Expressing "as one likes" with "jiu"

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When we want to express "to do something as one pleases," we can use the "想 verb +就 verb" form.

Basic Usage

This structure is similar to how we would say in English "Whatever I want to eat, I eat" or "Wherever I want to go, I go." What comes after the 想 and 就 are the same verb.

Structure

想 + Verb (+ Obj.) + 就 + Verb (+ Obj.)

Examples

  • 来 。xiǎng lái jiù lái.If you want to come, come.
  • 吃 ,不用 问 我 。Xiǎng chī jiù chī, bùyòng wèn wǒ.If you want to eat, help yourself. You don't need to ask me.
  • 别 害怕 , 大声 唱 。Bié hàipà, xiǎng chàng jiù dàshēng chàng.Don't be afraid. If you want to sing, sing loudly.
  • 问 ,考虑 那么 多 干吗 ?If you want to ask, ask. Why would you consider so much?
  • 跑 ,哪有 那么 容易 ?Xiǎng pǎo jiù pǎo, nǎ yǒu nàme róngyì?Isn't it too easy that you just leave when you want to run away?

Used with Question Word

You can also add in a question word, like 什么, 哪儿, or 怎么. When this is the case, the pronouns don't necessarily refer to any specific thing. They can be seen more as words like "whatever" or "wherever." This way, question pronouns (什么,谁,什么时候,etc) serve as "indefinite references."

Structure

想 + Verb + Question Word + 就 + Verb + Question Word

Examples

  • 去 哪儿 去哪儿 。 Xiǎng qù nǎr jiù qù nǎr.Wherever you want to go, go there.
  • 吃 什么 吃 什么 , 我 无所谓 。 xiǎng chī shénme jiù chī shénme, wǒ wúsuǒwèi.Eat whatever you want, I don't care.
  • 怎么 做 怎么 做 ,不 关 你 的 事 。 I will do it how I want to do it. It has nothing to do with you.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries