vault update: 2024-05-26 19:28:06

Affected files:
Verb Reduplication.md
吧ba.md

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.

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?"
+