17 Unit 7

17.1 Introduction

17.1.1 Topics covered in this unit

  1. Where someone works.

  2. Where and what someone has studied.

  3. What languages someone can speak.

  4. Auxiliary verbs.

  5. General objects.

17.1.2 Material you will need

  1. The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes.

  2. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook.

  3. The TD-1 tape.

17.2 References

17.2.1 Reference List

1. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作? Where do you work?
B: Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyuàn gōngzuò. 我在美國國務院工作。 I work with the State Department.
2. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作? Where do you work?
B: Wǒ shi xüésheng. 我是學生。 I’m a student.
3. A: Nín lái zuò shénme? 您來做什麼? What did you come here to do?
B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我來念書。 I came here to study.
4. A: Ò, wǒ yě shi xüésheng. 哦,我也是學生。 Oh, I’m a student too.
B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 請問,你念什麼? May I ask, what are you studying?
B: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念歷史。 I’m studying history.
5. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生,你念什麼? What are you studying, Mr. Cook?
B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén. 我在這裏學中文。 I’m studying Chinese here.
6. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 請問,你學過英文嗎? May I ask, have you ever studied English?
B: Xüéguo 學過。 Yes.
7. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 請問,你會説英文嗎? May I ask, can you speak English?
B: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我會説一點。 I can speak a little.
8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也會説中國話嗎? Can your wife speak Chinese too?
B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不會,她不會説。 No, she can’t.
9. A: Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中國話很好。 Your Chinese is very good.
B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪裏,哪裏。我就説一點。 Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little.
10. A: Nǐ shi zài náli xüéde? 你是在哪裏學的? Where did you study it?
B: Wǒ shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde. 我是在華盛頓學的。 I studied it in Washington.
11. A: Nǐ shi zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma? 你是在大學學的英文嗎? Did you study English at college?
B: Shìde, wǒ shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的,我是在臺灣大學學的英文。 Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University.

17.2.2 Vocabulary

jīngxüé 經學 Confucian classics
Rìwén 日文 Japanese language
wénxüé 文學 literature
zhèngzhixüé 政治學 political science
nán to be difficult
róngyi 容易 to be easy
dàxüé 大學 university
huà language, words
Huáshèngdùn 華盛頓 Washington
huì to know how to, to can
jīngjixüé 經濟學 economics
lìshǐ 歷史 history
Měiguó Guówùyüàn 美國國務院 U.S. Department of State
nán to be difficult
niàn (shū) 唸書 to study
shuō (huà) 説話 to speak, to talk
xüé to study
xüéshēng (xüésheng) 學生 student
xüéxí (xüéxi) 學習 to study, to learn (PRC)
yìdiǎn 一點 a little
Yīngwén 英文 English
Zhōngwén 中文 Chinese
zuò to do
shénme dìfang 什麼地方 where, what place

17.2.3 Reference Notes

17.2.3.1 Notes on №1–2
1. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作? Where do you work?
B: Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò. 我在美國國務院工作。 I work with the State Department.
2. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作? Where do you work?
B: Wǒ shi xüésheng. 我是學生。 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 organization of the State Department” (no matter where assigned). Here the expression is translated loosely as “work with the State Department,” meaning “in the organization.”

17.2.3.2 Notes on №3–4
3. A: Nín lái zuò shénme? 您來做什麼? What did you come here to do?
B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我來念書。 I came here to study.
4. A: Ò, wǒ yě shi xüésheng. 哦,我也是學生。 Oh, I’m a student too.
B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 請問,你念什麼? May I ask, what are you studying?
B: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念歷史。 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 shi...de construction, with the marker shì before the verb lái.

Wǒ shi lái niàn 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.

17.2.3.3 Notes on №5–6
5. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生,你念什麼? What are you studying, Mr. Cook?
B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén. 我在這裏學中文。 I’m studying Chinese here.
6. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 請問,你學過英文嗎? May I ask, have you ever studied English?
B: Xüéguo 學過。 Yes.

Xüé, “to study” an action verb): You will recognize xüé from the word for “student,” xüésheng. Xüé may refer to acquiring either knowledge or a skill. For example, you can xüé history, economics, a language, piano, and tennis. On the other hand, niàn is used for “study” in the sense of taking a course or courses in a field of knowledge. Niàn is not used for a skill.

