Questions about the rules that govern and structure the language, and the composition of clauses, sentences and expressions.
5
votes
2answers
168 views
Using 比 (bǐ) for comparison
I know how to use 比 in simple sentences like
哥哥比姐姐高 (my big brother is taller than my big sister)
Would it be used for other sentences like
You learn more words by listening than by ...
6
votes
3answers
294 views
Why does the construction of 要是…的话 mean “if”?
I know other words like 如果 also provide the "if", but why would 要是...的话 mean "if"?
An example sentence:
要是你喜欢汉语（的话），你该听中国的音乐。
If you like Chinese, you should listen to Chinese music.
6
votes
3answers
135 views
Position of 面熟 in this sentence
In my textbook I found this sentence:
常常看着一个人面熟却叫不出名字来。
If 面熟 is an adjective, why is it used after 人 (to indicate a "familiar-looking person")?
Can 一个人面熟 be rewritten to 一个面熟人 without ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Translation of “this much and no more”
I found this sentence and its English translation on tatoeba.org:
我知道的就這麼多了。
Beyond this I know nothing.
Now I'm trying to parse the sentence structure, and I'd like some confirmation or a ...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
Why can't 了 be used to complement 到?
I have been taught that the sentence 我刚到了 (wǒ gāng dào le) is not correct because 了 cannot be used as a complement of 到. Is this true? If so, why?
7
votes
2answers
116 views
Using 一样 instead of 同一 for “the same school”
In my study software, I recently had the following sentence:
我想我们会上一样的学校.
The context (a girl speaking to another girl who had just moved into the neighborhood) made it seem like the correct ...
9
votes
2answers
194 views
Why is it possible to replace 都 with 也 in 什么都没有?
I know 也 only as "also", but I see it now and then used in ways difficult to understand, especially in some negative statements. Why is this so? Does 也 have some meaning not mentioned in dictionaries ...
7
votes
2answers
452 views
What software can detect the parts of speech of written text?
What software or On-line tools can detect the parts of speech in a piece of written text (e.g. to predict if a word is a verb, adjective, etc.)?
4
votes
1answer
130 views
What does the classical construction X 何由 Y mean?
I almost never see this construction in classical prose. (In fact, I'll venture I've never seen it.) However, it's in two of my favorite poems.
In this one, it's from the poem "晨詣超師院讀禪經" by 柳宗元:
...
3
votes
1answer
443 views
What software can check for grammar mistakes?
I need some software that can check the grammar of some Chinese passages. Are there any programs capable of identifying problems? I'd prefer something for Linux, but other platforms would be okay too.
...
13
votes
2answers
299 views
How do I decide whether to use 還是/还是 or 或者
還是/还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě) seem to have very similar meanings:
還是/还是: or; still; nevertheless
或者: or; possibly; maybe
When I want to say 'or', how to I choose which to use, and are there ...
5
votes
4answers
130 views
How to indicate plurality/singularity
I'm aware that basic Chinese grammar tends to lack distinction between the plural and singular forms of many nouns. For example, 我的朋友是中国人 could either mean "my friend is Chinese" (singular) or "my ...
3
votes
3answers
138 views
Sentence structure “I'm [doing something] because [reason]”?
I am familiar with the sentence structure "因为。。。所以。。。", but what is the correct way to say "I am [doing something] because [reason]"?
For example, "I am asking this question because I am clueless."
...
7
votes
2answers
127 views
When do I use 着 to indicate action in progress?
It seems like for some verbs (正)在 is used to indicate action in progress, but I have also encountered 着 for some, like 穿着. When should it be used, is there a rule to follow?
5
votes
3answers
106 views
What is 和 used for in this sentence?
I know how to use 和 to link one or more nouns or noun phrases, but in this sentence I don't understand what purpose does it do at the beginning of the sentence?
和西方人过圣诞节差不多，这是一个全家团聚的节日。
(This ...
6
votes
3answers
115 views
Are there sentences where 跟 and 和 are interchangeable?
For example:
我跟朋友去公园了。
我和朋友去公园了。
Are both of these sentences correct? Are there any subtle differences in the meaning conveyed?
If they are not entirely interchangeable, how do we know which one ...
10
votes
2answers
148 views
How do I decide whether to use 可以, 会 or 能?
According to every dictionary I've seen so far, there is a big overlap in these:
可以 = can, may, be able to
会 = can, be able to, able
能 = can, may, able, capable
How do I properly choose which one ...
2
votes
2answers
149 views
What are the most difficult things to learn for a westerner? [closed]
What aspects of the Chinese language are the most difficult to learn for a westerner? In particular I'm interested in thoughts on:
What do you find are the main difficulties?
Are there any aspects ...
12
votes
2answers
220 views
Tense and use of 了
I struggle a bit to get my head around tense in Mandarin, and in particular when I need to use 了 (le).
Do you have any tips, examples or resources to help me out with this?
