browser Grammar notes 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] ? One of the most common ways of forming a question in Chinese is to add 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] at the end of a statement. Hence 你 好 [.wav] [ni3hao3] ! (Hi!) becomes 你好嗎 [.wav] [ni3hao3 ma3|ma5] ? (How are you?) 你 呢 [.wav] [ni3 ne5|ni2] ? This is to be used to redirect the question originally addressed to you. Its meaning is equivalent to "and you?" "what about you?" or "how about you?" A: 你好嗎 [.wav] [ni3hao3 ma3|ma5] ? How are you? B: 我 很 好 [.wav] [wo3 hen3hao3] , 你呢 [.wav] [ni3 ne5|ni2] ? I am fine, and you? A: 你忙 嗎 [.wav] [ni3 mang2 ma3|ma5] ? Are you busy? B: 我不 忙 [.wav] [wo3 bu4mang2] , 你呢 [.wav] [ni3 ne5|ni2] ? I am not busy, what about you? 很 [.wav] [hen3] , 也 [.wav] [ye3] , 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] All three are adverbs, which should be placed /before/ what they modify in Chinese. E.g., 很好 [.wav] [hen3hao3] , 也好 [.wav] [ye3 hao3|hao4] , 都好 [.wav] [dou1|du1 hao3|hao4] . Sometimes 很 [.wav] [hen3] is not really employed to mean "very" if it is modifying a monosyllabic adjective such as 好 [.wav] [hao3|hao4] . It is simply because to say 我好 [.wav] [wo3 hao3|hao4] is a bit abrupt and hence awkward with only a monosyllabic adjective as the predicate of the sentence. Therefore people usually add 很 [.wav] [hen3] before 好 [.wav] [hao3|hao4] to make the sentence sound natural: 我很好 [.wav] [wo3 hen3hao3] in this case does not necessarily mean "I am /very/ well", it may simply convey the meaning of "I am fine". /The order of these words:/ If all three adverbs occur in the same sentence, their order is 也 [.wav] [ye3] -- 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] -- 很 [.wav] [hen3] : 我很好 [.wav] [wo3 hen3hao3] . 我也很好 [.wav] [wo3 ye3 hen3hao3] . 我 們 也都很好 [.wav] [wo3men5 ye3 dou1|du1 hen3hao3] . N.B. 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] (both/all) is only used to refer to the items to the /left/ of it. Hence it is wrong to say 都他 們 很好 [.wav] [dou1|du1 ta1men5 hen3hao3] ("all of them are fine"). One should say 他 們 都 很好 [.wav] [ta1men5dou1 hen3hao3] . 都不 [.wav] [dou1|du1 bu4] vs. 不都 [.wav] [bu4 dou1|du1] 都不 [.wav] [dou1|du1 bu4] indicates a complete negation whereas 不都 [.wav] [bu4 dou1|du1] shows a partial negation: 他們都不忙 [.wav] [ta1men5dou1 bu4mang2] None of them is busy. 他們不都忙 [.wav] [ta1men5 bu4 dou1|du1 mang2] Not all of them are busy. 我們都不 是 大 夫 [.wav] [wo3men5 dou1|du1 bu2shi4 dai4fu5] None of us is a doctor. 我們不都是 大夫 [.wav] [wo3men5 bu4 dou1|du1 shi4 dai4fu5] Not all of us are doctors. 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] As an auxiliary word, 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] is used to indicate possession. It comes between the subject and the noun it modifies: 我 的 書 [.wav] [wo3de5 shu1] , 我媽 媽 的車 [.wav] [wo3 ma1ma5 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1] etc. In the case of kinship or as a reference to people, however, the possessive marker 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] can be omitted. /Otherwise it cannot/. e.g. 你弟 弟 [.wav] [ni3 di4di5] = 你的弟弟 [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 di4di5] , 我爸 爸 [.wav] [wo3 ba4ba5] = 我的爸爸 [.wav] [wo3de5 ba4ba5] 我很好 [.wav] [wo3 hen3hao3] -- Adjectival sentence without verb "to be". Unlike English, Chinese sentences can sometimes go without a verb. In the sentence 我很好 [.wav] [wo3 hen3hao3] , the adjectival phrase 很好 [.wav] [hen3hao3] serves as the predicate for the sentence. No verb "to be" is needed as in English (I /am/ very well). This is generally true of a sentence that has an /adjective/ as its predicate, even in negative sentences. e.g. 他們很忙 [.wav] [ta1men5 hen3 mang2] , 我們不忙 [.wav] [wo3men5 bu4mang2] They are very busy, we are not. Notice that in other types of sentences, however, verb 是 [.wav] [shi4] should still be retained: 他 是我朋 友 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 wo3 peng2you5] He is my friend. 我不是她 的哥 哥 [.wav] [wo3 bu2shi4 ta1 de5|di2|di4 ge1ge5] I am not her elder brother. Proper Response Study the following two dialogues: A: 你媽媽是大夫嗎 [.wav] [ni3 ma1ma5 shi4 dai4fu5 ma3|ma5] ? Is your mother a doctor? B: 是 [.wav] [shi4] , 她是大夫 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 dai4fu5] . Yes, she is a doctor. A: 你媽媽忙嗎 [.wav] [ni3 ma1ma5 mang2 ma3|ma5] ? Is your mother busy? B: 忙 [.wav] [mang2] , 她很忙 [.wav] [ta1 hen3 mang2] . Yes, she is very busy. To respond positively to a yes/no question, we often repeat the verb -- in the above case 是 [.wav] [shi4] and 忙 [.wav] [mang2] respectively -- as an equivalent to the English "yes" before making the statement itself. Note therefore that the response is not always 是 [.wav] [shi4] . Questions with interrogative words 誰 [.wav] [shei2|shui2] , 哪 [.wav] [na3|na5|nei3|nei3] , 什 麼 [.wav] [shi2 me5|mo2] Unlike English which has to move such interrogative words as "what", "when", "who" etc to the beginning of the sentence to form a question, Chinese leaves the word order unchanged when forming questions using such interrogative words as 誰 [.wav] [shei2|shui2] , 哪 [.wav] [na3|na5|nei3|nei3] , 什麼 [.wav] [shi2 me5|mo2] , etc: 1. 他是我弟弟 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 wo3 di4di5] . (He is my younger brother.) 他是誰 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 shei2|shui2] ? (Who is he?) 2. 他是我們老 師 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 wo3men5 lao3shi1] . (He is our teacher.) 誰是你 們 老師 [.wav] [shei2|shui2 shi4 ni3men5 lao3shi1] ? (Who is your teacher?) 3. 他是中 國 人 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 zhong1guo2ren2] . (He is Chinese.) 他是哪國 人 [.wav] [ta1 shi4 na3|na5|nei3|nei3 guo2 ren2] ? (What is his nationality?) 4. 這 是中 國 地 圖 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 zhong1guo2 di4tu2] . (This is a map of China.) 這是什麼地圖 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 shi2 me5|mo2 di4tu2] ? (What map is this?) 5. 那 是書 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4 shi4 shu1] . (That is a book.) 那是什麼 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4 shi4 shi2 me5|mo2] ? (What is that?) 6. 這是她的車 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 ta1 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1] . (This is her car.) 這是誰的車 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 shei2|shui2 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1] ? (Whose car is this?) As is obvious, one simply replaces the relevant words, which are what one wants to ask about, with the interrogative words to form questions. No change of word order takes place. Asking a person's name There are several ways of asking a person's name, depending on who that person is. 1. 您 貴 姓 ﹖ [.wav] [nin2 gui4xing4 ﹖] This is a very polite way of asking someone's name, literally "What is your honourable surname?". It is usually used to address one's elders or superiors, or someone of one's own age but to whom one wants to be polite. Notice, however, that the expression 貴姓 [.wav] [gui4xing4] cannot be used when asking about a third person's name, or when referring to oneself. A: 您 [.wav] [nin2] /你貴姓﹖ [.wav] [ni3 gui4xing4 ﹖] What is your name? B: 我姓 丁 。 [.wav] [wo3 xing4 ding1 。] My name is Ding. 2. 你叫 什麼﹖ [.wav] [ni3 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] This is a plain form of asking a person's name. It is usually used to address people of one's own age or younger, or one's inferiors. If one wants to be a bit polite, 請 問 [.wav] [qing3wen4] can be added to the question: 請問﹐你叫什麼﹖ [.wav] [qing3wen4 ﹐ ni3 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] May I ask, what's your name? Unlike 貴姓 [.wav] [gui4xing4] , which is only used in the second person, 叫什麼 [.wav] [jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2] can be employed for all persons: 她叫什麼﹖我們叫什麼﹖我哥哥叫什麼﹖ [.wav] [ta1 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖ wo3men5 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖ wo3 ge1ge5 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] etc. When asked 你姓什麼﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xing4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] you are supposed to give your last name first, and then as an option you can add your full name afterwards. But when asked 你叫什麼﹖ [.wav] [ni3 jiao4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] you can give either your given name or your full name. Word usage: 學 習 ﹐ [.wav] [xue2xi2 ﹐] 學 [.wav] [xue2] Both words mean "to study" or "to learn". Whereas 學習 [.wav] [xue2xi2] can be used both transitively and intransitively, 學 [.wav] [xue2] is normally reserved for transitive use. e.g. 我學 [.wav] [wo3 xue2] (習 [.wav] [xi2] )漢 語 ﹐她學 [.wav] [han4yu3 ﹐ ta1 xue2] (習 [.wav] [xi2] )法 語 。 [.wav] [fa3yu3 。] I study Chinese, she studies French. 我學習﹐我弟弟不 學 習。 [.wav] [wo3 xue2xi2 ﹐ wo3 di4di5 bu4xue2wu2shu4 xi2 。] I study, my younger brother doesn't study. In the second sentence, the word 習 [.wav] [xi2] cannot be omitted. Grammar notes 1. 在 [.wav] [zai4] (to be at/in...) functions as a verb. To express the location or existence of something or somebody, use the following pattern: S + 在 [.wav] [zai4] + place/location word or phrase e.g. A: 你的地圖在哪 兒 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 di4tu2 zai4 na3er5 ﹖] B: 我的地圖在那 兒 。 [.wav] [wo3de5 di4tu2 zai4 nar3|nar4 。] A: 你爸爸媽媽在哪兒﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ba4ba5 ma1ma5 zai4 na3er5 ﹖] B: 他們在中國。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zai4 zhong1guo2 。] If the location or place is known or obvious, it can be omitted: A: 古 波 在嗎﹖ [.wav] [gu3bo1 zai4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Is Gubo in [or: here]? B: 他不 在 ﹐他在學 生 宿 舍 。 [.wav] [ta1 bu4zai4 ﹐ ta1 zai4 xue2sheng5 su4she4 。] He is not here. He is at the students' dormitory. 2. Nouns / personal pronouns + 這 兒 [.wav] [zher4] /那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] as place words. e.g. A: 地圖在哪兒﹖ [.wav] [di4tu2 zai4 na3er5 ﹖] B: 在我這兒。 [.wav] [zai4 wo3 zher4 。] (or 在我那兒 [.wav] [zai4 wo3 nar3|nar4] ) A: 你的車在哪兒﹖ [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1 zai4 na3er5 ﹖] B: 我的車在學生宿舍那兒。 [.wav] [wo3de5 che1|ju1 zai4 xue2sheng5 su4she4 nar3|nar4 。] The choice of 這兒 [.wav] [zher4] and 那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] depends on the distance between the object and the speaker. If it is close to the speaker, use 這兒 [.wav] [zher4] ; if not, use 那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] . 3. The word order for Chinese place words Unlike English, Chinese place words start with the larger ones and proceed to the smaller ones. Hence the sentence "She lives in room 423, 4th floor at the student dorm at the college" will be 她住 學 院 學生宿舍四 層 四二 三 號 。 [.wav] [ta1 zhu4 xue2yuan4 xue2sheng5 su4she4 si4 ceng2 si4 er4 san1 hao2|hao4 。] Notice the exactly reverse order here, which is applicable to the address used when writing letters as well. 4. To live (stay) at a place Most often one uses 住 [.wav] [zhu4] to indicate that one lives or stays at a certain place. There are several patterns for the use of 住 [.wav] [zhu4] . For example, to say "I live here", one can have the following: S + 住 [.wav] [zhu4] + place word (我住這兒 [.wav] [wo3 zhu4 zher4] ) S + 住在 [.wav] [zhu4 zai4] + place word (我住在 這 兒 [.wav] [wo3 zhu4 zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5] ) S + 在 [.wav] [zai4] + place word + 住 [.wav] [zhu4] (我在這兒住 [.wav] [wo3 zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 zhu4] ) All three sentences have the same meaning. 