Hny

Hny Yf Basic Chinese Grammar http://mementolangues.com/

Page(s) 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10-11 11-13 13-15 15-18 19-27

Lessons 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 -

Basic Chinese Grammar Basic Units of Word Structure in Chinese Morpheme Word Compounds Compound Types I Compound Types II Reduplication Affixed Word Classes I Word Classes II Nouns Verbs Adjectives: Stative Verbs Numerals & Measures Pronouns Adverbs I Prepositions & Conjunctions Particles The Chinese Sentence Sentence Structures I Subject-Predicate I Subject-Predicate II Copular Sentence Sentence Structures II Sentence Structures III Complements I Complements II Prepositional: use Coverbs Aspect Adverbs II Nouns Verbs Auxiliary Verbs Adjectives Grammar Index

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Basic Chinese Grammar

A Review in Slides
Author: Richard VanNess Simmons http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~rsimmon/chingram/

Shxizh

Le bloc-notes

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1.
Zu zhy. As a subject.

Bijng sh Zhnggu de shud.

Zhngwn shng wng xux Learning Chinese On the Net http://chineseon.net/course/grammar/list.php Chinese Grammar

Beijing is the capital of China.

Xitin r. In summer it is hot.

K Lesson
One Two Three Four

Biot Title Mngc Nouns Dngc Verbs Zhdngc Auxiliary Verbs Xngrngc Adjectives
D y k: Mngc Lesson One: Nouns

Xbin sh cochng. The playground lies in the west.

Losh gi wmen shngk. The teacher gave us a course.

2.
Zu bny. As an object.

A word denoting the name of a person or a thing is called a noun. Generally a noun can be preceded by a numeral-measure word combination, but can't be modified by adverbs. Some monosyllabic nouns can be reduplicated to express the meaning of "every". For example, "" rnrn (everyone), "" tintin (everyday) and so on. The suffix "" men can be added to a personal noun to express the plural. For example, "" loshmen (teachers). However, if before the noun there are numeral-measure words or other words implying the plural, the suffix "" men can't be added to the noun. For example, we can't say "" w ge loshmen, but should say "" w ge losh (five teachers). Generally a noun can serve as a subject, an object or an attributive in a sentence.
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Xio Yn kn sh. Xiao Yun reads books.

Xinzi sh w din. Now it is five o'clock.

Wmen ji zi dngbin. Our house is located in the east.


W xi zuy. I do my homework.

Please come in.

Wmen wibian tn. Let's talk outside.

3.
Zu dngy. As an attributive.

D r k: Dngc Lesson Two: Verbs Words indicating actions, behavior, mental activities, changes and development, etc. are called verbs. Verbs can be grouped into transitive verbs and intransitive verbs according to whether they take an object. Verbs that can be followed immediately by an object are called transitive verbs. Verbs that can't immediately take an object are called intransitive verbs. Verbs are negated by the negative adverbs"" b or "()" mi(yu).

Zh sh Zhnggu cq. This is a Chinese porcelain.

W xhun xitin de ywn. I like the night in summer.

Yngy yf bjio jindn. The grammar of English is comparatively simple.

.
Dngc de yngt: Functions:

Mma de yfu zi nr. Mother's dress is there. Time nouns (nouns indicating date, times of the clock, seasons, etc.) and nouns of locality (nouns showing direction an location) can also serve as adverbial adjuncts, whereas nouns of other kinds cannot. For example:

1.
Zu wiy. As a predicate.

W xhun Bijng. I like Beijing.

T hutin li. He will come here the day after tomorrow.

W zhn zi Chngchng shng. I am standing on the Great Wall.

Wmen wnshng shngk. We have classes in the evening.

2.
Zu zhy. As a subject. A verb can be used as a subject on the condition that the predicate of the sentence is an adjective or a verb expressing the ideas of "stop, start or judge".

Nn lbian qng.
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Lngfi kch. Waste is disgraceful.

As a complement.

W tng de dng. I can understand.

Bsi jish le. The match ended.

T kn b jin. He can't see it.

3.
Zu dngy. As an attributive.

6.
Zu zhungy. As an adverbial adjunct.

de must be added to a verb used as an attributive.

