Language/Min-nan-chinese/Grammar/Negation
Hi Min Nan Chinese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn the negation in Min Nan Chinese. Negation is a crucial part of any language, and mastering negation in Min Nan Chinese is an essential step towards fluency. In this lesson, we will learn how to negate sentences, verbs, and questions.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Min Nan Chinese, Gender & Pronouns.
Negating a sentence[edit | edit source]
To negate a sentence in Min Nan Chinese, we use the word "m̄". "M̄" is a negative particle that is placed in front of the verb. Let's look at an example:
Example:
| Min Nan Chinese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我 m̄ chiah-pá | guá m̄ chi̍t-phá | I don't eat meat. |
In the example above, "m̄" is placed before the verb "chiah-pá" (to eat meat), indicating negation.
Exercise: Negate the following sentences by adding "m̄" before the verbs:
- 我 chiah-pá m̄ peng-cê. (I drink soda)
- 你 khì-lâi lāi-m̄-lâi? (Are you coming?)
- 伊 ē-sái seng-thâu. (He buys vegetables)
Negating a verb[edit | edit source]
Sometimes, we want to negate only the verb in a sentence, not the entire sentence. To do this, we use the word "mài". "Mài" is a verb auxiliary that negates the verb that comes immediately after it.
Example:
| Min Nan Chinese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我 mài chiah-pá | guá mài chi̍t-phá | I eat not meat. |
In the example above, "mài" is placed before the verb "chiah-pá" (to eat meat), indicating negation.
Exercise: Negate the following verbs using "mài":
- chiah-pá (to eat meat)
- khòaⁿ-thâu (to watch a movie)
- koh (to sleep)
Negative Questions[edit | edit source]
In Min Nan Chinese, asking a question in the negative form is slightly more complicated. To make a question negative in Min Nan Chinese, we use the word "bē". "Bē" is placed at the beginning of a sentence to make it interrogative.
Example:
| Min Nan Chinese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bē ē chiah-pá. | pē ē chi̍t-phá? | Don't you eat meat? |
In the example above, "bē" is placed at the beginning of the sentence to make it negative. "Ē" is the verb "to eat," and "chiah-pá" means "meat." Therefore, the entire sentence means "Don't you eat meat?"
Exercise: Turn the following statements into negative questions using "bē":
- 你 khì-lâi lāi ê? (Are you coming?)
- 伊 pē seng-thâu. (He buys vegetables.)
- 我 ē chiah-pá. (I eat meat.)
Summary[edit | edit source]
In summary, to negate sentences in Min Nan Chinese, we use the word "m̄." To negate verbs, we use the word "mài." To make a negative question in Min Nan Chinese, we use the word "bē." By mastering these concepts, you will be able to express negation in a variety of contexts.
Remember, the best way to improve your Min Nan Chinese grammar is to practice with native speakers. Be sure to ask them any questions you may have!
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: 你會 tek-chiūⁿ ma? (Can you ride a bike?)
- Person 2: 我 mài tek-chiūⁿ. (I can't ride a bike.)
- Person 1: 伊 chit-ê lâng. (He is a person.)
- Person 2: 伊 m̄-ū sî-bīn ê. (He is not a doctor.)
- Person 1: 你 chiah-pá lóng-jîn ma? (Do you eat dragon fruit?)
- Person 2: 我 m̄ chiah-pá lóng-jîn. (I don't eat dragon fruit.)