FDTL 46/99
Session One |
Chinese language skills for Britain: dissemination of best practice |
Sentence patterns and function word index
Approximately 108 sentence patterns
and expressions. The numbers in the brackets refer to lesson numbers.
Abbreviations and additions (11/13)
A balanced number of syllables in a phrase
is important in written Chinese. Sometimes a syllable in a word can be omitted
in order to form the abbreviated expression desired. Syllables can also be
added to a word to form an expression, as shown in the following sentence which
contains the co-verb 搭 乘 take a certain
form of transport and the resultative verb phrase 飞 抵 to arrive by flying in 搭 乘 华 航 班 机 飞 抵 台 北 arrived in Taipei
on a China Air flight. As the word 华 航 China Air
after 搭 乘 to take has two syllables, it would be desirable if the verb 搭 were attached to another
syllable 乘.
Similarly, the place name 台 北 Taipei after the resultative verb 抵 arrive has two syllables, therefore the verb 抵 has another syllable, as
in 飞 抵.
Alternatively, these additional
syllables can be removed if needed. For instance, the verb 搭 in the article is used
differently, sometimes on its own as in 搭 机 抵 台 (a desirable four-character expression) and
sometimes with another syllable as in 搭乘. Please see Newspaper reading tips below.
The following sentences have
abbreviated elements. Can you identify these elements? Do you know why they are
abbreviated?
也 可
共 同 发
展
两 市
间 两 岸
间
Adverbial
marker de 地 (8)
The adverbial marker地 is used to describe the
manner in which an action is carried out. For instance,
我 们 |
应 该认 真 地 讨 论 |
这 个 问 题。 |
we have to discuss this issue
seriously.
…bĭ…比, the
comparative construction (6)
A |
比 |
B |
V (amount) |
今 年 |
比 |
去年 同 期 |
增长 37.3%。 |
This year |
compare |
last year same period |
increase 37.3% |
This year it has increased by 37.3%
compared with the same period last year.
bùbĭ 不 比 NOT SAME AS …, UNLIKE, NOT AS GOOD AS…
不 比 NOT SAME AS …, UNLIKE, NOT AS GOOD AS…
不 比 is
the negative form of 比and
used as a comparative construction. However, sometimes不 比 is similar to不 如. 不 如is placed between phrase A and phrase B. This
construction implies that the situation in phrase A is not as good as it is in
B. Either A or B can be abbreviated. For instance,
A |
不如/不 比 |
B |
中 国 的 经 济 力 量 |
不如 |
美 国。 |
中 国 |
不 比 |
美 国的 经 济 力 量。 |
China’s economic power is not as
great as that of the US.
bùguăn…huò… 不 管 … 或 NOT MATTER …OR… (14)
或 is short for 或 者.
Another similar expression is 不 管 …还 是 … For instance,
不 管 |
A |
或 (还 是) |
B |
… |
不 管 |
下 雨 |
或 (还 是) |
下 雪 |
我 们 一 定 来 上 课。 |
No matter whether it is raining of
snowing we will definitely come to the class.
Co-verb (1)
Many co-verbs are verbs in Chinese,
but some of them, such as 为 and 被,
can only be used as co-verbs in modern Chinese.
Sequence is very important in
Chinese when it comes to describing actions. The first action should come
first. For example, I went to China by airplane. You have to think that
the action of (坐) taking the airplane
happens before going to China, therefore by airplane (坐飞 机 ) should be placed before went to China
(去中 国). If you want to say I go to school by car it
is understood by a Chinese person that you have to take the car before you can
reach school, so by car (坐汽车 ) should be placed before go to school(去学 校).
As you can see from the above
examples, a co-verb is followed by a noun to form a co-verb clause.
bă 把 used as a co-verb (7)
A verb in the 把 construction changes the
form, situation or direction of the object. A verb in the 把 construction is in
complex form. It is usually a verb of method of action plus another element.
The elements which can be attached to the main verbs in 把 sentences are:
Resultative complements
我们 |
应该 把 力量 |
放在
工作 上。 |
we |
should BA strength |
put on
work on |
We should put our energy on work.
Directional complements
他 |
已经 把 书 |
送进去了。 |
he |
already BA book |
deliver in go LE |
He has already taken the book in.
得 (complement of degree)
constructions
你 |
把 这个 工作 |
作 得 很 不好。 |
you |
BA
this GE work |
do DE very no good |
You didn’t do this job very well.
一下 (or 一 verb)
请 你 |
再 把 这 个 练习 |
作一下。 |
please you |
again BA this GE exercise |
do
once |
Please do this exercise once more.
cóng…(V)dào… 从…(V)到 … FROM … TO… (7)
This construction is used to
indicate a sequence of actions. Like the other co-verb constructions, a 从…clause is followed by a
main verb clause, in this case (V) 到.
For instance,
从 家 |
走 到学校 |
from home |
walk to school. |
Walk to school from home.
jiāng将 used
as a co-verb (8)
将 can also be used as a co-verb like 把. It is often used in
written Chinese, but 把 can
be used in both written and colloquial
Chinese. All the rules which apply to把 also apply to将. For instance,
我 校 |
将 最 好 的 学 生 |
送 去 英 国 留 学。 |
our school |
JING most good DE students |
send go England study |
Our school sends its best students
to China to study.
yóu…dào由…V到 FROM …TO… (8)
This construction is similar to 从 …V到 … which creates an idea of
distance. 由
could be followed by a time word, number or place word. For instance,
由 6万 人 |
增 加 到 8万 人 |
From 60,000 people increased to
80,000 people.
wèi 为 FOR…
used as a co-verb (8)
为 is followed by a noun or V-O pattern to form a
co-verb clause. A main verb is often placed after a co-verb clause. For
instance,
成 员 国 |
为这 支 快 反 部 队 |
提 供 部 队。 |
The member states provide troops for
this army.
xiàng 向used as a co-verb (9)
When 向is used as a co-verb, it means towards, to or from.