In some contexts, the verb xüé means “to learn.” The following sentence may be interpreted two ways, depending on the situation.

Wǒ zài Měiguó yǐjīng xüéguo. I learned it in America.(e.g., how to use chopsticks)
OR

I studied it in America.

(e.g., the Chinese language)

Zhōngwén is used for either the Chinese spoken language or the written language, including literature. In general, use xüé for “learning” to speak Chinese and niàn for “studying” Chinese literature.

17.2.3.4 Notes on №7–8
7. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 請問,你會説英文嗎? May I ask, can you speak English?
B: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我會説一點。 I can speak a little.
8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也會説中國話嗎? Can tour wife speak Chinese too?
B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不會,她不會説。 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, “I 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:

  1. the general object huà, “words,” in which case the meaning of shuō huà is simply “to speak,” “to talk,” as in:

    Tā hái méi shuō huà. He hasn’t yet spoken.

    OR

  2. a specific object such as the name of a language.

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.

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

17.2.3.5 Notes on №9
9. A: Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中國話很好。 Your Chinese is very good.
B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪裏,哪裏。我就説一點。 Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little.

Literally, náli means “where.” As a reply to a compliment, we have translated náli as “not at all.” In China, it has traditionally been considered proper and a matter of course to deny any compliment received, no matter how much truth there is to it. Many people still regard xièxie “thank you,” as an immodest reply to a compliment, since that would amount to agreeing that the compliment was completely correct.

Jiù, “only”: As was noted in Unit 3, notes on Nos. 8–9, jiù meaning “only” is not as widely understood as zhǐ. The last sentence in exchange 9 could Just as well be Wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yìdiǎn.

17.2.3.6 Notes on №10–11
11. A: Nǐ shi zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma? 你是在大學學的英文嗎? Did you study English at college?
B: Shìde, wǒ shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的,我是在臺灣大學學的英文。 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 shi...de construction comes between the verb and its object. The object, therefore, is outside the shi...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 shi...de construction.

shì zài zhèr xüé -de.
shì zài zhèr xüé -de Yīngwén.

17.3 Drills

17.3.1  Response drill

Table 17.3.1.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

國務院

Guówùyüàn

Department of State

他/她在國務院工作。

Tā zài Guówùyüàn gōngzuò.

He/she works with the Department of State.

2.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

郵政局

yóuzhèngjǘ

post office

他/她在郵政局工作。

Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò.

He/she works at the post office.

3.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

銀行

yínháng

bank

他/她在銀行工作。

Tā zài yínháng gōngzuò.

He/she works at the bank.

4.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

武官處

Wǔguānchù

defense attache office

他/她在武官處工作。

Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò.

He/she works at the defense attache office.

5.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

國賓大飯店

Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn

Ambassador Hotel

他/她在國賓大飯店工作。

Tā zài Guóbín Dàfàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Ambassador Hotel.

6.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

北京大飯店

Běijīng Dàfàndiàn

Běijīng Grand Hotel

他/她在北京大飯店工作。

Tā zài Běijīng Dàfàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Běijīng Grand Hotel.

7.

他/她在哪裏工作?

Tā zài náli gōngzuò?

Where does he/she works?

民族飯店

Mínzǔ Fàndiàn

Nationalities Hotel

他/她在族飯店工作。

Tā zài Mínzú Fàndiàn gōngzuò.

He/she works at the Nationalities Hotel.

17.3.2  Expansion drill

Table 17.3.2.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

他/她是學生,他/她學中文。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā xüé zhōngwén.

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

這裏

zhèli

here

他/她是學生,他/她在這裏學中文。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén.

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

2.

他/她是學生,他/她學中國話。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā xüé Zhōngguo huà.

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

那裏

nàli

there

他/她是學生,他/她在那裏學中國花。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài nàli xüé Zhōngguo huà.

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

3.

他/她是學生,他/她念什麼?

Tā shi xüésheng, tā niàn shénme?

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

這裏

zhèli

here

他/她是學生,他/她在這裏念什麼?

