Difference between revisions of "Adverb"
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In English, adverbs are words that modify verbs and adjectives. In Chinese, the same is true, but there are a few rules that you need to know about that Chinese has but English doesn't. | In English, adverbs are words that modify verbs and adjectives. In Chinese, the same is true, but there are a few rules that you need to know about that Chinese has but English doesn't. | ||
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Since adverbs are primarily words that modify adjectives and verbs (but never nouns!), they are always adjuncts, and thus can't stand by themselves. This means that they usually cannot answer questions just by themselves. Furthermore, adverbs cannot come before the subject of a sentence. This is very important because in English they can, but '''never''' in Chinese. Adverbs can occasionally act as conjunctions (like in the [[Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"|case of 就]]), but they still follow the rules of adverbs. Finally, in Chinese adverbs cannot be reduplicated (although [[Reduplication of adjectives|reduplicated adjectives]] can be converted into [[Turning adjectives into adverbs|adverbs with 地]], e.g. 急急匆匆地). | Since adverbs are primarily words that modify adjectives and verbs (but never nouns!), they are always adjuncts, and thus can't stand by themselves. This means that they usually cannot answer questions just by themselves. Furthermore, adverbs cannot come before the subject of a sentence. This is very important because in English they can, but '''never''' in Chinese. Adverbs can occasionally act as conjunctions (like in the [[Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"|case of 就]]), but they still follow the rules of adverbs. Finally, in Chinese adverbs cannot be reduplicated (although [[Reduplication of adjectives|reduplicated adjectives]] can be converted into [[Turning adjectives into adverbs|adverbs with 地]], e.g. 急急匆匆地). | ||
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==Comparisons== | ==Comparisons== | ||
Revision as of 08:56, 29 July 2013
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In English, adverbs are words that modify verbs and adjectives. In Chinese, the same is true, but there are a few rules that you need to know about that Chinese has but English doesn't.
Contents
Characteristics
Since adverbs are primarily words that modify adjectives and verbs (but never nouns!), they are always adjuncts, and thus can't stand by themselves. This means that they usually cannot answer questions just by themselves. Furthermore, adverbs cannot come before the subject of a sentence. This is very important because in English they can, but never in Chinese. Adverbs can occasionally act as conjunctions (like in the case of 就), but they still follow the rules of adverbs. Finally, in Chinese adverbs cannot be reduplicated (although reduplicated adjectives can be converted into adverbs with 地, e.g. 急急匆匆地).
Comparisons
Subcategories
- Some adverbs can be used as answers to questions, such as 不, 没有, 也许 and 可能 etc.
- Nearly all adverbs occur as adverbials (in front of the verb) but a couple can occur as complements (after the noun), such as 极了 and 得很.
Grammar Patterns for Adverbs
A1 Adverbs
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Negation of "you" with "mei" | 没 + 有 | 我 没有 钱 。 |
| Standard negation with "bu" | 不 + Verb / Adj. | 他们 不 是 坏 孩子。 |
| The "all" adverb "dou" | 都 + Verb / Adj. | 我们 都 住 在 上海。 |
| The "also" adverb "ye" | 也 + Verb / Adj. | 昨天 很 冷，今天 也 很 冷。 |
A2 Adverbs
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Approximations with "chabuduo" | Subj. + 差不多 | 我们 的 中文 水平 差不多。 |
