Difference between revisions of "Suggestions with "ba""
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| − | * 咱们 走 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Let's go.</span> | + | * 咱们 走 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span> <span class="trans">Let's go.</span> |
| − | * 快点 吃 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Hurry up and eat.</span> | + | * 快点 吃 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span> <span class="trans">Hurry up and eat.</span> |
| − | * 给 我 两 个 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Give me two.</span> | + | * 给 我 两 个 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span> <span class="trans">Give me two.</span> |
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Revision as of 14:49, 2 December 2012
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
The particle 吧 (ba) can be used to make suggestions or soften the tone of commands.
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
- 咱们 走 吧。 (This is a suggestion) Let's go.
- 快点 吃 吧。 (This is a suggestion) Hurry up and eat.
- 给 我 两 个 吧。 (This is a suggestion) Give me two.
See also
- Softening speech with "ba"
- Softening the Tone of Questions with "ne" (advanced article)
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 66) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 129) →buy
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 307-311) →buy
