Actions in a row

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Linking actions together in a sentence is very straightforward and to the point. Because of this, there is no new word or phrase needed!

Structure

In Chinese, it's very easy to describe two actions in a row. Simply place one verb phrase after another, in this structure:

Subj. + [Verb Phrase 1] + [Verb Phrase 2]

No connecting word is needed. A common mistake in the early stages of learning Chinese is to try and link verbs with 和 (hé). This is incorrect; 和 (hé) is for linking nouns. Just use one verb phrase after another and the sequence of events is clear.

Examples

  • 我 要 饭。 Wǒ yào huíjiā chīfàn.I want to go home and eat.
  • 你 要 超市 东西 吗?Nǐ yào chāoshì mǎi dōngxi ma? Are you going to the supermarket to buy things?
  • 他 不 想 图书馆 书。Tā bù xiǎng túshūguǎn kàn shū.He doesn't want to go to the library and read.
  • 电话 告诉 他 了 吗? diànhuà gàosu tā le ma? Did you call and tell him?
  • 我们 要 飞机 美国。Wǒmen yào zuò fēijī Měiguó.We are going to take an airplane to go to America.
  • 你们 可以 机票 吗?Nǐmen kěyǐ shàng wǎng mǎi jīpiào ma? Can you use the Internet to buy airplane tickets?
  • 老板 下周 北京 会。Lǎobǎn xià zhōu Běijīng kāi huì.Next week the boss will go to Beijing to have a meeting.
  • 中国人 都 要 年。Zhōngguó rén dōu yào huíjiā guònián.Chinese people all go back home and spend Chinese New Year.
  • 周末 我 喜欢 自己 饭。Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuan zìjǐ mǎi cài zuòfàn. I like to buy food to cook for myself on the weekend.
  • 早上 我 先 脸,再 吃 早饭。Zǎoshang wǒ xiān shuā liǎn, zài chī zǎofàn.In the morning, I first brush my teeth and wash my face, and then I eat breakfast.

Note that the English translations of these sentences use the word "and," but there is no equivalent to it in Chinese.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books