Chinese is a rich and complex language with a long history, and its sentence structure is one of the most distinctive features. Understanding Chinese complex sentences is crucial for anyone who wants to become proficient in the language. In this guide, we will provide a brief and accurate introduction to Chinese complex sentences, explaining their structure, components, and usage. We will also provide example sentences to illustrate the concepts.
Basic Sentence Structure in Chinese:
In Chinese, the basic sentence structure follows the pattern Subject + Verb + Object (SVO), similar to English. However, Chinese sentences can become more complex by adding additional components such as adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, and clauses. These additional elements allow for more nuanced expression and greater flexibility in sentence construction.
Coordinating Conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two or more independent clauses of equal importance. They include words like “和” (hé – and), “或者” (huòzhě – or), “但是” (dànshì – but), and “所以” (suǒyǐ – therefore). Let’s look at some examples:
我喜欢喝咖啡，而且我每天都喝。(Wǒ xǐhuān hē kāfēi, érqiě wǒ měitiān dōu hē.)
I like to drink coffee, and I drink it every day.
你可以买苹果，或者你可以买梨。(Nǐ kěyǐ mǎi píngguǒ, huòzhě nǐ kěyǐ mǎi lí.)
You can buy apples, or you can buy pears.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
Subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce dependent clauses, which provide additional information or context to the main clause. Common subordinating conjunctions in Chinese include “因为” (yīnwèi – because), “如果” (rúguǒ – if), “虽然” (suīrán – although), and “当” (dāng – when). Let’s see some examples:
因为下雨，所以我没有去公园。(Yīnwèi xià yǔ, suǒyǐ wǒ méiyǒu qù gōngyuán.)
Because it was raining, I didn’t go to the park.
如果你有时间，我们可以一起去看电影。(Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.)
If you have time, we can go watch a movie together.
Adverbial Phrases and Clauses:
Adverbial phrases and clauses are used to modify the verb or the entire sentence. They provide information about time, place, manner, condition, reason, or purpose. Common adverbial phrases and clauses include “在家” (zài jiā – at home), “每天” (měitiān – every day), “因为太忙” (yīnwèi tài máng – because of being too busy), and “为了学习” (wèile xuéxí – in order to study). Here are some examples:
我经常在家学习。(Wǒ jīngcháng zài jiā xuéxí.)
I often study at home.
因为太晚了，所以我们没有去逛街。(Yīnwèi tài wǎn le, suǒyǐ wǒmen méiyǒu qù guàngjiē.)
Because it was too late, we didn’t go shopping.
Relative Clauses:
Relative clauses are used to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun. They are introduced by relative pronouns such as “的” (de), “关于” (guānyú – about), and “跟” (gēn – with). Let’s see some examples:
我喜欢的书是科幻小说。(Wǒ xǐhuān de shū shì kēhuàn xiǎoshuō.)
The book that I like is a science fiction novel.
我和你关于这个话题有很多讨论。(Wǒ hé nǐ guānyú zhège huàtí yǒu hěnduō tǎolùn.)
I have a lot of discussions with you about this topic.
Multiple Clauses:
Chinese complex sentences can contain multiple clauses, each with its own subject and verb. These clauses can be linked together using coordinating or subordinating conjunctions. Here’s an example:
我喜欢旅行，所以我计划明年去欧洲旅游，而且我想学习一些欧洲的语言。(Wǒ xǐhuān lǚxíng, suǒyǐ wǒ jìhuà míngnián qù Ōuzhōu lǚyóu, érqiě wǒ xiǎng xuéxí yīxiē Ōuzhōu de yǔyán.)
I like traveling, so I plan to go on a trip to Europe next year, and I want to learn some European languages.
In conclusion, Chinese complex sentences go beyond the basic SVO structure by incorporating coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, adverbial phrases and clauses, relative clauses, and multiple clauses. These elements allow for greater expressiveness and flexibility in sentence construction. By mastering complex sentence structures in Chinese, learners can enhance their ability to communicate effectively and convey more nuanced meanings. Practice and exposure to various examples will help learners gain confidence in using complex sentences in their Chinese language journey.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction to complete the sentence.
我们可以去爬山，_我们可以钓鱼。
A) 或者 (huòzhě)
B) 所以 (suǒyǐ)
C) 因为 (yīnwèi)
D) 但是 (dànshì)
Answer: A) 或者 (huòzhě)
Explanation: The correct coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses of equal importance is “或者” (huòzhě – or). This conjunction indicates a choice between two options. Example sentence: 我们可以去爬山，或者我们可以钓鱼。(Wǒmen kěyǐ qù páshān, huòzhě wǒmen kěyǐ diàoyú.) – We can go mountain climbing, or we can go fishing.
Exercise 2:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to introduce the dependent clause.
