Difference between revisions of "Affirmative-negative questions"
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{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
| − | A common way to form questions in Chinese is to first use a [[verbs|verb]] in the positive, then repeat the same verb in its negative form. These are called "affirmative-negative questions" or "alternative questions." | + | A common way to form questions in Chinese is to first use a [[verbs|verb]] in the positive, then repeat the same verb in its negative form. These are called "affirmative-negative questions" or "alternative questions." |
== Verb Not Verb == | == Verb Not Verb == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| Line 10: | Line 12: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * | + | * 他 很 好，<em>是 不 是</em> ？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * | + | * 他们 <em>来 不 来</em> ？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * | + | * 老板，十 块 钱 三 个，<em>卖 不 卖</em>？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * | + | * KFC，<em>吃 不 吃</em>？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * | + | * 咖啡，<em>要 不 要</em>？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * | + | * 这 件 不 贵，<em>买 不 买</em>？<span class="trans"></span> |
| + | * 那里 有 个 公园， <em>去 不 去</em> ？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 很 晚 了，<em>走 不 走</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 她 来 了，你 <em>见 不 见</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 我们 去 打 球，你<em> 打 不 打</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Note that the question provides the listener with both possible answers: it's either "Verb" or "不 Verb." | Note that the question provides the listener with both possible answers: it's either "Verb" or "不 Verb." | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Verb Not Verb with an Object == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you want to add an object after the verb, the general sentence structure is: | ||
| + | |||
| + | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Subject + Verb + 不 + Verb + Object | ||
| + | |||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Examples === | ||
| + | |||
| + | <div class="liju"> | ||
| + | |||
| + | * 你 <em>吃 不 吃</em> 饭？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>要 不 要</em> 咖啡？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>想 不 想</em> 喝酒？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>去 不 去</em> 公园？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>见 不 见</em> 她？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 你<em> 打 不 打</em> 球？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>吃 不 吃</em> KFC？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>买 不 买</em> 衣服？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 今天 你 <em>做 不 做</em> 晚饭？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | *<em> 喝不喝</em> 可乐？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | |||
| + | </div> | ||
== Adjective Not Adjective == | == Adjective Not Adjective == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
It can also be done with [[adjectives]] (adjectives often behave like verbs in Chinese): | It can also be done with [[adjectives]] (adjectives often behave like verbs in Chinese): | ||
| Line 35: | Line 72: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
* <em>好 不 好</em>？<span class="trans">Is it good?(or "good or not good?")</span> | * <em>好 不 好</em>？<span class="trans">Is it good?(or "good or not good?")</span> | ||
| + | * <em>热 不 热</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>冷 不 冷</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>贵 不 贵</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>高 不 高</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>甜 不 甜</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * <em>辣 不 辣</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 这个女孩儿<em>漂亮不漂亮</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 中国菜<em>好吃不好吃</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 这里的咖啡<em>便宜不便宜</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 47: | Line 93: | ||
These are something like adding tag questions in English, in this case "Are you an adult or not?" If you wanted to translate it very literally, it would be, "Are you or are you not an adult?" In any case, the structure is a very common way to ask questions in Chinese. | These are something like adding tag questions in English, in this case "Are you an adult or not?" If you wanted to translate it very literally, it would be, "Are you or are you not an adult?" In any case, the structure is a very common way to ask questions in Chinese. | ||
| − | == | + | == Two-character verbs or adjectives in positive-negative questions == |
| + | |||
| + | All of the verbs used so far have been single-character verbs. Using two-characters verbs in positive-negative questions is slightly trickier. You usually put 不 after the first character, then put the entire verb. For example 喜不喜欢 is the usual question form of 喜欢. You can repeat the whole two-character verb twice, but it's more common (and more elegant) to insert 不 after the first character. (The same is true of two-character adjectives.) | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
| − | + | It can also be done with [[adjectives]] (adjectives often behave like verbs in Chinese): | |
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | + | the first character of Adjective + 不 + Adjective | |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * | + | * 喜欢 <em>不</em> 喜欢 <span class="expl"> (the whole word is repeated)</span> |
| − | * | + | * 喜 <em>不</em> 喜欢 <span class="expl"> (only the first character is repeated)</span> |
| − | * | + | |
| + | * 高兴 <em>不</em> 高兴 <span class="expl"> (the whole word is repeated)</span> | ||
| + | * 高 <em>不</em> 高兴 <span class="expl"> (only the first character is repeated)</span> | ||
| + | |||
| + | * 这 个 女孩儿 <em>漂亮 不 漂亮</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 这 个 女孩儿 <em>漂 不 漂亮</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | |||
| + | * 中国 菜 <em>好吃 不 好吃</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 中国 菜 <em>好 不 好吃</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | |||
| + | * 这里 的 咖啡 <em>便宜 不 便宜</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
| + | * 这里 的 咖啡 <em>便 不 便宜</em>？<span class="trans"></span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
== 有 in positive-negative questions == | == 有 in positive-negative questions == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
Because the verb 有 is negated with 没 and not 不, the structure for positive-negative questions with 有 is: | Because the verb 有 is negated with 没 and not 不, the structure for positive-negative questions with 有 is: | ||
| Line 81: | Line 144: | ||
The questions could be be asking about current possession ("do you have it or not?"), or to ask about [[Negation of past actions|verbs in the past]] ("did you do it or not?"). | The questions could be be asking about current possession ("do you have it or not?"), or to ask about [[Negation of past actions|verbs in the past]] ("did you do it or not?"). | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 电脑？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 手机？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 酒？<span class="trans"></span> | |
| − | </ | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 女 朋友？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 孩子？<span class="trans"></span> | |
| − | == | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 去 过 上海？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 见 过 他？<span class="trans"></span> | |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 学 过 中文？<span class="trans"></span> | |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 坐 过 飞机？<span class="trans"></span> | |
| − | < | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 吃 过 中国 菜？<span class="trans"></span> |
| − | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 借 我 的 钱？<span class="trans">Did you borrow my money?</span> | |
| − | * | + | * 你 <em>有 没有</em> 看 过 那 部 电影？<span class="trans">Have you seen that movie?</span> |
| − | * | ||
| − | |||
| − | * | ||
| − | * | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 125: | Line 184: | ||
{{Used for|Asking questions}} | {{Used for|Asking questions}} | ||
{{Used for|Giving alternatives}} | {{Used for|Giving alternatives}} | ||
| − | {{Basic Grammar|不|A1|V + 不 + V| | + | {{Basic Grammar|不|A1|V + 不 + V|<em>好 不 好</em> ?|grammar point|ASGZH7K3}} |
{{Rel char|没}} | {{Rel char|没}} | ||
{{Rel char|没有}} | {{Rel char|没有}} | ||
Revision as of 08:06, 9 September 2013
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Keywords
A common way to form questions in Chinese is to first use a verb in the positive, then repeat the same verb in its negative form. These are called "affirmative-negative questions" or "alternative questions."
