Difference between revisions of "Reference:Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar"
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| − | + | [http://amzn.to/2ykU1OD Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar: A Student's Guide to Correct Structures and Common Errors] by Qin Xue Herzberg, Larry Herzberg | |
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<blockquote>Here is a concise guide to supplement any course of study and help with homework, travel, and test preparation. Topics include word order, time, nouns, verbs, adjectives, word choices with verbs and adverbs, and letter writing. The simple format has one goal: quick mastery and growing confidence.</blockquote> | <blockquote>Here is a concise guide to supplement any course of study and help with homework, travel, and test preparation. Topics include word order, time, nouns, verbs, adjectives, word choices with verbs and adverbs, and letter writing. The simple format has one goal: quick mastery and growing confidence.</blockquote> | ||
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## [[Word order#Placement of place words in a sentence | Action and location: someone does something somewhere]] | ## [[Word order#Placement of place words in a sentence | Action and location: someone does something somewhere]] | ||
## [[Word order#Placement of time words in a sentence | Action and time: when somebody does something]] | ## [[Word order#Placement of time words in a sentence | Action and time: when somebody does something]] | ||
| − | ## Word order for expressing WHEN something happened | + | ## [[At the time when|Word order for expressing WHEN something happened]] |
## [[Word order#Placement of duration in a sentence | Word order for duration of time: how long someone did something]] | ## [[Word order#Placement of duration in a sentence | Word order for duration of time: how long someone did something]] | ||
## [[Placement of question words | Placement of "why" in a question]] | ## [[Placement of question words | Placement of "why" in a question]] | ||
# Chapter Two Time Expressions | # Chapter Two Time Expressions | ||
## [[At the time when | Expressing simultaneous actions]] | ## [[At the time when | Expressing simultaneous actions]] | ||
| − | ## To say "again": zài 再 vs. yòu 又 | + | ## To say "again": [[Again in the future with "zai"|zài 再]] vs. [[Again in the past with "you"|yòu 又]] |
| − | ## "After"/"Later": yǐhòu 以后 vs. ránhòu 然后 | + | ## [[Comparing "yihou" and "houlai"|"After"/"Later": yǐhòu 以后 vs. ránhòu 然后]] |
| − | ## "Last week, this week, next week" and " last month, this month, next month" follow the same pattern, with shàng 上 indicating "last ... , " zhè/zhèi 这 indicating "this ... , " and xià 下 indicating " next ... " | + | ## [[Time words and word order|"Last week, this week, next week" and " last month, this month, next month" follow the same pattern, with shàng 上 indicating "last ... , " zhè/zhèi 这 indicating "this ... , " and xià 下 indicating " next ... "]] |
# Chapter Three Nouns | # Chapter Three Nouns | ||
## Plurals in Chinese | ## Plurals in Chinese | ||
| − | ## [[ | + | ## [[Measure words for counting | When counting things, measure words must always be used between the number and the noun]] |
| − | ## This and that | + | ## [[Measure words to differentiate | This and that]] |