向 is followed by a noun or
a noun clause to form a co-verb clause. For instance,
中 国 人要 出 国 |
可 以 向 公 安 局 |
申 请 护 照。 |
When Chinese people want go abroad,
they can apply for passports from the Public Security Bureau.
…chéng
成, e.g., 四 成 40%
Percentage in Chinese is often
described by the word 成.
One 成 is
10%, four成
means 40%. 45% will be 四成半
four 10% and half.
chéng…(qūshì)呈…(趋势) APPEAR…TENDENCY (6)
The description of the tendency is
placed between 呈and 趋势. For instance,
中国人口 增长 率 |
呈 上升趋势。 |
China population increase rate |
appear rise
tendency. |
China’s population growth rate shows
a tendency to rise.
chúle…yĭwài 除 了… (以) 外APART FROM… (10)
The person or the action after apart
from is placed between 除了 and 以外.
Very often 以 or 以外 is omitted, especially
in the spoken language. The clause after 除了...以外 often consists of the following adverbs:
都-----all:
中 国 除 了 茶 叶 以 外 |
都 不 出 口。 |
Apart from
tea, China does not export anything.
也-----also:
中 国 除 了出 口 茶 叶 以 外 |
也 进 口 茶 叶。 |
Apart from exporting tea, China also
imports tea.
还-----in addition:
中 国 除 了 出 口 茶 叶 以 外 |
还 出 口 粮 食。 |
Apart from exporting tea China also
exports grains.
又-----again:
中 国 除 了 去 年 出 口 了 茶 叶 以 外 |
今 年 又 出 口 了 茶 叶。 |
Apart from exporting tea last year,
China exported tea again this year.
chūyú…出于 ARISE FROM… (7)
出于 is short for 出自于. It is often placed
after a subject and followed by a noun. For instance,
老师 出自于 负责, |
所以请你们作这个练习。 |
teacher arise from responsibility, |
so ask you do this exercise |
The teacher feels that it is his
responsibility to ask you to do this exercise.
Comparative [also see …bĭ…比]:
stative verb + 于 (3)
This is a written type of
comparative construction. For instance:
A |
SV 于 B |
中 国 人 口 |
多 于 英 国 人 口。 |
China’s population |
more than Britain’s population |
The Chinese population is larger
than Britain’s.
Conditional sentence rúguŏ…dehuà … jiù 如 果 …的 话, 就… (3)
A conditional clause is placed
between 如 果 and 的 话, though 的 话 can
be omitted. The outcome of the condition is placed in the 就 clause. 就 is an adverb, which
should be placed before verbs. For instance,
如 果… 的 话, |
就 |
如 果 学 生 放 学 以 后 用 毒 品 的 话, |
家 长 就 应 该 告 诉 学 校 的 老 师。 |
If student school after use drugs DE HUA
|
parents JIU should tell school’s teachers |
If pupils take drugs after school,
their parents should let the teachers know.
However, abbreviated forms of this
construction are frequently used in newspapers. For instance, the above
sentence can also be written in the following ways:
1
Without 果: 如 …的 话, 就…
如 学 生 放 学 以 后 用 毒 品 的 话, |
家 长 就 应 该 告 诉 学 校 的 老 师。 |
2
Without 的 话: 如 果… 就…
如 果 学 生 放 学 以 后 用 毒 品, |
家 长 就 应 该 告 诉 学 校 的 老 师。 |
3 Without
就 : 如 果…
的 话, …
如 果 学 生 放 学 以 后 用 毒 品 的 话, |
家 长 应 该 告 诉 学 校 的 老 师。 |
dá 达 REACH (15)
达 is followed by a number word. For instance,
与会人数 |
达 两千以上。 |
There are over 2000 participants in
the meeting.
dāng
shí 当时 AT THAT TIME (16)
当时is used as a time word, placed before verbs or
subjects of sentences. For instance,
当时我们 |
并没有注意到这一举动 。 |
At that time we did not notice the
action at all.
de 的 marker for describing
nouns (1)
The marker 的 is used to form a clause
which describes a noun. The marker 的is placed
between the description and the noun. This construction is like an
inverted relative clause in English For instance,
他们 在 家 能 学 的 东西 |
很多。 |
they at home can study DE things |
very many |
The things which they can learn at home are numerous.
As you can see, the clause of
description which they can learn at home is placed before the marker 的, and this is followed by
the noun things.
yín qĭ zhēngyì deshì…引 起 议 论 的 是 THE THING ABOUT WHICH PEOPLE ARE
TALKING IS (15)
The noun is omitted in
the verb clause + 的 是construction. The verb
clause clarifies the noun which is omitted. For instance,
我要讲的 |
是… |
The thing I want to talk about is …,
值得注意的 |
是 … |
The thing to which we should pay
attention is…
…dĭ 底 END OF… (6)
底 is placed after 年or月 as in 年底 the end of the year, 月底 the end of the month,
2000年(年) 底 the end of 2000, 十月底 the end of October.
duì 对
clause (4)
It means TO (THIS)… The 对 clause is used as a
co-verb clause in sentences to bring a topic before the verb. Modal verbs such
as 应该, 能are placed before the 对clause. For instance,
S |
对 topic |
V O |
我们 |
应该 对 不 好 的 作风 |
进行 一 场 政治 运动 |
we |
should DUI no good DE
practice |
carry out a CHANG political movement |
We should launch a political
campaign to oppose unhealthy work practice.