Contents
Verb Not Verb
Structure
Verb + 不 + Verb
Examples
- 他 很 好，是 不 是 ？
- 他们 来 不 来 ？
- 老板，十 块 钱 三 个，卖 不 卖？
- KFC，吃 不 吃？
- 咖啡，要 不 要？
- 这 件 不 贵，买 不 买？
- 那里 有 个 公园， 去 不 去 ？
- 很 晚 了，走 不 走？
- 她 来 了，你 见 不 见？
- 我们 去 打 球，你 打 不 打？
Note that the question provides the listener with both possible answers: it's either "Verb" or "不 Verb."
Verb Not Verb with an Object
Structure
If you want to add an object after the verb, the general sentence structure is:
Subject + Verb + 不 + Verb + Object
Examples
- 你 吃 不 吃 饭？
- 你 要 不 要 咖啡？
- 你 想 不 想 喝酒？
- 你 去 不 去 公园？
- 你 见 不 见 她？
- 你 打 不 打 球？
- 吃 不 吃 KFC？
- 买 不 买 衣服？
- 今天 你 做 不 做 晚饭？
- 喝不喝 可乐？
Adjective Not Adjective
Structure
It can also be done with adjectives (adjectives often behave like verbs in Chinese):
Adjective + 不 + Adjective
Examples
- 好 不 好？Is it good?(or "good or not good?")
- 热 不 热？
- 冷 不 冷？
- 贵 不 贵？
- 高 不 高？
- 甜 不 甜？
- 辣 不 辣？
- 这个女孩儿漂亮不漂亮？
- 中国菜好吃不好吃？
- 这里的咖啡便宜不便宜？
Again, the question provides the listener with both possible answers: it's either "Adjective" or "不 Adjective."
These are something like adding tag questions in English, in this case "Are you an adult or not?" If you wanted to translate it very literally, it would be, "Are you or are you not an adult?" In any case, the structure is a very common way to ask questions in Chinese.
Two-character verbs or adjectives in positive-negative questions
All of the verbs used so far have been single-character verbs. Using two-characters verbs in positive-negative questions is slightly trickier. You usually put 不 after the first character, then put the entire verb. For example 喜不喜欢 is the usual question form of 喜欢. You can repeat the whole two-character verb twice, but it's more common (and more elegant) to insert 不 after the first character. (The same is true of two-character adjectives.)
Structure
It can also be done with adjectives (adjectives often behave like verbs in Chinese):
the first character of Adjective + 不 + Adjective
Examples
- 喜欢 不 喜欢 (the whole word is repeated)
- 喜 不 喜欢 (only the first character is repeated)
- 高兴 不 高兴 (the whole word is repeated)
- 高 不 高兴 (only the first character is repeated)
- 这 个 女孩儿 漂亮 不 漂亮？
- 这 个 女孩儿 漂 不 漂亮？
- 中国 菜 好吃 不 好吃？
- 中国 菜 好 不 好吃？
- 这里 的 咖啡 便宜 不 便宜？
- 这里 的 咖啡 便 不 便宜？
有 in positive-negative questions
Structure
Because the verb 有 is negated with 没 and not 不, the structure for positive-negative questions with 有 is:
Subject + 有没有 + Object
The possible answers are: "有" or "没有."
The questions could be be asking about current possession ("do you have it or not?"), or to ask about verbs in the past ("did you do it or not?").
Examples
- 你 有 没有 电脑？
- 你 有 没有 手机？
- 你 有 没有 酒？
- 你 有 没有 女 朋友？
- 你 有 没有 孩子？
- 你 有 没有 去 过 上海？
- 你 有 没有 见 过 他？
- 你 有 没有 学 过 中文？
- 你 有 没有 坐 过 飞机？
- 你 有 没有 吃 过 中国 菜？
- 你 有 没有 借 我 的 钱？Did you borrow my money?
- 你 有 没有 看 过 那 部 电影？Have you seen that movie?
See also
Sources and further reading
Videos
- Yoyo Chinese: Verb-not-verb Questions
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 141-4) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 86, 102-4) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 87) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 102, 250-1) →buy
