Learning Materials
Features
Discover
The Chinese Double Object Construction is a pivotal grammatical structure in Mandarin, enabling users to convey actions involving both direct and indirect objects within a single sentence. It showcases the unique syntactic arrangement of verbs followed by two objects, typically adopting a pattern that significantly influences meaning and clarity in communication. Mastering this construction is essential for students aiming to achieve fluency and sophistication in their Chinese language skills, offering a deeper insight into the intricate workings of Mandarin syntax.
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for freeWhich tip is suggested for practising Chinese Double Object Construction?
In the sentence ‘我给他送了一本书’, what role does the word ‘本’ (běn) play?
Which type of verbs is often seen in Chinese Double Object Constructions?
What role does the Double Object Construction play in the Chinese language?
What does Chinese Double Object Construction typically involve?
What is a fundamental aspect of mastering Chinese Double Object Construction?
In a typical Double Object Sentence in Chinese, what is the order of the objects following the verb?
Which prepositions are often used to introduce the indirect object in Chinese Double Object Sentences?
What is the basic pattern in simple Chinese double object construction sentences?
How do modifiers enhance complex double object sentences in Chinese?
What is a common mistake learners make in Chinese Double Object Construction?
Which tip is suggested for practising Chinese Double Object Construction?
In the sentence ‘我给他送了一本书’, what role does the word ‘本’ (běn) play?
Which type of verbs is often seen in Chinese Double Object Constructions?
What role does the Double Object Construction play in the Chinese language?
What does Chinese Double Object Construction typically involve?
What is a fundamental aspect of mastering Chinese Double Object Construction?
In a typical Double Object Sentence in Chinese, what is the order of the objects following the verb?
Which prepositions are often used to introduce the indirect object in Chinese Double Object Sentences?
What is the basic pattern in simple Chinese double object construction sentences?
How do modifiers enhance complex double object sentences in Chinese?
What is a common mistake learners make in Chinese Double Object Construction?
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Chinese Double Object Construction Teachers
When learning Chinese, one might encounter the concept of Chinese Double Object Construction, an essential structure that presents a unique way of conveying information and action in sentences. This feature of the Chinese language allows for dynamic and detailed expression, making it a significant topic for students to grasp.
What is Chinese Double Object Construction?
Chinese Double Object Construction involves sentences that contain two objects following a single verb. This construction typically comprises a verb, a direct object, and an indirect object, allowing the speaker to express an action being done to an entity (direct object) for the benefit of or related to another entity (indirect object).
Chinese Double Object Construction: A grammatical structure in sentences where a verb is followed by two objects, typically presenting an action being carried out with respect to two entities simultaneously.
Example: '我给他送了一本书' (I gave him a book).
The construction of double object sentences in Chinese grammar follows specific patterns that help convey meaning accurately. Recognising these patterns is essential for understanding and using this construction effectively. The typical pattern consists of a subject, followed by a verb, an indirect object, and then a direct object.
However, variations can occur, especially with the usage of prepositions like 给 (to or for) which can introduce the indirect object. The presence or absence of certain words and the order of the objects can subtly change the meaning or emphasis of a sentence.
Paying attention to the position of each element in a sentence is crucial for correct interpretation and usage of the double object construction in Chinese.
It's worth noting that not all verbs in Chinese can take two objects. Verbs that involve transferring, showing, speaking, and sending are commonly seen in these constructions. Furthermore, when specifying more information about the objects or the action, additional particles such as 了 (le) to indicate a completed action, or 给 (gěi) to clarify the recipient can play a significant role in the sentence structure.
Exploring examples of Chinese Double Object Construction deepens understanding and showcases the versatility of this grammatical feature. Let's start with simple sentences to grasp the basic pattern, before moving on to more complex examples that demonstrate its diverse applications.
Simple sentences with double object construction in Chinese can illuminate the fundamental structure of this syntax. Recognising how objects are positioned within these sentences helps in building a foundation for more complicated constructions.
Example 1: '她教我中文' (She teaches me Chinese).
Example 2: '他送我一束花' (He sent me a bouquet of flowers).
In these examples, note how the indirect object often refers to the recipient or beneficiary of the action.
As proficiency in the Chinese language increases, understanding how to construct more complex sentences using double object construction becomes vital. These examples show how additional elements and nuances can be incorporated.
Complex Example 1: '我给他讲了一个小时的故事' (I told him stories for an hour).
Complex Example 2: '她为我做了一顿丰富的晚餐' (She prepared a lavish dinner for me).
In complex sentences, modifiers such as time expressions, adjectives, and phrases can elaborate on either the direct object, indirect object, or both. This flexibility allows speakers to express detailed scenarios and actions. For example, the addition of time expressions ('一个小时' — an hour) or descriptive phrases ('丰富的' — lavish) provides more context to the action being described, enriching the sentence's meaning.
The syntax of Chinese Double Object Construction (CDOC) is a fascinating topic for those delving into the intricacies of the Chinese language. This structure plays a crucial role in expressing complex ideas through simple grammatical arrangements.
In Chinese, Double Object Sentences allow the speaker to convey actions that involve both a direct and an indirect object. This structure is particularly common in sentences where someone is giving, telling, sending, or showing something to someone else.
The Structure of Chinese Double Object Sentences: These sentences contain a verb that is directly followed by an indirect object (the recipient) and then by a direct object (the thing that is being given, told, sent, or shown).
Example: '我送他一本书' (I gave him a book).
Notice how the verb directly connects both objects, emphasizing the action taken from the subject towards both objects.
Positioning of objects in CDOC is vital to convey the correct meaning. While the basic structure puts the indirect object before the direct object, variations can occur based on what the speaker wants to emphasise or the overall context of the conversation.
Prepositions like 给 ('to' or 'for') and 把 ('to take hold of') are often used to introduce the indirect object and clear up ambiguities, especially in longer or more complex sentences.
Understanding how to accurately position objects in a sentence allows for nuanced expression. The choice to use or omit prepositions, as well as the placement of time phrases and modifiers, can significantly alter the emphasis and information conveyed in a sentence. For instance, using 把 in a sentence can shift the focus onto the direct object and its transformation or movement, a nuanced feature that enriches spoken and written Chinese.
Mastering Chinese Double Object Construction requires understanding its structure and practising its use in various contexts. This part of learning Chinese can significantly improve your expressive capabilities, allowing you to convey actions and intentions with clarity and precision.
Practising Chinese Double Object Construction can sometimes be challenging but becomes easier with the right strategies. Here are some practical tips:
Several common mistakes learners make when using the Chinese Double Object Construction can hinder communication. Recognizing and avoiding these mistakes is key to proficiency.
Practise forming sentences both with and without prepositions to gain a better understanding of when each form is appropriate.
A deeper dive into correcting these mistakes involves regularly checking sentence constructions with native speakers or teachers, using apps or online platforms that offer sentence examples, and engaging in interactive practices. Moreover, understanding the rationale behind the rules of double object construction in Chinese will not only help in avoiding these common mistakes but will also enhance overall language competence.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Explanations 
Flashcards 
StudySmarter AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Exams 
Find a job 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App