| Emphasizing quantity with "dou" | 大家 / 很多人 + 都⋯⋯ | 很 多 地方 都 有 wifi。 |
| Expressing "all along" with "yizhi" | Subj. + 一直 + Predicate | 我 一直 在 现在 的 公司 工作。 |
| Expressing "already" with "yijing" | 已经⋯⋯了 | 他 已经 走 了 。 |
| Expressing "always" with "zongshi" | 总是 + Verb | 他 总是 迟到。 |
| Expressing "and also" with "hai" | 还 + Verb | 她 有 一个 弟弟，还 有 一个 妹妹。 |
| Expressing "just" with "gang" | Subj. + 刚 + Verb | 他 刚 走。 |
| Expressing "only" with "zhi" | 只 + Verb | 我 只 有 一个 妹妹。 |
| Expressing "then" with "jiu" | 就 + Verb Phrase | 我们 现在 有 时间，就 去吧。 |
| Expressing actions in progress with "zai" | (正) 在 + Verb | 我们 正在 吃饭。 |
| Negative commands with "bie" | 别 + Verb | 别走。 |
| Simultaneous tasks with "yibian" | 一边 + Verb 1 (，) 一边 + Verb 2 | 不要 一边 说话 ，一边 吃 东西。 |
B1 Adverbs
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Coincidence with "zhenghao" | Subj. + 正好 + Verb Phrase | 他 正好 问 了 我 想 问 的 问题 。 |
| Continuation with "hai" | Subj. + 还 + Verb Phrase / Adj. | 你 还在 看 书 ？ |
| Emphasis with "jiushi" | 就是 + Verb | 我 父母 就是 不 让 我 一个人 去 。 |
| Emphasizing negation with "you" | 又 + 不 / 没 + Verb | 又 没 下雨 ，带 伞 干吗 ？ |
| Expressing "about to" with "jiuyao" | 还有 + Time Period + 就要 + Verb Phrase + 了 | 还有 五 天 就要 放假 了 。 |
| Expressing "again" in the future with "zai" | 再 + Verb | 我 下 次 再 来。 |
| Expressing "again" in the past with "you" | 又 + Verb + 了 | 你 又 迟到 了 。 |
| Expressing "all along" with "yuanlai" | Subj. + 原来 + Predicate | 原来 昨天 那个 人 是 你 啊 。 |
| Expressing "all at once" with "yixiazi" | Subj. + 一下子 + Verb + 了 | 天气 一下子 变 冷 了 。 |
| Expressing "almost" using "chadian" | Subj. + 差点 + Predicate | 我 今天 差点儿 迟到 了 。 |
| Expressing "already" with "dou" | 都 + Time + 了 | 都 九点 了 ，快点 起床 ！ |
| Expressing "always" with "conglai" | 从来 + 都 (是) + Predicate | 我 从来 都 是 一个人，已经 习惯了。 |
| Expressing "as a result" with "jieguo" | Reason / Condition ，结果 + Result | 他 没 好好 复习 ，结果 没 通过 考试。 |
| Expressing "each other" with "huxiang" | 互相 + Verb Phrase | 互相 帮助 |
| Expressing "enough" with "gou" | Subj. + 够 + Predicate (+ 了) | 我们 买 了 很 多 菜 ，够 吃 了 。 |
| Expressing "finally" with "zhongyu" | Subj. + 终于 + Predicate + 了 | 你 终于 到 了 。 |
| Expressing "had better" with "haishi" | 还是 + Verb | 我们 还是 先 吃饭 吧。 |
| Expressing "had better" with "zuihao" | Subj. + 最好 + Predicate | 你 最好 先 休息 一下 。 |
| Expressing "in this way" with "zheyang" | Condition ，这样 + Result / Purpose | 这样 做 不 对 。 |
| Expressing "one by one" with "yi" | 一 + Measure Word + 一 + Measure Word | 宝宝 一 天 一 天 在 长大 。 |
| Expressing "small quantity" with "jiu" | 就 + Subject + Predicate | 这 件 事 就 我 一 个 人 知道 。 |
| Expressing duration of inaction | Duration + 没 + Verb + 了 | 他 已经 一 个 星期 没 洗澡 了 。 |
| Expressing earliness with "jiu" | Subj. + Time + 就 + Verb + 了 | 我 昨晚 八 点 半 就 睡觉 了 。 |
| Expressing lateness with "cai" | Subj. + Time + 才 + Verb | 他 二十五 岁 才 上 大学 。 |
| Sequencing with "xian" and "zai" | 先⋯⋯ ，再⋯⋯ | 先 洗 手 ，再 吃饭 。 |
| Using "always" as a complaint with "laoshi" | Subj. + 老 (是 ) + Verb | 你 怎么 老是 加班 ？ |
| Using "cai" for small numbers | 才 + Number + Measure Word + Noun | 这 个 班 才 两 个 学生 。 |
| Using "ye" and "dou" together | 也都 + Verb / Adj. | 他们 也 都 是 法国 人 。 |
B2 Adverbs
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced uses of "dou" | Subj. + 都 + Predicate | 我都能闻见面包的香味。 |
| Advanced uses of "hai" | Subj. + 还 + Predicate + 呢 | 还 好朋友 呢 ，天天 说 我 坏话 。 |
| Advanced uses of "zong" | 总 + Verb Phrase | 咱们 总 得 想 个 办法 啊。总 不 能 让 他 一个人 去 吧？ |
| Assessing situations with "kanlai" | 看来 + Judgment to the Situation；在 + Person + 看来 | 看来他不来了，都这么晚了。 |
| Declaring the only option with "zhihao" | 只好 + Verb Phrase | 上 个 周末 下雨 了 ，我们 只好 待 在 家。 |
| Emphatic adverb "ke" | 可 + Adj. (+ 了) | 这 件 事情 对 他 造成 的 影响 可 大 了 。 |
| Expressing "after all" with "bijing" | 毕竟 | 别 怪 他 了 ， 毕竟 他 还 小 。 |