## Nouns for nationalities and languages | ## Nouns for nationalities and languages | ||
## All (of some noun): dōu 都 vs. suǒyǒu de 所有的 | ## All (of some noun): dōu 都 vs. suǒyǒu de 所有的 | ||
## How to express the indefinites | ## How to express the indefinites | ||
| − | ## How to express not even one bit of something | + | ## [["Not at all" | How to express not even one bit of something]] |
| − | ## Location words | + | ## [[Location nouns | Location words]] |
# Chapter Four Verbs | # Chapter Four Verbs | ||
| − | ## Past tense | + | ## [[Aspect|Past tense]] |
| − | ## Present tense | + | ## [[Expressing actions in progress | Present tense]] |
| − | ## Future tense | + | ## [[In the future in general|Future tense]] |
## The word "it" is usually implied by the verb | ## The word "it" is usually implied by the verb | ||
| − | ## Helping verbs (prepositions in English) | + | ## [[Auxiliary verb|Helping verbs (prepositions in English)]] |
| − | ## Going, coming, returning | + | ## [[To go to a place|Going]], coming, returning |
| − | ## The bǎ 把 pattern with verbs | + | ## [[Ba sentence | The bǎ 把 pattern with verbs]] |
| − | ## The shì... de 是…的 pattern for past tense actions | + | ## [[Shi... de construction | The shì... de 是…的 pattern for past tense actions]] |
| − | ## The different ways to express passive voice (" was... by... ") | + | ## [[Bei sentence | The different ways to express passive voice (" was... by... ")]] |
# Chapter Five Adjectives | # Chapter Five Adjectives | ||
| − | ## Adjectives: general rules | + | ## [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences | Adjectives: general rules]] |
## How to translate "bad" depends on the meaning of "bad" | ## How to translate "bad" depends on the meaning of "bad" | ||
## Use bùcuò 不错，"not bad," when you mean "quite good" | ## Use bùcuò 不错，"not bad," when you mean "quite good" | ||
## Different ways to say "nice" | ## Different ways to say "nice" | ||
## Different ways to say "pretty" or "beautiful," depending on the subject | ## Different ways to say "pretty" or "beautiful," depending on the subject | ||
| − | ## Comparisons: A bǐ 比 B | + | ## [[Basic comparisons with "bi" | Comparisons: A bǐ 比 B]] |
| − | ## Negative comparisons: A is not as [adjective] as B | + | ## [[Basic comparisons with "bu bi" | Negative comparisons: A is not as [adjective] as B]] |
# Chapter Six Various Uses of the Particle le 了 | # Chapter Six Various Uses of the Particle le 了 | ||
| − | ## Le 了 is used after action verbs in the past tense | + | ## [[Expressing completion with le | Le 了 is used after action verbs in the past tense]] |
| − | ## Le 了 is used after adjectives to express "change of status," i.e.,"become... " | + | ## [[Change of state with "le" | Le 了 is used after adjectives to express "change of status," i.e.,"become... "]] |
## Le 了 is used after verbs to express "imminent action," i.e., something just about to happen | ## Le 了 is used after verbs to express "imminent action," i.e., something just about to happen | ||
## Le 了 is used with verbs or adjectives in the negative to express "not any more" | ## Le 了 is used with verbs or adjectives in the negative to express "not any more" | ||
| − | # Chapter Seven Various Uses of the Particle de: de 的 vs. de 得 vs. de 地 | + | # [[De (structural particle) | Chapter Seven Various Uses of the Particle de: de 的 vs. de 得 vs. de 地]] |
| − | ## The uses of de 的 | + | ## [[Modifying nouns with adjective + de | The uses of de 的]] |
| − | ## The uses of de 得 | + | ## [[Descriptive complements | The uses of de 得]] |
| − | ## The uses of de 地 | + | ## [[Turning adjectives into adverbs | The uses of de 地]] |