N yu ch de dngxi ma? Do you have something to eat ?

de must be added to a verb used as an adverbial adjunct.

T fm rqng de jidi le w. His parents welcomed me with open arms.

T shu de hu hn zhngqu. What he said is correct.

Xushengmen rnzhn de tng losh jingk. The students listen to the teacher attentively.

4.
Zu bny. As an object.

.
Shyng dngc sh, yo zhy ximin j ge wnt. Points that merit special attention. 1. Chinese verbs have no morphological changes whatsoever resulting from person, gender, number, time, etc.. For example:

W xhun xux. I like studying.

W sh xusheng. I am a student.

Wmen sh din jish le toln. We ended the discussion at 10 o'clock.

T sh losh. She is a teacher.

5.
Zu by.
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Tmen sh gngren. They are workers.

4. The particle "" guo is suffixed to a verb to place special stress on a certain experience in the past. For example:

W q guo Bijng I have been to Beijing.

W zhngzi xi zuy. I am doing my homework.

W cngjng kn guo zh bn sh. I have read this book.

W mitin xiw xi zuy. I do my homework every afternoon.

D sn k: Zhdngc Lesson Three: Auxiliary Verbs Verbs that "help" other verbs to express necessity, possibility and willingness are called auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs are often used to modify verbs or adjectives. A noun cannot immediately follow them. They are negated by b.

W xi le zuy. I did my homework. 2. The particle "" le is suffixed to a verb to emphasize a completed action. For example:

W d le y bn sh. I finished reading a book.

Zhdngc yu yxi j li: Auxiliary verbs include the following kinds:

T zu le. He left. 3. The particle "" zhe is suffixed to a verb to show a progressive action or continuous state. For example:

Biosh yu mu zhng jnng, nngl de: 1. Those expressing capability:

nng can/may/is capable of

Wmen zhng shng zhe k. We are having classes.

nnggu can/is capable of/is able to

Mn ki zhe ne. The door is opening.

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hu

can/be able to

gi should/ought to

Biosh knng de: 2. Those expressing possibility:

yo must

nng can/may/is capable of

Biosh byo de: 4. Those expressing obligation:

nnggu can/is capable of/is able to

bx to have to/must

hu can/be able to

di to have to/must/to need to

ky can/may/is able to

Biosh zhgun yunwng de: 5. Those expressing willingness:

knng might happen/is possible/is probable

yo to want to

:
Biosh qngl shng xyo de: 3. Those expressing necessity by reason:

xing to wish to/to want to

ynggi ought to/should/must

yuny to wish to/to want to/to be willing to

yngdng should/ought to
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gn to dare to

i short (not tall)

hng red

kn to be willing to/to be ready to

l green

D s k: Xngrngc Lesson Four: Adjectives Words that describe the shape or property of a person or thing, or the state of a movement or action, are called adjectives. The negative adverb b is placed before an adjective for the negative form.

q even

.
Xngrngc yu yxi j li: Adjectives include the following kinds:

mil beautiful

1.
Biosh rn hu shw de xngzhung de: Describing shape:

2.
Biosh rn hu shw de xngzh de: Describing property or quality:

d big/large/wide/old

ho good/well

xio small/young

hui bad/spoiled

go high/tall

lng cold

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warm

jnzhng nervous/strained/tense

du rignt

lil fluent

cu wrong

rnzhn earnest/serious

zhngqu correct

shlin proficient/skilled

wid great/large

cnk cruel

yuxi outstanding/excellent

.
Xngrngc de yngt: Functions:

ynzhng serious/critical/grave/severe

1.
Zu dngy: As an attributive:

3.
Biosh dngzu hu xngwi dng de zhungti de: Describing the state of a movement or action:

Xngrngc zu zhyo de yngt sh xish zhngxn y. Lr: Adjectives are mainly used as modifying attributive. For example:

kui fast/quick/swift

hng qnzi a red skirt

mn slow
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l mozi a green cap

Xngrngc de yge zhngyo yngt sh zi dngc qin zu zhungy. Lr: One of the important use of adjectives is to be placed before a verb as an adverbial adjunct. For example:

kungung de yuny vast expense of open country

4.
Zu by: As a complement:

mngmi de ynggung bright sunshine

Xngrngc chng zu wiy dngc de by. Lr: Adjectives often serve as complements to predicate verbs. For example:

2.
Zu wiy: As a predicate:

Xinzi zh shng hu t xng, zi xun ho sh y First, drew a pattern on a piece of paper and then select some leaves.

