Questions tagged [grammar]
Questions about the grammatical rules governing Chinese structure and composition.
1,872
questions
2
votes
2
answers
143
views
Why 上 of 拉上 is used to express about "Closing a curtain"?
I found the sentence "拉上窗帘,屋子里就跟晚上一样黑。"
My translation : Closed the curtains and inside the room turned into dark as night.
Seems 拉上 can only be translated into "to pull up (something)&...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
176
views
How to understand 之所以
I’m reading Randall Munroe’s “What If 2” in Mandarin. (It’s the author of the popular cartoon xkcd.com)
There’s a chapter about placing a house-sized Jupiter in the middle of a neighborhood.
The ...
- 5,452
1
vote
3
answers
116
views
I want to understand why 会 is used inside "你怎么会不知道呢?"
这是最基本的常识,你怎么会不知道呢?
My translation: This is the most common sense but why you don't know it?
Translating directly the original sentence then the 2nd part of the sentence can be translated into "...
- 624
0
votes
3
answers
85
views
Can we use 得 as "so... that"?
我的作业本丢了，急得 我 好像 热锅 上的 蚂蚁。
我今天累得不想吃饭。
Is 得 used here like the "so... that" structure? Or are we supposed to use 的 for the first sentence? How can we translate these sentences?
- 83
1
vote
5
answers
355
views
又 inside 他觉得冷，出门前，又穿了一件大衣。
My apology for posting many questions in short time.
他觉得冷，出门前，又穿了一件大衣。
My translation : He felt coldness and putted on a coat before going out(the house/building).
I can't understand why 又 is used ...
- 624
0
votes
2
answers
46
views
都 inside 她的吃穿用度，都和别人不一样。
她的吃穿用度，都和别人不一样。
My translation : Expenses which she spends for foods and attires/clothes are different from others.
I guess that 都 which is used inside the original sentence functions as emphasizing ...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
115
views
Is the comparative construction with 比 here correct?
您們好!
Firstly, I would like to point out that I am 1st year student.
I wanted to ask you if 比 comparative structure is correct here in this sentence "聪明人从敌人那里得到好处比傻瓜从朋友那里得到的。" because my ...
- 11
1
vote
4
answers
97
views
usage of 几乎 vs 几乎要
I just spent an hour of class trying to figure out the difference between： "这辆车几乎 撞 到我了" and "这辆车几乎 要撞 到我了". The only differnence is 几乎要 and not 几乎. The teacher kept saying ...
- 11
1
vote
3
answers
98
views
Comprehension of 2 了s which are used inside 我学汉语的时间不短了，至少有十年了。
我学汉语的时间不短了，至少有十年了。
My translation : Time which I've been spending for learning Chinese is not short (already). At least 10 years.
I guess that the first 了 indicates the alreadiness of time which have ...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
181
views
Understanding 有上月了
I came across the following passage in a Taiwanese short story titled 水鬼學校和失去媽媽的水獺.
「哪時可以參觀池塘？」
「胖大媽，不急呢！」我們扛起水缸離去，說：「現在是戒嚴時期，學校遭小偷了，我們得先抓到賊呢！」
這事情有上月了，只是這三天很嚴重。
I’m having trouble understanding how ...
- 416
0
votes
2
answers
79
views
都 can have 2 meanings inside 这个菜辣得眼泪都出来了。
这个菜辣得眼泪都出来了。
I think that this sentence can be translated into 2 types sentences.
This dish is spicy which makes tears coming out.(emphasizing plurality of tears)
This dish is spicy so even tears ...
- 624
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Comprehension of role(s) of 也 which is used inside 他有一些成绩，但也不应该骄傲。
他有一些成绩，但也不应该骄傲。
My translation : He got some good achievements/grades, but he shouldn't be conceited.
I've got the meaning "but also" translating directly 但也, but seems this translation ...
- 624
1
vote
2
answers
105
views
What function does 了perform in this sentence 我忘问她要电话了 ？
It's a change of situation, isn't it? But what has changed? Why is 了 not used after the verb?
- 405
1
vote
4
answers
88
views
Subject(s) of 要 is/are missing inside 我已经预习了明天要讲的内容。
我已经预习了明天要讲的内容。
My translation : I've already studied(in advance) the contents which are to be spoken tomorrow.
Seems subject(s) of 要 inside the original sentence is/are missing.
I want you to help me ...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
113
views
When does 负面 or 正面 go before 影响, and when does it go afterwards?
Sometimes I'll see text saying that something 影响负面 another thing, and other times I'll see that something 负面影响 another. Is there a rule or concrete grammatical basis to determine which sentence uses a ...
- 15
2
votes
2
answers
128
views
When to use or skip 的 between two nouns?
Please helpme to understand the grammatical difference when using or skip 的 between two nouns。 What I know is that 中文, 西班牙 and 书 all are nouns. But in some cases thy become attributes
Case a) 中文书 ...
- 155
0
votes
4
answers
80
views
Comprehension of 有了...才
企业都在竞争市场，有了市场才有效益。
My translation : Companies are in the markets and competing each other. Only if markets exist can is there profits
I've parsed 有了市场才有效益 with
有了市场(There is markets)
才有效益(only there ...
- 624
2
votes
4
answers
805
views
How to translate "Always studying, never learning" (study vs learned, read vs understand, always vs forever vs never, mastery vs proficiency)
My friend observed that I like to study Mandarin.
It's true, I have been studying for many years, but I'm not very good...
So I want to be modest and say something like this:
Always studying, never ...
- 203
2
votes
3
answers
280
views
Role(s) of 也 inside 我猜了三次，也没猜对。
我猜了三次，也没猜对。
My translation : I guessed 3 times and still being unable to guess correctly.
Seems applying "also" for 也 doesn't work here.
Nextly I thought applying 连 什么 都/也 structure may ...
- 624
0
votes
1
answer
60
views
Is 看上去(他们找到了新的游戏场所) an impersonal sentence (a proposition without a subject)?
I’m trying to do the analysis of the sentence 看上去他们找到了新的游戏场所. I thought that 看上去 was the verb of the impersonal sentence, and that the object was the subordinate 他们找到了新的游戏场所, but I can’t find anything ...
- 1
3
votes
3
answers
847
views
What kind of grammar is this? Such as 看不见，听不到，买不起，说不清，读不懂，记不住？
For some Chinese words, such as 看见， we can say 看不见. But for 看待， we can not say 看不待. Similarly, we can say 读懂, 读不懂, but not 读书, 读不书.
What is the grammar rule for those words?
- 3,660
2
votes
3
answers
99
views
When and why is 的 used with an object in the middle between compound verbs?
I can't understand when this happens. For example, I know such a variation 我生你的气 and 帮他的忙。 but why doesn't it happen with other similar verbs? For example 说话，吃饭，结婚?
- 405
1
vote
3
answers
418
views
How can I parse 购房贷款 in 他向银行申请了购房贷款。?
他向银行申请了购房贷款。
He applied for a purchase loan from the bank.
The above translation has been gained from DeepL.
Currently I've been struggling for understanding 购房贷款 which is used in the original ...
- 624
3
votes
3
answers
351
views
Is 到 in 他白到耀眼 a Coverb Or Just A Verb?
When 到 comes after an adjective like 他白到耀眼, is the 到 a verb or a preposition? I know it means to the extent of.
- 71
2
votes
2
answers
93
views
Is this 开会 only means "hold a meeting" of 今天有点儿冷,开会儿暖气吧。
今天有点儿冷,开会儿暖气吧。
I guess that 开会 here might have a meaning of "turn on a switch" or kind of like that.
But as I looked up several dictionaries then I was only able to find a definition "...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
72
views
How "那里山势之险让你难以想象。" can be parsed?
那里山势之险让你难以想象。
I've translated the above sentence into the following one.
That mountain('s terrain)'s danger makes you difficult to imagine it.
Seems the above English sentence is broken.
How this ...
- 624
1
vote
2
answers
94
views
Is 观点基本 -> 基本观点 really the error in the HSK6 语病 sentence beginning 进化论的一个观点基本是...?
进化论的一个观点基本是：在生物进化过程中，适应自然环境的物种得以生存下来，不适应的就被淘汰，这就是所谓的“优胜劣汰，适者生存”。
This is a 语病 sentence from the HSK6 past exam H61327 (Q.60). Here I noted how the justification was 观点基本 should be 基本观点. But I ...
- 15.9k
0
votes
2
answers
39
views
会 inside 我们联系不多,偶尔会打个电话。is used with 偶尔
我们联系不多,偶尔会打个电话。
I have no problem understanding 我们联系不多 but currently I've been confused with 会 which is used at 偶尔会打个电话.
Parsing this sentence, 偶尔(ocassionally)会(will)打个电话(to make a phone call) is ...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
73
views
What does 抢高 mean?
Example: 在求过于供下，自然抢高租金，一有放盘就会大排长龙。
Obviously it involves raising the price.
Who is the subject here? Is it the landlords who rob (抢) the tenants by raising (高) the price, or the renters who rush and ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
85
views
Is 的 Here An Emphasis or Just A Nominalization
我觉得这句话哪里怪怪的
I guess 的 can be nominalizing since it would be something weird. But every time I see 的 by itself at the end of a ssntemce I struggle to tell whether or not it's emphasizing since I'vs ...
- 71
2
votes
3
answers
218
views
How 烧 works inside 这个土豆烧牛肉香极了。？
这个土豆烧牛肉香极了。
I've translated this sentence as This stew of potatos and beefs is extremely fragrant
Decomposing the original Chinese sentence, I got the following.
This potatoes stew(s) beefs fragrant ...
- 624
0
votes
4
answers
80
views
The role and the meaning of 才 inside 司机及时停车,才避免了一起交通事故。
司机及时停车,才避免了一起交通事故。
司机及时停车 = The driver stopped his car timely.
Ignoring 才 , 才避免了一起交通事故 can be translated as "avoided a traffic accident completely".
Above both translations were done by ...
- 624
3
votes
5
answers
815
views
Do 不 and 没 have any difference in the 把 structure?
I am specifically asking about the 把...完了 structure.
Is there any difference between 他没把钱花完。and 他不把钱花完。Wouldn't both of them be translated as "He did not spend (finish up) the money."
- 83
0
votes
4
answers
113
views
In "Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén", why is it "Nǐ" and not " Nǐde"?
Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?
Why "Nǐ" and not " Nǐde"?
Since Nǐde is possessive.
- 1
1
vote
4
answers
78
views
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 ...
- 71
1
vote
2
answers
85
views
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 ...
- 91
0
votes
3
answers
95
views
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?
- 15
0
votes
3
answers
79
views
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
- 203
0
votes
1
answer
76
views
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 ...
- 540
1
vote
2
answers
203
views
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 ...
- 624
1
vote
4
answers
117
views
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 ...
- 203
0
votes
3
answers
132
views
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' ...
user34666
0
votes
2
answers
55
views
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 ...
- 624
0
votes
3
answers
76
views
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
- 115
1
vote
2
answers
105
views
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 ...
- 111
1
vote
2
answers
170
views
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)...
- 624
1
vote
3
answers
91
views
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 ...
user34666
2
votes
6
answers
82
views
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 ...
- 197
2
votes
6
answers
1k
views
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.
- 91
2
votes
1
answer
77
views
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).
...
- 624