Difference between revisions of "Using "ba" sentences"
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The '''把 sentence''', called '''把字句''' in Chinese, is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers to begin with. | The '''把 sentence''', called '''把字句''' in Chinese, is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers to begin with. | ||
| − | == | + | == How to form a 把 sentence == |
A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object structure, as in English: | A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object structure, as in English: | ||
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A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit and re-arranges the word order: | A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit and re-arranges the word order: | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Examples == | ||
| + | |||
| + | == When to use a 把 sentence == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Known object === | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Disposal === | ||
* Subject + 把 + Object + Verb | * Subject + 把 + Object + Verb | ||
Revision as of 02:00, 1 August 2011
The 把 sentence, called 把字句 in Chinese, is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers to begin with.
Contents
How to form a 把 sentence
A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object structure, as in English:
- 我吃馒头
A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit and re-arranges the word order:
Examples
When to use a 把 sentence
Known object
Disposal
- Subject + 把 + Object + Verb
So you now have a SOV word order
Sources and further reading
Books
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 463 - 492)
- 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 461 - 470)
Websites
- Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): 把 Construction
- CTCFL (Oxford): The 把 Construction
- Mandarin Online: 把字句