Examples
对 topic |
S |
V O |
对 外 国 来 的 课 本 |
我 们 |
进 行 了 分 析 |
对 害 民 害 国 的 事 |
我 们 |
应 该 制 止 |
对 现 在 学 生 不 作 家 务 的 问 题 |
老 师 |
作 了 分 析 和 总 结 |
Without 对 clause the above
sentences will be:
我 们 |
分 析 了 |
外 国 来 的 课 本 |
我 们 |
应 该 制 止 |
害 民 害 国 的 事 |
老 师 |
分 析 和 总 结 了 |
现 在 学 生 不 作 家 务 的 问 题 |
ér 而 YET (8/13)
而 can be used to link two clauses opposite in meaning
as in 华而不实 magnificent,
yet not practical. 而 is an adverb and is
placed before the verb in the second clause of a sentence. 英 美 两 国 都 有 相 同 的 看 法 , 而 法 国 的 立 场 并 不 一 样
Britain and the US have similar views, but
France has a different standpoint.
伟 大 而 艰 巨 的 任 务
a great yet tough task.
…fāng …方
SIDE. (5)
方 is placed after a monosyllabic word:
西 |
方 |
The Western world.
英 |
方 |
The British side.
我 |
方 |
Our side.
敌 |
方 |
The enemy side.
Four-character expressions (11/13)
A four-character phrase is desirable
in a title. Such phrases are formed in the following ways.
two pairs of two-syllable nouns
N |
N |
大 学 |
教 师 |
University teachers
a two-syllable verb with a
two-syllable noun
V |
N |
坚 持 |
原 则 |
Maintain principles
two sets of V-O in sequence destroy
old, establish new
V-O |
V-O |
破 旧 |
立 新 |
a two-syllable adverb with a
two-syllable verb
ADV |
V |
认 真 |
工 作 |
Work diligently
a two-syllable noun with a
two-syllable stative verb
N |
SV |
成 绩 |
优 良 |
Excellent achievement
ADV |
SV |
更 加 |
密 切 |
Even closer
Examples
V-O |
V-O |
搭 机 |
抵 台 |
搭 机 |
返 回 |
ADV |
V |
共 同 |
发 展 |
及 早 |
三 通 |
A commonly used four-character
expression is formed from two double-syllable expressions, such as 排名第三 pecking order
number three [lit. number three on the line]. The
phrase is formed by two double character expressions: 排名 pecking order 第三 number three. 销量大增
the number
(of copies) being sold increases in large scale. The phrase is formed by a
double-syllable noun 销量
and followed by a combined two-syllable phrase (adverb大large and verb 增 increase).
…fŏu …否: 是否/能否 ... WHETHER... OR NOT (5)
是, 有and most monosyllabic modal verbs can be placed before 否 to form a choice type
expression. For example, 是否 whether ... is... or not, 有否 whether... have... or no, 会 否 whether...
will... or not, 应 否 whether... should... or not.
这些 学生 |
能 否 毕业, |
取决于 他们的 学习成绩. |
these students |
can or cannot graduate |
depends on their study results |
Whether these students can graduate
or not, depends on their academic results.
gāi 该 (4)
该 means THE ABOVE
MENTIONED, THE AFOREMENTIONED. It is often followed by a noun. For instance,
云南 大 学Yunnan university |
进 行了一 场 反 毒 品 运 动,carried out a chang anti-drug campaign, |
该 校 老 师和 学 生 都 … The aforementioned university’s
teachers and students all… |
Yunnan University carried out an
anti-drug campaign. The teachers and students of the aforementioned university
are...
Examples
中 国 学 生 |
都
申 请 了
学 生 签
证 。 |
持
该 签 证 者 |
在 英 国 不 准 许 工
作。 |
|
很 多 群 众 |
都 反 对 政
府 的 运
动 。 |
他
们 说 |
该 运 动 是
害 国 害
民 的 运
动。 |
|
(gēn)jù…(根)据 ACCORDING TO (6)
据is short for 根据. A根据clause is followed by a main clause. For instance,
根据 专家 分析, |
中国和台湾 的问题 |
在10年 内 会 解决。 |
according to experts analyse, |
China and Taiwan DE issue |
According to
the experts’ analysis, the China/Taiwan conflict will be solved within 10
years.
huà 化 ..ISE, …ISATION (16)
It means to
turn one situation or thing into another, Normally it is preceded by a noun or
monosyllable stative verb.
V |
N |
化 |
实现 |
四个现代 |
化。 |
To realise the 4 modernizations.
SV |
化 |
N |
深 |
化 |
改革。 |
To deepen the reforms.
jí即 NAMELY (7)
即 is used to indicate a
detailed or specific explanation. The explanation is placed after
即. For instance,
中国的改革政策, |
即 |
经济 改革 政策, 有 了 一些 成就。 |
China’s reform
policy, |
namely |
economic reform policy has LE some
success |
China’s reform
policy, namely the economic reform policy, has had some success.
jì…yĕ… 既 …也… construction (4)
It means BOTH... AND / AS WELL AS
The clauses in the 既... 也 ... construction are
normally parallel in sense. 既 and 也 are placed before verbs or stative verbs.
