Questions tagged [grammar]
Questions about the grammatical rules governing Chinese structure and composition.
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他一叠声应着 How does 叠 work here?
for 他一叠声应着
I know what yidiesheng means repeat the sound, but I just wanted to know the structure is die a measure word here? A pile of sounds? It doesn't actually say anything like that in the ...
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除了你我谁都不相信 or 除了你我谁也不相信 which is correct 都 or 也?
I read that when we have two different meanings in a sentence with 除了we should use 都 and not 也(还)。 So from the two sentences above correct is like this
除了你我谁都不相信 means I believe only you
除了你我谁也(还)相信 ...
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的 in the “你们是坐飞机来北京的吗？”
Some sites said 来的 can be used for an emphasis but here it s separate. Can it have the same meaning or something other here?
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In 我哪个都要 how is subject object verb structure valid?
Looking at this sentence
我哪个都要
How is subject object verb structure valid? If its topic comment structure, then why is the subject 我 first instead of object 哪个都 （everything). Seems weird
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Is 那 often used as a conjunction?
Still forwarding on my lexicon, i am wondering about the use of 那 as a conjunction meaning " then, in that case ".
Is it really often used in that usage in modern Chinese ?
There are other ...
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How can I read 你让我做什么我就做什么?
我今天听你的安排,你让我做什么我就做什么。
For today, I will listen(obey) to your arrangement(s). I'll do whatever what you let me do.
The above English translation was made by me.
I've been stuggling to understand the ...
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If there is no adverb for time, what are the possible tenses of a verb?
For example 我不去 could mean “I don't go” or “I'm not going”. Is the rule that verbs without any time information like this, it either means present simple or present continuous tense?
Could it mean ...
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If 为, meaning 'for...', takes the reading [wèi] why, in the following examples, is [wéi] being used?
I had learned that 为 'for the purpose/sake of' took the reading 'wèi'. However, I have seen several instances of 'wéi' being used to mean the same thing. Are these readings interchangeable or is 'wéi' ...
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Can something be inserted between "你能借我橡皮" and "用一下吗?"?
你能借我橡皮用一下吗?
你(you)能(able)借(lend)我(me)橡皮(an eraser)用(which is to be used)一下(for a moment)吗(ok)?
I have 2 translations against the original sentence.
Can you lend me an eraser for a moment? (free ...
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Understanding grammar in 十一月十一号这一天是四个“一“在一起
Here is a sentence from the learning app that I use that I cannot parse:
十一月十一号这一天是四个“一“在一起
Any help would be appreciated
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What verbs are abbreviated "FV"?
I'm learning Mandarin from the New Practical Chinese textbook series by Taipei Language Institute Press, and there are a few mentions of "FVs" as follows:
你去過台中沒有？ - Explanation: 過 is ...
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Meanings and roles of 要 inside 信用卡比现金要方便多了。
信用卡比现金要方便多了。
I think that 要 can be removed from the above sentence to convey the same meaning of the original sentence.
I looked up for several online dictionaries but still haven't got the meaning(s)...
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Can somebody please help me to parse the phrase, '挑起满满的一担...'?
Google translates, '挑起满满的一担粮食' [tiǎoqǐ mǎnmǎn de yī dān liángshi] as, '...pick up a full load of...', but when I attempt to translate this phrase manually, using the pinyin given in the source ...
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Help me break down this 將 sentence
我傾向於認為，將大部分人工智慧恐懼解讀為資本主義恐懼最為恰當
I believe 將 is acting like 把 in this sentence. My understanding is that that form is
S + 將 + O + Verb Phrase, but I'm having trouble identifying the parts of speech ...
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Which sentence is correct ? 我 对 欧洲 历史 很 熟悉 or 我 很 熟悉 欧洲 历史
我 对 欧洲 历史 很 熟悉 or 我 很 熟悉 欧洲 历史
Which one is correct? Can I use both forms of the sentence or not? I mean with or without prepositions.
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Meaning(s) of 好 in 房子刚盖好，还没装窗户呢
房子刚盖好，还没装窗户呢
Since the house was built just recently, windows have not been installed yet.
The translation above was done by me using free translation(namely not translating directly term by term).
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Does 我在家说英语 mean "I speak english at home" or "I'm at home speaking english"?
我在家说英语
if this means "I speak english at home"
then why doesn't this 他在那里说英语
mean "he speaks english over there"
instead according to a translation I have, it means "he's over ...
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When is it acceptable to simply say "不" in response to a question?
Typically you need to say something like "不是" to reply in the negative to a question, but sometimes in reading or watching a show I've seen a character just say "不". What contexts ...
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How to do the naming "of" construct in Chinese?
In English (or Spanish), you use "of" (and other prepositions), for doing complex names, such as people or place names in some cases:
The seat of the great rock of the north.
The man of the ...
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得 in sentence 没有工作的那段时间，我穷得一天只吃得起一顿饭。
Can someone explain how I can translate the second part of the sentence? I don't understand the meaning of 得 and 得起。 Thank you。
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Why does 张连跃 (2019) give the example sentence 我推荐你跟本地人一起住，这样可以事半功倍 to discuss problems with misused commonly/uncommonly-used words?
但也有相反的情况，即误用非常用词，当用词是常用词。例如：
（5）我推荐你跟本地人一起住，这样可以事半功倍。（当用“建议”）
张连跃, 英语背景 CSL 学习者特异性混淆词语特征探析, 2019.
The above paper analyzes Chinese words which are problematic for native-English speakers in ...
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When 觉得 is used with 怎么样, what is the noun subject?
怎么样 is normally used with a noun subject before it, to mean "how is subject?"
But when you ask an opinion, the structure is
你觉得 + Topic + 怎么样 ?
That confuses me, since I'm not how 你觉得 + ...
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Main utilisation of 过
I'm working on a lexicon for the main Chinese characters, and I only have a few words to give a meaning. I am wondering about the two main significations of the character 过.
All dictionaries online ...
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How can we construct natural Chinese sentences when their English counterpart contains the verb "attempt"?
In English, we often use the word "attempt". Here's 5 random example sentences (off the top of my head):
I'm attempting to learn Chinese.
I attempted to make a joke, but it didn't go well.
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Can anyone explain the sentence structure for prepositions and using adjectives/numbers and measure words?
It's hard to remember where 有，在 and prepositions go. I'm also not sure how I would add adjectives to do with colour/size/numbers would go in the sentence.
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I have a piece of homework due in on describing with adjectives and we just recently learned about prepositions which I'm unsure of, also grammar
(this is all about my ideal bedroom and what I would like in it)
你好！我喜欢城市和雨天所以我想住在下雨的城市。我理想的卧室会很高也大。我的卧室有里很多窗。我想两张桌子在卧室里，也两张很小黄色的灯在桌子上。我的床是橙色的和很大。卧室里有很大电视 和电脑在桌子上。卧室不有椅子。然而，我喜欢我的卧室。
What I'm trying to ...
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Purpose of 了 in 有点儿贵了
What is the purpose of 了 in
那是有点儿贵了。
Also in
年轻人的休闲活动就更多了。
Is the function of 了 in these sentences similar to expressions like "太贵了"?
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Use of 要...(了) to indicate future
This is a question about the use of 要 yào as a verb to indicate immediate future ('going to') and its common complementation by 了 le.
要 is a confusing word for learners because of its various meanings....
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What's the difference between 这本词典是老师的吗? and 这本是老师的词典吗?
I wonder if there is a difference between these two sentences a) 这本词典是老师的吗? and b) 这本是老师的词典吗? Are they grammatically correct? thanks!
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Which version of this phrase is correct and why is there a 是 at the beginning?
In this sentence, the typical grammar structure for Subject + verb + place/object is not being used.
In the text, he says:
马克西：这是我的马克笔。是我在一棵树下找到的。
I am confused on the second sentence. I would write ...
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Which verbs allow time words to come after?
I notice some verbs like 会 and 将 among some others can be placed before time words.
Like in my sentence below, an example:
我将在十一点半给你打电话, 好的? - Pinyin: (Wǒ jiàng zài shíyī diǎn bàn gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà, ...
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Please explain the sentence structure of 高高的举起手 (Raise your hand high)
One tool translates "Raise your hand high" as 高举你的手, which seems logical (high raise your hand). But another source says it is 高高的举起手. Why is 高 repeated, and what is the purpose of 的 in ...
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Can "是...的" split a verb from its object?
I use Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar Workbook, and I was doing this exercise in which we rewrite the sentences with "是...的" construction. One of the sentences was 他们一九七零年结婚。I wrote "...
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Function of 了 Completion of Action or Change of State
Sometimes I find it hard to distinguish between
a) 了1 (completion of action) and
b) 了2 (change of state).
In the following examples, I couldn't find out what kind 了 it is?
