Difference between revisions of "Doing something less with "shao""
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note that in English we don't use the word "less" so much. For example, rather than saying "drink less water," we might say "don't drink so much water." In Chinese, though, using 少 is quite natural and common. Avoiding the negative command (telling someone ''not'' to do something) is also a subtle way of sounding less bossy and annoying. | ||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
Revision as of 02:06, 3 May 2013
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
Often heard when scolding or giving advice (like when parents talk to children) is 少 (shǎo), which can mean "to do less of something."
Structure
Just as you can use 多 to talk about doing something more, you can use 少 to talk about doing something less.
Subject + 少 + Verb + Object
Note that in English we don't use the word "less" so much. For example, rather than saying "drink less water," we might say "don't drink so much water." In Chinese, though, using 少 is quite natural and common. Avoiding the negative command (telling someone not to do something) is also a subtle way of sounding less bossy and annoying.
Examples
- 废话 少 说！
- 你 应该 少 抽 烟！
- 学 中文 的 学生 需要 少 说 英文。
See also Doing something more with "duo".
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (pp. 39) →buy