既 |
也 |
我们学 的 东西 既不好 学 , |
学了以后 也不能 用。 |
we studied DE thing JI not easy study, |
studied after YE cannot use |
The thing
which we learned were not very easy, we cannot even use them after learning them.
Examples
有 签 证 的 学 生 来 英 国 以 后 既 能 学 习 |
也 能 工 作。 |
现 在 英 国 政 府 对 外 国 来 工 作 的 人 既 不 给签 证 |
也 不 给 理 由。 |
jiāng 将 WILL
(6)
将 is used as an auxiliary verb. It implies that the
action that follows will take place in future. For instance,
中国 |
将与 亚洲各 国 建立经济 共同体。 |
China |
will with Asian other countries
set up economic union |
China will set
up economic union with other Asian countries.
jìnxíng 进 行 TO CARRY OUT (5)
This sentence pattern is frequently
used in newspapers. The nouns preceded by 进 行 are
used as verbs in sentences: words such as 讨 论 to discuss and discussion, 发 展 to develop and
development, 谈 判 to negotiate and negotiation are
often seen after the verb 进 行.
When you learn a new word which is preceded by 进 行,
you should remember it as a phrase: for example,
...进行 |
谈判 |
Carry out negotiations
...进行 |
发展 |
Carry out developments
jīng (guò) 经 (过)clause (4)
经 is short for 经 过 AS A
RESULT OF (Lit. TO GO THROUGH, PASS). It is similar to another expression 通 过tōngguò.
The elements which are followed by 经or经 过can
be verbs, nouns, or nouns with attributives. Usually these elements or phrases
imply sustained actions.
A经or 经 过
clause is often followed by a clause which contains the main verb of sentence:
经过… |
S |
V O |
经过 努力, |
去年 他 |
写 完 了 一本 小说 。 |
as a result of effort, |
last year he |
write completed a BEN novel |
After much hard work, he completed
his novel last summer.
Examples
经过… |
S |
V O |
经 过 两 年 的 运 动 , |
人 民 群 众 |
了 解 了 政 府 的 想 法。 |
经 过 17个 星 期 的努 力 , |
我 们 现 在 |
能 看 中 文 报 纸 了 。 |
Without 经 过 clause the above sentences will be:
搞 了 两 年 运 动 以 后, |
人 民 群 众 |
了 解 了 政 府 的 想 法。 |
努 力 了 17个 星 期 以 后 , |
我 们 现 在 |
能 看 中 文 报 纸 了 。 |
jiù 就 used for emphasis (8)
就 can be placed before the linking verb是 to reinforce a
statement. For instance,
我 们 的 目 的 |
就 是 要 学 好 中 文。 |
Our aim it to learn Chinese well.
就 CONCERNING (10)
就 is used to bring a topic to readers’ attention. The topic is placed after 就 to form a clause. The 就 clause can either be
placed before the subject of a sentence or before a main verb. A verb-object
phrase is preceded by the 就 clause. 进行 is one of the most commonly used verbs in this
construction. The verb 进行 is
followed by a noun which consists of a verb meaning such as 讨论 discussion / discuss.发展 develop/ development. For instance,
我们 |
就 奖 学 金 问 题 |
进 行 了 认 真 的 讨 论。 |
We carried out a serious discussion
on the scholarship issue.
就 香 港 基 本 法 草 案 |
中 英 政 府 |
进 行 会 谈。 |
The Chinese and British Governments
carried out discussions on the draft H.K. Basic Law.
Time word + 就V 了 …AS EARLY AS (time word) (15)
就 can be placed after a time word, and before the
verb, to comment on the time, which is earlier than expected.
他 |
九点 就 来了学校。 |
he came to school as early as nine
o'clock.
Compare this with
他 |
九点来了学校。 |
he came to school at 9.
jù 据 (據) (9)
据 is short for 根 据
(see above gēn), and is followed by a
verb such as:
据 信
lit. according to what was believed. It was believed…
据 说
lit. according what was said. It was said…
据 透 露
lit. according what was disclosed. It was revealed…
据 报
lit. according to what was reported. It was reported…
láizì来 自COME FROM (15)
来 come 自 from. It is used in formal written Chinese. For
instance, 来自中国 … come
from China. Colloquially this expression can be found as 从中国来, where 从 is used as a co-verb.
lián…yĕ… 连…也… construction EVEN… (13)
This is one of the constructions
used to highlight a noun, a noun clause or a v-o pattern. The highlighted word
or clause can be the subject or object of a sentence and is placed after 连. 都 or 也 are placed before the main
verb of the sentence. The difference between 都 and 也 is that 都 can be used in both the affirmative and negative, while 也 is normally used before
negatives or before verbs which have a negative sense.
S. |
连 O. [V-O] |
都/ 也 V. v. [EMPHASIS ON THE OBJECT] |
他 |
连 觉 |
也 忘了睡。 |
他 |
连 睡觉 |
也 忘了。 |
He has even forgotten to go to
sleep.
连 S.
|
都/也 V.