| Expressing "almost" using "chadian mei" | Subj. + 差点没 + Verb | 路 这么 滑，我 差点没 摔倒。 |
| Expressing "anyway" with "fanzheng" | 反正 | 随便 你 信 不 信 ， 反正 我 不 信 。 |
| Expressing "as much as possible" with "jinliang" | 尽量 + Verb | 我 会 尽量 想 办法 帮 你 的。 |
| Expressing "even" with "shenzhi" | 甚至 | 他们 贡献 出 所有 的 精力 ， 甚至 最 宝贵 的 生命 。 |
| Expressing "feel free" with "jinguan" | 尽管 + Verb | 有 什么 事 ，尽管 找 我 。 |
| Expressing "have to" with "budebu" | Subj. + 不得不 + Verb | 老板 很 讨厌 应酬，但是 她 不得不 去。 |
| Expressing "in the end" with "daodi" | 到底 | 事情 到底 是 办 成 了 。 |
| Expressing "in the end" with "jiujing" | 究竟 | 你 究竟 喜 不 喜欢 我？ |
| Expressing "just" do it with "gancui" | Subj. + 干脆 + Verb Phrase | 家里什么都没有，干脆出去吃吧。 |
| Expressing "nearly" with "jihu" | Subj. + 几乎 + Verb | 他 的 头发 几乎 全 白 了 。 |
| Expressing "never again" with "zai ye bu" | Subj. + 再也 + 不 + Verb Phrase + 了 | 我 再也 不 想 跟 你 说话 了 。 |
| Expressing "once" with "cengjing" | Subj. + 曾经 + Verb + 过 (+ Obj.) | 他 说 他 曾经 做 过 很多 傻事 。 |
| Expressing "originally" with "benlai" | 本来⋯⋯ | 搬家 本来 就 很 麻烦。 |
| Expressing "over and over again" with "zaisan" | 再三 + Verb | 妈妈 再三 叮嘱 我 ， 要 注意 安全 。 |
| Expressing "simply" with "jianzhi" | 简直⋯⋯ | 她 简直 要 哭 出来 了 。 |
| Expressing "since the beginning" with "yixiang" | 一向 + Verb | 他 做 事情 一向 踏实 。 |
| Expressing "to make certain" with "qianwan" | 千万 + Verb/Verb Phrase | 千万 别 泄露 出 去。 |
| Expressing "while you're at it" with "shunbian" | Subj. ＋Verb Phrase 1，顺便 + Verb Phrase 2 | 你 出去 的 时候顺便 帮 我 买 杯 咖啡。 |
| Expressing a last chance with "zaibu... jiu..." | 再不…… 就…… | 再不 抢 就 没 了 。 |
| Expressing concern with "kongpa" | 恐怕 + Subj. ⋯⋯ | 恐怕 今天 做 不 完。 |
| Expressing difficulty with "hao (bu) rongyi" | 好(不)容易 | 我 好不容易 才 打通 了 银行 的 服务 热线。 |
| Expressing wasted efforts with "bai" | 白 + Verb | 白 花 了 一 百 块 钱，这 件 衣服 不 能 穿。 |
| Repeated actions in the past with "you" | Subj. + Verb + 了 + 又 + Verb | 他 找 了 又 找，还 是 没 找到 他 的 钱 包。 |
| Rhetorical questions with "nandao" | 难道⋯⋯？ | 这 都 是 你 引起 的 ， 难道 你 就 不 内疚 ？ |
| The opposite of "chabuduo" is "cha hen duo" | Subj. + 差很多 | 中国 文化 和 西方 文化 差 很 多 。 |
C1 Adverbs
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced usages of the contrary "dao" | Subject + Verb + 得 + 倒 + Adjective | 你 说 得 倒 容易，那 你来！ |
| Emphasizing with "henshi" | Subj. + 很是 + Adj. | 这样做 很是 必要 。 |
| Expressing "a full" with "zuzu" | 足足 + Verb | 姚明 身高 足足 有 2.26米。 |
| Expressing "again and again" with "yizai" | Subj. + 一再 + Verb | 我 一再 跟 你 说 ，出门在外 要 小心 。 |
| Expressing "all" with "fanshi" | 凡是 + Noun 都 / 就 / 一律 + Predicate | 凡是 不 听话 的 孩子 都 没有 糖 吃 。 |
| Expressing "always previously" with "xianglai" | Subject + 向来（都） + Verb/Verb Phrase | 我 向来 努力，所以 我 每 一 次 考试 都 获得 满分。 |
| Expressing "as expected" with "guoran" | 果然 + Predicate | 第一名 果然 是 她 ！我 就 知道 。 |
| Expressing "as if" with "sihu" | Subj. + 似乎 ⋯⋯ | 你 说 得 似乎 很 有道理 。 |
| Expressing "contrary to expectations" with "pianpian" | A ,Subject + 偏偏 + B | 不 叫 他 去，他 偏偏 要 去。 |
| Expressing "even so" with "zaibu... ye..." | 再不…… 也…… | 再不 也。 |
| Expressing "no exception" with "yilu" | 一律 + Predicate | 明天 的 部门 会议 一律 都 要 参加 。 |
| Expressing "nothing but" with "wufei" | 无非 + 是 + Verb / Noun | 我 无非 是 想 要 一 台 电脑 ！ |
| Expressing "when the time comes" with "dao shihou" | A, 到时候 + B | 现在 不 好好 准备 考试，到时候 又 要 后悔 了。 |
| Expressing "why" with "hebi" | Subj. + 何必 + Predicate | 都是 一家人 ，你们 何必 这么 客气 ？ |
| Expressing the unexpected with "jingran" | Subj. + 竟然 ⋯⋯ | 我们 要 出发 的 时候，他 竟然 说 不 去 了 。 |
Sources
- 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 105 - 116)
- 简明汉语语法学习手册 (Chinese Grammar Without Tears) (pp. 259 - 292)
- 实用汉语语法 (p. 55 - 56)
- Practicing HSK Grammar (pp. 31 - 66)
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 89 - 96)
- 汉语常用格式330例