我不能和你一起去买自行车了.
a) I couldn'...
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What is the difference between 把握and 掌握in Chinese
In college we were asked that questions and I couldn't get any answers till now
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Are determiners mandatory in Chinese?
This question might sound weird.
Are determiners mandatory in Chinese?
I have in mind words such as demonstratives 这, quantifying words 一些, 许多, etc.
This paper (Chen 2004) states:
Finally, we turn to ...
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Translation of the sentence 我向我的女朋友学习
I wanted to say, I've been learning (Chinese) from my girlfriend.
I thought it would be something like: 我在学习从我的奴朋友 (Pinyin: Wǒ zài xuéxí cóng wǒ de nú péngyǒu)
Which Google Translate funnily ...
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Use of final 的 (de) with the verb 會/会 (huì)
A use case of the particle 的 de that I've always found odd is the way it can be added at the end of a sentence where 會/会 huì is the main verb. I've seen this explained as a form of 'emphasis', but I'...
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Can 人口 be interpreted as a number?
I was just in my iTalki class, and it seems I've been making an error for years whereby I refer to 人口 as 大/小 instead of 多/少 (which came up in this question, so it's seems I'm not the only one making ...
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Why does "每天我都得吃药 Měitiān wǒ dū dé chī yào" include "dū"?
From my understanding 每天我都得吃药 (Měitiān wǒ dū dé chī yào)
都 = All, both, entirely etc.
So my understanding of the English translation would be "Everyday I have to take medicine"
Also I know &...
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Need help with sentence structure/style: 当时, 我学习了更多关于中国的文化.。
Basically, I'm trying to say: "At that time I learned more about Chinese culture."
Google Translate told me: 那时我对中国文化有了更多的了解。
Pinyin: Nà shí wǒ duì zhōngguó wénhuà yǒule gèng duō de liǎojiě.
...
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What is the difference between using 在做，要做 or just only 做 in this sentences
pronun + 在做什么?
pronun +明天在做什么？
pronun +明天要做什么
pronun +明天做什么？
pronun + 做什么?
Please, help me to understand the subtle differences between these sentences.
As in cases 4) and 5)
Can I use the 做 straight ...
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Is 今天的日是什么 ever used as substitute for 今天是星期几吗, or is it grammatically incorrect/improper?
Is 今天的日是什么 ever used as substitute for 今天是星期几吗, or is it grammatically incorrect/improper?
This may seem like a stupid question, but I'm not the smartest (Hence why I haven't fully learnt Chinese ...
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Counterfactual conditional sentences
I'm trying to find a reliable pattern for counterfactual conditional sentences like 'if X had (not) done sth, then Y would (not) have done sth. else'. In English and other European languages, ...
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Are 多 and 一点儿 nouns, adverbs, or adjectives in these sentences?
In a sentence like 可以便宜很多吗 or 可以便宜一点儿吗, what part of speech are 多 and 一点儿? I know what these sentences mean, I just don't know whether 多 and 一点儿 nouns, adverbs, or adjectives in this context.
They ...
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How 按 in 请按从小到大的顺序排列这些数字 works?
I found a following sentence from the official textbook of hsk4.
请按从小到大的顺序排列这些数字
The problem for me is understand how 按 works in the above sentence.
I've read the sentence as "Please (re)order ...
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Why can't I use "可不可以" to ask whether you can go to the company tomorrow?
An exercise in HelloChinese course asked to translate the following sentence to Mandarin Chinese: "Can you (singular) go to the company tomorrow?".
I answered "你明天可不可以去公司？", which ...
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Is "他要在家“ a grammatically correct way to say "He wants to be at home"?
I know it's probably not the best way to say it. Perhaps something more elaborate like "他想要在家里“ would sound better. But is the barebones version 他要在家 incorrect? To be clear, I mean this as a ...
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Most common way of saying 'X is red'
What is the most common way to say that 'something is red' (or any other colour)?
I ask this because grammar books (for example, Yip Po-ching and Don Rimmington's Chinese: A Comprehensive Grammar) ...
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What about the sentence structure of this 毫无疑问是件大好事?
随着小人书的流行，出现了从事租书业务的小人书摊，这对于那些想看又买不起书的人来说，只用很少的钱就能看一本，毫无疑问是件大好事。
I need your help about this part: 毫无疑问是件大好事
First of all, is my literal translation right? 毫无(without any)疑问(doubt)是(is)件(classifier)大(...
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