O. [EMPHASIS
ON THE SUBJECT] |
连 好学生 |
也 不去上 课。 |
Even the good
students don't go to class.
le 了 particle used for
completed action (2)
When the particle了 is placed after a verb,
it implies that the action is complete. A verb before the particle 了 is usually the main verb
of a sentence. For instance,
S |
Co-V
clause V 了 O |
今 天 我 老 师 |
在 会 上 作 了 讲 话。 |
today my teacher |
at meeting make LE
speech |
My teacher made a speech at the
meeting.
le 了particle for completed
action is not used (2)
When direct or indirect speech is
used, 了 is
not used after the verb “to speak”. For instance,
负 责 人 |
宣 布 立 刻 逮 捕 16名 罪 犯。 |
responsible person |
announce immediately arrest 16 MING criminals |
The person in charge announced that
16 criminals would be arrested immediately.
Particle 了 for completed action is
not used after the verb 宣 布, to announce
le 了 Modal particle indicate
the change of situation (3)
When the particle 了 is placed at end of a
clause or sentence, it has many implications. One of the implications is a
change of situation. For instance:
S |
V
O了 |
我 们 |
不 去 中 国 了。 |
We |
not go China LE |
Now we are not going to China.
Linking verb shì是 (1)
The linking verb 是is used to connect two
nouns or pronouns.
他 |
是学生。 |
he |
is student |
He is a student.
lìngwài 另外 APART FROM THIS… MORE OVER…(14)
另外 is similar 此外 and to 而且, but 而且 cannot be placed at the beginning of a sentence,
unlike 另外and
此外.
Measure words (2)
Measure words are needed in the
following situations.
- When a quantity is
involved, for instance, if you use a number in front of a noun.
三 |
名 |
学 生 |
three |
ming |
students |
Three students.
- When you want to
specify a noun, in other words if you use 这 this, 那 that, 每 every. For instance,
这 |
个 |
老 师 |
This |
ge |
teacher |
This teacher.
- When the question
words 哪 which and 几 how many are used. For example,
你 |
有 几 |
个 |
老 师 ? |
you |
have how many |
ge |
teachers |
How many teachers do you
have?
The following two measures words are
used in the text
míng 名 is
used for members of an institution or major organisation, such as party members
and university teachers: 两名大学老师 two university teachers.
gè 个 units of something. It is a common measure word for
both abstract and physical objects such as people, schools, and ideas, as in 五个人 five people.
qĭ 起used
as a measure word (9)
起 is a measure word for
events and law cases.
rén (一) 人 ONE PERSON (15)
If a number word precedes
the noun 人people, person, in
written Chinese, measure words such as 个, 名or 位are
not needed, especially in four-character expressions or other idiomatic
expressions. For instance, 一家三人, a family of 3, 五人受伤, 四人死亡 five injured
and four dead
rèn 任 (16)
任 is used for turns in
office. For instance,
美国 |
第66 |
任 |
总统 |
The 66th
elected President of the US.
suŏ
所 (16)
所 is used for buildings.
For instance,
一 |
所 |
学校 |
A school.
wèi
位 (16)
位 is used for people and
positions. For instance,
这三位老师 |
都是教汉语的。 |
These 3 teachers are all
teaching Chinese.
这所大学 |
排名第5位。 |
This university is in
position number 5 on the list.
jŭdòng
举动 (16)
A measure word is not
necessary when 举动 is
preceded by 一,
for instance, 这一举动 this action.
Modal verbs yīnggāi 应 该, néng 能 (1)
Modal verbs are used to express
obligation, feeling, intention, permission and capacity, and can be placed
before main verbs of sentences. For instance,
我 |
放学 以后 能 玩 吗? |
I |
after school may play ma |
may I play after school?
放学 以后 不 应该 玩。 |
after school not ought to play |
(You) shouldn’t play after school
jiāng 将 used as a modal verb (8)
将 can be placed before a main verb or co-verb to
indicate that the action will take place in the future. 将 is often used in written
Chinese. For instance,
今 天 中 国 |
将 宣 布 一 条 重 要 的 新 闻。 |
China is about to announce a piece
of important news.
juédìng决定 (17)
决定can be used as a modal verb, to be followed by
another verb. For instance,
我 |
决定去中国旅行。 |
I have decided that I would like to
go to China to travel.
The aspectual 了is not used in sentences
which contain modal verbs such as决定 and 开始.
mŏu…某 CERTAIN… (7)
某is used to disguise a
real name, as in 李某: although the surname 李 Li is revealed, the given
name is hidden. 某 can also be followed by a noun: 某校
a certain
school, 某人 a certain
person. 某医院 a certain hospital.
…nèi内
WITHIN (10)
When 内 implies within, it is placed at the end of a clause.
The clause can be the duration, numeral or place. 内is often preceded by 以 or 之. For instance,
十 天 |
(之/以) 内 |
Within 10 days.
Passive constructions
bèi
被 used as a passive construction (7)
被 sentences describe how a
particular object (abstract or physical) is dealt with or disposed of by
somebody or something. The verbs in these constructions take complicated forms.
They are verbs of method of action, plus other elements. Most of the elements
attached to the main verbs in 被 sentences are similar to those used in the 把 construction:
Time/action measure:
Resultative complements
力量 |
都被我们放在工作上了。 |
strength |
all by us put work on LE |
All our energy has been put on work
by us.
Directional complements
书 |
已经被他送进去了。 |
book |
already by him deliver in go le |
The book has already been taken into
(a room) by him.
得 (complement of degree)
constructions
这个工作 |
被你 作得
很 不 好。 |
this job |
by you do DE very no good |
This job hasn’t been done very well
by you.
一下 (or 一 verb); 三个星期; 一次; 一遍
这个练习 |
又被你作了一遍。 |
This exercise |
again by you do le once |
This exercise
has been done once more by you.