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài zhèli niàn shénme?

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

4.

他/她是學生,他/她念歷史。

Tā shi xǘsheng, tā niàn lìshǐ.

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

哪裏

náli?

there?

他/她是學生,他/她在哪裏念歷史?

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài náli niàn lìshǐ?

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

5.

他/她是學生,他/她念文學。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā niàn wénxüé.

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

這裏

zhèli

here

他/她是學生,他/她這裏念文學。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài zhèli niàn wénxüé.

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

6.

他/她是學生,他/她學法文。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā xüé Fàwén.

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

那裏

nàli

there

他/她是學生,他/她在那裏學法文。

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài nàli xüé Fàwén.

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

7.

他/她是學生,他/她學什麼?

Tā shi xüésheng, tā xüé shénme?

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

這裏

zhèli

here

他/她是學生,他/她在這裏學什麼?

Tā shi xüésheng, tā zài zhèli xüé shénme?

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

17.3.3  Response drill

Table 17.3.3.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

請問,他/她念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, tā niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is he/she studying?

經濟學

jīngjixüé

economics

他/她念經濟學。

Tā niàn jīngjixüé.

He/she studies economics.

2.

請問,王大年念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, Wáng Dànián niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Wáng Dànián studying?

文學

wénxüé

literature

他念文學。

Tā niàn wénxüé.

He studies literature.

3.

請問,方小姐念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, Fāng xiǎojiě niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Miss Fāng studying?

中國文學

Zhōngguo wénxüé

Chinese literature

她念中國文學。

Tā nián Zhōngguo wénxüé.

She studies Chinese literature.

4.

請問,他/她妹妹念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, tā mèimei niàn shénme?

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

政治學

zhèngzhixüé

political science

她念政治學。

Tā niàn zhèngzhixüé.

She studies political science.

5.

請問,他/她愛人念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, tā àiren niàn shénme?

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

歷史

lìshǐ

history

他/她念歷史。

Tā niàn lìshǐ.

He/she studies history.

6.

請問,孫蕙然念什麼?

Qǐngwèn, Sūn Huìrán niàn shénme?

May I ask, what is Sūn Huìrán studying?

中國歷史

Zhōngguo lìshǐ

Chinese history

她念中國歷史。

Tā niàn Zhōngguo lìshǐ.

She studies Chinese history.

7.

請問,他/她男孩子念什麼?

Tā nánháizi niàn shénme?

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

經濟學

jīngjixüé

economics

他念經濟學。

Tā niàn jīngjixüé.

He/she studies economics.

17.3.4  Transformation drill

Table 17.3.4.1 
Question Answer
1.

王先生念歷史。

Wáng xiānsheng niàn lìshǐ.

Mr. Wáng is studying history.

王先生來念歷史

Wáng xiānsheng lái niàn lìshǐ.

Mr. Wáng is coming to study history.

2.

馬先生念文學。

Mǎ xiānsheng niàn wénxüé.

Mr. is studying literature.

馬先生來念文學。

Mǎ xiānsheng lái niàn wénxüé.

Mr. is coming to study literature.

3.

張先生唸經濟學。

Zhāng xiānsheng niàn jīngjixüé.

Mr. Zhāng is studying economics.

張先生來念經濟學。

Zhāng xiānsheng lái niàn jīngjixüé.

Mr. Zhāng is coming to study economics.

4.

李先生念日文。

Lǐ xiānsheng niàn Rìwén.

Mr. is studying the Japanese language.

李先生來念日文。

Lǐ xiānsheng lái niàn Rìwén.

Mr. is coming to study the Japanese language.

5.

他/她念歷史。

Tā niàn lìshǐ.

He/she is studying history.

他/她來念歷史。

Tā lái niàn lìshǐ.

He/she is coming to study history.

6.

胡先生念英文。

Hú xiānsheng niàn Yīngwén.

Mr. is studying English.

胡先生來念英文。

Hú xiānsheng lái niàn Yīngwén.

Mr. is coming to study English.

7.

陳先生念法文。

Chén xiānsheng niàn fàwén.

Mr. Chén is studying French.

陳先生來念法文。

Chén xiānsheng lái niàn Fàwén.

