ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B2.old/Grammar-wiki-B2-129.txt

{{Grammar Box}} 

Mixing up the order of the two syllables in a word is something most learners do. This makes the pair 适合 (shìhé) and 合适 (héshì) annoying, to say the least. They mean more or less the same thing, but the former is a verb, while the latter is an adjective.

==The Verb 适合==

适合 is a verb meaning "to suit," and must take an object. 

===Structure===

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 适合 + Obj.
</div>

===Examples===

<div class="liju">
* 这 个 工作 很 <em>适合</em> 我。<span class="trans">This job really suits me.</span>
* 你 的 中文 名字 真 <em>适合</em> 你！<span class="trans">Your Chinese name suits you well.</span>
* 这 部 电影 不 <em>适合</em> 儿童 看。<span class="expl">This translation is a little awkward in English, but we're trying to avoid using the word "suitable," which is an adjective.</span><span class="trans">This movie does not suit children (to watch).</span>
</div>

==The Adjective 合适==

合适 is an adjective meaning "suitable or appropriate," and is used in the same way as other adjectives.

===Structure===

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + Adv. + 合适
</div>

===Examples===

<div class="liju">
* iPad 虽然 好 用，但是 对 我 来 说 价格 不 太 <em>合适</em>！<span class="trans">Although iPads are fun to use, I think the price is not suitable.</span>
* 在 办公室 里 抽烟 有 点 不 <em>合适</em> 吧。<span class="trans">Inside the office, smoking is not suitable.</span>
* 他 就是 最 <em>合适</em> 的，他 完全 符合 我们 的 招聘 要求。<span class="trans">He is very suitable. He completely matches the advertised demands.</span>
</div>

==Don't Confuse the Two==

We cannot say:

<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li class="x">这 个  <em>合适</em> 我 。<span class="expl">This would be treating 合适 like a verb, when it's an adjective)</span></li>
<li class="x">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>适合</em> 。<span class="expl">This would be treating 适合 like an adjective, when it's a verb)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>

We can say:

<div class="liju">
<ul>
<li class="o">这 个  <em>适合</em> 我 。<span class="expl">It's a verb!)</span></li>
<li class="o">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>合适</em> 。<span class="expl">It's an adjective!)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>

== Example Dialog ==

<div class="liju">
<ul class="dialog">
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 知道 穿 什么 衣服 最 <em>适合</em> 参加 这 个 聚会 吗？<span class="trans">Do you know what kind of clothes would suit this party?</span></li>
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 不 知道。但是 穿 牛仔裤 一定 不 <em>合适</em>。<span class="trans">I don't know, but wearing jeans is definitely not suitable.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>

== See Also ==

== Sources and further reading ==

=== Books ===

* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 273-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy] 

[[Category: grammar comparison]]
[[Category: Dialogs]]
{{Basic Grammar|适合|B2|适合 vs 合适|这 个 颜色 不 <em>适合</em> 他 ， 黑色 才 是 最 <em>合适</em> 的。|grammar point|ASGVDOXL}}
{{Rel char|合适}}
{{Used for|Describing places}}
{{Used for|Describing things}}
{{Used for|Describing people}}
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
{{Comparison|Separate Functions}}