Difference between revisions of "The "also" adverb "ye""

m (Text replacement - "{{HSK|HSK1}}" to "{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}")
 
(110 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Grammar Box}}
+
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
The English adverb "too" or "also" is expressed in Chinese as 也 (yě).
+
The English adverb "too" or "also" is expressed in Chinese as 也 (yě). In Chinese, it ''always'' needs to come before the verb (or adjective).
  
== 也 with Verb Phrases ==
+
== 也 (yě) with Verb Phrases ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
Since it is an [[adverb]], "" is inserted after the subject, before the [[verb]] or [[auxiliary verb]]:
+
Since it is an [[adverb]], 也 (yě) is inserted after the subject, before the [[verb]] or [[verb phrase]].
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 也 + [Verb Phrase]
+
Subj. + 也 + Verb / [Verb Phrase]
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
*我 <em>也</em> 喜欢。 <span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>yě</em> xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">I also like it.</span>
 +
*我 <em>也</em> 是 学生 。 <span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>yě</em> shì xuésheng.</span><span class="trans">I am a student too.</span>
 +
*她 <em>也</em> 有 一个 儿子。 <span class="pinyin"> Tā <em>yě</em> yǒu yī gè érzi.</span><span class="trans">She also has a son.</span>
 +
*他们 <em>也</em> 是 法国 人 吗? <span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yě</em> shì Fǎguó rén ma?</span><span class="trans">Are they also French?</span>
 +
*我 <em>也</em> 想 学 中文。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yě</em> xiǎng xué Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">I also want to study Chinese.</span>
 +
*他们 <em>也</em> 会 去吗? <span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yě</em> huì qù ma?</span><span class="trans">Are they also going?</span>
 +
*我 妈妈 <em>也</em> 喜欢 吃 饺子。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ māma <em>yě</em> xǐhuan chī jiǎozi.</span><span class="trans">My mother likes to eat boiled dumplings too.</span>
 +
*孩子 <em>也</em> 可以 喝酒 吗? <span class="pinyin"> Háizi <em>yě</em>  kěyǐ hējiǔ ma?</span><span class="trans">Can kids drink alcohol too?</span>
 +
*你 <em>也</em> 想 来 我 家 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yě</em>  xiǎng lái wǒ jiā ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to come to my house too?</span>
 +
*她 <em>也</em> 觉得 这 个 老师 不 好。<span class="pinyin"> Tā <em>yě</em> juéde zhège lǎoshī bù hǎo.</span><span class="trans">She also thinks this teacher isn't good.</span>
 +
 +
</div>
 +
 +
Let's take one more look at two different English sentences which mean the same thing, but can result in bad Chinese if you translate word-for-word.
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="o"> 我<em>也</em><strong>喜欢</strong>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>yě</em><strong> xǐhuan</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I also like it.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x"> 我 <strong>喜欢</strong> <em>也</em>。 <span class="pinyin"> Wǒ xǐhuan <em>yě</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like it too.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 +
</div>
 +
 +
Note that the translation for the first sentence is "I also like it." The translation of the second sentence is "I like it too," which is equally correct in English, but translated word-for-word into Chinese, the 也 (yě) comes at the end of the sentence, which is ''100% wrong'' in Chinese.
 +
 +
=== A Note on the Negative Form ===
  
 
Please note that in English, we replace the word "too" with "either" in negative sentences.  For example:
 
Please note that in English, we replace the word "too" with "either" in negative sentences.  For example:
  
* A: I like cats.<br />B: I like cats '''too'''.
+
<div class="liju liju-en">
* A: I '''don't''' like cats.<br />B: I don't like cats '''either'''.
+
 
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>I like cats.</li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>I like cats ''too''.</li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> I ''don't'' like cats.</li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>  I don't like cats ''either''.</li>
 +
</ul>
  
In Chinese, regardless of whether the sentence is positive ("I like them '''too'''") or negative ("I '''don't''' like them '''either'''"), 也 is used the same way.  Just make sure you put the 也 ''before'' the 不 (or other negative part that comes before the verb).
+
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
In Chinese, regardless of whether the sentence is positive ("I like them '''too'''") or negative ("I '''don't''' like them '''either'''"), 也 (yě) is used the same way.  Just make sure you put the 也 (yě) ''before'' the 不 (bù) or other negative part that comes before the verb.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>也</em> 喜欢。<span class="trans">I like it too. / I also like it.</span>
+
*我 <em>也</em> <strong>不</strong> 喜欢。 <span class="pinyin"> <em></em> bù xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">I don't like it either.</span>
* 我 <em></em> 有 一个 儿子 。 <span class="trans">I also have a son.</span>
+
*<em>也</em> <strong></strong> 知道。 <span class="pinyin"> <em></em> bù zhīdào.</span><span class="trans">I don't know either.</span>
* 他们 <em>也</em> 是 法国 人 。<span class="trans">They are also French.</span>
+
*<em>也</em> <strong>没</strong> 有。 <span class="pinyin"><em></em> méiyǒu.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't have it either.</span>
* 我 <em>也</em> 在 学 中文。<span class="trans">I am also studying Chinese.</span>
+
*你 <em>也</em> <strong></strong> 来 我 家 吗? <span class="pinyin"><em></em> bù xiǎng lái wǒ jiā ma?</span><span class="trans">You don't want to come to my house either?</span>
* 你 是 北京 人?我 <em></em> 是。<span class="trans">Are you a Beijinger? I am too.</span>
 