Mr. Chén is coming to study French.

17.3.5  Response drill

Table 17.3.5.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

孫同志來做什麼?

Sūn tóngzhì lái zuò shénme?

What did Comrade Sūn come to do?

工作

gōngzuò

to work

他/她來工作。

Tā lái gōngzuò.

He/she is coming to work.

2.

馬孫同志來做什麼?

Mǎ tóngzhì lái zuò shénme?

What did Comrade come to do?

唸書

niàn shū

to study

他/她來念書。

Tā lái niàn shū.

He/she is coming to study.

3.

陳孫同志來做什麼?

Chén tóngzhì lái zuò shénme?

What did Comrade Chén come to do?

學日文

xüé Rìwén

to study Japanese

他/她來學日文。

Tā lái xüé Rìwén.

He/she is coming to study Japanese.

4.

他/她來做什麼?

Tā lái zuò shénme?

What did he/she Chén come to do?

念歷史

niàn lìshǐ

to study history

他/她來念歷史。

Tā lái niàn lìshǐ.

He/she is coming to study history.

5.

黃先生來做什麼?

Huáng xiānsheng lái zuò shénme?

What did Mr. Huáng come to do?

念政治學

niàn zhèngzhixüé

to study political science

他來念政治學。

Tā lái niàn zhèngzhixüé.

He is coming to study political science.

6.

錢同志來做什麼?

Qián tóngzhì lái zuò shénme?

What did Comrade Qián come to do?

學英文

xüé Yīngwén

to study English

他/她來學英文。

Tā lái xüé Yīngwén.

He/she did is coming to study English.

7.

他/她來做什麼?

Tā lái zuò shénme?

What did he/she come to do?

工作

gōngzuò

to work

他/她來工作。

Tā lái gōngzuò.

He/she is coming to work.

17.3.6  Response drill

Table 17.3.6.1 
Question Answer
1.

請問,他/她來念書嗎?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn shū ma?

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

對了,他/她來念書。

Duì le, tā lái niàn shū.

Yes, he/she came to study.

2.

請問他/她來念中文嗎?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn zhōngwén ma?

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

對了,他/她 來念中文。

Duì le, tā lái niàn zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she came to study Chinese.

3.

請問,他/她來念經濟學嗎?

Qǐngwèn, tā lái niàn jīngjixüé ma?

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

對了,他/她 來念經濟學

Duì le, tā lái niàn jīngjixüě.

Yes, he/she came to study economics.

4.

請問他/她妹妹來念英文嗎?

Qǐngwèn, tā mèimei lái niàn Yīngwén ma?

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

對了,她來念英文。

Duì le, tā lái niàn Yīngwén.

Yes, she came to study English.

5.

請問,陳先生來念政治學嗎?

Qǐngwèn, Chén xiānsheng lái niàn zhèngzhixüé ma?

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

對了,他來念政治學。

Duì le, tā lái niàn zhèngzhixüé.

Yes, he came to study political science.

6.

請問,王先生來學法文嗎?

Qǐngwèn, Wáng xiānsheng lái xüé Fàwén ma?

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

對了,他來學法文。

Duì le, tā lái xüé Fàwén.

Yes, he came to learn French.

7.

請問,張小姐來學日文嗎?

Qǐngwèn, Zhāng xiǎojiě lái xüè Rìwén ma?

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

對了,她來學日文。

Duì le, tā lái xüé Rìwén.

Yes, she came to learn Japanese.

17.3.7  Response drill

Table 17.3.7.1 
Question Answer
1.

他/她是在大學學的中文嗎?

Tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in college?

是的,他/她是在大學學的中文。

Shìde, tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she studied Chinese in college.

2.

他/她是在美國學的中文嗎?

Tā shi zài Měiguo xüéde zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she learn Chinese in America?

是的,他/她是在美國學的中文。

Shìde, tā shi zài Měiguó xüéde zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she learned Chinese in America.

3.

他/她是在臺灣大學唸的英文嗎?

Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Yīngwén ma?

Did he/she study English in Taiwan?

是的,他/她是在臺灣大學唸的英文。

Shìde, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Yīngwén.

Yes, he/she studied English in Taiwan.

4.

他/她是在美國唸的歷史嗎?

Tā shi zài Měiguó niànde lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study history in America?

是的,他/她是在美國唸的歷史。

Shìde, tā shi zài Měiguó niànde lìshǐ.

Yes, he/she studied history in America.

5.

他/她是在加州唸的政治學嗎?

Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu niànde zhèngzhixüé ma?

Did he/she study political science in California?

是的,他/她是在加州唸的政治學。

Shìde, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu niànde zhèngzhixüé.

Yes, he/she studied political science in California.

6.

他/她是在中國唸的中國文學嗎?

Tā shi zài zhōngguó niànde zhōngguó wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study Chinese literature in China?

是的,他/她是在中國唸的中國文學。

Shìde, tā shi zài Zhōngguo niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé.

Yes, he/she studied Chinese literature in China.

7.

他/她是在華盛頓唸的經濟學嗎?

Tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn niànde jīngjixüé ma?

Did he/she study economics in Washington?

是的,他/她是在華盛頓唸的經濟學。

Shìde, tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn niànde jīngjixüé.

Yes, he/she studied economics in Washington.

🛈︎
Note

All these sentences could be translated with “is coming” instead of “did come”.

17.3.8  Response drill

Table 17.3.8.1 Give negative responses to all the questions, and complete your answers according to the cues.
Question Cue Answer
1.

他/她是在中國學的中國話嗎?

Tā shi zài Zhōngguo xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in China?

美國

Měiguó

America

不是,他/她是在美國學的中國話。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó xüéde Zhōngguo huà.

No, he/she studied Chinese in America.

2.

他/她是在美國唸的法文嗎?

Tā shi zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén ma?

Did he/she study French in America.

加拿大

Jiānádà

Canada

不是,他/她是在加拿大唸的法文。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Fàwén.

No, he/she studied French in Canada.

3.

他/她是在臺灣大學唸的政治學嗎?

Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde zhēngzhixüé ma?

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

美國大學

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

不是,他/她是在美國大學唸的政治學。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde zhèngshixüé.

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

4.

他/她是在英國唸的英國文學嗎?

Tā shi zài Yīngguó niànde Yīngguó wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study English literature in England?

美國大學

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

不是,他/她是在美國大學唸的英國文學。

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

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

5.

他/她是在加州唸的經濟學嗎?

Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu niànde jīngjixüé ma?

Did he/she study economics in California?

臺灣大學

Táiwān Dàxüé

National Taiwan University

不是,他/她是在臺灣大學唸的經濟學。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde jīngjixüé.

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

6.

他/她是在中國唸的中國歷史嗎?

Tā shi zài Zhōngguo niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study Chinese history in China?

加州大學

Jiāzhōu Dàxüé

University of California

不是,他/她是在加州大學唸的中國歷史。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ.

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

7.

他/她是在加拿大唸的中文嗎?

Tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she study the Chinese language in Canada?

臺灣

Táiwān

Taiwan

不是,他/她是在臺灣唸的中文。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān niànde zhōngwén.

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

17.3.9  Response drill

Table 17.3.9.1 Give negative or affirmative responses to all the questions according to the cues.
Question Cue Answer
1.

他/她是在華盛頓學的中國話嗎?

Tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma?

Did he/she study Chinese in Washington?

華盛頓

Huáshèngdùn

Washington

是的,他/她是在華盛頓學的中國話。

Shìde, tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōnggúo huà.

he/she studied Chinese in Washington.

2.

他/她是在臺灣大學唸的中國歷史嗎?

Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma?

Did he/she study Chinese history in Taiwan University?

美國大學

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

不是,他/她是在美國大學唸的中國歷史。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ.

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

3.

他/她是在大學學的中文嗎?

Tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén ma?

Did he/she learn Chinese in college?

大學

dàxüé

college

是的,他/她是在大學學的中文。

Shìde, tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén.

Yes, he/she learned Chinese in college.

4.

他/她是在臺灣大學唸的中國文學嗎?

Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé ma?

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

加州大學

Jiāzhōu Dàxüé

University of California

不是,他/她是在加州大學唸的中國文學。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé.

