Difference between revisions of "Suggestions with "ba""

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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 66) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
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* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (p. 66) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 129) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (p. 129) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
 
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 307-311) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]  
 
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 307-311) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]  
  

Revision as of 08:20, 14 March 2014

The particle 吧 (ba) can be used to make suggestions, to soften a sentence's tone, or even when conceding a point. Here we'll talk about making suggestions with "ba".

Structure

Command + 吧

Note that when you have a command with the subject "we," you're basically just saying, "let's (do something)." 吧 makes the suggestion sound more tentative and more polite.

Examples

  • 我们 走 (This is a suggestion)Let's go.
  • 快 点 吃 (This is a suggestion)Hurry up and eat.
  • 给 我 两 个 (This is a suggestion)Give me two.
  • 在 这里 吃 饭 (Are you noticing a pattern?)Let's eat here.
  • 喝 啤酒 (This is a most welcome suggestion!)Have some beer.
  • 我们 去 香港 (This is a great suggestion)Let's go to Hong Kong.
  • 老板 ,便宜 一点 (This is more of a request, made to a shopkeeper)Boss, can you make it cheaper?
  • 我们 六 点 去(This is more of a confirmation than a suggestion)We're going at 6 o'clock (right)?
  • 休息 一下 (This is a suggestion)Take a break.
  • 我们 结婚 (This is a also suggestion, believe it or not!)Let's get married.
  • 你 说 (This is a suggestion)You say it.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books