5. Reading numbers for phone, room, building, ID, etc Unlike English, these sorts of Chinese numbers are read out digit by digit: English: # 1452 (number fourteen fifty-two) Chinese: # 1452 (一 四五 二 號 [.wav] [yi1 si4 wu3 er4hao4] ) The use of 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] (to return something to someone) When using 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] to indicate "return", use the following pattern: S + 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] + (sb.) + sth. e.g. 我還他畫 報 [.wav] [wo3 hai2|huan2 ta1 hua4bao4] 你還丁云 的車。 [.wav] [ni3 hai2|huan2 ding1 yun2 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1 。] (Notice here sb. is omitted.) This pattern is /only/ used for simple objects, i.e. the object to be returned is not a complex one such as 她媽媽的日 本 車 [.wav] [ta1 ma1ma5 de5|di2|di4 ri4ben3 che1|ju1] , etc. Notice in the second example above, sb. is omitted because it would be awkward to say 你還丁云丁云的 車 [.wav] [ni3 hai2|huan2 ding1 yun2 ding1 yun2 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1] , although grammatically it is correct. We will later learn the ways to express something more complicated. 用 一 下 兒 [.wav] [yong4 yi2xiar4] In this phrase, 用 [.wav] [yong4] is a verb which can be used both transitively and intransitively (i.e. it can be used either with or without an object). 一下兒 [.wav] [yi2xiar4] is an adverbial of time indicating "a short while, a little while". If an object is to be used for 用 [.wav] [yong4] in the above phrase, it should be placed after 一下兒 [.wav] [yi2xiar4] : 我用一下兒你的書﹐好嗎﹖ [.wav] [wo3 yong4 yi2xiar4 ni3 de5|di2|di4 shu1 ﹐ hao3|hao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Is it all right for me to use your book for a short while? 他們用一下兒你爸爸的車。 [.wav] [ta1men5 yong4 yi2xiar4 ni3 ba4ba5 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1 。] They want to use your dad's car for a little while. Time Word 現 在 [.wav] [xian4zai4] Time words in Chinese are normally placed in one of two positions in a sentence: /before/ or /after/ the subject. 現在她去 學院還書。 [.wav] [xian4zai4 ta1 qu4 xue2yuan4 hai2|huan2 shu1 。] Now she is going to the college to return books. or 她現在去學院還書。 [.wav] [ta1 xian4zai4 qu4 xue2yuan4 hai2|huan2 shu1 。] 常 [.wav] [chang2] and 常 常 [.wav] [chang2chang2] 常 [.wav] [chang2] in the sense of "often" can often be reduplicated as 常常 [.wav] [chang2chang2] without a change of meaning. Thus, 他常喝 茶 [.wav] [ta1 chang2 he1|he4 cha2] = 他常常喝茶 [.wav] [ta1 chang2chang2 he1|he4 cha2] , 我們常去看 書 [.wav] [wo3men5 chang2 qu4 kan1|kan4 shu1] = 我們常常去看書 [.wav] [wo3men5 chang2chang2 qu4 kan1|kan4 shu1] . In making negative sentences, however, 常 [.wav] [chang2] is normally /not/ reduplicated. Hence 他不常喝茶 [.wav] [ta1 bu4 chang2 he1|he4 cha2] , 我們不常去看書 [.wav] [wo3men5 bu4 chang2 qu4 kan1|kan4 shu1] . Affirmative-Negative questions An alternative way of forming a question is to juxtapose the affirmative and negative forms of the predicative verb or adjective: 她是中國人嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1 shi4 zhong1guo2ren2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] becomes 她是 不 是 中國人﹖ [.wav] [ta1 shi4bu4shi4 zhong1guo2ren2 ﹖] 你忙嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 mang2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] becomes 你忙不忙﹖ [.wav] [ni3 mang2 bu4mang2 ﹖] 你認 識 他嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ren4shi5 ta1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] becomes 你認識不認識他﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ren4shi5 bu4 ren4shi5 ta1 ﹖] 1. If the verb or adjective is composed of a single word, then repeat the single word; if two or more words, then repeat them all: 忙不忙 [.wav] [mang2 bu4mang2] , 認識不認識 [.wav] [ren4shi5 bu4 ren4shi5] , 介 紹 不介紹 [.wav] [jie4shao4 bu4 jie4shao4] 2. If the predicative verb takes an object, it is usually only the verb that gets repeated, not the noun following it: 你喝不喝茶﹖ [.wav] [ni3 he1|he4 bu4 he1|he4 cha2 ﹖] 你去不去中國﹖ [.wav] [ni3 qu4 bu4 qu4 zhong1guo2 ﹖] 3. Sometimes if the object of the verb is not long, one can use the form of "V + object + 不 [.wav] [bu4] + V ?" as well, although this is not as common: 你喝茶不喝茶﹖ [.wav] [ni3 he1|he4 cha2 bu4 he1|he4 cha2 ﹖] 她去中國不去﹖ [.wav] [ta1 qu4 zhong1guo2 bu4 qu4 ﹖] 4. As in questions with interrogative words (誰 [.wav] [shei2|shui2] , 什麼 [.wav] [shi2 me5|mo2] , etc), affirmative-negative questions do not take 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] at the end. 5. If an adverb such as 常 [.wav] [chang2] , 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] , 也 [.wav] [ye3] or 很 [.wav] [hen3] comes /before/ the predicative verb or adjective, do not use the affirmative-negative form but use 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] instead: 你們都去中國嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 dou1|du1 qu4 zhong1guo2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] but not 你們都去不去中國﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 dou1|du1 qu4 bu4 qu4 zhong1guo2 ﹖] 他常喝咖 啡 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1 chang2 he1|he4 ka1fei1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] but not 他常喝不喝咖啡﹖ [.wav] [ta1 chang2 he1|he4 bu4 he1|he4 ka1fei1 ﹖] Notice, however, that this rule applies only when those adverbs come /before/ the predicative verbs or adjectives. Compare: 1. 她很忙嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1 hen3 mang2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] but not 她很忙不忙﹖ [.wav] [ta1 hen3 mang2 bu4mang2 ﹖] 2. 她是很好大夫嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1 shi4 hen3hao3 dai4fu5 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 她是不是很好的大夫﹖ [.wav] [ta1 shi4bu4shi4 hen3hao3 de5|di2|di4 dai4fu5 ﹖] The second instance is acceptable because 很 [.wav] [hen3] comes /after/ the predicative verb 是 [.wav] [shi4] . 6. If there is more than one verb in a sentence, usually only the /first/ verb gets the affirmative-negative form in the question: 你去商 店 買 紙 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 qu4 shang1dian4 mai3 zhi3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] becomes 你去不去商店買紙﹖ [.wav] [ni3 qu4 bu4 qu4 shang1dian4 mai3 zhi3 ﹖] 他們歡 迎 我來 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5 huan1ying2 wo3 lai2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] becomes 他們歡迎不 歡 迎 我來﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5 huan1ying2 bu4huan1er2san4 ying2 wo3 lai2 ﹖] 和 [.wav] [he2|he4|huo2|huo4] and 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] In Chinese, 和 [.wav] [he2|he4|huo2|huo4] as a conjunction is normally used to connect two words or phrases, /never/ two clauses or sentences: 中國和美 國 [.wav] [zhong1guo2 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 mei3guo2] 我的爸爸和媽媽 [.wav] [wo3de5 ba4ba5 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 ma1ma5] 她學習漢語和英 語 。 [.wav] [ta1 xue2xi2 han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 ying1yu3 。] 你認識我爸爸和弟弟嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ren4shi5 wo3 ba4ba5 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 di4di5 ma3|ma5 ﹖] but not 我弟弟是學生﹐和我哥哥也是學生。 [.wav] [wo3 di4di5 shi4 xue2sheng5 ﹐ he2|he4|huo2|huo4 wo3 ge1ge5 ye3 shi4 xue2sheng5 。] nor 你學習法語﹐和我也學習法語。 [.wav] [ni3 xue2xi2 fa3yu3 ﹐ he2|he4|huo2|huo4 wo3 ye3 xue2xi2 fa3yu3 。] The adverb 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] is placed between the subject and the predicative verb or adjective. It governs only the elements /before/ it: 我們都去中國。 [.wav] [wo3men5 dou1|du1 qu4 zhong1guo2 。] (All of us go to China: 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] modifies 我們 [.wav] [wo3men5] .) but not 都我們去中國。 [.wav] [dou1|du1 wo3men5 qu4 zhong1guo2 。] This is also wrong: 我都學漢語和法語。 [.wav] [wo3 dou1|du1 xue2 han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 fa3yu3 。] because 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] modifies 我 [.wav] [wo3] and not 漢語和法語 [.wav] [han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 fa3yu3] . If "both Chinese and French" is intended in the above sentence, the objects 漢語和法語 [.wav] [han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 fa3yu3] should be placed before 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] : 我漢語和法語都學。 [.wav] [wo3 han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 fa3yu3 dou1|du1 xue2 。] or 漢語和法語都我學。 [.wav] [han4yu3 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 fa3yu3 dou1|du1 wo3 xue2 。] The verb 有 [.wav] [you3] expressing possession and existence The verb 有 [.wav] [you3] in Chinese can mean both possession and existence, like the English "to have" and "there is" or "there are": 她有漢語詞 典 。 [.wav] [ta1 you3 han4yu3 ci2dian3 。] She has a Chinese dictionary. 我們學院有多 外 國 學生。 [.wav] [wo3men5 xue2yuan4 you3 duo1 wai4guo2 xue2sheng5 。] There are a lot of foreign students in our college. N.B.: 1. To negate 有 [.wav] [you3] , one uses 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] instead of 不 [.wav] [bu4] : 我有哥哥﹐我沒 有 姐 姐 。 [.wav] [wo3 you3 ge1ge5 ﹐ wo3 mei2you3 jie3jie5 。] I have an elder brother, but no elder sister. 2. Informally in a negative sentence, 有 [.wav] [you3] can sometimes be omitted: 我朋友沒 [.wav] [wo3 peng2you5 mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] )書﹐也沒 [.wav] [shu1 ﹐ ye3 mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] )筆 。 [.wav] [bi3 。] My friend does not have books, nor pens. 現在我們的宿舍沒 [.wav] [xian4zai4 wo3men5 de5|di2|di4 su4she4 mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] )人。 [.wav] [ren2 。] There is no one in our dorm now. 3. The affirmative-negative question form is "... 有沒有 [.wav] [you3 mei2you3] ... ?" 她有沒有妹 妹 ﹖ [.wav] [ta1 you3 mei2you3 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 ﹖] 呢﹐你們的宿舍有沒 有 人 ﹖ [.wav] [ne5|ni2 ﹐ ni3men5 de5|di2|di4 su4she4 you3 mei2you3ren2 ﹖] Sometimes, if the object of 有 [.wav] [you3] is not long, one can use the form "... 有 [.wav] [you3] + object + 沒有 [.wav] [mei2you3] ?" as well, although this form is not as common as the previous one. 她有妹妹沒有﹖ [.wav] [ta1 you3 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 mei2you3 ﹖] 這宿舍有 人 沒有﹖ [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 su4she4 you3ren2qing2 mei2you3 ﹖] Prepositional construction with 在 [.wav] [zai4] (in, at) and 給 [.wav] [gei3|ji3] (for, to) The object of 在 [.wav] [zai4] is often a place-word and the object of 給 [.wav] [gei3|ji3] is often the beneficiary of the action expressed by the predicative verb. In Chinese, a prepositional construction comes /before/ the verb it modifies: 他在銀 行 工 作 。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 yin2hang2 gong1zuo4 。] She works in a bank. but not 她工作在銀行。 [.wav] [ta1 gong1zuo4 zai4 yin2hang2 。] 我給你們介紹一下兒。 [.wav] [wo3 gei3|ji3 ni3men5 jie4shao4 yi2xiar4 。] Let me introduce you to one another. but not 我介紹一下兒給你們。 [.wav] [wo3 jie4shao4 yi2xiar4 gei3|ji3 ni3men5 。] To form a negative sentence, 不 [.wav] [bu4] is placed /before/ the prepositional construction: 他不在銀行工作。 [.wav] [ta1 bu4zai4 yin2hang2 gong1zuo4 。] 我不給你們介紹。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4 gei3|ji3 ni3men5 jie4shao4 。] I am not going to introduce you. Adverbs such as 常 [.wav] [chang2] , 都 [.wav] [dou1|du1] , 也 [.wav] [ye3] are also placed /before/ the prepositional construction: 我們都在 [.wav] [wo3men5 dou1|du1 zai4] City Lit 學院學習漢語。 [.wav] [xue2yuan4 xue2xi2 han4yu3 。] We all study Chinese at the City Lit. 你常給你媽媽信 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 chang2 gei3|ji3 ni3 ma1ma5 xin4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Do you often write to your mother? 我爸爸也常給我寫 信 。 [.wav] [wo3 ba4ba5 ye3 chang2 gei3|ji3 wo3 xie3xin4 。] My dad also often writes to me. Word usage: 想 [.wav] [xiang3] The word 想 [.wav] [xiang3] in Chinese carries various meanings: 1. 