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Making Sense of Grammar
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What does dé (得) mean when it is used as a verb?
asked Apr 11, 2018 in Questions about Chinese Grammar by admin (25,520 points)
edited Apr 13, 2018 by admin | 417 views

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Since  (得) is historically derived from its verbal uses meaning "to have/obtain" (Sun 2006: 61), it cannot only be an infix, but a full verb. For example,

他得了病。

He is ill.

弟弟得了大獎。

Younger brother got a big prize.

answered Apr 11, 2018 by admin (25,520 points)
edited Apr 13, 2018 by admin

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