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

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{{Grammar Box}} \r\nOften heard when scolding or giving advice (like when parents talk to children) is 少 (shǎo), which can mean "to do less of something."\r\n== Structure ==\r\nJust as you can use 多 to talk about [[Doing something more with "duo"|doing something more]], you can use 少 to talk about doing something ''less''.\r\n<div class="jiegou">\r\nSubject + 少 + Verb + Object\r\n</div>\r\nNote 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.\r\n== Examples ==\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 废话 <em>少</em> 说!<span class="trans">Speak less nonsense!</span>
 
 
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 with "duo"|doing something more]], you can use 少 to talk about doing something ''less''.
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject + 少 + Verb + Object
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
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 ==
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 废话 <em>少</em> 说!<span class="trans">Speak less nonsense!</span>
 
 
* 你 应该 <em>少</em> 抽 烟!<span class="trans">You should smoke less!</span>
 
* 你 应该 <em>少</em> 抽 烟!<span class="trans">You should smoke less!</span>
* 学 中文 的 学生 需要 <em>少</em> 说 英文。<span class="trans">Students learning Chinese need to speak English less.</span>
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* 学 中文 的 学生 需要 <em>少</em> 说 英文。<span class="trans">Students learning Chinese need to speak English less.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n==See also==\r\n* [[Doing something more with "duo"]]\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* [[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]\r\n[[Category:B1 grammar points]]\r\n{{Basic Grammar|少|B1|少 + V|废话 <em>少</em> 说!|grammar point|ASG9B0M8}}
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
==See also==
 
 
 
* [[Doing something more with "duo"]]
 
 
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
 
 
=== Books ===
 
 
 
* [[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]]
 
 
 
{{Basic Grammar|少|B1|少 + V|废话 <em>少</em> 说!|grammar point|ASG9B0M8}}
 
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{Subprop|Verb phrases}}
 
{{Subprop|Verb phrases}}
 
{{Translation|less}}
 
{{Translation|less}}

Revision as of 06:09, 26 November 2013

Chinese-grammar-wiki-shao.jpg

\r\nOften heard when scolding or giving advice (like when parents talk to children) is 少 (shǎo), which can mean "to do less of something."\r\n== Structure ==\r\nJust as you can use 多 to talk about doing something more, you can use 少 to talk about doing something less.\r\n

\r\nSubject + 少 + Verb + Object\r\n

\r\nNote 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.\r\n== Examples ==\r\n

\r\n* 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.\r\n

\r\n==See also==\r\n* Doing something more with "duo"\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 39) →buy\r\n\r\n

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