The "also" adverb "ye"

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The English adverb "too" or "also" is expressed in Chinese as 也 (yě).

Structure with Predicate Verbs

Since it is an adverb, "也" is inserted after the subject, before the verb or auxiliary verb:

Subject + 也 + [Verb Phrase]

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 is used the same way. Just make sure you put the 也 before the 不 (or other negative part that comes before the verb).

Examples

  • 喜欢。I like it too. / I also like it.
  • 有 一个 儿子 。 I also have a son.
  • 他们 是 法国 人 。They are also French.
  • 在 学 中文。I am also studying Chinese.
  • 你 是 北京 人?我 是。Are you a Beijinger? I am too.
  • 不 知道 这 是 什么 。I don't know what this is either.
  • 我 知道 你 想 去 。I know that you also want to go.
  • 喜欢 吃 水饺。I also like to eat boiled dumplings.
  • 喜欢 喝 啤酒 吗?Do you like to drink beer, too?
  • 会 来 我 家 吗?Will you also come to my home?
  • 觉得 这 个 餐厅 不 好?You also think that this restaurant isn't good?

Structure with Adjectives

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"很"所包含的very的意思,只用于补足音节、修饰句子。

Subject + 也 + Adverb + Adjective

Examples

  • 高。You are also tall.
  • 胖。He is also fat.
  • 昨天 很 冷,今天 冷。Yesterday was very cold, and today is also very cold.
  • 这 种 酒 好 喝。This kind of alcohol is also very good.
  • 他 生气 了?我 生气!He got angry? I'm also very angry!
  • 这 个 问题 麻烦。This problem is also very troublesome.
  • 我 觉得 这 个 餐厅 好。I think that this restaurant is also good.

"Me too"

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. The correct way is:

  • 是。

你还可以把上句中的主语换成其他主语,比如"他""我们""我们公司""我的太太"。表示这个主语具有上文中提到的事物的性质。

  • 是。
  • 我们 是。
  • 我 太太 是。
  • 我们 公司 是。
  • 中国 人 是。
  • 巧克力 是。
  • 冰 的 可乐 好喝,咖啡 是。

See also

Sources and further reading

Books