Shjin jnp. Someone is being pressed for time.

B nzj de yfu x gnjng. Clean your clothes.

T hn pioling. She is very beautiful.

Yshu d sh le tde tuf. The rainwater wet her hair.

Mlhu hn xing. Jasmine is very fragrant.

Fng chu gn le yfu. The wind dried the clothes.

T hn go. He is very tall.

5.
Zu zhy: As a subject:

3.
Zu zhungy: As an adverbial adjunct:

Qinx sh Zhnggu chuntng de mi d. Modesty is a traditional virtue of China.

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Jio'o sh rn luhu. Proud will make you drop behind.

6.
Zu bny: As an object:

N hizi i pioling. Girls love being pretty.

T xhun njng. He likes quietness.

Shxizh

Le bloc-notes

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Centre for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language University of Oxford

T sh losh. He is a teacher.

Nijn dxu hny jioxu zhngxn http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Chinese/grammarlist.htm Grammar Index 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:

W sh xusheng. I am a student. Co-Verbs This term refers to a verb when its function, used together with its own object, is to modify the main verb of a sentence. An example is zi, which can be used as a coverb meaning to be located in, on or at a place. Please note in this context that sequence and background are important in Chinese when it comes to describing actions. The first action in a sequence should come first in an utterance. In:

T hn mng. He is very busy.

Xio Dng zi ji kn sh. Xiao Ding is reading a book at home. the first action in the sequence could be described as the background to the main action, but it still has to come first, with the co-verb zi followed by the noun ji forming a co-verb clause. In the example given here Xiao Ding would have had to be at home before he started reading the book The particle ba The particle ba is placed at the end of a sentence to indicate a suggestion. Modal Verbs Modal verbs are like auxiliary verbs and are placed before main verbs. Examples are:

mng is a stative verb and means to be busy. Possessive de This construction indicates that the noun after de belongs to the noun that comes before de, as in Xio Wng de yupio Xiao Wangs stamp. Verb + yxi When yxi 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. The Verb zi When zi is used as the main verb in a sentence, it means to be located, to be in, on, or at a place, as in zi zhr to be here:

ynggi should, to be obliged; di to have to; ky to be permitted; nng to be able; xing to want, to intend and i to like, to be fond of.
Choice type questions One type of choice type questions is formed by following an affirmative verb with a negative verb as in: V b V or V mi V. The following patterns are those most commonly used:

T zi zhr. He is here. The Linking Verb sh The linking verb sh is used to link nouns or pronouns, as in:

Subject

Verb b Verb

Object

sh b sh

xusheng ?

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Are you a student or not ? Subject Verb Object

zu linx Are you going to do the exercises (or not) ? Verb mi Verb

Verb
bu zu ?

Xu

mi
mi

xu

x ?

Did learn (it) or not ? Measure words The word cup in a cup of tea and the word bottle in a bottle of beer are measure words'. In Chinese a measure word is used when quantifying or specifying a noun. A measure word is preceded by one of the following: a number word; a specifier such as zh this, n that , or mi every; or a question word such as n Which ? or j How many ?

Subject

Object

zu mi zu Did you do the exercises or not ? verb le object

linx ?

subject

zule linx Did you do the exercises (or not) ?

mi verb
mi zu ?

If a verb has a double syllable it can be used in the following ways: A B

hun

b
b Like (it) or not ?

hun ?

ti expresses excessiveness The affirmative form of the ti construction is ti [stative verb] le, which means extremely [stative verb] as in ti ho le extremely good. The negative form is b ti [stative verb] without le, which means that something is not very [stative verb], as in b ti ho not very good. The question particle ne ne is placed at the end of a sentence. It can be used in the following situations:
1. To bounce a question or statement back to the person you are having a conversation with, as in: A: N ho ma ? How are you ? B: W hn ho. N ne ? I am very well, and you ? 2. To ask the question Where ? as in:

b
b

hun ?

Like (it) or not ? A B

Xu

mi
mi Did learn (it) or not ?

W de sh ne ?
Where is my book ? 3. To reinforce questions formed with a question-word [Who ? What ? Which ? When ? Why ? Where ?] and to show that a speaker really wants to know the answer, as in:

xu

x ?

T sh n gu rn ne ?

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What nationality IS he ?

N kn de sh shnme sh ne ? What book ARE you reading ?

n is a short for nme . If ()n(me) is placed at the beginning of a

sentence it implies if this is the case Giving the day, month and/or year When you ask for the time or the date, sh is omitted, as in:

N q nr ne ? Where ARE you going ?

Jntin j ho ? What date is it today ?

......bshshsentence construction The ......bshshsentence construction is used to deny one

statement and confirm another, as in:

Jntin shw ho. Today is the 15th. But the sh in hish choice-type questions cannot be omitted. Topic The object of a sentence is called a topic if it is placed before the verb. It can be a noun, or a noun-functioned phrase in list form. The subject of a sentence in this pattern can be placed either before the topic or before the verb. Pronoun or Name + zhr or nr When zhr and nr are placed after a pronoun or a name, they identify a place associated with that person. zhr implies that the speaker is actually in the place to which he refers, while nr implies that the speaker is not in the place to which he refers:

,
Bsh w de yf b ho, sh yf ti nn le. It is not that my grammar is weak, it is that the grammar is too difficult. Use of yhu

yhu is used to form time clauses. So, if yhu is placed after a noun or
phrase to form a time clause, it defines a time after the action indicated by the noun or predicate, as in: wfn yhu after having lunch. However, if yhu is placed at the beginning of a phrase and used as a time word, it means later, in the future, as in:

Yhu w xing q Zhnggu. Later/one day I would like to go to China. Telling the time The linking verb sh to be is not needed when giving the time or the date:

w nr my place (though I am not in my place as I speak) w zhr my place (I am in my place as I speak).

Duplicate verbs A verb is duplicated to soften the tone of voice, especially when used at the end of a sentence, as in:

Jntin xngq tin. Today is Sunday.

Qng n gi t jishaojishao. Please tell him about it. Resultative verb phrases A resultative verb phrase is used to describe the result of an action. It is formed by an action verb and its result, as in:

Xinzi ling din lng w fn. It is five past two. The adverb ()n(me)
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W ch wn le. I have finished eating. The verb is to eat, the result of the eating is finished, so the resultative verb phrase is eating to a finish. Attributive clause with de An attributive clause is used to modify a noun preceded by de. The clause can be formed from a word or a phrase, as in:

Position words Position words are qin front, hu back, png beside, yu to the right,

zu to the left, shng above, xi beneath and zhng middle/inside. These position words can all be followed by bin side. The exception is zhng middle/inside, which cannot be used with bin, but instead is used with jin .
When position words are used to describe nouns they are placed after the noun, as in

y ge hn ho de pngyou a very good friend

fngjin l bin inside the room.

Complement of degree construction A complement of degree construction is used to describe how an action is habitually carried out, as in:

w cng Xio Wng nr ji li de sh the book which I borrowed from Xiao Wang Combined directional verb phrases A combined directional verb phrase is formed from a verb of action with a directional word such as jn in, ch out, shng up or xi down and is followed by

T ch de hn kui. He eats very fast. The verb is placed before de, while the elements which follow de are usually adverbs describing the outcome of the action. This construction can also be used to describe a particular action. For example, in:

li or q (indicating the position of the speaker). li indicates that the action is moving towards the speaker, and q indicates that the action is moving away from the speaker, for instance, zu jn li to walk in (the speaker is inside). A simple object is placed between jn and li, as in:
zu jn tshgun li to walk into the library The object tshgun library is placed between the directional word and

Zutin wnshang w zu fn zu de hn ho. Last night I cooked the meal very well.

hn ho describes the outcome of the cooking.

Potential verb phrases A potential verb phrase is used to indicate that an action can or cannot be achieved. It is formed from a verb of action with de [for affirmative] or b [for negative] and is followed by a resultative or directional word, as in:

li or q. ... sh...de construction

The ... sh...de construction is used to emphasise the state or situation of the noun. The emphasised statement is placed between sh and de, as in:

ch de wn to be able to finish eating; zu bu jnq to be unable to walk in.

Most resultative or directional verb phrases can be turned into potential verb phrases by inserting de or b between the verb and its resultative or directional word. But some potential verb phrases such as dubq are only used as idiomatic expressions.

W de sh sh xn de. My book is the new one.

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 k can be used as an adverb to reinforce a statement or to emphasise desires and feelings. k can precede the linking verb sh as in:
Xio Wng k sh y ge d mng rn. Xiao Wang is a really busy person. A stative verb such as ho good or mng busy, or a modal verb such as xing intend to or xhun like to can be placed between k...le to form an affirmative construction. The negative form is k b, but le is not used. For instance:

5. T zhngzi kn zhe dinsh. (without ne) 6. T zi kn dinsh ne. (without zhng and zhe) 7. T kn dinsh ne. (without zhng , zi and zhe) Aspectual marker le with verbs When placed after the main verb of a sentence the aspectual marker le is used to indicate that an action has been completed, as in:

W mi le y ling zxngch. I bought a bike. The aspectual marker le is not used in the following situations: 1. The aspectual marker le is not used in the negative form, but ()mi(yu) is placed instead before the main verb:

Jntin k lng le. Today is really cold.

W k xing q Zhnggu le. I really want to go to China.

w mi mi xn ch, ksh w mile y ling ji ch. I didnt buy a new bike, but I bought an old one. 2. When sh to be, zi to be in or yu to have are used as the main verbs of a sentence, the aspectual marker le is not used with them:

W k b xhun ch Ynggu ci. I really dont like eating English food. The conditional construction with ......yoshiji... The ......yoshiji...construction is used to form a conditional sentence. The condition is placed after the yoshi clause, and the consequence is placed after ji. Use of the V O zhnzi V zhe O ne sentence pattern This sentence pattern indicates that an action is under way. Note that some of the elements of this pattern can be omitted. All the following sentences mean: He is watching TV. 1. T zhnzi kn zhe dinsh ne. (full version) 2. T zhng kn zhe dinsh ne. (without zi) 3. T zi kn zhe dinsh ne. (without zhng) 4. T zhngzi kn dinsh ne. (without zhe)
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Qnin w yu y ling hn ho de ch. Last year I had a very good bike. 3. If a sentence contains a modal verb, the aspectual marker le is not used:

Qnin w xing mi y ling ch. Last year I wanted to buy a bike. 4. The aspectual marker le is not used in the complement of degree construction:

Zu wn t fn zu de hn ho. Last night he cooked very well. 5. The aspectual marker le is not used for those verbs which indicate direct and indirect speech:

T shng ge yu shu yo li kn w. He said last month that he would visit me. 6. The aspectual marker le is not used in attributive clauses:

T goxng de chngle y ge g. She happily sang a song.

Xushengmen du y ge y ge de hu ji le. The students went home one by one. V zhe O The V zhe O pattern can be used in the following two situations: 1. It is used to describe how something has been left, as in:

W zutin mi de ch. The bike which I bought yesterday. The modal particle le implying a change of situation

le can be placed at the end of a sentence to imply a change of situation or to imply

that something is no longer in the same state as it was:

Zhu shng fng zhe y bn sh. there is a book left on the table.

W b sh losh le. I am no longer a teacher.

Qing shng xi zhe sn ge z. There are three characters written on the wall.

Xitin le. Its summer now.

