Difference between revisions of "Adjective"
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| + | Adjectives are the "describing" words of a language. In Chinese, they have some characteristics that they don't have in English. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Characteristics== | ||
# The majority of adjectives can be modified by both the [[Standard negation with "bu"|adverb "不"]] and the [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|adverb "很"]]. | # The majority of adjectives can be modified by both the [[Standard negation with "bu"|adverb "不"]] and the [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|adverb "很"]]. | ||
# In sentences, adjectives are generally predicates, attributes, or complements. | # In sentences, adjectives are generally predicates, attributes, or complements. | ||
# Adjectives do not take objects. | # Adjectives do not take objects. | ||
| − | # Adjectives can be [[Reduplication of adjectives|reduplicated]]. | + | # Adjectives can be [[Reduplication of adjectives|reduplicated]]. |
| − | [[Adjective reduplication]] is a common phenomenon in Chinese, usually used to emphasize the quality of the adjective. There are many different patterns for reduplicating adjectives, including AABB (e.g. 干干净净), ABB (e.g. 红通通) or BABA (e.g. 雪白雪白). When adjectives are reduplicated, they must be followed by a "的". | + | |
| − | Adjectives can function as predicates. However, 是 is not used with adjectives. Instead, you have to [[simple "noun + adjective" sentences|use "很"]]. This is another common beginning mistake. In order to connect a noun to its adjective, use 很, not 是. In terms of pronunciation, a neutral 很 just indicates the predicate， but a 很 in third tone adds emphasis to the adjective. Some adjectives are not preceded by 很, but are followed by 了: 饿, 渴, 病. These adjectives often describe a change of state, explaining the different grammar. | + | == Notes == |
| + | |||
| + | ===Reduplication=== | ||
| + | [[Adjective reduplication]] is a common phenomenon in Chinese, usually used to emphasize the quality of the adjective. There are many different patterns for reduplicating adjectives, including AABB (e.g. 干干净净), ABB (e.g. 红通通) or BABA (e.g. 雪白雪白). When adjectives are reduplicated, they must be followed by a "的". | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Predicates=== | ||
| + | Adjectives can function as predicates. However, 是 is not used with adjectives. Instead, you have to [[simple "noun + adjective" sentences|use "很"]]. This is another common beginning mistake. In order to connect a noun to its adjective, use 很, not 是. In terms of pronunciation, a neutral 很 just indicates the predicate， but a 很 in third tone adds emphasis to the adjective. Some adjectives are not preceded by 很, but are followed by 了: 饿, 渴, 病. These adjectives often describe a change of state, explaining the different grammar. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If the adjective is only a single character, it can directly modify the noun, (e.g. 新书). 的 can optionally be inserted to emphasize the adjective: 新的书. On the other hand, if the adjective has two characters, and the noun it modifies only has one, the 的 is required, (e.g. 好看的画). If both have two characters, the 的 is optional just as it is with single character adjectives. These rules also apply to 地 when modifying verbs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Special adjectives 多 and 少=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | These two adjectives must be combined with 很 or 不 in order to form attributives for nouns. However, 的 is not necessary with 多 and 少. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Further notes=== | ||
* Adjectives can form [[affirmative-negative questions]] by placing the adjective and the negated adjective next to each other (e.g. 他高不高?) | * Adjectives can form [[affirmative-negative questions]] by placing the adjective and the negated adjective next to each other (e.g. 他高不高?) | ||
| − | * Adjectives can be followed by complements such as "[[budeliao]]". These complements usually express degree. | + | * Adjectives can be followed by complements such as "[[budeliao]]". These complements usually express degree. |
| + | |||
| + | * Different ways to say: | ||
** Bad | ** Bad | ||
** Nice | ** Nice | ||
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* Patterns | * Patterns | ||
** 半 ... 不 ... | ** 半 ... 不 ... | ||
| − | ** 甭提多 / 别提多 | + | ** 甭提多 / 别提多 |
| + | |||
| + | ==Types adjectives== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Stative verbs]] | ||
* [[Non-predicate adjectives]] | * [[Non-predicate adjectives]] | ||
* [[Attributive adjectives]] | * [[Attributive adjectives]] | ||
| − | * [[Qualitative adjectives]] | + | * [[Qualitative adjectives]] |
| − | {{POS Page|Adjectives}} | + | |
| + | == Grammar Patterns for Adjectives == | ||
| + | {{POS Page|Adjectives}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources and further reading == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 48 - 57)]4 | ||
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar] (pp. 56 - 64) | * [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar] (pp. 56 - 64) | ||
* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001DUFS3A&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001DUFS3A 实用汉语语法] (pp. 52 - 54) | * [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001DUFS3A&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001DUFS3A 实用汉语语法] (pp. 52 - 54) | ||
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide] (pp. 56 - 68) | * [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide] (pp. 56 - 68) | ||
| − | * [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B002ZNK7JE&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B002ZNK7JE 汉语常用格式330例] | + | * [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B002ZNK7JE&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B002ZNK7JE 汉语常用格式330例] |
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Parts of speech]] | ||
[[Category:Content words]] | [[Category:Content words]] | ||
Revision as of 09:03, 26 November 2013
| This article is a stub. Editors can help the Chinese Grammar Wiki by expanding it. |
Adjectives are the "describing" words of a language. In Chinese, they have some characteristics that they don't have in English.
