City University of Hong Kong CLASS CLASS
Making Sense of Grammar
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asked Feb 2, 2021 in Questions about Chinese Grammar by Ariel (34,480 points) | 259 views

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It should be noted that the direct object in the ‘V + indirect O + direct O’ structure tends to be non-definite. When the direct object is definite, it is frequently pre-posed or the 把 structure is preferred.

他送了我一辆自行车。

Tā sòng le wǒ yī liàng zì háng chē。

He gave me a bicycle (as a gift).

 (一辆自行车 is non-definite.)

那辆自行车,他送我了。= 他把那辆自行车送我了。

Nà liàng zì háng chē,tā sòng wǒ le 。= Tā bǎ nà liàng zì háng chē sòng wǒ le。

He gave me that bicycle (as a gift).

(那辆自行车 is defi nite. 他送了我那辆自行车 may sound odd.)

[1] Yip, P. C., Rimmington, D., Xiaoming, Z., & Henson, R. (2009). Basic Chinese: a grammar and workbook. Taylor & Francis.

[2] Teng, W. H. (2016). Yufa! A practical guide to Mandarin Chinese grammar. Taylor & Francis.

answered Feb 2, 2021 by Ariel (34,480 points)

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