想 [.wav] [xiang3] + noun/noun-phrase = to miss somebody/something: 丁 雲 很想 家 。 [.wav] [ding1yun2 hen3 xiang3jia1 。] Ding Yun misses her family very much. 我很想我的爸爸媽媽。 [.wav] [wo3 hen3 xiang3 wo3de5 ba4ba5 ma1ma5 。] I miss my parents very much. 你不想你的男 朋 友 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 bu4 xiang3 ni3 de5|di2|di4 nan2peng2you5 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Don't you miss your boyfriend? 你想不想她﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 bu4 xiang3 ta1 ﹖] Do you miss her? 2. 想 [.wav] [xiang3] + verb/verb-phrase = to want to do something: A: 你想去商店嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 qu4 shang1dian4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Do you want to go to the shop? B: 我不想去。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4 xiang3 qu4 。] I don't want to go. A: 你想不想學法語﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 bu4 xiang3 xue2 fa3yu3 ﹖] Do you want to study French? B: 我也想學法語。 [.wav] [wo3 ye3 xiang3 xue2 fa3yu3 。] I also want to study French. 3. 想 [.wav] [xiang3] + clause = to think/suppose something: 我想她是中國人。 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 ta1 shi4 zhong1guo2ren2 。] I think she is Chinese. 我想她爸爸媽媽都是大夫。 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 ta1 ba4ba5 ma1ma5 dou1|du1 shi4 dai4fu5 。] I think her parents are both doctors. N.B. to negate a sentence with 想 [.wav] [xiang3] in this capacity, put the negative adverb in the /subordinate clause/, not in the main clause as in English: 我想她 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 ta1] /不是 [.wav] [bu2shi4] /中國人。 [.wav] [zhong1guo2ren2 。] I don't think she is Chinese. but not 我不想她是中國人。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4 xiang3 ta1 shi4 zhong1guo2ren2 。] N.B. 想 [.wav] [xiang3] as a verb can use the affirmative-negative question form /only/ in senses 1 and 2 above, not in 3. Word usage: 告 訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] means "to tell". In English, the verb "tell" can mean to tell somebody something, or to tell somebody /to do/ something. The Chinese verb 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] can only be applied to the first of these patterns. e.g. 她告訴我她的工作。 [.wav] [ta1 gao4su5 wo3 ta1 de5|di2|di4 gong1zuo4 。] She told me her work. 我告訴媽媽你是我的好 朋 友 。 [.wav] [wo3 gao4su5 ma1ma5 ni3 shi4 wo3de5 hao3peng2you5 。] I'll tell mother you are a good friend of mine. but not 我告訴他給我寫信。 [.wav] [wo3 gao4su5 ta1 gei3|ji3 wo3 xie3xin4 。] I told him to write to me. Notice the element following the indirect object (i.e. 我 [.wav] [wo3] , 媽媽 [.wav] [ma1ma5] ) of 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] in the first and second sentences is either a noun, a noun-phrase or a clause, but never a verb-phrase. The last sentence is wrong because it uses the pattern "to tell somebody to do something" and hence uses a verb-phrase for its direct object. In this case, we should use 叫 [.wav] [jiao4] or 請 [.wav] [qing3] in place of 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] to make a correct sentence: 我請他給我寫信。 [.wav] [wo3 qing3 ta1 gei3|ji3 wo3 xie3xin4 。] I asked him to write to me. The Numbers in Chinese For Arabic numerals 0 to 10, the Chinese equivalents are: ○ [.wav] [○] (or 零 [.wav] [ling2] ), 一 [.wav] [yi1] , 二 [.wav] [er4] , 三 [.wav] [san1] , 四 [.wav] [si4] , 五 [.wav] [wu3] , 六 [.wav] [liu4] , 七 [.wav] [qi1] , 八 [.wav] [ba1] , 九 [.wav] [jiu3] , 十 [.wav] [shi2] Further on, they are: 十 一 [.wav] [shi2yi1] = 11, 十 二 [.wav] [shi2er4] = 12, 十 九 [.wav] [shi2jiu3] = 19 二 十 [.wav] [er4shi2] = 20, 二 十 一 [.wav] [er4shi2yi1] = 21, 二 十 八 [.wav] [er4shi2ba1hao4] = 28 三 十 [.wav] [san1shi2] = 30, 四 十 [.wav] [si4shi2] = 40, 九 十 [.wav] [jiu3shi2] = 90, 九十九 [.wav] [jiu3shi2 jiu3] = 99 一 百 [.wav] [yi1bai3] = 100 一百零一 [.wav] [yi1bai3 ling2 yi1] = 101, 一百十 [.wav] [yi1bai3 shi2] = 110, 一百十一 [.wav] [yi1bai3 shi2yi1] = 111 三 百 二 十 七 [.wav] [san1bai3 er4shi2qi1] = 327, 九百 零九 [.wav] [jiu3 bai3 ling2 jiu3] = 909 一 千 [.wav] [yi1qian1] = 1000 一 千 零 一 [.wav] [yi1qian1ling2wu3shi2yi4 yi1] = 1001, 五 千 零四十 [.wav] [wu3qian1dun1 ling2 si4shi2] = 5040, 八 千 七 百 二 十 五 [.wav] [ba1qian1 qi1bai3wan4 er4shi2wu3] = 8725 一 萬 [.wav] [yi1wan4] = 10,000 四萬 零八百零一 [.wav] [si4 wan4 ling2 ba1 bai3 ling2 yi1] = 40,801 一 億 [.wav] [yi1yi4] = 100,000,000 N.B.: 1. Numbers like 15 are written e.g. 十 五 [.wav] [shi2wu3] , not 一十五 [.wav] [yi1 shi2wu3] . 2. A zero is pronounced or written when sandwiched by two digits: 101 is 一百零一 [.wav] [yi1bai3 ling2 yi1] , and 3020 is 三 千 零二 十 [.wav] [san1qian1wu3bai3 ling2 er4shi2] . Notice the last zero in 3020 is /not/ pronounced because it is not between two other digits. If there are two or more zeroes in succession between two non-zero digits, as in 1001, only one is pronounced: 一千零一 [.wav] [yi1qian1ling2wu3shi2yi4 yi1] . However, if the two or more zeroes are separate and also sandwiched, as in 40,801, each is read as normal: 四萬零八百零一 [.wav] [si4 wan4 ling2 ba1 bai3 ling2 yi1] . Grammar notes 1. Measure words In Chinese, when a noun is modified by numerals, demonstrative pronouns such as 這 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4] or 那 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4] , or interrogative pronouns such as 哪 [.wav] [na3|na5|nei3|nei3] or 幾 [.wav] [ji1|ji3] , a specific measure word should be placed between the noun and its modifier(s): 三本 書 [.wav] [san1 ben3 shu1] , 十五個 學生 [.wav] [shi2wu3 ge4 xue2sheng5] , 那 個 老師 [.wav] [nei4ge4 lao3shi1] , 哪 個 圖 書 館 [.wav] [na3ge5 tu2shu1guan3] , 幾本詞典 [.wav] [ji1|ji3 ben3 ci2dian3] 2. 幾 [.wav] [ji1|ji3] and 多 少 [.wav] [duo1shao3] Both of these can be used to mean "how many" or "how much". Whereas 幾 [.wav] [ji1|ji3] should be used with a measure word, 多少 [.wav] [duo1shao3] can be used either with or without a measure word for the noun it modifies. 你有幾本詞典﹖ [.wav] [ni3 you3 ji1|ji3 ben3 ci2dian3 ﹖] 你有多少 [.wav] [ni3 you3 duo1shao3] (本 [.wav] [ben3] )詞典﹖ [.wav] [ci2dian3 ﹖] The measure word 本 [.wav] [ben3] is a must for the first sentence, but only optional in the second. Also, when 幾 [.wav] [ji1|ji3] is used, the expected answer is usually under 10, whereas 多少 [.wav] [duo1shao3] can be used whether one expects a large or small answer. 你們大 學 有多少學生﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 da4xue2 you3 duo1shao3 xue2sheng5 ﹖] 你家 有幾 個 人﹖ [.wav] [ni3 jia1 you3 ji3ge5 ren2 ﹖] 3. Chinese verbs that take direct and indirect objects As in English, some verbs in Chinese can take two objects: direct object (usually a thing) and indirect object (usually a person). 王 老師教 我們語 法 。 [.wav] [wang2 lao3shi1 jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 yu3fa3 。] In this sentence, 教 [.wav] [jiao1|jiao4] is a verb that takes 我們 [.wav] [wo3men5] as the indirect object and 法語 [.wav] [fa3yu3] as the direct object. Generally the indirect goes before the direct object. Some other verbs that work the same way include 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] , 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] and 問 [.wav] [wen4] . Not all Chinese verbs can take two objects: it would be wrong to say 他買我一本書 [.wav] [ta1 mai3 wo3 yi1 ben3 shu1] (He bought me a book), or 她寫 我一封 信 [.wav] [ta1 xie3 wo3 yi1 feng1 xin4] (She wrote me a letter). The correct way of saying these would be to use 給 [.wav] [gei3|ji3] , as in 他給我買一本書 [.wav] [ta1 gei3|ji3 wo3 mai3 yi1 ben3 shu1] and 她給我寫一封信 [.wav] [ta1 gei3|ji3 wo3 xie3 yi1 feng1 xin4] . 4. Adjectives as modifiers When an adjective modifies a noun, it is placed directly before the noun as in English: 新 書 [.wav] [xin1shu1] new book 好朋友 [.wav] [hao3peng2you5] good friend However, when the adjective modifier is made up of two or more syllables, the particle 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] is usually inserted between the modifier and the noun it modifies: 很新 的書 [.wav] [hen3 xin1 de5|di2|di4 shu1] very new book 很好的朋友 [.wav] [hen3hao3 de5|di2|di4 peng2you5] very good friend Word usage: 也 [.wav] [ye3] and 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] 也 [.wav] [ye3] is used to mean "the same" as the previous statement. Hence the relationship between the statement introduced by 也 [.wav] [ye3] and the previous one is a /parallel/ relationship. 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] , on the other hand, introduces an /additional/ element to the previous statement. e.g. 你有 一 個問 題 ﹐我也有一個問題。 [.wav] [ni3 you3yi1xie1 ge4 wen4ti2 ﹐ wo3 ye3 you3yi1xie1 ge4 wen4ti2 。] You have a question; I also have a question. The two are parallel here. 我還有一個問題。 [.wav] [wo3 hai2|huan2 you3yi1xie1 ge4 wen4ti2 。] I have already had some questions, but I still have one more. This is /in addition to/ the previous ones. Under certain circumstances, 也 [.wav] [ye3] and 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] are interchangeable, but with different emphasis: 王老師教我們漢 字 和語法﹐他還教我們口 語 。 [.wav] [wang2 lao3shi1 jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 han4zi4 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 yu3fa3 ﹐ ta1 hai2|huan2 jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 kou3yu3 。] 王老師教我們漢字和語法﹐他也教我們口語。 [.wav] [wang2 lao3shi1 jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 han4zi4 he2|he4|huo2|huo4 yu3fa3 ﹐ ta1 ye3 jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 kou3yu3 。] Although both sentences can be roughly translated as "Professor Wang teaches us Chinese characters and grammar; he also teaches us conversation", their emphasis is different: the first sentence stresses the fact that Wang teaches conversation /in addition to/ the other subjects he teaches, whereas the second simply enumerates the three subjects he teaches without prioritization. Grammar notes 1. 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] construction A modifier (normally either a noun, a pronoun, a verb or an adjective) with the word 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] can function as a noun or noun-phrase in a sentence, and can stand by itself if the context is clear: 這條 裙 子 是我姐姐的。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 tiao2 qun2zi5 shi4 wo3 jie3jie5 de5|di2|di4 。] This skirt is my sister's. Noun + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] ) 哪本詞典是你的﹖ [.wav] [na3|na5|nei3|nei3 ben3 ci2dian3 shi4 ni3 de5|di2|di4 ﹖] Which dictionary is yours? Pronoun + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] 你爸爸的車是白 的 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ba4ba5 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1 shi4 bai2 de5|di2|di4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Is your father's car a white one? Adjective + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] 你喝的是什麼茶﹖ [.wav] [ni3 he1|he4 de5|di2|di4 shi4 shi2 me5|mo2 cha2 ﹖] What sort of tea do you drink? Verb + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] These constructions normally involve the verb 是 [.wav] [shi4] (or 不是 [.wav] [bu2shi4] ). 2. Usage of 從 [.wav] [cong1|cong2|zong4] 從 [.wav] [cong1|cong2|zong4] + place word + 去 [.wav] [qu4] = to go from; 從 [.wav] [cong1|cong2|zong4] + place word + 來 [.wav] [lai2] = to come from. e.g. 你從哪兒來﹖ [.wav] [ni3 cong1|cong2|zong4 na3er5 lai2 ﹖] Where did you come from? 我從圖書館來。 [.wav] [wo3 cong1|cong2|zong4 tu2shu1guan3 lai2 。] I came from the library. 我們晚 上 從我家去劇 場 。 [.wav] [wo3men5 wan3shang5 cong1|cong2|zong4 wo3 jia1 qu4 ju4chang3 。] We are going from my home to the theatre tonight. 