被 制 止 WAS STOPPED (15)
When 被 is placed before a verb
it makes it passive. For instance, 被打 … was beaten. 被骂 …was
told off. 被批评 … was
criticised. 被解雇 …was sacked.
yóu 由the
passive construction (8)
The passive construction
with 由 is
different from the passive construction with被. The 由construction is unlike the 被 construction, as the
agent cannot be omitted. However, a verb in the 由 construction is a simple one, and has no attached
element as the 被
construction does. For instance,
这 次 会 议 |
由 卫 生 部 长 主 持 |
This meeting is being chaired by the
Minister of Public Security.
qí 其 ITS, THEIR (8)
The 其 clause is used when its noun have already appeared
in the previous clause. For instance,
中 国 政 府 |
实 行 反 毒 品 运 动 。 |
其 目 的 |
就 是 要 控 制 艾 滋 病 的 传 播 。 |
The Chinese government has launched
an anti-drug campaign. Its aim is to control the spread of AIDS.
qíshí其 实 ACTUALLY, IN FACT (14)
其 实
(Lit. THIS IS THE REALITY) is used as an adverb in sentences.其 实 can be placed before a verb or a noun. For instance,
老 王 |
其 实 是 一 个 好 人。 |
|
其 实 老 王 |
是 一 个 好 人。 |
|
Lao Wang is actually a good person.
… qíyú 其 余
REST OF … (10)
其 means its, 余 means surplus. 其 余 is
an adverb and is often followed by a verb. For instance,
我 们 班 的 同 学 两 个 回 家 了, |
一 个 在 图 书 馆 , |
其 余 的 都 去 酒 馆 了。 |
Two of our classmates have gone
home, one is in the library and the rest have gone to the pub.
…qízhōng 其 中AMONG WHICH; IN WHICH (6)
The 其中clause is preceded by another clause which describes
a general situation. The 其中clause
often contains number words or phrases which imply quantity. For instance,
我们大学 有 很 多 学生, |
其中 500名 男生
600名 女生。 among which 500 MING male students 600 MING female |
There are very many students in our
university, of whom 500 are male and 600 are female.
…quán …权
…RIGHTS OF… / POWER (8)
人 权 human rights
主 权 sovereignty
Question words 什 么, 怎么 (1)
The question word 什 么 refers to a noun, which is often the subject or
object of a sentence, as in
小学生 |
学 什么课本? |
[primary school children |
study what textbook |
What textbooks do primary
schoolchildren study?
怎 么 is
used to ask how something is done. It should be placed before verbs, as in
你 |
怎 么 作 你 的 家 务? |
you |
how do your housework? |
How do you do your housework?
shàng… 上 REACH
(10)
When 上 is used as a verb, one of its meanings is to reach.
In this usage, 上 is
followed by a numeral unit over ten as in 上 百 reach hundreds. 上 万 reach ten
thousands.
shènzhi(yú)
甚至(于) SO FAR AS TO, EVEN (14)
于 can be omitted in the 甚至 construction. 甚至 is similar to 连...都 in meaning. It is an adverb and can be placed either before
a noun or before a verb.
In 连...都 sentences the emphasis is on the noun or the verb-object
phrase which follows 连. However, 甚至 can either refer to a
noun or to the degree of an action:
连我们老师 |
都觉得中文难。 |
甚至我们老师 |
都觉得中文难。 |
Even our teacher finds Chinese
difficult.
他开车开得快得 |
甚至飞了起来。 |
He drove so fast that the car was
flying.
The 连...都
construction
cannot be used in the above sentence.
shĭ使 (11)
使 CAUSE MAKE (SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING)
使 is a verb which cannot be followed by a noun, but by
a noun + its verbal clause, as shown in the following pattern:
A s. v. o. |
使 B 使 s. v. o. |
小李不想吃 饭 |
使 他女朋友 很着 急 |
Xiao Li doesn't want to eat. This
has made his girlfriend very worried.
学习 汉字 |
使 我 头 疼。 |
Learning Chinese characters gives me
a headache.
他 |
总是 使 老师 生 气。 |
He always
makes the teacher angry.
TheAclause can be a pronoun in 3, a v-o pattern in 2 or a
sentence in 1, but all the B clauses in the above three
sentences have verbal elements.
… |
使彼 此 间 的 关 系 |
更 加 密 切 |
…bring the relationship of both
sides even closer.
suīrán … dànshì
虽 然 …但…
ALTHOUGH…(15)
This construction has two clauses.
The first clause begins with虽 然
although,
while the second clause begins with 但是 but or however. Both虽 然 and 但是 can be placed before a verb or a noun. For instance,
我们虽然都学习中文, |
但是有人学得好, 有人学得不太好。 |
Although we are all learning
Chinese, some of us have been doing well and some haven’t.
suízhe 随着 ALONG WITH…, IN THE WAKE OF… (13)
随着 is placed at the beginning of a clause. The 随着clause is followed by a
main clause of a sentence as in
随着中国经济的深入发展, |
人民的生活水平也日益提高。 |
Along with the deepening of the
development of China’s economy, the standard of living is also improving day by
day.
suŏ所 (8)
When 所is used as an adverb and is placed before a verb
which is then followed by 的and a noun, the stress is on the noun. For instance,
我 们 |
在 欧 洲 防务 上 所 承 担 的 领 导 地 位是… |
Our position on European defence, in
which we take a leading role, is that…
Stative verbs 多, 好 (1)
When an adjective is used as a
predicate, such as to be + adjective, we label it a stative verb.
