Chinese Grammar | Chinese Grammar | Is there a rule for “Chinese Separable Verbs (離合詞)”?

Summary

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Chinese separable verbs, also known as 離合(動)詞 (líhécí) or 离合(动)词. Join us as we explore the nuances of these special verbs, their grammar rules, and how they differ from other types of verbs in the Chinese language. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this episode is sure to expand your knowledge and appreciation of the Chinese language!

| Listen to our other episodes on grammar and usages related topics:
➡️ Chinese Grammar | How to use 到(dào) in Chinese – Three usages explained
➡️ Language Skills | Expressing simultaneous actions in Japanese (～（し）ながら…する) and Chinese (一邊…一邊…)

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💠 Today’s show notes & examples:

• 1️⃣ Definition and Characteristics 定義及特色
  
  ① “Compound Word” example: 目 _(め)(mù) = 眼 _yěn = 眼睛 _{yěn jīng} (= eyes)
  
  ② Definition
  
  ③ Characteristics
  …….⑴ two-syllable / disyllabic
  …….⑵ Two categories:
  …………..🅰️Subordinate compound verbs
  …………..🅱️Coordinated compound verbs
  …………..
  ..……..….…………....
• 2️⃣ Two Categories of Compound Verbs in Chinese 中文複合動詞的兩大分類
  
  🅰️ Subordinate Compound Verbs
  
  ① Verb + ADJ/V → N
  …….e.g. 幫(帮)忙 _{bāng máng} vs 幫助 _{bāng zhù}
  ..…………..我可以幫你的忙。⭕ = 我可以幫助你。
  ^{..…....………..wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐde máng}
  ..…………..= I can help you (with what you’re busy doing).
  ..…………..很高興我可以幫上忙。⭕
  ..…………..^{hě gāoxìng wǒ kěyǐ bāngshàngmáng}
  ..…………..= I’m glad I could be of help.
  
  ② Verb + V
  …….e.g. 見(见)面 _{jiàn miàn} (見面你 ❌ / 見你 ⭕)
  ..…………..我們見過幾次面。/ 我们见过几次面。⭕
  ..…………..^{wǒmen jiànguò jǐcì miàn}
  ..…………..= We’ve met a few times.
  
  ③ Verb + N
  …….e.g. 吃飯(饭) _{chī fàn} = to have meals
  ..……..…….吃午飯 _{chī wǔ fàn} = to have lunch、吃晚飯 _{chī wǎn fàn}= to have dinner
  ..……..…….說話(说话) _{shuō huà} = to speak
  ..……..…….我跟他說過幾次話。
  ..……..…….^{wǒ gēn tā shuōguo jǐcì huà}
  ..……..…….= I’ve talked to him a couple of times.
  ..……..…….我跟他說了話。
  ..……..…….= I talked to him.
  ..……..……聊聊天 _{liáo liáo tiān} = to chat
  ..……..……我們聊聊天吧！
  ..……..…….= Let’s chat!
  
  🅱️ Coordinated compound verbs
  
  ① 游泳
  …….e.g. 我想游泳。= 我想游個(个)泳。
  ..……..……^{wǒ xiǎng yóuyǒng}
  ..……..……游泳游一個小時
  ..……..……^{yóuyǒng yóu yíge xiǎoshí}
  ..……..……= to swim for an hour
  ..……..……睡覺(觉)睡一個小時
  ..……..……^{shuìjiào shuì yíge xiǎoshí}
  ..……..……= to sleep for an hour
  
  ② 洗澡
  …….e.g. 她每天洗一個小時的澡。(= 她每天洗澡洗一個小時。)
  ..……..……^{tā měitiān xǐ yígexiǎoshíde zǎo}
  ..……..…..= She takes a bath for one hour every day.
  …………..
  …………..
• 3️⃣ Mai’s Question
  
  ① 舉辦 (inseparable; transitive/intransitive)
  …….e.g. 舉辦比賽
  ..……..……^{jǔbàn bǐsài}
  ..……..……= to hold a contest
  ② 收拾 (inseparable; transitive/intransitive)
  …….e.g. 收拾房間
  ..……..……^{shōushí fángjiān}
  ..……..……= to tidy up the room
  
  ② 報名 (separable; transitive/intransitive)
  …….e.g. 報名一個比賽
  ..……..……^{bàomíng yíge bǐsài}
  ..……..……= to sign up for a competition
  …….e.g. 我報了名
  ..……..……= I’ve signed up.
  ..……..……

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