* 他 <em>也</em> 不 知道 这 是 什么 。<span class="trans">I don't know what this is either.</span>
 
* 我 知道 你 <em>也</em> 想 去 。<span class="trans">I know that you also want to go.</span>
 
* 我 <em></em> 喜欢 吃 水饺。<span class="trans">I also like to eat boiled dumplings.</span>
 
* 你 <em>也</em> 喜欢 喝 啤酒 吗?<span class="trans">Do you like to drink beer, too?</span>
 
* 你 <em>也</em> 会 来 我 家 吗?<span class="trans">Will you also come to my home?</span>
 
* 你 <em></em> 觉得 这 个 餐厅 不 好?<span class="trans">You also think that this restaurant isn't good?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 也 with Adjectives ==
+
== 也 (yě) with Adjectives ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
也 can also be used with adjectives. 你知道在汉语中如果是形容词直接做谓语,那么这个形容词前面一般要用一个副词修饰,尤其是单音节形容词。所以在这里,形容词前面要加一个副词,比如"很""比较""挺""非常"。如果不是特别强调,一般人会忽略""所包含的very的意思,只用于补足音节、修饰句子。
+
(yě) can also be used with adjectives. Remember that for [[simple "noun + adjective" sentences]] you normally need to include an adverb like (hěn) before the adjective. In that case, just put the 也 (yě) before the adverb.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 也 + Adverb + Adjective
+
Subj. + 也 (+ Adv.) + Adj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 56: Line 90:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 高。<span class="trans">You are also tall.</span>
+
*你 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 高。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> gāo.</span><span class="trans">You are also tall.</span>
* 他 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 胖。<span class="trans">He is also fat.</span>
+
*他 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 胖。 <span class="pinyin"> Tā <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong>  pàng.</span><span class="trans">He is also fat.</span>
* 昨天 冷,今天 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 冷。<span class="trans">Yesterday was very cold, and today is also very cold.</span>
+
*我 爸爸 <em>也</em> <strong></strong> 帅。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ bàba <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong>  shuài.</span><span class="trans">My dad is also handsome.</span>
* 这 种 酒 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 好 喝。<span class="trans">This kind of alcohol is also very good.</span>
+
*湖南 菜 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 辣。 <span class="pinyin">Húnán cài <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> là.</span><span class="trans">Hunan food is very spicy too.</span>
* 他 生气 了?我 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 生气!<span class="trans">He got angry? I'm also very angry!</span>
+
*这 种 酒 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 好喝。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng jiǔ <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> hǎohē.</span><span class="trans">This kind of alcohol is also good.</span>
* 这 个 问题 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 麻烦。<span class="trans">This problem is also very troublesome.</span>
+
*这 个 地方 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 漂亮。 <span class="pinyin"> Zhège dìfang <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> piàoliang.</span><span class="trans">This place is also pretty.</span>
* 我 觉得 这 个 餐厅 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 好。<span class="trans">I think that this restaurant is also good.</span>
+
*昨天 很 冷 , 今天 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 冷。 <span class="pinyin">Zuótiān hěn lěng, jīntiān <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> lěng.</span><span class="trans">Yesterday was cold, and today is also cold.</span>
 +
*他 生气 了 ? 我 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 生气! <span class="pinyin">Tā shēngqì le?  Wǒ <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> shēngqì!</span><span class="trans">He got angry? I'm also angry!</span>
 +
*这 个 问题 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 麻烦。 <span class="pinyin">Zhège wèntí <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> máfan.</span><span class="trans">This problem is also very troublesome.</span>
 +
*我 觉得 这 个 餐厅 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 好 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ juéde zhège cāntīng <em>yě</em> <strong>hěn</strong> hǎo.</span><span class="trans">I think that this restaurant is also good.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Expressing "me too" with 也 ===
+
== Expressing "Me Too" with 也 (yě) ==
  
It can be tricky to know how to say "me too" when you first study 也, as you can't say "我也......" - this is not a complete sentence; you can't just leave 也 hanging there with nothing after it.
+
It can be tricky to know how to say "me too" when you first study 也 (yě), as you can't say "wǒ yě" all by itself. That's not a complete sentence; you can't just leave 也 (yě) hanging there with nothing after it.
  
