Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Modal-Verbs-and-Auxiliary-Verbs

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Mandarin ChineseGrammar0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Verb Usage → Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the lesson on modal verbs and auxiliary verbs in Mandarin Chinese! In this lesson, we will explore the functions and usage of these types of verbs in the Chinese language. Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs play important roles in expressing various meanings and nuances in sentences. Understanding how to use them correctly will greatly enhance your Mandarin Chinese communication skills. So let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of modal and auxiliary verbs!

Modal Verbs[edit | edit source]

Modal verbs, also known as "yǔ qì cí" (语气词) in Mandarin Chinese, are a type of verb that indicate the mood or attitude of the speaker towards the action or state described by the main verb. They modify the main verb and provide additional information about how the speaker feels or thinks about the action.

Common Modal Verbs[edit | edit source]

In Mandarin Chinese, there are several common modal verbs that you will frequently encounter. Let's take a look at some of them:

  • 可以 (kě yǐ) - can, may
  • 必须 (bì xū) - must, have to
  • 应该 (yīng gāi) - should, ought to
  • 能 (néng) - can, be able to
  • 会 (huì) - will, be able to
  • 要 (yào) - want to, will
  • 想 (xiǎng) - want to, would like to

Usage of Modal Verbs[edit | edit source]

Modal verbs are used before the main verb in a sentence to modify or indicate the mood of the action. They can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences, as well as in questions.

Let's take a look at some examples to understand their usage:

Affirmative Sentences[edit | edit source]

Affirmative sentences using modal verbs in Mandarin Chinese express a positive statement or agreement. They often convey the ability, permission, or intention to perform an action. Below are additional examples to illustrate their use:

  • 我可以去吗? (Wǒ kě yǐ qù ma?) - Can I go?
  • 你应该好好休息。 (Nǐ yīng gāi hǎo hǎo xiū xí.) - You should rest well.
  • 他能说汉语。 (Tā néng shuō hàn yǔ.) - He can speak Chinese.
  • 我们会见面的。 (Wǒ men huì jiàn miàn de.) - We will meet.
 * This sentence demonstrates the use of "会" (huì), indicating a future action or intention.
  • 你要学习中文吗? (Nǐ yào xué xí zhōng wén ma?) - Do you want to learn Chinese?
 * Here, "要" (yào) expresses a desire or intention.
  • 她可以很好地唱歌。 (Tā kě yǐ hěn hǎo de chàng gē.) - She can sing very well.
 * "可以" (kě yǐ) is used to express ability in this sentence.
  • 他们必须早点到达。 (Tā men bì xū zǎo diǎn dào dá.) - They must arrive early.
 * "必须" (bì xū) indicates an obligation or necessity.

Each of these examples showcases how modal verbs are used in affirmative sentences to convey different meanings such as ability, permission, obligation, desire, or intention.


Negative Sentences[edit | edit source]

Negative sentences in Mandarin Chinese using modal verbs negate the action or state described by the verb. They are crucial for expressing inability, prohibition, or a lack of necessity. Here are more examples to illustrate their usage:

  • 我不可以去。 (Wǒ bù kě yǐ qù.) - I cannot go.
  • 你不应该这样做。 (Nǐ bù yīng gāi zhè yàng zuò.) - You should not do this.
  • 他不能帮忙。 (Tā bù néng bāng máng.) - He cannot help.
  • 我们不会迟到的。 (Wǒ men bù huì chí dào de.) - We will not be late.
 * "不会" (bù huì) negates a future action or intention.
  • 你不要担心。 (Nǐ bù yào dān xīn.) - You should not worry.
 * "不要" (bù yào) is used to advise against or forbid an action.
  • 她不可以独自旅行。 (Tā bù kě yǐ dú zì lǚ xíng.) - She cannot travel alone.
 * Here, "不可以" (bù kě yǐ) expresses a lack of permission or ability.
  • 他们不必那么早来。 (Tā men bù bì nà me zǎo lái.) - They do not have to come so early.
 * "不必" (bù bì) indicates that something is not necessary.

These examples provide insight into how negative modal verbs are used to convey negation in various contexts, such as inability, prohibition, or lack of necessity.

