Difference between revisions of "Using "lai" as a dummy verb"
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The verb 来 (lái) can be used as a "dummy verb", similar to the way "do" is used in English. | The verb 来 (lái) can be used as a "dummy verb", similar to the way "do" is used in English. | ||
| − | + | == Structure == | |
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| + | The structure for using 来 as a dummy verb is very basic. Usually it is a very short phrase, kind of like "you're turn!" or "let me give it a shot!" in English. Usually it is used with 你 or 我 as the subject, and it ends with the 来. Sometimes it can end with a 吧. | ||
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| + | A scenario: Imagine you are with your some friends making dinner. There is a bottle of Chinese pickles that you want to open, but can't because the lid is so tight. You start passing it around to see who can open it,and no one is able to, until your body-builder friend comes in and says "我来!". He is saying "Let me give it a try!". | ||
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| + | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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| + | Subject + 来 + （optional 吧） | ||
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| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Examples == | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
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| + | == Sources and further reading == | ||
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| + | === Academic Articles === | ||
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| + | * 现代汉语形式动词研究 Research on Dummy Verb in Modern Chinese [http://www.doc88.com/p-060195242529.html] | ||
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| + | * 現代漢語中的形式動詞 Dummy Verbs in Contemporary Chinese [http://aclweb.org/anthology-new/O/O05/O05-5008.pdf] | ||
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]] | [[Category:A2 grammar points]] | ||
Revision as of 01:54, 18 February 2013
The verb 来 (lái) can be used as a "dummy verb", similar to the way "do" is used in English.
Structure
The structure for using 来 as a dummy verb is very basic. Usually it is a very short phrase, kind of like "you're turn!" or "let me give it a shot!" in English. Usually it is used with 你 or 我 as the subject, and it ends with the 来. Sometimes it can end with a 吧.
A scenario: Imagine you are with your some friends making dinner. There is a bottle of Chinese pickles that you want to open, but can't because the lid is so tight. You start passing it around to see who can open it,and no one is able to, until your body-builder friend comes in and says "我来!". He is saying "Let me give it a try!".
Subject + 来 + （optional 吧）
Examples
- 让 我 来 吧。 (Let me do it.)
- 你 来！ (You do it!)
Sources and further reading
Academic Articles
- 现代汉语形式动词研究 Research on Dummy Verb in Modern Chinese [1]
- 現代漢語中的形式動詞 Dummy Verbs in Contemporary Chinese [2]