The correct sentence is "我也是," which literally means, "I am too," but can also stand in for "me too."
+
The all-purpose correct sentence is "wǒ yě shì," which literally means, "I am too," but can also stand in for "me too."
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
The correct structure uses the verb 是:
+
The correct structure uses the verb 是 (shì):
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
<li class="o">* 我 <em>也</em> 是。<span class="expl">(The 是 fills in for whatever was just said.)</span><span class="trans">I am too. / Me too.</span></li>
+
<ul>
<li class="x">* 我 <em>也</em> 。 <span class="expl">(Always put something after 也! It never ends a sentence.)</span></li>
+
<li class="o">我 <em>也</em> <strong>是</strong>。<span class="expl">The 是 fills in for whatever was just said.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yě</em> <strong>shì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I am too. / Me too.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">我 <em>也</em> 。 <span class="expl">Always put something after 也! It never ends a sentence.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yě</em>.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 85: Line 124:
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
The "me too" structure works with other subjects, as well.
+
The "me too" structure works with other subjects, as well. But for these simple examples, we'll stick to the classic 我 (wǒ) subject.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他 <em></em> 是 。 <span class="trans">He is too. / Him too.</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 我们 <em>也</em> 是 。 <span class="trans">We are too. / Us too.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 美国人 。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ shì Měiguó rén.</span><span class="trans">I am an American.</span></li>  
* 我 太太 <em>也</em> 是 。 <span class="trans">My wife is too. / My wife too.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> <em>也</em><strong> 是</strong>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>yě</em><strong> shì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Me too. / I am too.</span></li>
* 我们 公司 <em></em> 是 。 <span class="trans">Our company is too. / Our company too.</span>
+
</ul>
* 中国 人 <em>也</em> 是 。 <span class="trans">Chinese people are too. / Chinese people too.</span>
 
* 巧克力 <em></em> 是 。 <span class="trans">Chocolate is too. / Chocolate too.</span>
 
* 冰 的 可乐 好喝,咖啡 <em>也</em> 是 。 <span class="trans">Cold cola is good. Cold coffee is too.</span>
 
  
 +
For this next one, you'll notice that the "me too" reply repeats the original verb 喜欢 (xǐhuan) instead of using 是 (shì). Both ways are possible.
 +
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 喜欢 看 书 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan kàn shū.</span><span class="trans">I like to read.</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em> 也</em> <strong>喜欢</strong>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>yě </em><strong>xǐhuan</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Me too. / So do I.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
You'll notice that some of those English translations use "so do I."  The Chinese works exactly the same; they're just translated that way to produce more natural-sounding English.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  
 
*[["Ye" and "dou" together]]
 
*[["Ye" and "dou" together]]
*[[The all adverb]]
+
*[[Expressing "and also" with "hai"]]
 +
*[[The "all" adverb "dou"]]
 +
*[[Expressing "and also" with "hai"]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
Line 108: Line 154:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 31-2) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|98}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (pp. 88) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|31-2}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (p. 73)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|88}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|73}}
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|也|A1|也 + Verb / 也 + Adj.|昨天 很 冷,今天 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 冷。|grammar point|ASGG25MD}}
+
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 +
[[Category:Dialogs]]
 +
{{Basic Grammar|也|A1|也 + Verb / Adj.|昨天 很 冷,今天 <em>也</em> <strong>很</strong> 冷。|grammar point|ASGG25MD}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Used for|Adding more explanation}}
 
{{Similar|"Ye" and "dou" together}}  
 
{{Similar|"Ye" and "dou" together}}  
{{Similar|The all adverb}}
+
{{Similar|Expressing "and also" with "hai"}}
 +
{{Similar|The all adverb "dou"}}
 +
{{Similar|Simple "noun + adjective" sentences}}
 
{{Translation|too}}
 
{{Translation|too}}
 
{{Translation|also}}
 
{{Translation|also}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}

Latest revision as of 09:21, 20 April 2021

The English adverb "too" or "also" is expressed in Chinese as 也 (yě). In Chinese, it always needs to come before the verb (or adjective).

也 (yě) with Verb Phrases

Structure

Since it is an adverb, 也 (yě) is inserted after the subject, before the verb or verb phrase.