# Chapter Eight Conjunctions: and, or | # Chapter Eight Conjunctions: and, or | ||
| − | ## Different ways to say "and" depend on usage | + | ## [[Expressing "and" with "he" | Different ways to say "and" depend on usage]] |
| − | ## How to say "or" in Chinese | + | ## [["Or" in statements | How to say "or" in Chinese]] |
# Chapter Nine Subordinate Clauses | # Chapter Nine Subordinate Clauses | ||
| − | ## Connecting sentences with "who"/"that" | + | ## [[Modifying nouns with phrase + de | Connecting sentences with "who"/"that"]] |
| − | ## In Chinese, "if... then..." is expressed in three levels of formality | + | ## In Chinese, "if... then..." is expressed in three levels of formality ([["If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"|most formal]], [["If… then…" with "yaoshi"|less formal]], least formal) |
| − | ## "As soon as... (then)..." = yī... jiù 一…就… | + | ## [[Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"|"As soon as... (then)..." = yī... jiù 一…就…]] |
| − | ## "Even... (also)...." =lián...,yě/dōu 连…，也/都… | + | ## [[Expressing "even" with "lian" and "dou"|"Even... (also)...." =lián...,yě/dōu 连…，也/都…]] |
| − | ## “Because..., so..." =yīnwèi...,suǒyǐ... 因为…，所以… | + | ## [[Cause and Effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi" | “Because..., so..." =yīnwèi...,suǒyǐ... 因为…，所以…]] |
| − | ## "It doesn't matter..." =wúlùn...dōu... 无论…都… | + | ## [["No Matter" with "wulun" | "It doesn't matter..." =wúlùn...dōu... 无论…都…]] |
| − | ## "Besides..." =chúle...yǐwài 除了…以外 | + | ## [["Except" and "In addition" with "chule… yiwai" | "Besides..." =chúle...yǐwài 除了…以外]] |
| − | # Chapter Ten How to Express the Verb "Can" in Chinese ( A Huge Can of Worms!) | + | # [[Expressing Ability | Chapter Ten How to Express the Verb "Can" in Chinese ( A Huge Can of Worms!)]] |
# Chapter Eleven Word-Chioce Issues with Certain Important Verbs | # Chapter Eleven Word-Chioce Issues with Certain Important Verbs | ||
## "To be a ...(profession, friend, etc.)": differences between shì 是，dāng 当， zuò 做 | ## "To be a ...(profession, friend, etc.)": differences between shì 是，dāng 当， zuò 做 | ||
| − | ## "To know": zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认识 vs. | + | ## "To know": zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认识 vs. [[Expressing a learned skill|huì会]] |
| − | ## The difference between "to like" xǐhuan 喜欢 and "would like to" xiǎng 想 | + | ## The difference between "to like" xǐhuan 喜欢 and "would like to" [["Would like to" with "xiang"|xiǎng 想]] |
## The difference between "to think that...," xiǎng 想 and "to feel...," juéde 觉得 | ## The difference between "to think that...," xiǎng 想 and "to feel...," juéde 觉得 | ||
## "To want/would like (to do something)": xiǎng 想 vs. yào要 vs. xiǎngyào想要 | ## "To want/would like (to do something)": xiǎng 想 vs. yào要 vs. xiǎngyào想要 | ||
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## How to translate "to ask" depends on the meaning of "ask": wèn 问 vs. qǐng 请 vs. jiào 叫 | ## How to translate "to ask" depends on the meaning of "ask": wèn 问 vs. qǐng 请 vs. jiào 叫 | ||
## How to translate "to tell" depends on the meaning of "tell": shuō 说 vs. jiǎng 讲 vs. jiào 叫 vs. gàosu 告诉 vs. ràng 让 | ## How to translate "to tell" depends on the meaning of "tell": shuō 说 vs. jiǎng 讲 vs. jiào 叫 vs. gàosu 告诉 vs. ràng 让 | ||
| − | ## "To look like" and "to seem like": xiàng 像 vs. hǎoxiàng 好像 | + | ## "To look like" and "to seem like": [[Comparing Specifically with "xiang"|xiàng 像]] vs. [["It seems" with "haoxiang"|hǎoxiàng 好像]] |