3. Noun/Pronoun + 這兒 [.wav] [zher4] / 那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] = over here/there at ...'s place When a noun or pronoun is added to 這兒 [.wav] [zher4] or 那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] , they function as a place word or expression. Since one cannot say 我去她 [.wav] [wo3 qu4 ta1] (I went to her), one can say instead 我去她那兒 [.wav] [wo3 qu4 ta1 nar3|nar4] (I went to her place), because 她那兒 [.wav] [ta1 nar3|nar4] is now regarded as a place expression. Similarly one cannot say 你的裙子在我 [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 qun2zi5 zai4 wo3] (Your skirt is with me), but one can say 你的裙子在我這兒 [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 qun2zi5 zai4 wo3 zher4] (Your skirt is with me). More examples: 你的書在他那兒。 [.wav] [ni3 de5|di2|di4 shu1 zai4 ta1 nar3|nar4 。] Your book is at his place. 我們都去姐姐那兒。 [.wav] [wo3men5 dou1|du1 qu4 jie3jie5 nar3|nar4 。] We all went to my sister's place. 老師來我這兒找 她。 [.wav] [lao3shi1 lai2 wo3 zher4 zhao3 ta1 。] The teacher is coming to my place to look for her. As is obvious, if the place or the person is away from the speaker, use 那兒 [.wav] [nar3|nar4] ; if the place is near the speaker or refers to the speaker himself or herself, use 這兒 [.wav] [zher4] . 4. 太 [.wav] [tai4] + adjective + 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] This pattern is often used for emphatic purposes. An adjective is used between 太 [.wav] [tai4] and 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] : 太 忙 了﹗ [.wav] [tai4mang2 le5|liao3 ﹗] Too busy! 太大 了﹗ [.wav] [tai4 da4|dai4 le5|liao3 ﹗] Too big! The expression 太 好 了 ﹗ [.wav] [tai4hao3le5 ﹗] , however, has a positive meaning, expressing satisfaction or admiration. Word study: 二 [.wav] [er4] vs. 兩 [.wav] [liang3] These both mean "two", and are used as follows. 1. When "2" is followed by a measure word, use 兩 [.wav] [liang3] : 兩 個 人 [.wav] [liang3ge4zhong1guo2 ren2] , 兩本書 [.wav] [liang3 ben3 shu1] , 增 加 了兩倍 [.wav] [zeng1jia1 le5|liao3 liang3 bei4] , 去了兩 次 [.wav] [qu4 le5|liao3 liang3ci4] 2. 二 [.wav] [er4] should be used in a number greater than 10, even if it is followed by a measure word: 二 十 二 [.wav] [er4shi2er4hao4] , 一百零二 次 [.wav] [yi1bai3 ling2 er4ci4da4zhan4] , 十二個 人 [.wav] [shi2er4 ge4ren2] , 五千八百六 十 二元 [.wav] [wu3qian1dun1 ba1 bai3 liu4shi2 er4 yuan2] There are some more restrictions, though: 1. Only 二 [.wav] [er4] can be used before the character 十 [.wav] [shi2] ; before the character 百 [.wav] [bai3] , 二 [.wav] [er4] is usually employed but 兩 [.wav] [liang3] may also be used: 二十 [.wav] [er4shi2] , 二 百 二十五 [.wav] [er4bai3 er4shi2wu3] , 二百五 十 元 [.wav] [er4bai3 wu3shi2 yuan2] or 兩 百 五十元 [.wav] [liang3bai3 wu3shi2 yuan2] 2. For numbers like 千 [.wav] [qian1] , 萬 [.wav] [wan4] or 億 [.wav] [yi4] , 兩 [.wav] [liang3] is used more often than 二 [.wav] [er4] : 兩 千 元 [.wav] [liang3qian1 yuan2] (also 二千元 [.wav] [er4 qian1 yuan2] ), 兩萬三千八 [.wav] [liang3 wan4 san1qian1wu3bai3 ba1] , 兩億人 口 [.wav] [liang3 yi4 ren2kou3] 3. If the number is greater than 百 [.wav] [bai3] , 千 [.wav] [qian1] , 萬 [.wav] [wan4] , /i.e./ if there are more digits before 百 [.wav] [bai3] , 千 [.wav] [qian1] or 萬 [.wav] [wan4] , then put 二 [.wav] [er4] instead of 兩 [.wav] [liang3] in front: 四億二千 萬 [.wav] [si4 yi4 er4 qian1wan4] , 三 萬 二千人 [.wav] [san1wan4 er4 qian1 ren2] , 五千二百元 [.wav] [wu3qian1dun1 er4bai3 yuan2] Time The following are ways of telling the time in Chinese: A: 現在幾點 ﹖ [.wav] [xian4zai4 ji1|ji3 dian3 ﹖] B: 現在 [.wav] [xian4zai4] ... 兩 點 [.wav] [liang3dian3shi2jiu3fen1] 2:00 十點半 [.wav] [shi2 dian3 ban4] (or 十點三十分 [.wav] [shi2 dian3 san1shi2 fen1|fen4] ) 10:30 三點一刻 [.wav] [san1 dian3 yi1 ke4] (or 三點十五分 [.wav] [san1 dian3 shi2wu3 fen1|fen4] ) 3:15 十二點三刻 [.wav] [shi2er4 dian3 san1 ke4] (or 十二點四十五 分 [.wav] [shi2er4 dian3 si4shi2 wu3fen1mei3jin1] ) 12:45 兩點差 五分 [.wav] [liang3dian3shi2jiu3fen1 cha1|cha4|chai1|ci1 wu3fen1mei3jin1] (or 差五分兩點 [.wav] [cha1|cha4|chai1|ci1 wu3fen1mei3jin1 liang3dian3shi2jiu3fen1] ) 1:55 五點二十分 [.wav] [wu3 dian3 er4shi2 fen1|fen4] 5:20 六 點 零五分 [.wav] [liu4dian3liu4 ling2 wu3fen1mei3jin1] 6:05 七 點 三 十 五 分 [.wav] [qi1dian3er4 san1shi2wu3yi4 fen1|fen4] 7:35 Some notes: 1. When zero is flanked by two digits, it is normally read as 零 [.wav] [ling2] , as in 三點零八 分 [.wav] [san1 dian3 ling2 ba1fen1yin1fu2] (3:08) or 十二點零三 分 [.wav] [shi2er4 dian3 ling2 san1fen1zhi1yi1] (12:03). 2. When the minutes are greater than 10, the word 分 [.wav] [fen1|fen4] is optional: 七點十五 [.wav] [qi1dian3er4 shi2wu3] or 七點十五分 [.wav] [qi1dian3er4 shi2wu3 fen1|fen4] 3. "This morning" is 今 天 上 午 [.wav] [jin1tian1 shang4wu3] , not for example 這 個 上午 [.wav] [zhe4ge4 shang4wu3] ; "every afternoon" is 每 天 下 午 [.wav] [mei3tian1 xia4wu3] , not 每 下午 [.wav] [mei3 xia4wu3] . Placement of time-words A time-word or -expression is normally placed either after the subject or at the beginning of a sentence: 我們十點半上 中 文 課 [.wav] [wo3men5 shi2 dian3 ban4 shang4 zhong1wen2 ke4|ke4] 十點半我們上中文課 [.wav] [shi2 dian3 ban4 wo3men5 shang4 zhong1wen2 ke4|ke4] Some notes: 1. A time-word does not take a preposition: 我三點下 課 [.wav] [wo3 san1 dian3 xia4ke4] but not 我在三點下課 [.wav] [wo3 zai4 san1 dian3 xia4ke4] 2. A time-word should not be placed at the end of a sentence: 她晚上來 [.wav] [ta1 wan3shang5 lai2] She came in the evening. or 晚上她來 [.wav] [wan3shang5 ta1 lai2] but not 她來晚上 [.wav] [ta1 lai2 wan3shang5] 3. If you have more than one time-word, the bigger unit goes before the smaller: 今天晚上八點 [.wav] [jin1tian1 wan3shang5 ba1 dian3] at 8 o'clock this evening 4. If you have both time-word and place-word, usually the time-word goes first: 我晚上八點在圖書館等 你 [.wav] [wo3 wan3shang5 ba1 dian3 zai4 tu2shu1guan3 deng3 ni3] 你哥哥現在在哪兒工作﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ge1ge5 xian4zai4 zai4 na3er5 gong1zuo4 ﹖] 明 天 你幾點在哪兒上 課 ﹖ [.wav] [ming2tian1 ni3 ji1|ji3 dian3 zai4 na3er5 shang4ke4 ﹖] When and where are you going to have your class tomorrow? 5. Time-word + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] + noun (time-words modifying nouns) A: 你想看幾點的電 影 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 kan1|kan4 ji1|ji3 dian3 de5|di2|di4 dian4ying3 ﹖] What show do you want to see? /literally/ What time's film do you want to see? B: 我想看中 午 十二點半的 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 kan1|kan4 zhong1wu3 shi2er4 dian3 ban4 de5|di2|di4] (電影 [.wav] [dian4ying3] )。 [.wav] [。] I want to see the film at 12:30 at noon. A: 這是今天的報 嗎 ﹖ [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 jin1tian1 de5|di2|di4 bao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Is this today's paper? B: 不是今天的報﹐是昨 天 的。 [.wav] [bu2shi4 jin1tian1 de5|di2|di4 bao4 ﹐ shi4 zuo2tian1 de5|di2|di4 。] It isn't today's paper, it's yesterday's. The use of the time-words 以 前 [.wav] [yi3qian2] and 以 後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] When used by itself, 以前 [.wav] [yi3qian2] means "previously" or "before" and 以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] means "later", "afterwards" or "in the future": 我以前是學生﹐現在是老師。 [.wav] [wo3 yi3qian2 shi4 xue2sheng5 ﹐ xian4zai4 shi4 lao3shi1 。] I was a student before; now I am a teacher. 你以前在哪兒工作﹖ [.wav] [ni3 yi3qian2 zai4 na3er5 gong1zuo4 ﹖] Where did you work before? 以前我不 住 宿舍﹐現在住 宿 舍 。 [.wav] [yi3qian2 wo3 bu2zhu4 su4she4 ﹐ xian4zai4 zhu4su4 she3|she4 。] I did not live in a dormitory before, but now I do. When used together with a time-word or verb phrase, 以前 [.wav] [yi3qian2] means "before..." and 以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] means "after...": 十點以前我不回 家 。 [.wav] [shi2 dian3 yi3qian2 wo3 bu4 hui2jia1 。] I won't go home before 10. 回家以前我在閱 覽 室 看書。 [.wav] [hui2jia1 yi3qian2 wo3 zai4 yue4lan3shi4 kan1|kan4 shu1 。] I read books in the reading-room before I go home. 來美 國 以 後 他在這兒工作。 [.wav] [lai2 mei3guo2yi3wai4 hou4 ta1 zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 gong1zuo4 。] He has been working here after he came to America. 十點半 以 後你在宿舍作 什麼﹖ [.wav] [shi2 dian3 ban4yi3shang4 hou4 ni3 zai4 su4she4 zuo4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] What do you do in your dorm after 10:30? N.B. When 以前 [.wav] [yi3qian2] or 以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] is used together with a time-word or verb phrase to mean "before" or "after", the word order is exactly the opposite of the English equivalent: 四點以前 [.wav] [si4 dian3 yi3qian2] before 4 o'clock 下課以前 [.wav] [xia4ke4 yi3qian2] before the class is over 明天晚上以後 [.wav] [ming2tian1 wan3shang5 yi3hou4] after tomorrow evening (or night) 回 宿舍以後 [.wav] [hui2 su4she4 yi3hou4] after returning to the dormitory A 跟 [.wav] [gen1] B (一 起 [.wav] [yi4qi3] ) + verb/verb-phrase 跟 [.wav] [gen1] as a preposition means "with", and 一起 [.wav] [yi4qi3] means "together". This pattern is used to indicate that A and B do something together. Here 跟 [.wav] [gen1] can be replaced with 和 [.wav] [he2|he4|huo2|huo4] without changing the meaning; and the phrase 一起 [.wav] [yi4qi3] is optional. e.g. 我跟 [.wav] [wo3 gen1] (or 和 [.wav] [he2|he4|huo2|huo4] ) 她去看電影。 [.wav] [ta1 qu4 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 。] I go to see a film with her. 我跟她一起去看電影。 [.wav] [wo3 gen1 ta1 yi4qi3 qu4 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 。] She and I go to see a film together.) 晚上你們跟誰一起去劇場﹖ [.wav] [wan3shang5 ni3men5 gen1 shei2|shui2 yi4qi3 qu4 ju4chang3 ﹖] With whom are you going to the theatre tonight? A: 晚上你有事 兒 嗎﹖跟我一起去看京 劇 ﹐好嗎﹖ [.wav] [wan3shang5 ni3 you3 shir4 ma3|ma5 ﹖ gen1 wo3 yi4qi3 qu4 kan1|kan4 jing1ju4 ﹐ hao3|hao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Do you have anything to do tonight? Come with me to the Beijing opera! B: 我不想跟你去﹐我想跟我男朋友一起去。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4 xiang3 gen1 ni3 qu4 ﹐ wo3 xiang3 gen1 wo3 nan2peng2you5 yi4qi3 qu4 。] I don't want to go with you, I want to go with my boyfriend. N.B. This pattern of A 跟 [.wav] [gen1] B (一起 [.wav] [yi4qi3] ) is always placed /before/ the main verb in the sentence. Hence the following sentence, with English word order, is wrong: 我想去跟我男朋友一起。 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 qu4 gen1 wo3 nan2peng2you5 yi4qi3 。] I want to go together with my boyfriend. Alternative Questions using 還 是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] In Chinese, an alternative question is formed by using 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] to connect two choices, which can be nouns, noun phrases, verbs, verb phrases, or clauses: 你喜 歡 紅 茶 還是綠 茶 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xi3huan5 hong2cha2 hai2shi4 lu:4cha2 ﹖] (nouns) 這本書是你的還是她的﹖ [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 ben3 shu1 shi4 ni3 de5|di2|di4 hai2shi4 ta1 de5|di2|di4 ﹖] (noun phrases) 下午你來還是不來﹖ [.wav] [xia4wu3 ni3 lai2 hai2shi4 bu4 lai2 ﹖] (verbs) 你要 聽 古 典 音 樂 還是聽現 代 音 樂 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 yao1|yao4 ting1|ting4 gu3dian3yin1yue4 hai2shi4 ting1|ting4 xian4dai4yin1yue4 ﹖] (verb phrases) 今天晚上你來我這兒還是我去你那兒﹖ [.wav] [jin1tian1 wan3shang5 ni3 lai2 wo3 zher4 hai2shi4 wo3 qu4 ni3 nar3|nar4 ﹖] (clauses) Note: 1. the two items connected by 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] are normally parallel in structure; and 2. as with affirmative-negative questions and questions with interrogative words, alternative questions do not have 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] at the end. Pivotal Sentences with 請 [.wav] [qing3] , 讓 [.wav] [rang4] , 叫 [.wav] [jiao4] In Chinese a sentence can contain several verbs. A pivotal sentence is one in which the object of the first verb is at the same time the subject of the following verb. This object therefore functions as a pivot, connecting the two verb clauses in the sentence. The first verb in a pivotal sentence is often a causative verb (to cause something to happen) such as 請 [.wav] [qing3] , 讓 [.wav] [rang4] or 叫 [.wav] [jiao4] . All three carry the meaning of asking somebody to do something. Of the three, 請 [.wav] [qing3] is the most polite; 讓 [.wav] [rang4] is less so, and 叫 [.wav] [jiao4] is the least polite. So watch out for the occasions when these verbs can be used appropriately. Observe: 學生請王老師介紹中國音 樂 。 [.wav] [xue2sheng5 qing3 wang2 lao3shi1 jie4shao4 zhong1guo2 yin1yue4 。] The students asked Professor Wang to introduce Chinese music. 老師讓學生每天寫漢字。 [.wav] [lao3shi1 rang4 xue2sheng5 mei3tian1 xie3 han4zi4 。] The teacher asked students to write Chinese characters every day. 爸爸叫孩 子 學中文。 [.wav] [ba4ba5 jiao4 hai2zi5 xue2 zhong1wen2 。] Dad asked his child to study Chinese. Notice that although the English equivalents all employ "to ask", the Chinese sentences use different words to indicate various degrees of politeness. Note: 1. Besides the use of 請 [.wav] [qing3] above (meaning "to ask someone to do something"), 請 [.wav] [qing3] can also be used to mean "to invite": 我們請他來吃 晚 飯 。 [.wav] [wo3men5 qing3 ta1 lai2 chi1|ji2 wan3fan4 。] We invited him to dinner. 你想請他今天晚上去看電影嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 qing3 ta1 jin1tian1 wan3shang5 qu4 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Do you want to invite him to a movie tonight? 2. To negate a pivotal sentence, put the negative adverb 不 [.wav] [bu4] /before the first verb/: 我的大夫不讓我喝酒 。 [.wav] [wo3de5 dai4fu5 bu4 rang4 wo3 he1|he4 jiu3 。] My doctor doesn't let me drink alcohol. 他們不叫我去看電影。 [.wav] [ta1men5 bu4 jiao4 wo3 qu4 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 。] They did not invite me to go to the pictures. Word usage: 別 [.wav] [bie2|bie4] and 不 要 [.wav] [bu4yao4] 別 [.wav] [bie2|bie4] and 不要 [.wav] [bu4yao4] both mean "do not". They can be used in negative /imperative/ sentences with or without a subject. They are placed between the subject (if present) and the verb or adjective: (你 [.wav] [ni3] ) 別 [.wav] [bie2|bie4] (or 不要 [.wav] [bu4yao4] ) 告訴他﹗ [.wav] [gao4su5 ta1 ﹗] 別喝酒﹗ [.wav] [bie2|bie4 he1|he4 jiu3 ﹗] 別去那兒﹗ [.wav] [bie2|bie4 qu4 nar3|nar4 ﹗] 不要吸 煙 ﹗ [.wav] [bu4yao4 xi1yan1 ﹗] 下午不要去﹗ [.wav] [xia4wu3 bu4yao4 qu4 ﹗] Neither of these can be used to indicate negation in declarative sentences. It is wrong to say 爸爸別請他走 [.wav] [ba4ba5 bie2|bie4 qing3 ta1 zou3] . One can say instead 爸爸不請他走 [.wav] [ba4ba5 bu4 qing3 ta1 zou3] . Expressions for the date, week, month and year 1. 年 [.wav] [nian2] , year 1. 去 年 [.wav] [qu4nian2] = last year; 今 年 [.wav] [jin1nian2] = this year; 明 年 [.wav] [ming2nian2] = next year 2. 一 九 九 七 年 [.wav] [yi1jiu3jiu3qi1nian2 nian2] , 一 九 九 八 年 [.wav] [yi1jiu3jiu3qi1nian2 ba1nian2] , ... 3. 一 年 [.wav] [yi1nian2ban4] = one year; 兩年 [.wav] [liang3 nian2] = two years (not 二年 [.wav] [er4 nian2] ); 三 年 [.wav] [san1nian2] = three years 每 年 [.wav] [mei3nian2] = every year; 五 年 半 [.wav] [wu3nian2ji4hua4 ban4] = five-and-a-half years 2. 月 [.wav] [yue4] , month 1. 上 個 月 [.wav] [shang4ge4yue4] = last month; 這 個 月 [.wav] [zhei4ge4yue4] = this month; 下 個 月 [.wav] [xia4ge4yue4] = next month 2. 一 月 [.wav] [yi1yue4] = January; 二 月 [.wav] [er4yue4] = February (not 兩月 [.wav] [liang3 yue4] ); ... 二十月 [.wav] [er4shi2 yue4] = December 3. 星 期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] , week 1. 上 [.wav] [shang4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = last week; 這 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = this week; 下 [.wav] [xia4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = next week 2. 星 期 一 [.wav] [xing1qi1yi1] = Monday; 星 期 二 [.wav] [xing1qi1er4] = Tuesday; ... 星 期 六 [.wav] [xing1qi1liu4] = Saturday; 星 期 日 [.wav] [xing1qi1ri4] or 星 期 天 [.wav] [xing1qi1tian1] = Sunday 3. 一 [.wav] [yi1] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = one week; 兩 [.wav] [liang3] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = two weeks (not 二 [.wav] [er4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] ); 三 [.wav] [san1] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = three weeks; 四 個 半星期 [.wav] [si4ge4xiao3shi2 ban4 xing1qi1] = four-and-a-half weeks; ... 每 [.wav] [mei3] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期 [.wav] [xing1qi1] = every week 4. 日 [.wav] [ri4] / 號 [.wav] [hao2|hao4] / 天 [.wav] [tian1] date Use 日 [.wav] [ri4] or 號 [.wav] [hao2|hao4] for a /specific/ date. Usually 日 [.wav] [ri4] is used in written and formal language and 號 [.wav] [hao2|hao4] is used in conversation. The word 天 [.wav] [tian1] should be used in /counting/ the number of days: 1. 作天 [.wav] [zuo4 tian1] = yesterday; 今天 [.wav] [jin1tian1] = today; 明天 [.wav] [ming2tian1] = tomorrow 2. 一 號 [.wav] [yi1hao4] ; 二號 [.wav] [er4hao4] (not 兩號 [.wav] [liang3 hao2|hao4] ); ... 三十一號 [.wav] [san1shi2 yi1hao4] 四 月 六 號 [.wav] [si4yue4 liu4hao4] ; 十 月 二十五日 [.wav] [shi2yue4 er4shi2wu3 ri4] ; ... 3. 一 天 [.wav] [yi1tian1] = one day; 兩天 [.wav] [liang3 tian1] = two days (not 二天 [.wav] [er4 tian1] ); ... 半 天 [.wav] [ban4tian1] = half a day; 每天 [.wav] [mei3tian1] = every day Some notes: 1. When there are several units, the bigger comes first and the calendar date comes before the day of the week: 一九九六年十 一 月 二十五號星期一 [.wav] [yi1jiu3jiu3qi1nian2 liu4 nian2 shi2yi1yue4 er4shi2wu3 hao2|hao4 xing1qi1yi1] 一七八 九 年七 月 十 四 日 [.wav] [yi1 qi1 ba1jiu3bu4li2shi2 nian2 qi1yue4 shi2si4 ri4] 2. Notice the following special ways of expressing the date and month: 今年五 月 [.wav] [jin1nian2 wu3yue4] the May of this year (whether it has passed or not) 去年八 月 [.wav] [qu4nian2 ba1yue4] the August of last year 明年二月 [.wav] [ming2nian2 er4yue4] the February of next year 這 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星 期 五 [.wav] [xing1qi1wu3] the Friday of this week (whether it has passed or not) 上 [.wav] [shang4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星期一 [.wav] [xing1qi1yi1] the Monday of last week 下 [.wav] [xia4] (個 [.wav] [ge4] ) 星 期 四 [.wav] [xing1qi1si4] the Thursday of next week Note the English phrase "last Monday" may therefore be rendered as 這個星期一 [.wav] [zhe4ge4 xing1qi1yi1] , if Monday has already passed and the phrase is therefore referring to Monday of this week. The same applies for future days, and for months. Verb or verb-phrase as a modifier for a noun Two points need to be observed when using a verb or verb-phrase as a modified to form a relative clause: 1. Unlike in English, all modifiers go /before/ the element they modify in Chinese: 他喝的水 不 很 乾 淨 [.wav] [ta1 he1|he4 de5|di2|di4 shui3 bu4hen3 gan1jing4] 這是我朋友送 我的禮 物 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 wo3 peng2you5 song4 wo3de5 li3wu4] 2. The word 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] has to be inserted between the modifier and the element it modifies: 我下午看的電影很有 意 思 。 [.wav] [wo3 xia4wu3 kan1|kan4 de5|di2|di4 dian4ying3 hen3 you3yi4si5 。] The film I saw this afternoon was very interesting. 給你開 門 的那個人是我妹妹。 [.wav] [gei3|ji3 ni3 kai1men2 de5|di2|di4 nei4ge4 ren2 shi4 wo3 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 。] The person who opened the door for you was my younger sister. 跟他跳 舞 的姑 娘 是我的同 學 。 [.wav] [gen1 ta1 tiao4wu3 de5|di2|di4 gu1niang5 shi4 wo3de5 tong2xue2 。] The girl who danced with him was my classmate. Other grammar notes 1. Sentences with an adjectival predicate The verb 是 [.wav] [shi4] is not normally used in the predicate for a sentence where the main element of the predicate is an adjective: 我們今天很高 興 。 [.wav] [wo3men5 jin1tian1 hen3 gao1xing4 。] 她的絲 線 衫 太小 。 [.wav] [ta1 de5|di2|di4 si1 xian4 shan1 tai4 xiao3 。] 那個服 務 員 非 常 年 輕 。 [.wav] [nei4ge4 fu2wu4yuan2 fei1chang2 nian2qing1 。] In an affirmative sentence of this type, if the adjective is not preceded by adverbs such as 真 [.wav] [zhen1] , 太 [.wav] [tai4] , 非常 [.wav] [fei1chang2] or 更 [.wav] [geng1|geng4] , it is usually qualified by the adverb 很 [.wav] [hen3] . In such cases, 很 [.wav] [hen3] does not really mean "very"; 他很忙 [.wav] [ta1 hen3 mang2] and 他忙 [.wav] [ta1 mang2] mean virtually the same. Also, adverbs such as 很 [.wav] [hen3] , 常 [.wav] [chang2] , 也 [.wav] [ye3] , 非常 [.wav] [fei1chang2] , 太 [.wav] [tai4] or 更 [.wav] [geng1|geng4] /cannot/ be used in affirmative-negative sentences of this type: 你高興不高興﹖ [.wav] [ni3 gao1xing4 bu4 gao1xing4 ﹖] but not 你很高興不很高興﹖ [.wav] [ni3 hen3 gao1xing4 bu4hen3 gao1xing4 ﹖] 她年輕不年輕﹖ [.wav] [ta1 nian2qing1 bu4 nian2qing1 ﹖] but not 她非常高興不非常高興﹖ [.wav] [ta1 fei1chang2 gao1xing4 bu4 fei1chang2 gao1xing4 ﹖] 你去不去﹖ [.wav] [ni3 qu4 bu4 qu4 ﹖] but not 你也去不去﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ye3 qu4 bu4 qu4 ﹖] 2. 祝 你 [.wav] [zhu4 ni3] vs 祝 賀 你 [.wav] [zhu4he4 ni3] In general, 祝你 [.wav] [zhu4 ni3] is used to extend well-wishes /in advance/ whereas 祝賀你 [.wav] [zhu4he4 ni3] is used to congratulate someone on something /already accomplished/: 祝你生 日 好﹗ [.wav] [zhu4 ni3 sheng1ri4 hao3|hao4 ﹗] (One can say this on the day, or in advance.) 祝賀你﹗ [.wav] [zhu4he4 ni3 ﹗] (Say this only when something has already been accomplished.) 3. Reduplication of verbs To indicate that an action is only of a short duration or to soften the tone of a sentence in order to make it less formal, a verb can be repeated: 我給你們介紹介紹。 [.wav] [wo3 gei3|ji3 ni3men5 jie4shao4 jie4shao4 。] (Notice the pattern is ABAB, not AABB.) 你們想去看看她嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 xiang3 qu4 kan1|kan4 kan1|kan4 ta1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 讓我想想。 [.wav] [rang4 wo3 xiang3 xiang3 。] In the case of a monosyllabic verb, the character 一 [.wav] [yi1] can be inserted: 讓我想一想。 [.wav] [rang4 wo3 xiang3 yi1 xiang3 。] 我們都想看一看她。 [.wav] [wo3men5 dou1|du1 xiang3 kan1|kan4 yi1 kan1|kan4 ta1 。] Repeating a verb has the same effect as using the adverb 一下兒 [.wav] [yi2xiar4] after the verb: 用一下兒 [.wav] [yong4 yi2xiar4] = 用用 [.wav] [yong4 yong4] = 用一用 [.wav] [yong4 yi1 yong4] 看一下兒 [.wav] [kan1|kan4 yi2xiar4] = 看看 [.wav] [kan1|kan4 kan1|kan4] = 看一看 [.wav] [kan1|kan4 yi1 kan1|kan4] 介紹一下兒 [.wav] [jie4shao4 yi2xiar4] = 介紹介紹 [.wav] [jie4shao4 jie4shao4] Position words Words such as 上 邊 [.wav] [shang4bian5] , 左 邊 [.wav] [zuo3bian1] , 前 邊 [.wav] [qian2bian1] , 中 間 [.wav] [zhong1jian4] , 對 面 [.wav] [dui4mian4] are position words. Some of the basic syllables are: 上 [.wav] [shang4] - up 左 [.wav] [zuo3] - left 中 [.wav] [zhong1|zhong4] - middle 右 [.wav] [you4] - right 下 [.wav] [xia4] - down 前 [.wav] [qian2] - front 裡 [.wav] [li3] - in 後 [.wav] [hou4] - back 外 [.wav] [wai4] - out Usually, add 邊 [.wav] [bian1] to make "on the left", "above", "outside" etc. Position words can be used in two ways. Compare: 1. Noun (+ 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] ) + position word: 車 [.wav] [che1|ju1] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )外 邊 [.wav] [wai4bian5] outside the car 房 子 [.wav] [fang2zi5] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )後 邊 [.wav] [hou4bian1] behind the house 桌 子 [.wav] [zhuo1zi5] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )對面 [.wav] [dui4mian4] opposite the table 2. Position word + 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] + noun (here the 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] is /mandatory/). 外邊的車 [.wav] [wai4bian5 de5|di2|di4 che1|ju1] the car outside (i.e. the car which is outside) 後邊的房子 [.wav] [hou4bian1 de5|di2|di4 fang2zi5] the house behind (the house which is behind) 對面的桌子 [.wav] [dui4mian4 de5|di2|di4 zhuo1zi5] the opposite table (the table which is opposite / across the way) Notes: 1. When 上邊 [.wav] [shang4bian5] , 下 邊 [.wav] [xia4bian1] , 裡邊 [.wav] [li3 bian1] and 外邊 [.wav] [wai4bian5] are modified by other nouns, the character 邊 [.wav] [bian1] can be omitted: 房子 [.wav] [fang2zi5] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )裡 [.wav] [li3] (邊 [.wav] [bian1] ) inside the house 桌子 [.wav] [zhuo1zi5] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )上 [.wav] [shang4] (邊 [.wav] [bian1] ) on the table 教 室 [.wav] [jiao4shi4] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] )外 [.wav] [wai4] (邊 [.wav] [bian1] ) outside the classroom 2. Do /not/ use 裡邊 [.wav] [li3 bian1] in the following two cases: 1. After geographical names such as 中國 [.wav] [zhong1guo2] , 北 京 [.wav] [bei3jing1] etc: 她在北京學習漢語。