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Grammar Notes for lesson 1

Stative verbs

A stative verb expresses quality or conditions. In Chinese a stative verb is used where in English one would use the verb ‘to be’ with an adjective. For instance, in 他 很 忙 tā hěn máng he is very busy  忙 máng  is a stative verb and means to be busy.

Possessive 的 de

This construction indicates that the noun after 的 de belongs to the noun that comes before 的 de, as in 小 王 的 邮 票 Xiǎo Wáng de yóupiào Xiao Wang’s stamp.

V 一 下  yíxià

When 一 下 yíxià is preceded by a verb, it has two functions.
1. It is used as a time measure to imply that the action lasts for a little while.
2. It is used to soften the tone of voice. (See lesson 6)

The verb 在 zài

When 在 zài is used as the main verb in a sentence, it means to be located...; to be in, on, or at a place, as in 在 这 儿 zài zhèr to be here, 他 在 这 儿 tā zài zhèr he is here.