## "Receive": know the difference between the two characters pronounced shou in Chinese (shōu 收，shòu受), both of which mean "receive" | ## "Receive": know the difference between the two characters pronounced shou in Chinese (shōu 收，shòu受), both of which mean "receive" | ||
## "Afraid": know the difference between "to be afraid," hàipà 害怕，”to be afraid of...," pà 怕，and "to be afraid that...," kǒngpà 恐怕 | ## "Afraid": know the difference between "to be afraid," hàipà 害怕，”to be afraid of...," pà 怕，and "to be afraid that...," kǒngpà 恐怕 | ||
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## "To see": kàn 看 vs. kànjian/kàndào 看见/看到 vs. kànchūlai 看出来 vs. jiàn 见 vs. jiànmiàn 见面 vs. jiàndào 见到 vs. guānguāng 观光 vs. míngbai 明白 | ## "To see": kàn 看 vs. kànjian/kàndào 看见/看到 vs. kànchūlai 看出来 vs. jiàn 见 vs. jiànmiàn 见面 vs. jiàndào 见到 vs. guānguāng 观光 vs. míngbai 明白 | ||
# Chapter Twelve Word-Choice Issues with Adverbs | # Chapter Twelve Word-Choice Issues with Adverbs | ||
| − | ## "From": cóng 从... dào 到 vs. lí 离 | + | ## [[From… to…|"From": cóng 从... dào 到]] vs. [[Expressing distance with "li"|lí 离]] |
| − | ## The difference between the two ways to say "first": xiān 先 and shǒuxiān 首先 | + | ## The difference between the two ways to say "first": [[Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"|xiān 先]] and shǒuxiān 首先 |
## How to translate "actually" depends on usage | ## How to translate "actually" depends on usage | ||
| − | ## "Although": suīrán... , kěshì... 虽然…，可是… means "although...,but..." | + | ## [["Although" with "suiran" and "danshi" | "Although": suīrán... , kěshì... 虽然…，可是… means "although...,but..."]] |
| − | ## "Almost"= chàbuduō 差不多 vs. chāyīdiǎn 差一点 | + | ## "Almost"= [[Approximations with "chabuduo"|chàbuduō 差不多]] vs. [[Expressing "almost" using "chadian"|chāyīdiǎn 差一点]] |
| − | ## Cái 才: three ways to say "unless...";"only if..." | + | ## [[Expressing lateness with "cai" | Cái 才: three ways to say "unless...";"only if..."]] |
## "Every time": měicì... deshíhou 每次…的时候 měidāng/měiféng... shíhou 每当/每逢…时候 | ## "Every time": měicì... deshíhou 每次…的时候 měidāng/měiféng... shíhou 每当/每逢…时候 | ||
# Chapter Thirteen Letter Writing: Greetings, Salutations, and Forms of Address | # Chapter Thirteen Letter Writing: Greetings, Salutations, and Forms of Address | ||
# Index of Headings | # Index of Headings | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Grammar Point References to This Book == | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Print Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Sinosplice: [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2011/06/10/basic-patterns-of-chinese-grammar Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar] | ||
[[Category:Grammar Index]] | [[Category:Grammar Index]] | ||
| + | __FORCETOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 02:27, 25 October 2017
Here is a concise guide to supplement any course of study and help with homework, travel, and test preparation. Topics include word order, time, nouns, verbs, adjectives, word choices with verbs and adverbs, and letter writing. The simple format has one goal: quick mastery and growing confidence.
Qin Xue Herzberg, a graduate of Beijing Normal University, has taught Chinese for decades and has been an upper-level Chinese professor at Calvin College for ten years.
Larry Herzberg did his PhD work in Chinese and founded the Chinese language programs at Albion College and Calvin College. Qin and Larry live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are co-authors of the popular China Survival Guide.