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 bei3jing1 xue2xi2 han4yu3 。] She studies Chinese in Beijing. but not 她在北京裡邊學習漢語。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 bei3jing1 li3 bian1 xue2xi2 han4yu3 。] 美國有很 多 大學。 [.wav] [mei3guo2 you3 hen3duo1 da4xue2 。] There are many universities in America. but not 美國裡邊有很多大學。 [.wav] [mei3guo2 li3 bian1 you3 hen3duo1 da4xue2 。] 2. In a phrase of the form "在 [.wav] [zai4] + place, building or organisation": 我在銀行工作。 [.wav] [wo3 zai4 yin2hang2 gong1zuo4 。] I work in a bank. but not 我在銀行裡邊工作。 [.wav] [wo3 zai4 yin2hang2 li3 bian1 gong1zuo4 。] 他們在閱覽室看書。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zai4 yue4lan3shi4 kan1|kan4 shu1 。] They are reading books in the reading-room. but not 他們在閱覽室裡邊看書。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zai4 yue4lan3shi4 li3 bian1 kan1|kan4 shu1 。] Patterns for Location There are three ways to indicate the location of something, using 在 [.wav] [zai4] , 有 [.wav] [you3] and 是 [.wav] [shi4] respectively and with different meanings: 1. To show that there is something in a certain place: 有 [.wav] [you3] Position word + 有 [.wav] [you3] + indefinite noun: 後邊有什麼﹖ [.wav] [hou4bian1 you3 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] What is behind? 後邊有一個車房 。 [.wav] [hou4bian1 you3yi1xie1 ge4 che1|ju1 fang2 。] There is a garage behind. 我們家對面有一個公 園 。 [.wav] [wo3men5 jia1 dui4mian4 you3yi1xie1 ge4 gong1yuan2 。] Across from our home, there is a park. 2. To show that certain things exist in certain places: 在 [.wav] [zai4] Definite noun + 在 [.wav] [zai4] + position word: 花 園 在哪兒﹖ [.wav] [hua1yuan2 zai4 na3er5 ﹖] Where is the garden? 花園在我們家後邊。 [.wav] [hua1yuan2 zai4 wo3men5 jia1 hou4bian1 。] The garden is behind our house. 花園在 車 房 [.wav] [hua1yuan2 zai4che1 fang2] (的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] ) 右 邊 。 [.wav] [you4bian1 。] The garden is to the right of the garage. 3. To identify something that is known to exist at a certain place: 是 [.wav] [shi4] Position word + 是 [.wav] [shi4] + definite/indefinite noun: 你們家後邊是什麼﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 jia1 hou4bian1 shi4 shi2 me5|mo2 ﹖] What's behind your house? 我們家後邊是一 個 花園。 [.wav] [wo3men5 jia1 hou4bian1 shi4 yi1ge4 hua1yuan2 。] Behind our house is a garden. 他們家前邊是學院的圖書館。 [.wav] [ta1men5 jia1 qian2bian1 shi4 xue2yuan4 de5|di2|di4 tu2shu1guan3 。] In front of their house is the college library. Progressive aspect of an action To show an action which is, was or will be going on, use one of the following patterns: 她在休 息 。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 xiu1xi5 。] She is resting. 她正 休息。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng1|zheng4 xiu1xi5 。] 她正 在 休息。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng4zai4 xiu1xi5 。] 她休息呢。 [.wav] [ta1 xiu1xi5 ne5|ni2 。] 她在休息呢。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 xiu1xi5 ne5|ni2 。] 她正休息呢。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng1|zheng4 xiu1xi5 ne5|ni2 。] 她正在休息呢。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng4zai4 xiu1xi5 ne5|ni2 。] Notes: 1. All the above sentences mean the same, stylistic differences excepted. 2. The progressive aspect can be applied not only to the present, but also to past and future actions: 她現在正在休息。 [.wav] [ta1 xian4zai4 zheng4zai4 xiu1xi5 。] She is resting now. /present progressive/ 我去的 時 候 ﹐她正在休息。 [.wav] [wo3 qu4 de5shi2hou4 ﹐ ta1 zheng4zai4 xiu1xi5 。] When I went there, she was resting. /past progressive/ 我明天去看她的時候﹐她一 定 正在休息。 [.wav] [wo3 ming2tian1 qu4 kan1|kan4 ta1 de5shi2hou4 ﹐ ta1 yi1ding4 zheng4zai4 xiu1xi5 。] When I go to see her tomorrow, she will surely be resting. /future progressive/ 3. As shown above, either 在 [.wav] [zai4] , 正 [.wav] [zheng1|zheng4] or 正在 [.wav] [zheng4zai4] can be placed before a verb to indicate the progressive aspect of an action. 4. Alternatively, 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] can be placed at the end of the sentence to perform the same function. Sometimes 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] can be used together with 在 [.wav] [zai4] , 正 [.wav] [zheng1|zheng4] or 正在 [.wav] [zheng4zai4] . 5. The negative form of the progressive aspect is indicated by 沒有 [.wav] [mei2you3] , not 不 [.wav] [bu4] , before the verb; and it can be shortened to 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] alone if it is not at the end of a sentence or a short answer. Otherwise the full form of 沒有 [.wav] [mei2you3] must be used: 她沒 [.wav] [ta1 mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] )休息﹐她在看報。 [.wav] [xiu1xi5 ﹐ ta1 zai4 kan1|kan4 bao4 。] 她在休息嗎﹖沒有﹐她在看報。 [.wav] [ta1 zai4 xiu1xi5 ma3|ma5 ﹖ mei2you3 ﹐ ta1 zai4 kan1|kan4 bao4 。] (or simply 沒有 [.wav] [mei2you3] ) 6. If both the 在 [.wav] [zai4] of the progressive aspect and the 在 [.wav] [zai4] of location exist in a sentence, only one should be used: 她正在房 間 里 休息。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng4zai4 fang2jian1 li3 xiu1xi5 。] but not 她正在在房間里休息。 [.wav] [ta1 zheng4zai4 zai4 fang2jian1 li3 xiu1xi5 。] Subject-predicate constructions as modifiers An entire subject-predicate construction (a sentence or clause) such as 我給她打 電 話 [.wav] [wo3 gei3|ji3 ta1 da3dian4hua4] , 他今天買 [.wav] [ta1 jin1tian1 mai3] , 我們去北京參 觀 [.wav] [wo3men5 qu4 bei3jing1 can1guan1] can be used as a modifier for a noun. When used this way, there must be a 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] inserted between the construction and the noun it modifies: 我給她打電話的時候﹐她正在吃 飯 。 [.wav] [wo3 gei3|ji3 ta1 da3dian4hua4 de5shi2hou4 ﹐ ta1 zheng4zai4 chi1fan4 。] When I called her, she was eating. 他今天買的花 兒 很漂 亮 。 [.wav] [ta1 jin1tian1 mai3 de5|di2|di4 huar1 hen3 piao4liang5 。] The flowers he bought today are very pretty. 請你們看我們去北京參觀的照 片 。 [.wav] [qing3 ni3men5 kan1|kan4 wo3men5 qu4 bei3jing1 can1guan1 de5|di2|di4 zhao4pian4 。] Please take a look at the pictures we took while visiting Beijing. 這是誰給你寫的信﹖ [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shi4 shei2|shui2 gei3|ji3 ni3 xie3 de5|di2|di4 xin4 ﹖] Who wrote this letter to you? The subject-predicate construction always goes immediately before the 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] , which goes immediately before the noun to be modified. Word usage: 參觀 [.wav] [can1guan1] vs. 訪 問 [.wav] [fang3wen4] Both terms can be translated as "to visit" in English. However, while 參 觀 [.wav] [can1guan1] implies 觀 [.wav] [guan1|guan4] (to see), 訪問 [.wav] [fang3wen4] stresses 問 [.wav] [wen4] (to ask). Hence 參觀 [.wav] [can1guan1] really implies observation while visiting and 訪問 [.wav] [fang3wen4] means to visit people with specific purpose such as interviews. 參觀 [.wav] [can1guan1] can be followed by places but not people; whereas 訪問 [.wav] [fang3wen4] can take either, but most commonly people. 參觀 [.wav] [can1guan1] /訪問學 校 [.wav] [fang3wen4 xue2xiao4] 訪問他 [.wav] [fang3wen4 ta1] /這個國 家 的總 統 [.wav] [zhe4ge4 guo2jia1 de5|di2|di4 zong3tong3] Grammar Notes 1. Measure word 些 [.wav] [xie1] 些 [.wav] [xie1] is a measure word showing indefinite quantity. It is usually used after demonstrative pronouns such as 這 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4] , 那 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4] , 哪 [.wav] [na3|na5|nei3|nei3] and after the numeral 一 [.wav] [yi1] : 一 些 [.wav] [yi1xie1] some 這 些 [.wav] [zhe4xie5] these 那 些 [.wav] [na4xie1] those 哪 些 [.wav] [na3xie1] which (plural) Don't attempt to mix 些 [.wav] [xie1] with definite measures. It is wrong to say 這些三本詞典 [.wav] [zhe4xie5 san1 ben3 ci2dian3] (these three dictionaries); one can only say 這 三本詞典 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 san1 ben3 ci2dian3] . 2. 是 [.wav] [shi4] . . . 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] construction Earlier we saw the construction with simple nouns, pronouns or adjectives: 這本書是中文的。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 ben3 shu1 shi4 zhong1wen2 de5|di2|di4 。] = 這本書中文的書。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 ben3 shu1 zhong1wen2 de5|di2|di4 shu1 。] 那條裙子是妹妹的。 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4 tiao2 qun2zi5 shi4 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 de5|di2|di4 。] = 那條裙子 是妹妹的裙子。 [.wav] [na3|na4|nei4 tiao2 qun2zi5 shi4 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 de5|di2|di4 qun2zi5 。] 姐姐的大 衣 是黑 的。 [.wav] [jie3jie5 de5|di2|di4 da4yi1 shi4 hei1 de5|di2|di4 。] = 姐姐的大衣是黑的 大衣。 [.wav] [jie3jie5 de5|di2|di4 da4yi1 shi4 hei1 de5|di2|di4 da4yi1 。] But the 是 [.wav] [shi4] . . . 的 [.wav] [de5|di2|di4] construction can also be used with prepositional phrases and even whole verbal constructions: 那些點 心 是給丁雲的。 [.wav] [na4xie1 dian3xin1 shi4 gei3|ji3 ding1yun2 de5|di2|di4 。] = 那些點心是丁 雲的點心。 [.wav] [na4xie1 dian3xin1 shi4 ding1yun2 de5|di2|di4 dian3xin1 。] Those pastries are for Ding Yun. 這束 花兒是我給她 買的。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shu4 huar1 shi4 wo3 gei3|ji3 ta1 mai3 de5|di2|di4 。] = 這束花兒 我給她買的花兒。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 shu4 huar1 wo3 gei3|ji3 ta1 mai3 de5|di2|di4 huar1 。] This bunch of flowers is the one I bought for her. 這本書是我在 大 學的圖書館借 的。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 ben3 shu1 shi4 wo3 zai4da4duo1shu4qing2kuang4xia4 xue2 de5|di2|di4 tu2shu1guan3 jie4 de5|di2|di4 。] = 這本書是我在大學 的圖書館借的書。 [.wav] [zhe4|zhei4 ben3 shu1 shi4 wo3 zai4da4duo1shu4qing2kuang4xia4 xue2 de5|di2|di4 tu2shu1guan3 jie4 de5|di2|di4 shu1 。] This book is the one I borrowed from the university library. The use of the Complement of Degree What is a complement? A complement is a word or phrase attached after a verb to explain or complete the meaning of the action. Complements are used to show duration, extent, quantity, degree, result, direction or possibility of an action. Complements always appear *after* the verbs they modify. We know that in Chinese modifiers are generally placed before the words they modify; so why do complements appear after? It's because Chinese word order often observes the time sequence in which an action occurs. Notice, for example: 昨天晚上我們從書 店 去電 影 院 。 [.wav] [zuo2tian1 wan3shang5 wo3men5 cong1|cong2|zong4 shu1dian4 qu4 dian4ying3yuan4 。] Yesterday evening we went to the cinema from the bookshop. Since one has to leave the bookshop before going to the cinema, the Chinese sentence follows this time sequence. Similarly, since a verbal action has to take place first, before one can see its extent or result, the complement placed after the verb observes this time sequence. The complement of degree This is used to show the extent or degree of an action. Normally adjectives are used for the complement, and the structural particle 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] is used to connect the verb and its complement: 他學習得怎 麼 樣 ﹖ [.wav] [ta1 xue2xi2 de2|de5|dei3 zen3me5yang4 ﹖] How is he studying? 他學習得 很 好。 [.wav] [ta1 xue2xi2 de5hen3 hao3|hao4 。] He's studying very well. The basic patterns for the complement of degree are as follows: 1. Verb without object: V + 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] + adjective 你工作得 不 錯 。 [.wav] [ni3 gong1zuo4 de2bu4dao4 cuo4 。] 