这本书 |
很好。 |
this textbook |
very good |
This textbook is very good
The adjective 好 is used as a stative
verb. The linking verb to be 是 is not used in Chinese. For instance,
中国小学生 |
很多。 |
Chinese primary schoolchildren |
very many |
There are very many Chinese
schoolchildren.
Time
clause when… …de shíhòu …的 时 候 or …shí …时 (3)
…
的时 候 is
used to form a time when clause. The description of when is
placed before 的. For instance,
… |
的 时 候 … |
我 到 我 老 师 家 |
的 时 候… |
I
arrive my teacher’s home |
DE time |
When I arrived at my teacher’s home…
The 时 clause is an abbreviated form of … 的时候. The clause above can also be written as
follows:
…
|
时… |
我 到 我 老 师 家 |
时… |
I
arrive my teacher’s home |
time |
When I arrived at my teacher’s home…
Time phrase and place phrase (1)
Time phrases and place phrases are
placed before the main verb in a sentence. For instance:
我 们 |
中 午 在 老 师 家 开 会。 |
we |
midday at teacher’s
home hold meeting |
We will hold a meeting at the
teacher’s home at midday.
wéi为 TO DO (16)
为 can also be used as a verb, as in formal style of
writing, for example,
为人之所不敢为
。 Do the things which other
people dare not to do.
wèi 未
未means not yet, and it is similar to (还) 没 有. 未 is used in written
Chinese, and it is followed by a verb, modal verb or co-verb. For instance,
中 国 |
还 未 加 入 世 贸 组 织。 |
China has not joined the WTO yet.
Verb complements (6)
zài 在 used
as a verb complement.
Verb complements indicate
the results and directions of actions. The complements are placed after verbs
of action. For example,
分布在 |
农村 |
Spread through
countryside
设立在 |
北京 |
Set up in Beijing.
Resultative complements
(16)
dào 到
When 到 is used as a resultative
verb it means to reach or to obtain. For instance, 接到 to get hold of something. 接means to receive, and 到 means to obtain. 买
到 to get hold of
something by buying.
wéi 为
When 为 is used as a resultative verb it means to
become… and is followed by a noun
当选
为 校长 to be elected as a head of school.
xìng 性 NATURE OF...
(5)
The use of 性 is often seen in formal
written Chinese. 性can
change a stative verb into a noun, and can also change a noun into an
attributive adjective. 重要 to be important is a stative verb. If it
is followed by 性,
then it becomes a noun 重要 性 importance. 历史
means history, and 历史性 means historic.
重要 used as a stative verb
这 件 事 |
很 重要。 |
this JIAN matter |
very important |
This matter is very important.
重要 used as a noun
这件事 的重要性 |
是什么? |
This jian matter de
importance |
is what |
What is the importance of this
matter?
历史 used a s a noun
这 |
是历史。 |
this |
is history |
This is history.
历史used as an adjective
这 |
是历史性的改革。 |
this |
is historic de
reform |
This is a historic reform.
yīn…因 BECAUSE (7)
因is short for 因为. A 因为 clause is often followed
by a 所以 therefore clause. Both 因 为 and
所 以 are placed before subjects or verbs in sentences. A因clause is often followed
by 而clause. For instance,
他因为用毒品 他因 用毒品 |
所以 被警察 逮捕 。 而 被警察 逮捕。 |
He because use drug |
therefore by police arrested |
He was arrested because he had taken
drugs.
yīn…ér…因…而… (9)
The
因…而… construction is used in
written Chinese. It is similar to 因 为… 所 以 …
The 因
clause is followed by a clause which expresses a cause or reason, while 而 is followed by a clause
which express an outcome. For instance,
他 们 因 传 播 反 华 言 论 |
而 被 捕。 |
They were arrested because they had
been making anti-China speeches.
yí ge bú zhùyì一 个 不 注 意 A SLIGHT MISTAKE … (14)
This expression is used as a
conditional clause, and is followed by a clause of consequence. For instance,
上 课 的 时 候 一 个 不 注 意, |
我 们 就 听 不 懂 老 师 说 的 话。 |
In the class, if (we) lose our
concentration slightly, we won’t understand what the teacher says.
yĭ 以 (1)
以 is placed before position words such as before 前, after 后, within 内, out 外, above 上 and below下 to indicate the time or
position of the phrase before 以. For instance,
回
家 |
以 后 |
return home |
afterwards |
After going back home
yĭ(A) wéi (B) 以(A)为 (B) REGARD (A) AS (B) (10)
In this construction, 以 means to
use, to take and 为 means to be as. Literally
this construction means to take (A) as (B). Both (A)
and (B) are nouns or pronouns. This is similar to the 把
construction, but is used in written Chinese. For instance,
以 A |
为 B |
以 他 |
为 榜 样 。 |
Follow his example.
In the spoken language 把 is used and this would
be 把 他 作 为 榜 样.
以 AS. (11)
It is used as a co-verb in the
following sentence. Its meaning is similar to 用, 用 名 义 use the name
(title) of… The description of the name in the
following sentence is placed before the marker 的.
…以上 海 市 社 会 工 作 协 会 会 长 的 名 义 , |
前 来 访 问 … |
Came to visit in the capacity of
Director of the Shanghai City Social Work Association.
以 SO
THAT…, IN ORDER TO…(11)
The 以 clause contains the outcome and is often placed
after the clause which contains the action leading to the outcome. …
两岸 间 及 早 三 通 |
以 节 省 双 方 往 返 的 时 间。 |
Both sides should establish the 3
links as soon as possible, so that (unnecessary) travel time will be saved.
…yĭlái …以来,
SINCE (16)
This expression is used to form
time clauses, as in
解放以来, |
很多知识分子 |
被误认为 右派分子。 |
Since Liberation, many intellectuals
have been labelled mistakenly as “rightists”.
yĭmiăn 以 免 SO THAT TO AVOID … (14)
The first clause of a 以 免 sentence indicates an action, while the second以 免clause indicates an outcome which should be avoided.
For instance,
我 们 多 吃 水 果 少 吃 肉 |
以 免 引 起 心 脏 病。 |
We eat more fruit and vegetables in
order to avoid heart disease.
yŏule 有了+
N
The nouns preceded by有了 can also be used as
verbs, such as a 发展development / develop 进步 progress提高 increase 改善 improvement / improve.
yú 于 BE IN, ON, AT
于 is used in a
formal style of writing and is followed by a time word or place. It is similar
to 在.
For instance,
大会 |
于3月 16日开始。 |
meeting |
at
March 16 start |
The meeting starts on 16 March.
…yú 余 OVER
(10)
余 also means surplus. When 余 is preceded by a numeral
over 10, its meaning is similar to 多: over, more. For example:
百 |
余 |
人 |
Over a hundred people.
yu 与: A与B作 斗争 (6)
与AND. It is used as a conjunction or co-verb. For
instance,
中国与美国 |
进行 了 外交上 的 交涉。 |
China and US |
carried out LE diplomatic DE
negotiation. |
China carried
out diplomatic negotiations with the US.
yù 欲 HAVE DESIRE TO…(13)
It is used as a verb in written
style. 欲 is
followed a monosyllabic verb such as
欲作中国的… |
Have desire to be China’s…
yuèláiyuè 越来越
INCREASINGLY, TO BE GETTING BETTER OR WORSE (13)
This
construction should always be placed before stative verbs and before adverbs in
the complement of degree construction:
天气 |
越来越冷了。 |
It's getting colder. [stative verb]
火车 |
开得越来越快了。 |
The train is increasing its speed. [adverb of the complement of degree
construction]
yuè…yuè… 越...越... THE MORE...THE MORE..., THE LESS…THE LESS…,
THE MORE…THE LESS…, THE LESS…. THE MORE… (13)
The conditional clause following the
first 越
shows the extent of the feeling, state or action; the second 越 clause shows the result.
越 should always be placed
before the verb, stative verb or adverb:
中文 |
越学越难。 |
The more you study Chinese the more
difficult it gets.
孩子 |
越打越好。 |
The more you beat the children the
better they will become.
zài 在clause
(5)
The 在 clause is important. It can help you to find the
main verbs, subjects and objects of sentences. The 在 clause often appears
before adverbs, verbs and the attributive clause, (the 的 clause). The 在clause is often seen in
the following forms: 在... 上, 里 or 下
(a clause
for an event, place and situation) and 在...时(a time clause.) Let’s take out all the 在 clauses in the following
sentences.
... 在 这 里 |
再 次 强 调… |
The main verb is 强 调.
... 在 今 天 的 记 者 招 待 会 上回 答 记 者 提 问 时 |
说... |
The main verb is说.
... 在 台湾 问 题 上 的 表 现 |
仅仅是一个方面… |
表 现is
the subject of the sentence.
... 在人 权 问 题 上 |
发 表 了奇谈怪论... |
The main verb is 发 表.
... 美国政府 |
应该制止右翼团体在台湾问题上的活 动。 |
活动is the object of the sentence.
zài…xià 在 …下 clause UNDER… (2/13)
This clause is often placed before the
main verb of a sentence. For instance,
小 学 生 |
在 老 师 和 家 长 的 帮 助 下 都 考 上 了 中 学。 |
at teachers and parents DE help
under all passed LE secondary
(entrance
exams) |
All the primary schoolchildren
passed their secondary school entrance exams.
在 can be omitted in the 在 …方 面 sentence pattern as in (在)儿童图书方面… on the subject of children’s books…
…zé …则 (9)
则 is used an adverb meaning then, and is often
placed before a verb in the second clause of a sentence to indicate an outcome
of action. 则
is often
seen in four character expressions. For instance,
不 进 |
则 退 |
If one does not move forwards, then
by implication one will move backwards.
…zhàn 占ACOUNT
FOR (6)
In this usage, 占is followed by a clause
which contains numbers. For instance,
在中国汉人 |
占 总 人口 的 90%。 |
in
China Han people |
account for total population DE
90% |
The Han population accounts for 90%
of the total population in China.
…zhe … 着
construction (8)
The particle 着 is placed after a verb
to imply that the action is underway. For instance,
这 个 部 的 领 导 |
承 担 着 一 个 重 要 的 责 任。 |
The head of this ministry bears an
important responsibility.
…zhĕ noun + 者 (3)
者 PERSON, PEOPLE. It is often in the form of
V/N+者. It
means the people who do a certain kind of job:
教育 工作 |
者 |
education
work |
person |
People who are engaged in education work
zhèng + V 正 + V ( )
正 (在) is placed before a verb to indicate that an action is
under way. The progressive construction takes the following forms.
S |
(正)(在) V |
O
(呢) |
我 们 |
正 学 习 |
汉 语 呢。 |
我 |