Tony Mandarin: 一月 2013

2013年1月31日星期四

How to use 的, 地, 得

的, 地, 得 are the commonly used particles that we must grasp. ^_^

1. 的 + noun
高兴的笑 delighted smile
他的苹果 his apple
她的家 her family
它的食物 its food

2. 地 + verb / adj.
高兴地笑 joyfully laugh
非常地美丽 very beautiful

3. 得 + Complement
高兴得笑了起来 He's happy so that begins laughing.
他累得不想吃饭 He's tired so that doesn't want to have dinner.

Learn 3 particles to express tense.(了, 着, 过)

As we know, Chinese language doesn't have tense like English, but it has some words indicate the status. Such as 了,着,过, they are particles.

1. 了 usually indicates completion.

他吃了一个苹果

He has had an apple.

2. 着 often indicates things ongoing.

他正吃着一个苹果

He is eating an apple.

3. 过 usually means things ever existed.

他今天吃过一个苹果

He ate an apple today.

How to say "We" in Chinese? 我们 or 咱们?

咱们 vs 我们

咱们 and 我们 both mean “we” or “us”, but they have difference.

咱们 usually includes all the people that you’re talking to.
Yet 我们 sometimes includes, sometimes it doesn't.

Say for example:

If you meet a friend Mike who’s not your workmate.

You can say：Mike，我们公司是卖车的，你们公司是做什么？

You can’t say：Mike，咱们公司是卖车的，你们公司是做什么？(咱们includes Mike)

If Mike is your workmate.

Both are correct:

Mike, 我们公司明天放假吗？

Mike，咱们公司明天休息吗？

2013年1月29日星期二

Interesting Chinese Measure Words

1. Number + Measure Word + Noun

a. Commonly used Measure Words

e.g.

一 + 个 + 苹果

One + Measure Word + apple

“个” is a Measure Word, or say Classifier. When we use a Numeral word to describe a Noun, we usually need to add a “Measure Word”(M.W.) between them. “个” is the most commonly used M.W..

In Chinese language, there are tens of M.W.s or even more. Moreover, According to the noun, we also need to select a proper one to add. For example,

一(One) 张(M.W.) 桌子(table)

一(One) 座(M.W.) 山(hill)

一(One) 位(M.W.) 朋友(friend)

…

If you are a beginner, don’t know which one is the proper one. You might often use “个”, because it is understandable, though it might not be the correct one.

b. Some Nouns can be used as Measure Words. This is similar to English.

e.g.

一箱书（one + box + books）

一房间人（one + room + people）

一桌子菜（one + desk + dishes）

…

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2. Verb + Number + Measure Word

a. Some Nouns can be used as Measure Words. This is a feature of Chinese.

e.g.

看一眼 (look + one + eye) It means ‘take a look’.

拍一掌 (clap + one + palm)

踢一球 (kick + one + ball)

…

2013年1月16日星期三

回去 vs 回来 (Go back / come back)

1. 回去：Go back. From where you are now ----》 The other place
e.g.
我要回家去。
I wanna go back home. (Not home right now)

2. 回来：Come back. From the other place ----》 Where you are now
e.g.
我回来了。
I've come back home. (Be home right now)

How to use "怎么+verb+也"?

* Take it as a phrase for "No matter how to do it, it's still the same".
* It emphasizes the negatory status, and implies the previously multiple attempts.
* Use it in front of: "verb+不..."

e.g.
他站不起来。 ---》他(怎么站也)站不起来。
He couldn't stand up. ---》 After many times of efforts, he couldn't stand up.

划算 vs 值得

1. 划算 is usually related to spending money. If you make a cost-effective purchase, that is 划算.

Say for example, suppose you pay the same money but get double quantity of goods / service with the same quality, that is a good deal. 很划算.

2. 值得: be worth; deserve.

When it's not related to calculating the money of cost, we can't use 划算 instead of 值得.
e.g.
考试通过了，值得庆祝。（can not say：考试通过了，划算庆祝）
We have passed the exam, it's worth celebrating.

你呢 means "and you" or "how about you"

你 means you.
呢 is a particle. It indicates a question or suggestion.
你呢 means you want to repeat the same question to the asker.

Example:
A: 你好吗？How are you?
B: 我很好，你呢？I am very well, and you?

Character "的" tells you which tense it is.

1.他什么时候来的？ When did he come?

2.他什么时候来？ When will he come?

Explanation: Character "的" here indicates completion. If without "的", it hasn't happened yet.

How to use 了 to say I MISS YOU

1. 我想你了 I missed you.

"了" is a particle, which doesn't have specific meaning, but it indicates completion. It means you ever did something or you've done something.

Say for example:
If you meet your boyfriend, who left you for long time, you can say "我想你了". it means I missed you since you left.

2. 我想你 I miss you.

It is present tense, simply means you think of him now.