Difference between revisions of "Doing something less with "shao""

Line 33: Line 33:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2]] (pp. 39) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 39) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
  
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]

Revision as of 09:26, 8 June 2013

Chinese-grammar-wiki-shao.jpg

Often heard when scolding or giving advice (like when parents talk to children) is 少 (shǎo), which can mean "to do less of something."

Structure

Just as you can use 多 to talk about doing something more, you can use 少 to talk about doing something less.

Subject + 少 + Verb + Object

Note that in English we don't use the word "less" so much. For example, rather than saying "drink less water," we might say "don't drink so much water." In Chinese, though, using 少 is quite natural and common. Avoiding the negative command (telling someone not to do something) is also a subtle way of sounding less bossy and annoying.

Examples

  • 废话 说!Speak less nonsense!
  • 你 应该 抽 烟!You should smoke less!
  • 学 中文 的 学生 需要 说 英文。Students learning Chinese need to speak English less.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK4