382 Pages
    by Routledge

    384 Pages
    by Routledge

    ‘Very well structured and clearly explained’ –  Dr Kan Qian, The Open University, UK

    Basic Chinese introduces the essentials of Chinese syntax. Each of the 25 units deals with a particular grammatical point and provides associated exercises. Features include:

    • a clear, accessible format
    • many useful language examples
    • jargon-free explanations of grammar
    • ample drills and exercises
    • a full key to exercises.

    All Chinese entries are presented in both Pinyin romanization and Chinese characters, and are accompanied, in most cases, by English translations to facilitate self-tuition as well as classroom teaching in both spoken and written Chinese.

    Basic Chinese is designed for students new to the language. Together with its sister volume, Intermediate Chinese, it forms a compendium of the essentials of Chinese syntax.

    Introduction 1 Nouns: singular and plural 2 Definite and indefinite reference and demonstratives 3 Personal pronouns 4 Interrogative pronouns 5 Numbers 6 Measure words 7 Indefinite plurals 8 Times and dates 9 More interrogative expressions 10 Adjectives: attributive and predicative 11 shì and yiu 12 Comparisons 13 Verbs and location expressions 14 Verbs and time expressions 15 Verbs and aspect markers 16 Modal verbs 17 Negators: bù and ( ) méi(yiu) 18 Types of question (1) 19 Types of question (2) 120 Imperatives and exclamations 21 Complements of direction and (or destination) 22 Complements of result and manner 23 Potential complements 24 Coverbal phrases 25 Disyllabic prepositions

    Biography

    Yip Po-Ching is a Research Fellow, City University of Hong Kong

    Don Rimmington is Emeritus Professor of Chinese Studies, University of Leeds.

    Praise for the first edition:

    ‘Very well structured and clearly explained’ Dr Qian Kan, Open University