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

5.

他/她是在美國大學唸的文學嗎?

Tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé ma?

Did he/she study literature in the American University?

美國大學

Měiguó Dàxüé

American University

是的,他/她是在美國大學唸的文學。

Shìde, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé.

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

6.

他/她是在加州唸的政治學嗎?

Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde zhèngzhixüé ma?

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

臺灣大學

Táiwān Dàxüé

Taiwan University

不是,他/她是在臺灣大學唸的政治學。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde shèngzhixüé.

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

7.

他/她是在法國唸的法文嗎?

Tā shi zài Fàguó niànde Fàwén ma?

Did he/she study French in France?

美國

Měiguó

America

不是,他/她是在美國唸的法文。

Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén.

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

17.3.10  Substitution drill

Table 17.3.10.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

你會説英文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?

Can you speak English?

德文

Déwén

German

你會説德文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Déwén ma?

Can you speak German?

2.

你會説德文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Déwén ma?

Can you speak German?

日文

Rìwén

Japanese

你會説日文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Rìwén ma?

Can you speak Japanese?

3.

你會説日文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Rìwén ma?

Can you speak Japanese?

法文

Fàwén

French

你會説法文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can you speak French?

4.

你會説法文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can you speak French?

中國話

Zhōngguo huà

Chinese (language)

你會説中國話嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma?

Can you speak Chinese?

5.

你會説中國話嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma?

Can you speak Chinese?

德國話

Déguó huà

German (language)

你會説德 國話嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Déguó huà ma?

Can you speak German?

6.

你會説的國話嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Déguó ma?

Can you speak German?

俄國話

Èguó huà

Russian (language)

你會説俄國話嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Èguó huà ma?

Can you speak Russian?

17.3.11  Combination drill

Table 17.3.11.1 
Question Cue Answer
1.

我學中文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén.

I’m studying Chinese.

日文

Rìwén

Japanese

我學中文,我也學日文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén, wǒ yě xüé Rìwén.

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

2.

我學法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén.

I’m studying French.

他/她

he/she

我學中文,他/她也學中文。

Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén, tā yě xüé Zhōngwén.

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

3.

他/她學法文。

Tā xüé Fàwén.

He/she is studying French.

德文

Déwén

German

他/她學法文,他/她也學德文。

Tā xüé Fàwén, tā yě xüé Déwén.

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

4.

我學法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén.

I’m studying French.

他/她

he/she

我學法文,他/她也學法文。

Wǒ xüé Fàwén, tā yě xüé Fàwén.

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

5.

我學政治學。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé.

I’m studying political science.

他/她

he/she

我學政治學,他/她也學政治學。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé, tā yě xüé zhèngzhixüé.

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

6.

我學政治學。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé.

I’m studying political science.

經濟學

jīngjixüé

economics

我學政治學,我也學經濟學。

Wǒ xüé zhèngzhixüé, wǒ yě xüé jīngjixüé.

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

7.

我學文學。

Wǒ xüé wénxüé.

I’m studying literature.

歷史

lìshǐ

history

我學文學,我也學歷史。

Wǒ xüé wénxüé, wǒ yě xüé lìshǐ.

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

17.3.12  Combination drill

Table 17.3.12.1 
Question Answer
1.

林先生在華盛頓。他學過法文。

Lín xiāngsheng zài Huáshèngdùn. Tā xüéguo Fàwén.

Mr. Lín was in Washington. He studied French.

林先生在華盛頓學過法文。

Lín xiānsheng zài Huáshèngdùn xüéguo Fàwén.

Mr. Lín studied French in Washington.

2.

黃小姐在美國。她念過政治學。

Huáng xiǎojiě zài Měiguó. Tā niànguo zhèngzhixüé.

Miss Huáng was in America. She studied political science.

黃小姐在美國念過政治學。

Huáng xiǎojiě zài Měiguó niànguo zhènghixüé.

Miss Huáng studied political science in America.

3.

劉太太在加州大學。她念過經濟學。

Liú tàitai zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé. Tā niànguo jīngjixüé.

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

劉太太在加州大學念過經濟學。

Liú tàitai zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànguo jīngjixüé.

