diff --git a/Verb Reduplication.md b/Verb Reduplication.md index e69de29..b38b214 100644 --- a/Verb Reduplication.md +++ b/Verb Reduplication.md @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +Verbs can be repeated in the form of `(verb1 + verb1)` to express the meaning of "to do it a little bit". The repeated syllable is always in the neutral tone. +1. 请你想想这个问题 + Please think about this problem a little +2. 请你给我们介绍介绍中国的民歌 + Please tell us a little bit about Chinese folk songs +For two syllable verbs, as in (2), the stress falls on the first and third syllables: *jiè*shao*jiè*shao. + +Reduplicating a verb indicates a tentative notion, a trivialisation of an action either in terms of duration to complete it, or the consequences of it. Therefore it's often used for the following purposes: +1. To describe a "short" action which someone hopes or intends to carry out: + - 走走 zǒuzou: + to talk a walk (say, a 20 minute stroll - not a 2 hour hike) + - 下课以后,我们经常去咖啡馆坐坐,喝喝咖啡。 + After class, we often go to a cafe (and sit there) for a while, and have some coffee. +2. To express the idea of trying to do something: + - 我说说,你听对不对。 + I'll try to say this; listen and see if it's correct. + - 我今天下午去找找他,看他在不在。 + I'll go and look for him this afternoon, and see if he's there or not. +3. To soften the tone of a command, request, or suggestion: + - 老师让我们想想这个问题。 + The teacher told us to think about the problem a bit. + - 请你开开门 + Please open the door + - 他写的汉字非常漂亮。你看看。 + The Chinese characters he wrote are very beautiful. Take a look! + - 你们现在没事儿,来我家坐坐,休息休息。 + Now that you don't have anything to do, come to my house and sit and relax a little. + +Reduplication only occurs for volitional actional verbs - those that one carries out by intention. Adjectives, transitive quality verbs, and 是, 在, 有 do not undergo this reduplication. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/吧ba.md b/吧ba.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af59fa4 --- /dev/null +++ b/吧ba.md @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +The particle 吧ba at the end of a sentence or a suggestion tends to soften the tone. +For example: +1. 坐! + Sit! +2. 请坐! + Sit, please! +3. 做吧! + Why don't you sit down? +4. 请坐吧! + Why don't you sit down, please? +5. 休息休息吧,号吗? + Let's rest for a bit, ok? +6. 你来这儿吧! + Why don't you come over here? +7. 我们跳舞吧! + Let's dance! +8. 请你给我们说说吧。 + Please, tell us a little bit about it. +9. 妈妈告诉儿子说, “你现在穿的衬衫不干净,也不好看。别穿这件,穿那件吧。” + Mum told her son, "The shirt you are wearing right now isn't clean, and doesn't look good. Don't wear this one, why don't you wear that one instead?" + \ No newline at end of file