Difference between revisions of "Potential complement "-bu dong" for not understanding"
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| + | Chinese learners often have to express that they don't understand something, especially in the beginning when they start learning. One of the ways to express that is to use the 不懂 （vbù dǒng）verb compliment. | ||
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== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
| − | The [[potential complement]] 不懂 is used to talk about things that can't be understood. Note that this is about ''potential'' - the subject doesn't have the ability to understand. 可以和“不明白”相互替换。 | + | The [[potential complement]] 不懂 is used to talk about things that can't be understood. Note that this is about ''potential'' - the subject doesn't have the ability to understand. The 不懂 can also be swapped out with 不明白 (bù míngbai). |
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| + | 可以和“不明白”相互替换。 | ||
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| − | * 我 看 <em>不懂</em> 中文 的 报纸。 | + | * 我 看 <em>不懂</em> 中文 的 报纸。<span class="trans">I don't understand Chinese newspapers. (Literally: I see-not-understand Chinese newspapers.)</span> |
| − | * 我 听 <em>不懂</em> 南方人 说 的 话。 | + | * 我 听 <em>不懂</em> 南方人 说 的 话。<span class="trans">I don't understand Southerners' talk. (Literally: I hear-not-understand Southerners' talk.)</span> |
| − | * 很 多 人 看 <em>不懂</em> 古代 汉语。 | + | * 很 多 人 看 <em>不懂</em> 古代 汉语。<span class="trans">Many people don't understand ancient Chinese. (Literally: Many people see-not-understand ancient Chinese.)</span> |
| − | * 你 听 <em>不 明白</em> 我 的 话 吗？ | + | * 你 听 <em>不 明白</em> 我 的 话 吗？<span class="trans">Do you not understand my talk? (Literally: You listen-not-understand my talk?)</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 02:18, 31 January 2013
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Keywords
Chinese learners often have to express that they don't understand something, especially in the beginning when they start learning. One of the ways to express that is to use the 不懂 （vbù dǒng）verb compliment.
Structure
The potential complement 不懂 is used to talk about things that can't be understood. Note that this is about potential - the subject doesn't have the ability to understand. The 不懂 can also be swapped out with 不明白 (bù míngbai).
可以和“不明白”相互替换。
Subject + Perception verb + 不懂
Examples
- 我 看 不懂 中文 的 报纸。I don't understand Chinese newspapers. (Literally: I see-not-understand Chinese newspapers.)
- 我 听 不懂 南方人 说 的 话。I don't understand Southerners' talk. (Literally: I hear-not-understand Southerners' talk.)
- 很 多 人 看 不懂 古代 汉语。Many people don't understand ancient Chinese. (Literally: Many people see-not-understand ancient Chinese.)
- 你 听 不 明白 我 的 话 吗？Do you not understand my talk? (Literally: You listen-not-understand my talk?)
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (pp. 242 - 243, pp. 271 - 329) →buy
- Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册) (Chapter 6: Complements) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 200 - 201) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 87 - 88) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 97-9) →buy
- Practicing HSK Grammar (语法精讲精炼) (pp, 186-187) →buy
Websites
- Wikipedia: Complement (linguistics)
- Baidu Baike (Chinese): 补语
- Blog entry (Chinese): 状态补语
