Difference between revisions of "Comparing "shihe" and "heshi""
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{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
| − | + | Mixing up the order of the two syllables in a word is something most learners do. This makes the pair 适合 (shìhé) and 合适 (héshì) annoying, to say the least. They mean more or less the same thing, but the former is a verb, while the latter is an adjective. | |
| − | ==适合== | + | ==The Verb 适合== |
适合 is a verb meaning "to suit", and must take an object. | 适合 is a verb meaning "to suit", and must take an object. | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | ==合适== | + | ==The Adjective 合适== |
合适 is an adjective meaning "suitable or appropriate", and is used in the same way as other adjectives. | 合适 is an adjective meaning "suitable or appropriate", and is used in the same way as other adjectives. | ||
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We cannot say: | We cannot say: | ||
| + | |||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li class="x">这 个 <em>合适</em> 我</li> | + | <li class="x">这 个 <em>合适</em> 我 。</li><span class="expl">(This would be treating 合适 like a verb, when it's an adjective)</span> |
| − | <li class="x">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>适合</em></li> | + | <li class="x">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>适合</em> 。</li><span class="expl">(This would be treating 合适 like an adjective, when it's a verb)</span> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| + | |||
We can say: | We can say: | ||
| + | |||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li class="o">这 个 <em>适合</em> 我</li> | + | <li class="o">这 个 <em>适合</em> 我 。</li><span class="expl">(It's a verb!)</span> |
| − | <li class="o">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>合适</em></li> | + | <li class="o">这 个 鞋 码 很 <em>合适</em> 。</li><span class="expl">(It's an adjective!)</span> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 05:43, 30 April 2014
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
Mixing up the order of the two syllables in a word is something most learners do. This makes the pair 适合 (shìhé) and 合适 (héshì) annoying, to say the least. They mean more or less the same thing, but the former is a verb, while the latter is an adjective.
Contents
The Verb 适合
适合 is a verb meaning "to suit", and must take an object.
Structure
Subject + 适合 + Object
Examples
- 这 个 工作 很 适合 我。This job really suits me.
- 你 的 中文 名字 真 适合 你！Your Chinese name suits you well.
- 这 部 电影 不 适合 儿童 看。This movie does not suit a young audience.
The Adjective 合适
合适 is an adjective meaning "suitable or appropriate", and is used in the same way as other adjectives.
Examples
- iPad 虽然 好 用，但是 对 我 来 说 价格 不 太 合适！Although iPads are fun to use, I think the price is not suitable.
- 在 办公室 里 抽烟 有 点 不 合适 吧。Inside the office, smoking is not suitable.
- 他 就是 最 合适 的，他 完全 符合 我们 的 招聘 要求。He is very suitable. He completely matches the advertised demands.
We cannot say:
- 这 个 合适 我 。 (This would be treating 合适 like a verb, when it's an adjective)
- 这 个 鞋 码 很 适合 。 (This would be treating 合适 like an adjective, when it's a verb)
We can say:
- 这 个 适合 我 。 (It's a verb!)
- 这 个 鞋 码 很 合适 。 (It's an adjective!)
Example dialog
- A:你 知道 穿 什么 衣服 最 适合 参加 这 个 聚会 吗？Do you know what kind of clothes would suit this party?
- B:我 不 知道。但是 穿 牛仔裤 一定 不 合适。I don't know, but wearing jeans is definitely not suitable.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 273-4) →buy