Subj. + 也 + Verb / [Verb Phrase]

Examples

  • 喜欢。 xǐhuan.I also like it.
  • 是 学生 。 shì xuésheng.I am a student too.
  • 有 一个 儿子。 yǒu yī gè érzi.She also has a son.
  • 他们 是 法国 人 吗? Tāmen shì Fǎguó rén ma?Are they also French?
  • 想 学 中文。 xiǎng xué Zhōngwén.I also want to study Chinese.
  • 他们 会 去吗? Tāmen huì qù ma?Are they also going?
  • 我 妈妈 喜欢 吃 饺子。 Wǒ māma xǐhuan chī jiǎozi.My mother likes to eat boiled dumplings too.
  • 孩子 可以 喝酒 吗? Háizi kěyǐ hējiǔ ma?Can kids drink alcohol too?
  • 想 来 我 家 吗? xiǎng lái wǒ jiā ma?Do you want to come to my house too?
  • 觉得 这 个 老师 不 好。 juéde zhège lǎoshī bù hǎo.She also thinks this teacher isn't good.

Let's take one more look at two different English sentences which mean the same thing, but can result in bad Chinese if you translate word-for-word.

  • 喜欢 xǐhuan.I also like it.
  • 喜欢 Wǒ xǐhuan .I like it too.

Note that the translation for the first sentence is "I also like it." The translation of the second sentence is "I like it too," which is equally correct in English, but translated word-for-word into Chinese, the 也 (yě) comes at the end of the sentence, which is 100% wrong in Chinese.

A Note on the Negative Form

Please note that in English, we replace the word "too" with "either" in negative sentences. For example:

  • A:I like cats.
  • B:I like cats too.
  • A: I don't like cats.
  • B: I don't like cats either.

In Chinese, regardless of whether the sentence is positive ("I like them too") or negative ("I don't like them either"), 也 (yě) is used the same way. Just make sure you put the 也 (yě) before the 不 (bù) or other negative part that comes before the verb.

  • 喜欢。 bù xǐhuan.I don't like it either.
  • 知道。 bù zhīdào.I don't know either.
  • 有。 méiyǒu.He doesn't have it either.
  • 想 来 我 家 吗? bù xiǎng lái wǒ jiā ma?You don't want to come to my house either?

也 (yě) with Adjectives

Structure

也 (yě) can also be used with adjectives. Remember that for simple "noun + adjective" sentences you normally need to include an adverb like 很 (hěn) before the adjective. In that case, just put the 也 (yě) before the adverb.

Subj. + 也 (+ Adv.) + Adj.

Examples

  • 高。 hěn gāo.You are also tall.
  • 胖。 hěn pàng.He is also fat.
  • 我 爸爸 帅。 Wǒ bàba hěn shuài.My dad is also handsome.
  • 湖南 菜 辣。 Húnán cài hěn là.Hunan food is very spicy too.
  • 这 种 酒 好喝。 Zhè zhǒng jiǔ hěn hǎohē.This kind of alcohol is also good.
  • 这 个 地方 漂亮。 Zhège dìfang hěn piàoliang.This place is also pretty.
  • 昨天 很 冷 , 今天 冷。 Zuótiān hěn lěng, jīntiān hěn lěng.Yesterday was cold, and today is also cold.
  • 他 生气 了 ? 我 生气! Tā shēngqì le? Wǒ hěn shēngqì!He got angry? I'm also angry!
  • 这 个 问题 麻烦。 Zhège wèntí hěn máfan.This problem is also very troublesome.
  • 我 觉得 这 个 餐厅 好 。 Wǒ juéde zhège cāntīng hěn hǎo.I think that this restaurant is also good.

Expressing "Me Too" with 也 (yě)

It can be tricky to know how to say "me too" when you first study 也 (yě), as you can't say "wǒ yě" all by itself. That's not a complete sentence; you can't just leave 也 (yě) hanging there with nothing after it.

The all-purpose correct sentence is "wǒ yě shì," which literally means, "I am too," but can also stand in for "me too."

Structure

The correct structure uses the verb 是 (shì):

  • The 是 fills in for whatever was just said. shì.I am too. / Me too.
  • Always put something after 也! It never ends a sentence..

Examples

The "me too" structure works with other subjects, as well. But for these simple examples, we'll stick to the classic 我 (wǒ) subject.

  • A: 我 是 美国人 。 Wǒ shì Měiguó rén.I am an American.
  • B: shì.Me too. / I am too.

For this next one, you'll notice that the "me too" reply repeats the original verb 喜欢 (xǐhuan) instead of using 是 (shì). Both ways are possible.

  • A: 我 喜欢 看 书 。Wǒ xǐhuan kàn shū.I like to read.
  • B: 喜欢xǐhuan.Me too. / So do I.

You'll notice that some of those English translations use "so do I." The Chinese works exactly the same; they're just translated that way to produce more natural-sounding English.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books