Mn ki zhe. The door has been left open. 2. It can also be used to make this action simultaneous with the main verb in the sentence, as in: Imminent actions

T ho du le. He is much better now. The following sentence patterns are used to indicate that an action is about to take place or that a particular time is approaching. 1. ... yole 2. ... kuiyole 3. ... jiyole Elements which can be placed between yo and le are V-O patterns; and time words such as snyu March, chntin spring, zhngw noon and ling din 2 oclock. The adverbial marker de The adverbs or phrases which are placed before de describe the intention, manner or method with, in or by which an action is carried out, as in:

T chng zhe g hu ji. She went home singing. Time measures A time measure quantifies duration or length of time. A time measure is placed after the verb in an affirmative sentence, as in:

W xu hny xu le ling ge yu le. I have been learning Chinese for two months.

le at the end of the sentence marks a stage in a progressing action.

When describing a future action the time measure is placed after the verb, as in:

Mngnin w yo zi Bijng xux sn ge yu hny. I will study three weeks of Chinese in Beijing next spring. The following three sentence patterns for I learnt Chinese for three years are all acceptable:

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V () tm

c is used as an action measure in sentences. Like a time measure, an action

measure is placed after the verb in an affirmative sentence and before the verb in a negative sentence, as in:

xu

hny

xu le sn nin. V () tm

W qguo y c Zhnggu. I have been to China once.

I learnt Chinese for three years. S O

hny I learnt Chinese for three years. V () tm

xu le sn nin.

zi used in a resultative verb phrase zi can be used as a verb or co-verb. It can also be placed after a verb of action to
form a resultative verb phrase, so that the action has a direct effect on the object. For instance, in fng zi zhu shng to put (it) on the table, the item is on the table as a result of the action to put. However, in zi Zhnggu xux to study in China the action to study does not have a direct effect on China, meaning that zi Zhnggu to be in China is a co-verb clause which gives the background to an action and/or indicates the sequence of action. Use of the V O zhnzi V zhe O ne sentence pattern This sentence pattern indicates that an action is under way. Note that some of the elements of this pattern can be omitted. All the following sentences mean: He is watching TV. 1. T zhnzi knzhe dinsh ne.(full version) 2. T zhng knzhe dinsh ne.(without zi) 3. T zi knzhe dinsh ne.(without zhng) 4. T zhngzi kn dinsh ne.(without zhe) 5. T zhngzi knzhe dinsh.(without ne) 6. T zi kn dinsh ne.(without zhng and zhe) 7. T kn dinsh ne.(without zhng , zi and zhe) V zhe O The V zhe O pattern can be used in the following two situations: 1. It is used to describe how something has been left, as in:

xu le sn nin de I learnt Chinese for three years.

hny.

A time measure is placed near the beginning of a negative sentence, as in:

W sn nin mi knjin t le. I havent seen her for three years. The le at the end of the sentence marks a stage in a continuing situation. The particle guo The particle guo is placed after a verb and is used in the following two situations. 1. It is used to indicate that a particular action has been experienced, as in:

W ch guo Ynggu ci. I have eaten English food. 2. It can also to be used to indicate that a regular action such as the daily eating of a meal has been completed, as in:

N ch guo fn le ma ? Are you finished eating ? The action measure c

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Zhu shng fngzhe y bn sh.

There is a book left on the table.

Qing shng xi zhe sn ge z. There are three characters written on the wall.

gn

ch de yyng du.

He and I eat the same amount. 3. The yu construction implies that A is as [stative verb] as B. A

Mn ki zhe. The door has been left open. 2. It can also be used to make this action simultaneous with the main verb in the sentence, as in:

()
yu

Stative Verb

d ma ?

T chng zhe g hu ji. She went home singing. Comparatives The following constructions are used to compare one item or action with another. 1. The b construction is used to indicate whether A is better or worse than B. A A

Is he as old as me ?

()
yu

Complement of Degree

ch de du ma ?

(Stative) Verb + Quantity

Does he eat as much as I do ?

d ling su. Complement of Degree +

... sh...de construction

The ... sh...de construction is used to emphasise the state or situation of the noun. The emphasised statement is placed between sh and de, as in:

He is (two years) older than me. A

[]
ch de du [du le].