2. Verb with object: V + O + V + 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] + adjective 我妹妹唱 民 歌 唱得很好。 [.wav] [wo3 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 chang4 min2ge1 chang4 de5hen3 hao3|hao4 。] 3. Verb with preposed object: O + V + 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] + adjective 他們中文學得很好。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zhong1wen2 xue2 de5hen3 hao3|hao4 。] Place 不 [.wav] [bu4] /before the adjective/ to make the negative: 4. V + 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] + 不 [.wav] [bu4] + adjective 她歌 唱 得不好﹐ [.wav] [ta1 ge1chang4 de2bu4dao4 hao3|hao4 ﹐] 舞 也跳 得不好。 [.wav] [wu3 ye3 tiao4 de2bu4dao4 hao3|hao4 。] Questions are formed as follows: 1. . . . 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] adjective 不 [.wav] [bu4] adjective? 你開 車 開 得快 不 快 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 kai1che1 kai1 de2|de5|dei3 kuai4 bu4kuai4 ﹖] 2. . . . 得怎麼樣﹖ [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3 zen3me5yang4 ﹖] 你中文學得怎麼樣﹖ [.wav] [ni3 zhong1wen2 xue2 de2|de5|dei3 zen3me5yang4 ﹖] 3. . . . 得 [.wav] [de2|de5|dei3] adjective 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ma3|ma5 ﹖] 你游 泳 游 得好嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 you2yong3 you2 de2|de5|dei3 hao3|hao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Note that the complement of degree cannot be used with verbs such as 有 [.wav] [you3] , 在 [.wav] [zai4] or 是 [.wav] [shi4] , since those verbs normally do not denote actions. The difference between 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] and 吧 [.wav] [ba1|ba5] as sentence-ending particles Either term can be used to soften the tone when placed at the end of a question. However, they differ in usage. In questions 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] is primarily used to indicate a mood of enquiry. It may appear in questions with interrogative words such as 什麼 [.wav] [shi2 me5|mo2] or 哪兒 [.wav] [na3er5] ; affirmative-negative questions such as 有沒有呢﹖好 吃 不 好 吃呢﹖ [.wav] [you3 mei2you3 ne5|ni2 ﹖ hao3chi1 bu4hao3 chi1|ji2 ne5|ni2 ﹖] ; or alternative questions with 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] , such as 吃面 包 還是火 腿 呢﹖ [.wav] [chi1|ji2 mian4 bao1 hai2shi4 huo3tui3 ne5|ni2 ﹖] 吧 [.wav] [ba1|ba5] , on the other hand, is employed at the end of a question to indicate a mood of uncertainty or speculation on the part of the speaker: 在這兒停 車 吧﹖ [.wav] [zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 ting2che1 ba1|ba5 ﹖] 你不 知 道 吧﹖ [.wav] [ni3 bu4zhi1 dao4 ba1|ba5 ﹖] In affirmative statements 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] in this case is used to indicate the progressive aspect of an action (e.g. 她學中文呢 [.wav] [ta1 xue2 zhong1wen2 ne5|ni2] ), or to affirm some fact, sometimes with exaggeration (e.g. 晚上電影九點才 開 始 呢。 [.wav] [wan3shang5 dian4ying3 jiu3 dian3 cai2 kai1shi3 ne5|ni2 。] 從這兒去要走三 天 呢。 [.wav] [cong1|cong2|zong4 zher4 qu4 yao1|yao4 zou3 san1tian1 ne5|ni2 。] ) 吧 [.wav] [ba1|ba5] is often added at the end of an imperative sentence to soften the tone, as in 我們走吧。 [.wav] [wo3men5 zou3 ba1|ba5 。] 你再 想想 吧。 [.wav] [ni3 zai4 xiang3 xiang3 ba1|ba5 。] The use of optative verbs Optative or auxiliary verbs are those placed before other verbs to express intention, wishes, possibility etc. 1. To express /subjective wish/, /desire/ or /request/: 1. 要 [.wav] [yao1|yao4] + verb = to want to 我要喝橘 子 水。 [.wav] [wo3 yao1|yao4 he1|he4 ju2zi5 shui3 。] 2. 想 [.wav] [xiang3] + verb = would like to 你想看電影嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 2. To express /objective necessity/: 1. 要 [.wav] [yao1|yao4] + verb = to have to (especially in questions) 我明天要來嗎﹖ [.wav] [wo3 ming2tian1 yao1|yao4 lai2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Do I have to come tomorrow? 我們要去了。 [.wav] [wo3men5 yao1|yao4 qu4 le5|liao3 。] We have to go. 2. 不 用 [.wav] [bu4yong4] + verb = don't have to 你明天不用來。 [.wav] [ni3 ming2tian1 bu4yong4 lai2 。] You don't have to come tomorrow. 3. To express /ability/ or /skill acquired/: 1. 能 [.wav] [neng2] + verb = can, be able to 你現在能看中文報 紙 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xian4zai4 neng2 kan1|kan4 zhong1wen2 bao4zhi3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 2. 可 以 [.wav] [ke3yi3] + verb = can, be able to 你們一個星期可以學幾課﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 yi1ge4 xing1qi1 ke3yi3 xue2 ji1|ji3 ke4|ke4 ﹖] 3. 會 [.wav] [hui4|kuai4] + verb = can, be able to 他們都會游泳嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5dou1 hui4|kuai4 you2yong3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 4. To express /ability depending on circumstances/: 1. 能 [.wav] [neng2] + verb = can, be able to 你明天能來嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ming2tian1 neng2 lai2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 2. 可以 [.wav] [ke3yi3] + verb = can, be able to 你今天晚上可以 [.wav] [ni3 jin1tian1 wan3shang5 ke3yi3] 1給他打電話嗎﹖ [.wav] [gei3|ji3 ta1 da3dian4hua4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Note, in both cases use 不 能 [.wav] [bu4neng2] for negative sentences. 5. To express /permission/: 1. 能 [.wav] [neng2] + verb = may, be permitted to 我能在這兒停車嗎﹖ [.wav] [wo3 neng2 zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 ting2che1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 你不能 [.wav] [ni3 bu4neng2] (or 不 可 以 [.wav] [bu4ke3 yi3] ) 在這兒停車。 [.wav] [zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 ting2che1 。] 2. 可以 [.wav] [ke3yi3] + verb = may, be permitted to 我可以在這兒吸煙嗎﹖ [.wav] [wo3 ke3yi3 zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 xi1yan1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 你不可以 [.wav] [ni3 bu4ke3 yi3] (or 不能 [.wav] [bu4neng2] ) 在這兒吸煙。 [.wav] [zai4zhe4qi1jian1 er2|er5 xi1yan1 。] 6. To express /possibility/ or /probability/: 1. 會 [.wav] [hui4|kuai4] + verb = be likely to, will probably 你明天會再來嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ming2tian1 hui4|kuai4 zai4 lai2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 今天晚上不 會 下 雨 。 [.wav] [jin1tian1 wan3shang5 bu4hui4 xia4yu3 。] 7. To express /need arising from moral or factual necessity/: 1. 應 該 [.wav] [ying1gai1] + verb = should, ought to 你們學得不錯﹐應該去中國。 [.wav] [ni3men5 xue2 de2bu4dao4 cuo4 ﹐ ying1gai1 qu4 zhong1guo2 。] 他們不應該翻 譯 那本書。 [.wav] [ta1men5 bu4 ying1gai1 fan1yi4 na3|na4|nei4 ben3 shu1 。] Note: 1. To make a negation, put the negative word 不 [.wav] [bu4] or 沒有 [.wav] [mei2you3] before the optative verb: 他們不想給圖書館打電話。 [.wav] [ta1men5 bu4 xiang3 gei3|ji3 tu2shu1guan3 da3dian4hua4 。] 2. To form an affirmative-negative question, alternate the optative verb instead of the main verb in the sentence: 你會 不 會 唱中 國 民 歌 ﹖ [.wav] [ni3 hui4bu4hui4 chang4 zhong1guo2min2hang2 ge1 ﹖] but not 你會唱不唱中國民歌﹖ [.wav] [ni3 hui4|kuai4 chang4 bu4 chang4 zhong1guo2min2hang2 ge1 ﹖] 3. It is possible to use more than one optative verb in a sentence: 你是北 京 人 ﹐應該會唱京劇。 [.wav] [ni3 shi4 bei3jing1ren2 ﹐ ying1gai1 hui4|kuai4 chang4 jing1ju4 。] The use of adverbs 就 [.wav] [jiu4] and 才 [.wav] [cai2] 就 [.wav] [jiu4] and 才 [.wav] [cai2] are often used before the main verb to indicate the speaker's attitude as to whether the action expressed by the main verb is earlier (就 [.wav] [jiu4] ) or later (才 [.wav] [cai2] ) than expected: 他們三點就來了﹐可 是 你們現在才來。 [.wav] [ta1men5 san1 dian3 jiu4 lai2 le5|liao3 ﹐ ke3shi4 ni3men5 xian4zai4 cai2 lai2 。] They came as early as 3 o'clock, but you came as late as now. 我們是老 朋友﹐我們十 年 前就認識了。 [.wav] [wo3men5 shi4 lao3 peng2you5 ﹐ wo3men5 shi2nian2 qian2 jiu4 ren4shi5 le5|liao3 。] We are old friends, and we came to know each other as early as ten years ago. 她不是我的同學﹐我上 個 星 期 才認識她。 [.wav] [ta1 bu2shi4 wo3de5 tong2xue2 ﹐ wo3 shang4ge4xing1qi1 cai2 ren4shi5 ta1 。] She is not a classmate of mine. I just got to know her a week ago. Compare the following sentences: 今年我們就想去中國學習。 [.wav] [jin1nian2 wo3men5 jiu4 xiang3 qu4 zhong1guo2 xue2xi2 。] (The speaker indicates their eagerness in going to China as soon as this year.) 今年我們才想去中國學習。 [.wav] [jin1nian2 wo3men5 cai2 xiang3 qu4 zhong1guo2 xue2xi2 。] (The speaker indicates that, although going to China this year, they should have gone earlier.) As shown in the above sentences, when there is a time-word in a sentence, 就 [.wav] [jiu4] and 才 [.wav] [cai2] should be placed after it; when there is an optative verb, on the other hand, 就 [.wav] [jiu4] and 才 [.wav] [cai2] should be placed before it. Here is the pattern: Time-word + 就 [.wav] [jiu4] /才 [.wav] [cai2] + optative verb + main verb 她今年就可以去中國﹐我明年才可以去中國。 [.wav] [ta1 jin1nian2 jiu4 ke3yi3 qu4 zhong1guo2 ﹐ wo3 ming2nian2 cai2 ke3yi3 qu4 zhong1guo2 。] 他們今天下午三點就能出 發 ﹐我們要晚上八點才 能 走。 [.wav] [ta1men5 jin1tian1 xia4wu3 san1 dian3 jiu4 neng2 chu1fa1 ﹐ wo3men5 yao1|yao4 wan3shang5 ba1 dian3 cai2neng2 zou3 。] Word usage: 或 者 [.wav] [huo4zhe3] , 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] Both of these conjunctions can be translated as "or" in English, but they differ in usage: in general, 或者 [.wav] [huo4zhe3] is used in non-interrogative sentences to indicate a choice: 我妹妹想研 究 音樂或者文 學 。 [.wav] [wo3 mei4mei4|mei4mei5 xiang3 yan2jiu1 yin1yue4 huo4zhe3 wen2xue2 。] 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] , on the other hand, is more often than not reserved for alternative questions: 你上午去﹐還是下午去﹖ [.wav] [ni3 shang4wu3 qu4 ﹐ hai2shi4 xia4wu3 qu4 ﹖] It can also be used in subordinate clauses with verbs such as 知 道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] , 告訴 [.wav] [gao4su5] etc: 請告訴我這個人是老師還是學生﹖ [.wav] [qing3 gao4su5 wo3 zhe4ge4 ren2 shi4 lao3shi1 hai2shi4 xue2sheng5 ﹖] 我不知道她是老師還是學生。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4zhi1 dao4 ta1 shi4 lao3shi1 hai2shi4 xue2sheng5 。] In cases in which both 或者 [.wav] [huo4zhe3] and 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] can appear in questions, there are some subtle differences in their anticipations and tones: 1. A: 你想去中國還是日本﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 qu4 zhong1guo2 hai2shi4 ri4ben3 ﹖] B: 我想去中國。 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 qu4 zhong1guo2 。] 2. A: 你想去中國或者日本嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xiang3 qu4 zhong1guo2 huo4zhe3 ri4ben3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] B: 我想去﹐我兩個地 方 都想去。 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 qu4 ﹐ wo3 liang3ge4zhong1guo2 di4fang5 dou1|du1 xiang3 qu4 。] In dialogue 1, A asks an alternative question which anticipates a choice from the answer. The two terms with 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] are mutually exclusive. In dialogue 2, the question is a general one using 嗎 [.wav] [ma3|ma5] at the end. It does not anticipate a strict choice from the answer, so B can give a general answer: 我想去 [.wav] [wo3 xiang3 qu4] -- yes, I do -- and then add his more specific thought: 我兩 個地方都想去 [.wav] [wo3 liang3ge4zhong1guo2 di4fang5 dou1|du1 xiang3 qu4] . The two items with 或者 [.wav] [huo4zhe3] in the question are therefore not mutually exclusive. Sometimes, however, 還是 [.wav] [hai2shi4] can also be used in a non-interrogative sentence. For instance: 去看朋友﹐還是去看電影﹐他一 時 [.wav] [qu4 kan1|kan4 peng2you5 ﹐ hai2shi4 qu4 kan1|kan4 dian4ying3 ﹐ ta1 yi4shi2] (??)不 定 主 意 。 [.wav] [bu4ding4 zhu3yi5 。] Notice in the sentence the tone is still somehow interrogative, compelling 他 [.wav] [ta1] to make a choice. In contrast, 或者 [.wav] [huo4zhe3] in this case can only convey a sort of explanatory note: 你去﹐還是她來﹐你明天一 定 要 作決 定 。 [.wav] [ni3 qu4 ﹐ hai2shi4 ta1 lai2 ﹐ ni3 ming2tian1 yi1ding4yao4 zuo4 jue2ding4 。] (interrogative) 或者你去﹐或者她來﹐沒有其 他 選 擇 。 [.wav] [huo4zhe3 ni3 qu4 ﹐ huo4zhe3 ta1 lai2 ﹐ mei2you3 qi2ta1 xuan3ze2 。] (explanatory) 了 解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] , 知道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] , 認識 [.wav] [ren4shi5] and 懂 [.wav] [dong3] The meanings of the four terms here overlap. Both 了解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] and 知道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] can mean "to know". However, 了解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] implies some level of understanding and comprehension of what one knows. Therefore 了解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] can be understood as a deeper or better knowing than 知道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] . Compare: 你了解 [.wav] [ni3 liao3jie3] (or 知道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] ) 這個學校嗎﹖ [.wav] [zhe4ge4 xue2xiao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 我不知道他是誰的孩子。 [.wav] [wo3 bu4zhi1 dao4 ta1 shi4 shei2|shui2 de5|di2|di4 hai2zi5 。] (Here one can not use 了解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] .) 認識 [.wav] [ren4shi5] is used to indicate that one can recognise this as this and not others. It can also involve the process of acquiring such an ability. A: 哦 ﹐我認識她﹗ [.wav] [e2|o2 ﹐ wo3 ren4shi5 ta1 ﹗] Oh, I know her! B: 你是在哪兒認識她的﹖ [.wav] [ni3 shi4 zai4 na3er5 ren4shi5 ta1 de5|di2|di4 ﹖] Where did you get to know her? 懂 [.wav] [dong3] , on the other hand, is a direct equivalent of "to understand". Its definition is not as broad as that of 了解 [.wav] [liao3jie3] (to know and understand) and is different from that of 知道 [.wav] [zhi1dao5] (to know). 1. 你懂他說 的漢語嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 dong3 ta1 shui4|shuo1 de5|di2|di4 han4yu3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 2. 你知道他叫甚 麼 名 字 嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 zhi1dao5 ta1 jiao4 shen2me5 ming2zi5 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 3. 你了解他嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 liao3jie3 ta1 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Of these, sentence 3 wants to know more detailed information about him than sentence 2, and sentence 2 wants more detailed information than sentence 1. The use of the Perfect Aspect Basic concept The aspect particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is added to the end of a verb to indicate the completion of an action. In general, Chinese perfect aspect is equivalent to perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect or future perfect) in English. So, the completion of an action can take place in the past or in the future. For instance: A: 你下了課去哪兒﹖ [.wav] [ni3 xia4 le5|liao3 ke4|ke4 qu4 na3er5 ﹖] B: 我下了課去圖書館。 [.wav] [wo3 xia4 le5|liao3 ke4|ke4 qu4 tu2shu1guan3 。] On the other hand, a past action is not always followed by the aspect particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] , if it is a simple statement or a habitual action and there is no need to emphasise its completion: 去年他常常去書店。 [.wav] [qu4nian2 ta1 chang2chang2 qu4 shu1dian4 。] 以前我住在學生宿舍。 [.wav] [yi3qian2 wo3 zhu4 zai4 xue2sheng5 su4she4 。] Basic patterns 1. Affirmative sentence Subject + verb + 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] (+ object) e.g. 電影開始了。 [.wav] [dian4ying3 kai1shi3 le5|liao3 。] 我買了兩本書。 [.wav] [wo3 mai3 le5|liao3 liang3 ben3 shu1 。] 2. Negative sentence (note 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is dropped here) Subject + 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] ) + verb (+ object) or subject + 還沒 [.wav] [hai2|huan2 mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] ) + verb (+ 呢 [.wav] [ne5|ni2] ) e.g. 我沒有買書。 [.wav] [wo3 mei2you3 mai3 shu1 。] 電影還沒開始呢。 [.wav] [dian4ying3 hai2|huan2 mei2|mo4 kai1shi3 ne5|ni2 。] 3. Interrogative sentence Subject + verb + 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] (+ object) + 沒有﹖ [.wav] [mei2you3 ﹖] or Subject + verb + 了嗎﹖ [.wav] [le5|liao3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] or Subject + verb + 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] + verb (+ object)﹖ [.wav] [﹖] (here the verb is usually monosyllabic) e.g. 你今天買了詞典沒有﹖ [.wav] [ni3 jin1tian1 mai3 le5|liao3 ci2dian3 mei2you3 ﹖] 她來了嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1 lai2 le5|liao3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 你們談 沒談這個問題﹖ [.wav] [ni3men5 tan2 mei2|mo4 tan2 zhe4ge4 wen4ti2 ﹖] Notes 1. If the verb has an object and there is no adverbial in the sentence, the object should normally carry some modifiers (e.g. numeral + measure-word or other attributives). Otherwise the sentence sounds incomplete: 我買了三本書。 [.wav] [wo3 mai3 le5|liao3 san1 ben3 shu1 。] 我在書店里買了書。 [.wav] [wo3 zai4 shu1dian4 li3 mai3 le5|liao3 shu1 。] but not simply 我買了書。 [.wav] [wo3 mai3 le5|liao3 shu1 。] 2. If a sentence carries several verbs and the actions indicated by those verbs are related, then the perfect aspect particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is usually placed after the /last/ verb. a. 我用中文給媽媽寫了一封信。 [.wav] [wo3 yong4 zhong1wen2 gei3|ji3 ma1ma5 xie3 le5|liao3 yi1 feng1 xin4 。] b. 他們昨天進 城 買了一些中文詞典。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zuo2tian1 jin4 cheng2 mai3 le5|liao3 yi1xie1 zhong1wen2 ci2dian3 。] In sentence a, "write" is related to "use" because the letter is written by using Chinese; in sentence b, similarly, "buy" is related to "enter the city" because the purpose of entering the city is to buy the dictionaries. Compare the above sentences with the following, with a different structure: 我下了課去圖書館。 [.wav] [wo3 xia4 le5|liao3 ke4|ke4 qu4 tu2shu1guan3 。] Here "class is over" (下課 [.wav] [xia4ke4] ) and "go to the library" are unrelated. They are contained in the sentence simply to indicate their sequence. Hence it is wrong to say 我下課去了圖書館。 [.wav] [wo3 xia4ke4 qu4 le5|liao3 tu2shu1guan3 。] 3. When the verb is reduplicated, the perfect aspect particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is placed /before/ the reduplicated verb: 我試 了試那條裙子 ﹐真漂亮﹗ [.wav] [wo3 shi4 le5|liao3 shi4 na3|na4|nei4 tiao2 qun2zi5 ﹐ zhen1 piao4liang5 ﹗] 又 [.wav] [you4] , 再 [.wav] [zai4] and 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] All three of these adverbs indicate the repetition of an action, like the English "again". They differ in usage, however: Whereas 又 [.wav] [you4] indicates a repetition of an action that has already taken place, 再 [.wav] [zai4] implies a repetition of an action in the future. Also, 再 [.wav] [zai4] is only used in /declarative/ sentences, plus questions ending in 好嗎 [.wav] [hao3|hao4 ma3|ma5] : 昨天他來晚 了﹐今天他 又來晚了。 [.wav] [zuo2tian1 ta1 lai2 wan3 le5|liao3 ﹐ jin1tian1 ta1 you4 lai2 wan3 le5|liao3 。] (repetition in the past) 你今天來晚了﹔明天再來晚﹐我們就不讓你進 來 了。 [.wav] [ni3 jin1tian1 lai2 wan3 le5|liao3 ﹔ ming2tian1 zai4 lai2 wan3 ﹐ wo3men5 jiu4 bu4 rang4 ni3 jin4lai2 le5|liao3 。] (repetition in the future) 你再喝一 點 兒 橘子水﹐好嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 zai4 he1|he4 yi1dianr3 ju2zi5 shui3 ﹐ hao3|hao4 ma3|ma5 ﹖] Also, 又 [.wav] [you4] can be used for the repetition of a periodic action or occurrence, even though it has not yet taken place: 明天又是星期一﹐我們又要上課。 [.wav] [ming2tian1 you4 shi4 xing1qi1yi1 ﹐ wo3men5 you4 yao1|yao4 shang4ke4 。] 新 年 又要來了。 [.wav] [xin1nian2 you4 yao1|yao4 lai2 le5|liao3 。] 還 [.wav] [hai2|huan2] , on the other hand, usually expresses a future repetition: 你明天還來嗎﹖ [.wav] [ni3 ming2tian1 hai2|huan2 lai2 ma3|ma5 ﹖] It can also be used in an interrogative or declarative sentence with an optative verb. In this situation, it is placed before the optative verb and an optional 再 [.wav] [zai4] can be placed after: A: 你明年還能 [.wav] [ni3 ming2nian2 hai2|huan2 neng2] (再 [.wav] [zai4] )教我們嗎﹖ [.wav] [jiao1|jiao4 wo3men5 ma3|ma5 ﹖] B: 我明年還可以 [.wav] [wo3 ming2nian2 hai2|huan2 ke3yi3] (再 [.wav] [zai4] )教你們。 [.wav] [jiao1|jiao4 ni3men5 。] Use of the modal particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] Basic concept The modal particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is placed at the end of a sentence to indicate that the event referred to took place in the past. The difference between 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] as modal particle and 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] to indicate perfect aspect is that the latter only shows the completion of the verb, whereas the former shows the completion of the whole sentence or event, implying some /change of situation/. 他買了書了。 [.wav] [ta1 mai3 le5|liao3 shu1 le5|liao3 。] The first 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] in the sentence above indicates only the completion of the action of 買 書 [.wav] [mai3 shu1] , whereas the second 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] marks some change of situation on the part of 他 [.wav] [ta1] as a result of the completion of the book-buying process: originally he did not have the book, but now he has. Basic patterns (Please compare against the patterns for the perfect aspect in the previous section.) 1. Affirmative sentence Subject + verb (+ object) + 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] e.g. 他們看足 球 賽 了。 [.wav] [ta1men5 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 le5|liao3 。] 2. Negative sentence (note 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] is dropped here) Subject + 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] (有 [.wav] [you3] ) + verb (+ object) e.g. 他們沒看足球賽。 [.wav] [ta1men5 mei2|mo4 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 。] 3. Interrogative sentence Subject + verb + object + 了沒有﹖ [.wav] [le5|liao3 mei2you3 ﹖] or Subject + verb + object + 了嗎﹖ [.wav] [le5|liao3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] or Subject + verb + 沒 [.wav] [mei2|mo4] + verb + object﹖ [.wav] [﹖] (here the verb is usually monosyllabic) e.g. 他們看足球賽了沒有﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 le5|liao3 mei2you3 ﹖] 他們看足球賽了嗎﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 le5|liao3 ma3|ma5 ﹖] 他們看沒看足球賽﹖ [.wav] [ta1men5 kan1|kan4 mei2|mo4 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 ﹖] Notes 1. As is obvious, when there is no object, one cannot tell the perfect aspect 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] from the modal particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] . In such a case, 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] can be regarded as fulfilling both functions: 她來了。 [.wav] [ta1 lai2 le5|liao3 。] 我們懂了。 [.wav] [wo3men5 dong3 le5|liao3 。] 2. A simple statement about events that happened in the past does not require a 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] at the end of the sentence: 我昨天下午看足球賽﹐晚上沒出 去 。 [.wav] [wo3 zuo2tian1 xia4wu3 kan1|kan4 zu2qiu2 sai4 ﹐ wan3shang5 mei2|mo4 chu1qu4 。] Sequential actions To indicate that two actions take place, one immediately after the other, we use the pattern Subject + verb + 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] (以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] ) 就 [.wav] [jiu4] + verb ... e.g. 我們辦 了簽 証 [.wav] [wo3men5 ban4 le5|liao3 qian1 zheng4] (以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] )就回家。 [.wav] [jiu4 hui2jia1 。] 明天吃了早 飯 [.wav] [ming2tian1 chi1|ji2 le5|liao3 zao3fan4] (以後 [.wav] [yi3hou4] )我們就出發。 [.wav] [wo3men5 jiu4 chu1fa1 。] The above pattern can be used for /future/ actions as well. To indicate that both actions took place in the past, the particle 了 [.wav] [le5|liao3] has to be inserted at the end of the sentence: 我們辦了簽証以後就回家了。 [.wav] [wo3men5 ban4 le5|liao3 qian1 zheng4 yi3hou4 jiu4 hui2jia1 le5|liao3 。] 他們早 上 沒 吃 早飯就走了。 [.wav] [ta1men5 zao3shang5 mei2chi1mei2chuan1 zao3fan4 jiu4 zou3 le5|liao3 。]