Questions[edit | edit source]

Questions in Mandarin Chinese often utilize modal verbs to inquire about ability, permission, intention, or necessity. These verbs add a layer of depth to the question, making it more specific. Here are additional examples to further illustrate their use in questions:

  • 你会说英语吗? (Nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?) - Can you speak English?
  • 他要去哪里? (Tā yào qù nǎ lǐ?) - Where does he want to go?
  • 你能帮我吗? (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?) - Can you help me?
 * "能" (néng) is used to ask about someone's ability or possibility to do something.
  • 我们应该怎么做? (Wǒ men yīng gāi zěn me zuò?) - What should we do?
 * "应该" (yīng gāi) inquires about the correct or suggested course of action.
  • 你可以借我这本书吗? (Nǐ kě yǐ jiè wǒ zhè běn shū ma?) - Can you lend me this book?
 * "可以" (kě yǐ) asks for permission or possibility in a polite manner.
  • 他必须明天来吗? (Tā bì xū míng tiān lái ma?) - Must he come tomorrow?
 * "必须" (bì xū) is used to inquire about necessity or obligation.
  • 你想参加聚会吗? (Nǐ xiǎng cān jiā jù huì ma?) - Do you want to attend the party?
 * "想" (xiǎng) is used to ask about someone's desire or wish.

Each of these examples demonstrates how questions with modal verbs can effectively probe for more information about ability, permission, necessity, or desire in Mandarin Chinese.


Additional Notes[edit | edit source]

Here are a few additional notes about using modal verbs in Mandarin Chinese:

  • Modal verbs are usually placed before the main verb in a sentence, but they can also be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis.
  • Modal verbs can be repeated for emphasis or to convey a stronger meaning.
  • Modal verbs can be combined with other modal verbs or adverbs to express different shades of meaning.

Auxiliary Verbs[edit | edit source]

Auxiliary verbs, also known as "bāng zhù cí" (帮助词) in Mandarin Chinese, are a type of verb that assist the main verb in a sentence by providing additional information about the tense, aspect, or voice of the action. They work together with the main verb to convey a more precise meaning.

Common Auxiliary Verbs[edit | edit source]

In Mandarin Chinese, auxiliary verbs are used extensively to add grammatical or semantic detail to the main verbs. Here are more examples of common auxiliary verbs along with explanations:

  • 是 (shì) - to be
 * Used for linking subjects with their descriptions or identifying one thing or person as another.
  • 有 (yǒu) - to have
 * Indicates possession, existence, or presence.
  • 被 (bèi) - passive voice marker
 * Used to form passive sentences, where the focus is on the action rather than the subject.
  • 在 (zài) - to be at, to be in the process of
 * Denotes location or ongoing action (similar to the English present continuous tense).
  • 正在 (zhèng zài) - in the middle of, currently
 * Emphasizes that an action is happening at the moment of speaking.
  • 会 (huì) - will, be able to
 * Expresses future tense or the capability of doing something.
  • 能 (néng) - can, be able to
 * Indicates ability or permission in the present or future.
  • 要 (yào) - will, want to
 * Used to express intention, desire, or a future action.
  • 得 (děi) - must, need to
 * Indicates necessity or obligation.
  • 正 (zhèng) - just, precisely
 * Used to stress the exactness or correctness of an action.
  • 曾 (céng) - once, previously
 * Indicates a past action or state, often used in the context of something that happened before.
  • 已 (yǐ) - already
 * Marks the completion of an action, similar to the English "already."

These auxiliary verbs are fundamental in Mandarin Chinese, each adding unique nuances and meanings to the sentences they are used in.