_我吃完晚饭，我就去散步。
A) 因为 (yīnwèi)
B) 如果 (rúguǒ)
C) 虽然 (suīrán)
D) 当 (dāng)
Answer: B) 如果 (rúguǒ)
Explanation: The correct subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause that provides a condition is “如果” (rúguǒ – if). This conjunction indicates that the action in the main clause (going for a walk) is dependent on the condition in the dependent clause (finishing dinner). Example sentence: 如果我吃完晚饭，我就去散步。(Rúguǒ wǒ chī wán wǎnfàn, wǒ jiù qù sànbù.) – If I finish dinner, I will go for a walk.
Exercise 3:
Identify the type of adverbial phrase or clause in the sentence.
他每天在图书馆学习。
A) Time adverbial phrase
B) Place adverbial clause
C) Condition adverbial clause
D) Purpose adverbial phrase
Answer: A) Time adverbial phrase
Explanation: The phrase “每天” (měitiān – every day) provides information about time, making it a time adverbial phrase. Example sentence: 他每天在图书馆学习。(Tā měitiān zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.) – He studies at the library every day.
Exercise 4:
Choose the correct relative pronoun to introduce the relative clause.
这是_我喜欢的电影。
A) 的 (de)
B) 关于 (guānyú)
C) 跟 (gēn)
D) 和 (hé)
Answer: A) 的 (de)
Explanation: The correct relative pronoun to introduce the relative clause is “的” (de). It is used to provide additional information about the noun “电影” (diànyǐng – movie). Example sentence: 这是我喜欢的电影。(Zhè shì wǒ xǐhuān de diànyǐng.) – This is the movie that I like.
Exercise 5:
Identify the type of sentence structure in the sentence.
我喜欢看电视，因为我觉得很有趣。
A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence
Answer: C) Complex sentence
Explanation: The sentence contains a subordinating conjunction “因为” (yīnwèi – because), which introduces a dependent clause. This makes it a complex sentence. Example sentence: 我喜欢看电视，因为我觉得很有趣。(Wǒ xǐhuān kàn diànshì, yīnwèi wǒ juéde hěn yǒuqù.) – I like watching TV because I find it interesting.
Exercise 6:
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction to complete the sentence.
她去了商店，_她买了一件新衣服。
A) 或者 (huòzhě)
B) 所以 (suǒyǐ)
C) 因为 (yīnwèi)
D) 但是 (dànshì)
Answer: B) 所以 (suǒyǐ)
Explanation: The correct coordinating conjunction to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between two independent clauses is “所以” (suǒyǐ – therefore). Example sentence: 她去了商店，所以她买了一件新衣服。(Tā qùle shāngdiàn, suǒyǐ tā mǎile yī jiàn xīn yīfú.) – She went to the store, so she bought a new dress.
Exercise 7:
Identify the type of adverbial phrase or clause in the sentence.
_你有时间，我们可以去游泳。
A) Time adverbial clause
B) Place adverbial phrase
C) Condition adverbial clause
D) Purpose adverbial clause
Answer: C) Condition adverbial clause
Explanation: The clause “如果你有时间” (Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān – If you have time) introduces a condition, making it a condition adverbial clause. Example sentence: 如果你有时间，我们可以去游泳。(Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, wǒmen kěyǐ qù yóuyǒng.) – If you have time, we can go swimming.
Exercise 8:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to introduce the dependent clause.
_你去超市，你能帮我买些水吗？
A) 因为 (yīnwèi)
B) 如果 (rúguǒ)
C) 虽然 (suīrán)
D) 当 (dāng)
Answer: B) 如果 (rúguǒ)
Explanation: The correct subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause that provides a condition is “如果” (rúguǒ – if). This conjunction indicates that the action in the main clause (helping me buy some water) is dependent on the condition in the dependent clause (you going to the supermarket). Example sentence: 如果你去超市，你能帮我买些水吗？(Rúguǒ nǐ qù chāoshì, nǐ néng bāng wǒ mǎi xiē shuǐ ma?) – If you go to the supermarket, can you help me buy some water?
Exercise 9:
Identify the type of sentence structure in the sentence.
我在家学习，因为太吵了。
A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence
Answer: D) Compound-complex sentence
Explanation: The sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (“因为” – yīnwèi). This makes it a compound sentence. Additionally, one of the independent clauses contains a subordinating conjunction (“因为” – yīnwèi), creating a complex sentence structure. Therefore, the sentence is a compound-complex sentence. Example sentence: 我在家学习，因为太吵了。(Wǒ zài jiā xuéxí, yīnwèi tài chǎo le.) – I study at home because it’s too noisy.
Exercise 10:
Choose the correct relative pronoun to introduce the relative clause.
那是_我喜欢的音乐。
A) 的 (de)
B) 关于 (guānyú)
C) 跟 (gēn)
D) 和 (hé)
Answer: A) 的 (de)
Explanation: The correct relative pronoun to introduce the relative clause is “的” (de). It is used to provide additional information about the noun “音乐” (yīnyuè – music). Example sentence: 那是我喜欢的音乐。(Nà shì wǒ xǐhuān de yīnyuè.) – That is the music that I like.
Originally posted 2023-07-20 05:31:28.