Contents
Characteristics
- The majority of adjectives can be modified by both the adverb "不" and the adverb "很".
- In sentences, adjectives are generally predicates, attributes, or complements.
- Adjectives do not take objects.
- Adjectives can be reduplicated.
Notes
Reduplication
Adjective reduplication is a common phenomenon in Chinese, usually used to emphasize the quality of the adjective. There are many different patterns for reduplicating adjectives, including AABB (e.g. 干干净净), ABB (e.g. 红通通) or BABA (e.g. 雪白雪白). When adjectives are reduplicated, they must be followed by a "的".
Predicates
Adjectives can function as predicates. However, 是 is not used with adjectives. Instead, you have to use "很". This is another common beginning mistake. In order to connect a noun to its adjective, use 很, not 是. In terms of pronunciation, a neutral 很 just indicates the predicate， but a 很 in third tone adds emphasis to the adjective. Some adjectives are not preceded by 很, but are followed by 了: 饿, 渴, 病. These adjectives often describe a change of state, explaining the different grammar.
If the adjective is only a single character, it can directly modify the noun, (e.g. 新书). 的 can optionally be inserted to emphasize the adjective: 新的书. On the other hand, if the adjective has two characters, and the noun it modifies only has one, the 的 is required, (e.g. 好看的画). If both have two characters, the 的 is optional just as it is with single character adjectives. These rules also apply to 地 when modifying verbs.
Special adjectives 多 and 少
These two adjectives must be combined with 很 or 不 in order to form attributives for nouns. However, 的 is not necessary with 多 and 少.
Further notes
- Adjectives can form affirmative-negative questions by placing the adjective and the negated adjective next to each other (e.g. 他高不高?)
- Adjectives can be followed by complements such as "budeliao". These complements usually express degree.
- Different ways to say:
- Bad
- Nice
- Beautiful
- Patterns
- 半 ... 不 ...
- 甭提多 / 别提多
Types adjectives
Grammar Patterns for Adjectives
A2 Adjectives
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Negative adjectives with "-si le" | Adj. + 死了 | 我 今天 累 死了 。 |
B1 Adjectives
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectives with "-ji le" | Adj. + 极了 | 这个 主意 好 极了 。 |
| Expressing "not very" with "bu zenme" | 不怎么 + Adj. | 这里 的 菜 他 不怎么 好吃 ！ |
| Indicating the whole with "quan" | 全 + Noun | 我们 全 家 都 去 旅游 了。 |
| Reduplication of adjectives | Adj. + Adj. | 你 应该 慢慢 地 走。 |
| Turning adjectives into adverbs | Adj. + 地 + Verb | 你 要 认真 地 学习。 |
B2 Adjectives
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectival complement "de budeliao" | Adj. + 得不得了 | 爸爸 气 得 不得了，你 要 倒霉 啦。 |
| Adjectival complement "de hen" | Adj. + 得 很 | 这个 题目 简单 得 很 。 |
| Expressing "a bit too" | Adj. + 了 + (一) 点儿 | 那个 地方 离 我家 远 了 点儿 。 |
| Saying "a lot" with "youdeshi" | Subj. + 有的是 + Noun | 川菜 上海 有的是。 |
Sources and further reading
- 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 48 - 57)4
- Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 56 - 64)
- 实用汉语语法 (pp. 52 - 54)
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 56 - 68)
- 汉语常用格式330例