Grammar Points by Chapter
- Chapter One Word Order
- Chapter Two Time Expressions
- Expressing simultaneous actions
- To say "again": zài 再 vs. yòu 又
- "After"/"Later": yǐhòu 以后 vs. ránhòu 然后
- "Last week, this week, next week" and " last month, this month, next month" follow the same pattern, with shàng 上 indicating "last ... , " zhè/zhèi 这 indicating "this ... , " and xià 下 indicating " next ... "
- Chapter Three Nouns
- Plurals in Chinese
- When counting things, measure words must always be used between the number and the noun
- This and that
- Nouns for nationalities and languages
- All (of some noun): dōu 都 vs. suǒyǒu de 所有的
- How to express the indefinites
- How to express not even one bit of something
- Location words
- Chapter Four Verbs
- Past tense
- Present tense
- Future tense
- The word "it" is usually implied by the verb
- Helping verbs (prepositions in English)
- Going, coming, returning
- The bǎ 把 pattern with verbs
- The shì... de 是…的 pattern for past tense actions
- The different ways to express passive voice (" was... by... ")
- Chapter Five Adjectives
- Adjectives: general rules
- How to translate "bad" depends on the meaning of "bad"
- Use bùcuò 不错，"not bad," when you mean "quite good"
- Different ways to say "nice"
- Different ways to say "pretty" or "beautiful," depending on the subject
- Comparisons: A bǐ 比 B
- Negative comparisons: A is not as [adjective] as B
- Chapter Six Various Uses of the Particle le 了
- Le 了 is used after action verbs in the past tense
- Le 了 is used after adjectives to express "change of status," i.e.,"become... "
- Le 了 is used after verbs to express "imminent action," i.e., something just about to happen
- Le 了 is used with verbs or adjectives in the negative to express "not any more"
- Chapter Seven Various Uses of the Particle de: de 的 vs. de 得 vs. de 地
- Chapter Eight Conjunctions: and, or
- Chapter Nine Subordinate Clauses
- Connecting sentences with "who"/"that"
- In Chinese, "if... then..." is expressed in three levels of formality (most formal, less formal, least formal)
- "As soon as... (then)..." = yī... jiù 一…就…
- "Even... (also)...." =lián...,yě/dōu 连…，也/都…
- “Because..., so..." =yīnwèi...,suǒyǐ... 因为…，所以…
- "It doesn't matter..." =wúlùn...dōu... 无论…都…
- "Besides..." =chúle...yǐwài 除了…以外
- Chapter Ten How to Express the Verb "Can" in Chinese ( A Huge Can of Worms!)
- Chapter Eleven Word-Chioce Issues with Certain Important Verbs
- "To be a ...(profession, friend, etc.)": differences between shì 是，dāng 当， zuò 做
- "To know": zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认识 vs. huì会
- The difference between "to like" xǐhuan 喜欢 and "would like to" xiǎng 想
- The difference between "to think that...," xiǎng 想 and "to feel...," juéde 觉得
- "To want/would like (to do something)": xiǎng 想 vs. yào要 vs. xiǎngyào想要
- Rude vs. refined: yào要 vs. xiǎngyào想要
- "I don't think that...": don't even THINK about using bùxiǎng 不想！
- "To want someone to be...": xiǎngyào 想要 vs. xīwàng 希望 vs. bìxū 必须
- How to translate "to ask" depends on the meaning of "ask": wèn 问 vs. qǐng 请 vs. jiào 叫
- How to translate "to tell" depends on the meaning of "tell": shuō 说 vs. jiǎng 讲 vs. jiào 叫 vs. gàosu 告诉 vs. ràng 让
- "To look like" and "to seem like": xiàng 像 vs. hǎoxiàng 好像
- "Receive": know the difference between the two characters pronounced shou in Chinese (shōu 收，shòu受), both of which mean "receive"
- "Afraid": know the difference between "to be afraid," hàipà 害怕，”to be afraid of...," pà 怕，and "to be afraid that...," kǒngpà 恐怕
- "Worry": the subtle differences between dānxīn 担心，cāoxīn 操心，fāchóu 发愁，zháojí 着急
- "To help": bāng 帮，bāngzhù 帮助，bāngmáng 帮忙
- "To take": ná 拿 vs. dài 带 vs. zuò 坐 vs. xuǎn 选 vs. pāizhào 拍照
- "To lose": diū 丢 vs. shīqù 失去 vs. shū 输 vs. mílù 迷路
- "Produce": the difference between shēngchǎn 生产，"to produce something concrete like coal, manufactured goods, etc.," and chǎnshēng 产生，"to produce something abstract, some phenomenon, like dissatisfaction, unrest, etc."
