From c80f71b6941a9e556e87063ba59455e58bbf7f51 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jack Bond-Preston Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:07:05 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] vault update: 2024-07-11 17:07:05 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Affected files: The Optative Verbs.md 位wèi.md --- The Optative Verbs.md | 53 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 位wèi.md | 11 +++++++++ 2 files changed, 64 insertions(+) create mode 100644 The Optative Verbs.md create mode 100644 位wèi.md diff --git a/The Optative Verbs.md b/The Optative Verbs.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5280e1c --- /dev/null +++ b/The Optative Verbs.md @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ +Optative verbs are those which express a wish or desire. In Chinese, this is done using an auxiliary verb, often referred to as a modal auxiliary or an optative verb. +``` +Positive: Auxiliary + Verb +Negative: 不 + Auxiliary + Verb +Question: (a) Auxiliary + Verb + 吗 ? + (b) (Auxiliary 不 Auxiliary) + Verb +``` + +1. 我想去中国参观访问 + I want to go and visit China. +2. 你不应该在教室里吸烟。 + You shouldn't smoke in the classroom. +3. 他会不会游泳？ + Does he know how to swim? + +# 想xiǎng +想xiǎng as an optative verb is a derivative of an actual substantive verb. It's basic meaning is "to think of/about". As an optative verb, it expresses intention or desire of doing something. +1. 这个星期六你想去看电影吗？ + Do you feel like going to watch a movie this Saturday? +2. 她想去看妈妈。 + She's (thinking about/wants to) go to see her mother. + +想xiǎng can also be used with a sentence as it's object, to say "I think that...". +1. 我想他明天回来上课。 + I think that he'll come back to class tomorrow. +However, you can't negate this ("I don't think...") with 不想. Instead, you need to move 不 into the object sentence, to instead say "I think that not X": +1. 我想他明天不回来上课。 + I think that he won't come back to class tomorrow + I don't think he'll come back to class tomorrow. +# 要yào +要yào as an optative verb means "to desire", expressing a strong desire to carry out an action. +1. 你要去厕所吗？ + Do you need to go to the bathroom? +2. 你明天要不要去城里看朋友？ + Do you want to go into town to see friends tomorrow? + +It can also be used to express a demand, a necessity imposed by the outside world -- "to have to" do something. Sometimes the adverb 一定yídìng is added to further underscore the urgency/importance of the demand. +1. 对不起，我现在要去上课。我们晚上再谈吧。 + Sorry, I have to go to a class now. We'll talk again in the evening. +2. 写字一定要写得慢。 + You definitely have to write characters slowly. + + +> [!help] 想 vs 要 +> The meaning of 想 and 要 is quite similar, and they can sometimes be used interchangeably. However, 要 represents a stronger intention; 想 is more of a "wish", whereas 要 is more of a "will". +> 想 stresses the wishing, thinking about, and planning of an action. +> 要 stresses the urge or demand for carrying it out. +> 想 can be modified by a degree adverb (e.g. 很想), but 要 can't. + +# 能néng +The optative 能néng expresses the ability to carry out a certain action. +1. 他现在能看中文杂志。 + He's now able to read Chinese mahazines. diff --git a/位wèi.md b/位wèi.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15ebb14 --- /dev/null +++ b/位wèi.md @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +位wèi is an alternative to 个ge as a measure word for referring to people. It implies respect, and serves as an honorific measure word: +1. 他是一位作是非常认真的老师 + He is a teacher who is very conscientious about his work +2. 来，让我介绍一下儿。这位是王大夫，这位是张老师。 + Come, let me introduce you. This is Dr. Wang and this is Teacher Zhang. + 3. 喂，请问您是哪位？ + Hey, may I ask who you are? + +Sometimes it can also be used in a playful tone as a term of endearment, for example with friends (a bit like sir, my lady, etc. in English). + +Commonly in a restaurant, a waiter would ask "几位" to inquire about the size of your party. This is normally answered with 位 also (as somewhat of an exception, it's not having a big ego to do so), e.g. 四位. \ No newline at end of file