City University of Hong Kong CLASS CLASS
Making Sense of Grammar
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asked Dec 15, 2020 in Questions about Chinese Grammar by Ariel (34,480 points) | 204 views

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In all languages, context is important and this leads in varying degrees to the use of abbreviated sentences especially in speech. Chinese has its own conventions in this respect and in particular tends to omit conjunctions and pronouns, especially the third person neuter. Take the following examples:

我买了一个橘子,太酸,没吃。

Wǒ mǎi le yī gè jú zǐ,tài suān,méi chī。

I bought a tangerine, (but it) was too sour, (and I) didn’t eat (it).

那家商店还有雨伞卖,这儿卖完了。

Nà jiā shāng diàn hái yǒu yǔ sǎn mài,zhè ér mài wán le。

There are umbrellas for sale in that shop, (but they) are sold out here.

他很喜欢喝啤酒,我不喜欢,她更不喜欢。

Tā hěn xǐ huān hē pí jiǔ,wǒ bú xǐ huān,tā gèng bú xǐ huān。

He likes beer a lot, (but) I don’t (and) she likes (it) even less.

她有三个孩子,我没有。

Tā yǒu sān gè hái zǐ,wǒ méi yǒu。

She has three children, (but) I don’t have (any).

这些橘子很好吃,你要吗?

Zhè xiē jú zǐ hěn hǎo chī,nǐ yào ma?

These tangerines are very nice. Do you want (one/some)?

[1] Yip, P. C., Rimmington, D., Xiaoming, Z., & Henson, R. (2009). Basic Chinese: a grammar and workbook. Taylor & Francis.
answered Dec 15, 2020 by Ariel (34,480 points)

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