- "To leave": zǒu 走 vs. líkāi 离开 vs. liú 留
- "To see": kàn 看 vs. kànjian/kàndào 看见/看到 vs. kànchūlai 看出来 vs. jiàn 见 vs. jiànmiàn 见面 vs. jiàndào 见到 vs. guānguāng 观光 vs. míngbai 明白
- Chapter Twelve Word-Choice Issues with Adverbs
- "From": cóng 从... dào 到 vs. lí 离
- The difference between the two ways to say "first": xiān 先 and shǒuxiān 首先
- How to translate "actually" depends on usage
- "Although": suīrán... , kěshì... 虽然…，可是… means "although...,but..."
- "Almost"= chàbuduō 差不多 vs. chāyīdiǎn 差一点
- Cái 才: three ways to say "unless...";"only if..."
- "Every time": měicì... deshíhou 每次…的时候 měidāng/měiféng... shíhou 每当/每逢…时候
- Chapter Thirteen Letter Writing: Greetings, Salutations, and Forms of Address
- Index of Headings
Grammar Point References to This Book
- pp. 100 Expressing actions in progress with "zai", 41-2 ()
- pp. 101 Expressing lateness with "cai", 117-8 ()
- pp. 106 Expressing completion with "le", 65-8 ()
- pp. 108 The "all" adverb "dou", 53-4 ()
- pp. 108 Expressing "although" with "suiran" and "danshi", 115-6 ()
- pp. 111 The opposite of "chabuduo" is "cha hen duo", 54-5 ()
- pp. 114 The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details, 577-9 ()
- pp. 125 The "shi... de" patterns: an overview, 233-5 ()
- pp. 128 Expressing "except" and "in addition" with "chule… yiwai", 80 ()
- pp. 133-135 Structural particle "de", 72 ()
- pp. 15, 23, 66 Placement of question words, 57 ()
- pp. 171 Using "bei" sentences, 470-7 ()
- pp. 17 Approximations with "chabuduo", 111 ()
- pp. 23 Comparing "haishi" and "huozhe", 74-5 ()
- pp. 24-5 Expressing "when" with "shi", 293-4 ()
- pp. 28 Expressing "when" with "de shihou", 24-5 ()
- pp. 31-2 Using "ye" and "dou" together, 88 ()
- pp. 313 Emphasizing quantity with "dou", 210 ()
- pp. 32 Expressing "now" with "le", 68 ()
- pp. 33 Measure words for counting, 232-3 ()
- pp. 33 Measure words with "this" and "that" (A2)
- pp. 36-7 Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu", 37- 9 ()
- pp. 40 Change of state with "le", 68 ()
- pp. 41 Expressing "it seems" with "haoxiang", 101 ()
- pp. 42 Simple "noun + adjective" sentences, 56-8 ()
- pp. 44 Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi", 272-4 ()
- pp. 469-70 Advanced uses of "ba", 53-4 ()
- pp. 49 Potential complement, 118 ()
- pp. 58 Expressing ongoing duration with double "le", 68 ()
- pp. 64 Basic comparisons with "bu bi" (B2)
- pp. 68 Expressing "already" with just "le", 126-9 ()
- pp. 69 Expressing "from… to…" with "cong… dao…", 84-5 ()
- pp. 6 Expressing "no matter" with "wulun", 79-80 ()
- pp. 70-1 Modifying nouns with adjective + "de", 37 ()
- pp. 72 Turning adjectives into adverbs, 192 ()
- pp. 74-5 Expressing "and" with "he" (advanced), 14-5 ()
- pp. 74-5 Expressing "or" in statements, 257-8 ()
- pp. 74 Expressing "and" with "he", 74-5 ()
- pp. 84 Basic comparisons with "bi", 61-3 ()
- pp. 84 Modifying nouns with phrase + "de", 76 ()
- pp. 84, p88 Expressing "together" with "yiqi", 74-5 ()
- pp. 92 Result complements "-dao" and "-jian", 109 ()
- pp. 93, 101, 119 Using "ba" sentences, 461-70 ()
See also
- Sinosplice: Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar
