Difference between revisions of "Expressing "how about" with "yaobu""
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| − | 要不 (yàobù) can have a number of meanings, ranging from "[[either]]/[[or]]" to "[[how about]]." | + | 要不 (yàobù) can have a number of meanings, ranging from "[[either]]/[[or]]" to "[[how about]]." It's quite colloquial to be used for suggestions. |
| − | + | == Structure === | |
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要不 can be used as an indirect way of giving a suggestion, as the speaker is using 要不 to seek consent of the listener. (Once again, 要么 can be used similarly.) When using 要不 in this way, it can come either at the beginning of the sentence, or in the middle, after explaining the situation. | 要不 can be used as an indirect way of giving a suggestion, as the speaker is using 要不 to seek consent of the listener. (Once again, 要么 can be used similarly.) When using 要不 in this way, it can come either at the beginning of the sentence, or in the middle, after explaining the situation. | ||
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| − | + | == Examples == | |
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | * [["Or" in statements]] | + | * [["Or" in statements]] |
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* [[Suggestions with "ba"]] | * [[Suggestions with "ba"]] | ||
| + | * [[Expressing "had better" with "haishi"]] | ||
== Sources and further reading == | == Sources and further reading == | ||
Revision as of 05:12, 25 August 2017
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Keywords
要不 (yàobù) can have a number of meanings, ranging from "either/or" to "how about." It's quite colloquial to be used for suggestions.
Structure =
要不 can be used as an indirect way of giving a suggestion, as the speaker is using 要不 to seek consent of the listener. (Once again, 要么 can be used similarly.) When using 要不 in this way, it can come either at the beginning of the sentence, or in the middle, after explaining the situation.
Reason / Situation，要不 + Option B + 吧
Examples
- 一个人 去 没 意思，要不 我们 一起 去 吧 ？It's no fun to go by myself. How about we go together?
- 下雨 了，要不 明天 再 去 吧 。It's raining. How about we go tomorrow?
- 要不 今晚 出去 吃 吧 ，我妈 不知道 你 会 来 ，没 做饭 。We have a blackout of water supply at home. How about we go eat out tonight?
- 走路 去 挺 远 的，要不 我 开车 送 你 去 吧 。It's quite far away to walk there. How about I drive you there?
- 要不 我们 去 逛街 吧，比 在家 看 电视 有 意思 。Let's go shopping. It's more fun than watching TV at home.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Home With Kids1 (家有儿女1)(pp. 50) →buy
- BRIDGE (桥梁 实用汉语中级教程下)(pp. 187) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 123-4) →buy
- 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 166-7) →buy
