Difference between revisions of "Expressing "to make certain" with "qianwan""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
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千万 (qiān wàn) on the surface seems to just mean "thousand ten thousand," but it actually means "to make certain." It is used when you want to command someone or remind someone to do something (like: "don't forget to clean your room!") It really adds a kick to your sentence!
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千万 (qiānwàn) looks like a number ("thousand ten thousand"?) but it actually means "to make certain." It is more common in the negative form, but is also used in the positive. It really adds a kick to your sentence!
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
千万 usually starts the imperative sentence/phrase (also called command sentence/phrase), and it is usually paired with 要, 不能, 别 or similar types of words. You can use 千万 with sentences that are commanding someone not do do something, or you can tell them to do something.  
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千万 usually starts the imperative sentence or phrase, and it is usually paired with 要, 不能, 别 or similar types of words. You can use 千万 with sentences that are commanding someone not do do something, or you can tell them to do something.  
  
 
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== 千万 with "don't" ==
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== 千万 with "Don't" ==
  
The following examples use 千万 to command someone ''not'' to do something.
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The following examples use 千万 in the negative to command someone ''not'' to do something.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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* 这 个 菜 很 难吃,<em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 点! <span class="pinyin">Zhè gè cài hěn nánchī, <em>qiān wàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> diǎn!</span><span class="trans"> This dish is horrible, don't order it!</span>
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* 这 个 菜 很 难吃,<em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 点! <span class="pinyin">Zhège cài hěn nánchī, <em>qiānwàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> diǎn!</span><span class="trans"> This dish is horrible, don't order it!</span>
 
* 那里 太 危险 了,<em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 去! <span class="pinyin">Nàli tài wēixiǎn le, <em>qiān wàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> qù!</span><span class="trans">It's too dangerous there, don't go!</span>
 
* 那里 太 危险 了,<em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 去! <span class="pinyin">Nàli tài wēixiǎn le, <em>qiān wàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> qù!</span><span class="trans">It's too dangerous there, don't go!</span>
 
* 他们 的 产品 是 假 的,你 <em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 买! <span class="pinyin">Tāmen de chǎnpǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ <em>qiān wàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> mǎi!</span><span class="trans">Their products are all fake, don't buy them!</span>
 
* 他们 的 产品 是 假 的,你 <em>千万</em> <strong>不要</strong> 买! <span class="pinyin">Tāmen de chǎnpǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ <em>qiān wàn</em> <strong>bùyào</strong> mǎi!</span><span class="trans">Their products are all fake, don't buy them!</span>

Revision as of 07:51, 13 November 2020

Chinese-grammar-wiki-千.jpg

千万 (qiānwàn) looks like a number ("thousand ten thousand"?) but it actually means "to make certain." It is more common in the negative form, but is also used in the positive. It really adds a kick to your sentence!

Structure

千万 usually starts the imperative sentence or phrase, and it is usually paired with 要, 不能, 别 or similar types of words. You can use 千万 with sentences that are commanding someone not do do something, or you can tell them to do something.

千万 + Verb/Verb Phrase

千万 with "Don't"

The following examples use 千万 in the negative to command someone not to do something.

Examples

  • 这 个 菜 很 难吃,千万 不要 点! Zhège cài hěn nánchī, qiānwàn bùyào diǎn! This dish is horrible, don't order it!
  • 那里 太 危险 了,千万 不要 去! Nàli tài wēixiǎn le, qiān wàn bùyào qù!It's too dangerous there, don't go!
  • 他们 的 产品 是 假 的,你 千万 不要 买! Tāmen de chǎnpǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ qiān wàn bùyào mǎi!Their products are all fake, don't buy them!
  • 他 不 是 什么 好人,千万 不要 相信 他! Tā bù shì shénme hǎo rén, qiān wàn bùyào xiāngxìn tā!He is not a good person, don't believe him!
  • 孩子 有 错,父母 可以 教育 他, 但 千万 不 能 打 孩子。 Háizi yǒu cuò, fùmǔ kěyǐ jiàoyù tā, dàn qiān wàn bù néng dǎ háizi.When a child does wrong, parents can teach them. But they can't hit them!

千万 with "do"

The following examples use 千万 to command someone to do something.

Examples

  • 过 马路 千万 小心。Guò mǎlù qiānwàn yào xiǎoxīn.When crossing the street, be careful!
  • 这 句 话 你 千万 记 在 心里。Zhè jù huà nǐ qiānwàn yào jì zài xīnli.Memorize this phrase by heart!
  • 一个人 去 旅行 千万 注意 安全。Yī gèrén qù lǚxíng qiānwàn yào zhùyì ānquán.When traveling alone, you must pay attention and be careful!
  • 出门 以前 千万 把 门 锁 好。Chūmén yǐqián qiānwàn yào bǎ mén suǒ hǎo.Before leaving make sure to lock the door!
  • 雨天 路 滑, 千万 开 慢 点。Yǔtiān lù huá, qiānwàn yào kāi màn diǎn.The rain makes the road slippery. Drive slower!

See also

Sources and further reading

Books