W de sh sh xn de. My book is the new one. The word order in Chinese corresponds to the sequence of action. 1. Sentence with a co-verb clause:

He eats (much) more than I do. 2. The gn yyng construction indicates that A is in the same state as B. A

W zu ch q xuxio . I go to school by car. The action of sitting in a car happens before going to school, so:

()
gn

() Stative Verb
yyng d. Complement of Degree ()

zu ch is placed before q xuxio.

2. Sentence with a complement of degree construction:

He and I are the same age. A

Fngjin dso de gngnjngjng. The room [has been cleaned so that it] is spotless. The outcome of the cleaning is that the room is spotless, so:

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 gngnjngjng is placed after dso de. 3. Sentence with an adverbial marker de:
T yjyj de shu. He said it sentence by sentence. Sentence by sentence is the manner in which he said what he had to say, so:

inserting de or b between the verb and its resultative or directional word. But some potential verb phrases such as expressions.

dubq are only used as idiomatic

The b construction The b construction is used to indicate what one does to a particular object, or how one does it. Verbs used in the b construction take complex forms, and are verbs of action attached to resultative words, directional words or other elements. The attached elements refer to the direct object of the sentence. For instance, in:

yjyj de is placed before shu.

4. Sentence with a resultative verb phrase

W kn dng le. I have understood it [by reading]. I understood it because I read it first, so:

W b ji h wn le. I have finished the wine. The resultative word finish refers to the wine, but not to the action of drinking. So I have finished drinking would be expressed by the simple utterance:

kn should be placed before dng.

Complement of degree construction A complement of degree construction is used to describe how an action is habitually carried out, as in:

W h wn ji le. I have finished drinking. Passive construction with bi The passive construction with bi indicates 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 that are attached to the main verbs in bi sentences are similar to those used in the b construction. For instance:

T ch de hn kui. He eats very fast. The verb is placed before de, while the elements which follow de are usually adverbs describing the outcome of the action. This construction can also be used to describe a particular action. For example, in:

Zutin wnshang w zu fn zu de hn ho. Last night I cooked the meal very well.

hn ho describes the outcome of the cooking.

Potential verb phrases A potential verb phrase is used to indicate that an action can or cannot be achieved. It is formed from a verb of action with de [for affirmative] or b [for negative] and is followed by a resultative or directional word, as in:

Sh yjng bi t ji zu le. The book has been borrowed by him. In b sentences this will be:

T yjng b sh ji zu le. He has already borrowed the book.

ch de wn to be able to finish eating, zu bu jnq to be unable to walk in.

Most resultative or directional verb phrases can be turned into potential verb phrases by
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Les jours, les mois et les saisons en chinois

Les nombres cardinaux

y (1)

r (2)

sn (3)

s (4)

w (5)

li (6)

q (7)

30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 100 101

xngqy lundi xngq'r mardi xngqsn mercredi xngqs jeudi xngqw vendredi xngqli samedi xngqr dimanche

dngtin (hiver)

chntin (printemps)

zutin (H)

xitin (t)

syu (Avril)

wyu (Mai)

liyu (Juin)

jntin (A)

yyu (Janvier) ryu (Fvrier) snyu (Mars)

qitin (automne)

mngtin (D)

qyu (Juillet)

byu (Aot)

jiyu (Sept)

shyu (Oct) shyyu (Nov) sh'ryu (Dc) hutin (AD)

snsh ssh wsh lish qsh bsh jish jishji ybi ybilngy

110 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 999

()

ybiy(sh) rbi snbi sbi wbi libi qbi bbi jibi jibijishji

Les nombres cardinaux (Forme simple/Forme complexe) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Les nombres cardinaux rsh rshy rshr rshsn rshs rshw rshli rshq rshb rshji

/ / / / / / / / / /

lng y r sn s w li q b ji
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10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

sh shy sh'r shsn shs shw shli shq shb shji

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

1 000 1 001 1 100 9 000 10 000 10 001 11 000 20 000 30 000 40 000

yqin yqinlngy yqinybi jiqin ywn ywnlngy ywnyqin rwn snwn swn

50 000 60 000 70 000 80 000 90 000 100 000 900 000 1 million 100 millions 1000 milliards

wwn liwn qwn bwn jiwn shwn jishjiwn ybiwn yy yzho