Mrs. Liú studied economics in the University of California.

4.

宋先生在美國。他念過歷史。

Sòng xiānsheng zài Měiguó. Tā niànguo lìshǐ.

Mr. Sòng was in America. He studied history.

宋先生在美國念過歷史。

Sòng xiānsheng zài Měiguó niànguo lìshǐ.

Mr. Sòng studied history in America.

5.

他/她在北京。他/她學過中文。

Ta zài Běijīng. Tā xüéguo Zhōngwén.

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

他/她在北京學過中文。

Tā zài Běijīng xüéguo zhōngwén.

He/she learned Chinese in Běijīng.

6.

孫小姐在加拿大他念英國文學。

Sūn xiǎojiě zài Jiānádà. Tā niànguo Yīngguó wénxüé.

Miss Sūn was in Canada. She studied English.

孫小姐在加拿大念過英國文學。

Sūn xiǎojiě zài Jiānádà niànguo Yīngguó wénxüé.

Miss Sūn studied English in Canada.

7.

他/她在中國。他/她念過中國文學。

Tā zài Zhōngguo. Tā niànguo Zhōngguo wénxüé.

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

他/她在中國念過中國文學。

Tā zài Zhōngguo niànguo Zhōngguo wénxüé.

He/she studied Chinese literature in China.

17.3.13  Response drill

Table 17.3.13.1  Give an affirmative or a negative response to each question, according to the cues.
Question Cue Answer
1.

你會説英文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?

Can you speak English?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

我會説一點。

Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn.

I can speak a little.

2.

你會説英文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?

Can you speak English?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

我不會説。

Wǒ bú huì shuō.

I can’t speak it.

3.

你會説中文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?

Can you speak Chinese?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

我會説一點。

Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn.

I can speak Chinese a little.

4.

他/她會説德文嗎?

Tā huì shuō Déwén ma?

Can he/she speak German?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

他/她不會説。

Tā bú huì shuō.

He cannot speak it.

5.

你會説日文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Rìwén ma?

Can you speak Japanese?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

我會説一點。

Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn.

I can speak Japanese a little.

6.

他/她會説英國話嗎?

Tā huì shuō Yīngguó huà ma?

Can he/she speak English?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

他/她會説一點。

Tā huì shuō yìdiǎn.

He/she can speak a little.

7.

你會説法文嗎?

Nǐ huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can you speak French?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

我不會説。

Wǒ bú huì shuō.

I cannot speak it.

17.3.14  Response drill

Table 17.3.14.1  Give an affirmative or a negative response to each question, according to the cues.
Question Cue Answer
1.

他/她會説中國話嗎?

Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma?

Can he/she speak Chinese?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

會,他/她會説中國話。

Huì, tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà.

Yes, he/she can speak Chinese.

2.

他/她會説中國嗎?

Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma?

Can he/she speak Chinese?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

不會,他/她會説中國話。

Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō Zhōngguo huà.

No, he/she cannot speak Chinese.

3.

他/她愛人會説法文嗎?

Tā àiren huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can his/her spouse speak French?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

會,他/她愛人會説法文。

Huì, tā airen huì shuō Fàwén.

Yes, his/her spouse can speak French.

4.

他/她父親會説日文嗎?

Tā fùqin huì shuō Rìwén ma?

Can his/her father speak Japanese?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

不會,他父親不會説日文。

Bú huì, tā fùqin bú huì shuō Rìwén.

No, his/her father cannot speak Japanese.

5.

李同志會説德文嗎?

Lǐ tóngzhì huì shuō Déwén ma?

Can Comrade speak German?

沒學過

méi xüéguo

haven’t studied

不會,李同志不會説德文。

Bú huì, Lǐ tóngzhì bú huì shuō Déwén.

No, Comrade cannot speak German.

6.

王同志會説英文嗎?

Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén ma?

Can Comrade Wáng speak English?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

會,王同志會説英文。

Huì, Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén.

Yes, Comrade Wáng can speak English.

7.

陳同志會説法文嗎?

Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén ma?

Can Comrade Chén speak French?

學過

xüéguo

have studied

會,陳同志會説法文。

Huì, Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén.

Yes, Comrade Chén can speak French.