Difference between revisions of "Suggestions with "ba""

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
The particle 吧 (ba) can be used to make suggestions or [[Softening speech with "ba"|soften the tone]] or [[Conceding with "ba" |conceding]]. Here we'll talk about making suggestions with "ba".  
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The particle 吧 (ba) can be used to make suggestions, to [[Softening speech with "ba"|soften a sentence's tone]], or even when [[Conceding with "ba" |conceding a point]]. Here we'll talk about making suggestions with "ba".  
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
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Note that when you have a command with the subject "we," you're basically just saying, "let's (do something)."  吧 makes the suggestion sound more tentative and more polite.  
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Note that when you have a command with the subject "we," you're basically just saying, "'''let's''' (do something)."  吧 makes the suggestion sound more tentative and more polite.  
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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* 我们 走 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Let's go.</span><span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span>  
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* 我们 走 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span><span class="trans">Let's go.</span>
* 快点 吃 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Hurry up and eat.</span><span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span>  
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* 快 点 吃 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span><span class="trans">Hurry up and eat.</span>
* 给 我 两 个 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="trans">Give me two.</span><span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span>  
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* 给 我 两 个 <em>吧</em>。 <span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span><span class="trans">Give me two.</span>
* 在 这里 吃 饭<em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 在 这里 吃 饭<em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(Are you noticing a pattern?)</span><span class="trans">Let's eat here.</span>
* 喝 啤酒<em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 喝 啤酒<em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is a most welcome suggestion!)</span><span class="trans">Have some beer.</span>
* 我们 去 香港 <em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 我们 去 香港 <em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is a great suggestion)</span><span class="trans">Let's go to Hong Kong.</span>
* 老板,便宜一点<em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 老板 ,便宜 一点 <em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is more of a request, made to a shopkeeper)</span><span class="trans">Boss, can you make it cheaper?</span>
* 我们 六 点 去<em>吧</em>?<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 我们 六 点 去<em>吧</em>?<span class="expl">(This is more of a confirmation than a suggestion)</span><span class="trans">We're going at 6, right?</span>
* 休息 一下<em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 休息 一下 <em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is a suggestion)</span><span class="trans">Have a rest.</span>
* 我们 结婚 <em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* 我们 结婚 <em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is a also suggestion, believe it or not!)</span><span class="trans">Let's get married.</span>
* <em>吧</em>。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
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* <em>吧</em>。<span class="expl">(This is a suggestion, or sort of an urging)</span><span class="trans">Say it.</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 10:12, 16 September 2013

The particle 吧 (ba) can be used to make suggestions, to soften a sentence's tone, or even when conceding a point. Here we'll talk about making suggestions with "ba".

Structure

Command + 吧

Note that when you have a command with the subject "we," you're basically just saying, "let's (do something)." 吧 makes the suggestion sound more tentative and more polite.

Examples

  • 我们 走 (This is a suggestion)Let's go.
  • 快 点 吃 (This is a suggestion)Hurry up and eat.
  • 给 我 两 个 (This is a suggestion)Give me two.
  • 在 这里 吃 饭(Are you noticing a pattern?)Let's eat here.
  • 喝 啤酒(This is a most welcome suggestion!)Have some beer.
  • 我们 去 香港 (This is a great suggestion)Let's go to Hong Kong.
  • 老板 ,便宜 一点 (This is more of a request, made to a shopkeeper)Boss, can you make it cheaper?
  • 我们 六 点 去(This is more of a confirmation than a suggestion)We're going at 6, right?
  • 休息 一下 (This is a suggestion)Have a rest.
  • 我们 结婚 (This is a also suggestion, believe it or not!)Let's get married.
  • (This is a suggestion, or sort of an urging)Say it.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books