▎離合詞, líhécí, Separable Verbs

 

Function This is a special type of verb. The inherent property of all separable verbs is [V＋N]. The V and N can be separated and an element inserted in between them. This contradicts the inseparability of words in most languages, e.g., ＊under-a bit-stand. Examples of separable verbs are: 唱歌chànggē ‘to sing’, 上班shàngbān ‘to work’, 上網shàngwǎng ‘to go online’, 上課shàngkè ‘to go to class’, 生病shēngbìng ‘to be sick’, 睡覺shuìjiào ‘to sleep’, 看書kànshū ‘to read’, 念書niànshū ‘to study’, 滑雪huáxuě ‘to ski’, 游泳yóuyǒng ‘to swim’, 照相zhàoxiàng ‘to take photos’, 吃飯chīfàn ‘to eat’, 做飯zuòfàn ‘to cook’, 見面jiànmiàn ‘to meet’.

 

Structures Basically, there are three types of separable forms.

(1) 了 inserted. The 了 is the Verbal 了 here. (了1)

1 他回了家以後，就開始工作。

Tā huíle jiā yǐhòu, jiù kāishǐ gōngzuò.

He started working after he got home.

2 我昨天下了課就跟朋友去看電影。

Wǒ zuótiān xiàle kè jiù gēn péngyǒu qù kàn diànyǐng.

I went to see a movie with friends after class yesterday.

3 他結了婚以後就放棄念書了。

Tā jiéle hūn yǐhòu jiù fàngqì niànshū le.

He gave up study after marriage.

(2) Recipients inserted. This noun refers to the recipient of an action.

1 我想見你一面。

Wǒ xiǎng jiàn nǐ yí miàn.

I want to meet with you once.

2 他總是生你的氣。

Tā zǒngshì shēng nǐ de qì.

He is always mad at you.

3 我們都應該幫別人的忙。

Wǒmen dōu yīnggāi bāng biérén de máng.

We should always help others.

(3) Time-Duration insterted.

1 我們每天上八個鐘頭的班。

Wǒmen měi tiān shàng bā ge zhōngtóu de bān.

We work eight hours a day.

2 你們新年的時候，放幾天的假？

Nǐmen xīnnián de shíhòu, fàng jǐ tiān de jià?

How many days do you get off for New Year’s?

3 他唱了三小時的歌，有一點累。

Tā chàngle sān xiǎoshí de gē, yǒu yìdiǎn lèi.

He sang for three hours and is a little tired.