Usage of Auxiliary Verbs[edit | edit source]

Auxiliary verbs in Mandarin Chinese are crucial for expressing different aspects of the action, such as tense, aspect, voice, or other grammatical features. They work in combination with main verbs to provide a more complete picture of the action or state. Here are more examples to demonstrate their usage, particularly focusing on tense and aspect:

Tense and Aspect[edit | edit source]

  • 我是学生。 (Wǒ shì xué shēng.) - I am a student.
 * "是" (shì) is used as a linking verb, similar to "am" in English.
  • 他有一个好工作。 (Tā yǒu yī gè hǎo gōng zuò.) - He has a good job.
 * "有" (yǒu) indicates possession or existence.
  • 这本书被他读了。 (Zhè běn shū bèi tā dú le.) - This book was read by him.
 * "被" (bèi) marks the passive voice, and "了" (le) indicates the completion of the action.
  • 我在吃饭。 (Wǒ zài chī fàn.) - I am eating.
 * "在" (zài) shows that the action is in progress.
  • 他正在工作。 (Tā zhèng zài gōng zuò.) - He is working.
 * "正在" (zhèng zài) emphasizes that the action is happening currently.
  • 我们会去看电影。 (Wǒ men huì qù kàn diàn yǐng.) - We will go to watch a movie.
 * "会" (huì) indicates a future action.
  • 她能完成这项任务。 (Tā néng wán chéng zhè xiàng rèn wù.) - She can complete this task.
 * "能" (néng) expresses the ability to do something.
  • 你要离开了吗? (Nǐ yào lí kāi le ma?) - Are you going to leave?
 * "要" (yào) here suggests an imminent action, and "了" (le) can imply a change of state.

Through these examples, we see how auxiliary verbs are used to modify the main verb, providing additional information about the action's time frame, completion, progression, and other aspects.

Voice[edit | edit source]

Voice in Mandarin Chinese, particularly the passive voice, is primarily formed using auxiliary verbs. The passive voice is used to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer. Here are more examples to illustrate the use of voice in Mandarin sentences:

  • 这个问题会被解决的。 (Zhè gè wèn tí huì bèi jiě jué de.) - This problem will be solved.
 * "会被" (huì bèi) indicates a future passive action.
  • 这个房子能被租吗? (Zhè gè fáng zi néng bèi zū ma?) - Can this house be rented?
 * "能被" (néng bèi) asks about the possibility of a passive action occurring.
  • 这个任务要被你完成。 (Zhè gè rèn wu yào bèi nǐ wán chéng.) - This task needs to be completed by you.
 * "要被" (yào bèi) expresses the necessity for the action to be done by the specified subject.
  • 那本书已经被读过了。 (Nà běn shū yǐ jīng bèi dú guò le.) - That book has already been read.
 * "被...过了" (bèi...guò le) indicates a completed action in the passive voice.
  • 这些苹果正在被吃掉。 (Zhè xiē píng guǒ zhèng zài bèi chī diào.) - These apples are being eaten.
 * "正在被" (zhèng zài bèi) shows an ongoing passive action.
  • 那条消息将被广泛传播。 (Nà tiáo xiāo xī jiāng bèi guǎng fàn chuán bō.) - That message will be widely spread.
 * "将被" (jiāng bèi) is used for future passive actions.

These examples demonstrate how Mandarin Chinese uses auxiliary verbs to construct sentences in the passive voice, highlighting the action or the receiver rather than the doer of the action.


Additional Notes[edit | edit source]

Here are a few additional notes about using auxiliary verbs in Mandarin Chinese:

  • Auxiliary verbs are often used with the main verb to indicate tense, aspect, or voice.
  • Auxiliary verbs can be combined with modal verbs to express more complex meanings.
  • Auxiliary verbs can be repeated for emphasis or to convey a stronger meaning.
  • Auxiliary verbs can be used to form questions or negative sentences.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have now learned about modal verbs and auxiliary verbs in Mandarin Chinese. Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs play important roles in expressing mood, attitude, tense, aspect, and voice in sentences. By understanding their functions and usage, you will be able to communicate more effectively in Mandarin Chinese. Keep practicing and exploring the fascinating world of Mandarin Chinese grammar. 加油! (Jiā yóu!) Keep up the good work!

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Pinyin and Tones


Greetings and Basic Expressions


Sentence Structure and Word Order


Daily Life and Survival Expressions


Chinese Festivals and Traditions


Verbs and Verb Usage


Hobbies, Sports and Activities


China's Geography and Landmarks


Nouns and Pronouns


Professions and Personality Traits


Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts


Comparative and Superlative


Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations


Modern China and Current Events



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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