How to understand the Singular and Plural situation in Chinese grammar

In Chinese we don’t have forms of singular and plural for nouns. As a result, unless there is an indication to need to express the forms of the number, one shall not worry about to make a sentence implying the singular or plural forms of the object.

For example, in Chinese it’s perfectly ok to say “这是猫”, whereas “这是只猫”, or “这些是猫” are also correct. Same rule won’t be able to apply to an English phrase. In English the grammar requires the forms of singular and plural. It’s forced to indicate the quantity state under every situation. In Chinese grammar quantity forms don’t exist; since it’s not a feature of our language we do not give a great consideration to quantity unless the content to the sentence to specifically indicate it.

How to use “am, is, are” the right way in Mandarin

Very common mistake many foreign learners make. When they see the words “am, is, are” , the translations come out as 我是累, or 她是忙etc.

Though, in the English sentence such as “ I am tired”, “am” does not contribute real meanings to its sentence, instead, together with “tired” to function as predicate. Since “am” has no affirmative meaning, one should not force to give its meanings when think of the sentence in Mandarin Chinese.

Instead being far-fetched to put “是” in the sentence, we should say  “我(很)累”. “累” is an adjective;  unlike English it can work as the predicate to have the same function of verbs.

“很” is an adverbial Which originally means “very” and usually modifies adjectives. Though in mandarin, when there’s the time the predicate is formed by an adjective instead of verb we usually will add the adverbial “很” to make the sentence sound complete, in this case “很” nearly lost its original meaning of “very” or its original meaning became very weak, only to be there as part of a finished sentence.

So instead of saying “我累” which grammar wise is not wrong,  “我很累” is more of a correct way of saying it.

Apply the same rule to the situations whereas the predicate is an adjective instead of verb.

Look at the sentences below, and say them in Mandarin:

He is tall.

She is pretty.

I am disappointed.

The little boy is happy.

王菲,陈奕迅 - 因为爱情

因为爱情

歌词:

E: 给你一张过去的CD 听听那时我们的爱情 有时会突然忘了 我还在爱着你 
F: 再找不出那样的歌曲 听到都会红着脸躲避 虽然会经常忘了 我依然爱着你 
F:因为爱情不会轻易悲伤 
E:所以一切都是幸福的模样 
F:因为爱情简单地生长 
E:依然随时可以为你疯狂 
F:因为爱情怎么会有沧桑 
E:所以我们还是年轻的模样 
F:因为爱情在那个地方 
E:依然还有人在那里游荡 人来人往 

F:再找不出那样的歌曲 听到都会红着脸躲避 虽然会经常忘了 
EF:我依然爱着你 
F:因为爱情不会轻易悲伤 
E:所以一切都是幸福的模样 
F:因为爱情简单地生长 
E:依然随时可以为你疯狂 
F:因为爱情怎么会有沧桑 
E:所以我们还是年轻的模样 
F:因为爱情在那个地方

随它吧 (sui ta ba) - Let it go Mandarin Chinese version

Disney hit film FROZEN has been so popular and spread all over the world. Here, I’m posting the video of Chinese version of its theme song “Let it go” . Hopefully it will help you to learn to sing this fabulous Disney song in Mandarin Chinese!

歌词 (lyrics):
白雪发亮今夜铺满山上
没有脚印的地方
孤立的王国很荒凉
我是这里的女皇
风在呼啸
像心里的风暴一样
只有天知道
我受过的伤
别让他们进来看见
做好女孩就像你的从前
躲藏不让
他们看见
已被发现
随它吧,随它吧
回头已没有办法
随它吧,随它吧
一转身不再牵挂我不管
他们想说的话
任风吹雨打
反正冰天雪地我也不怕这一点点的距离
让一切变精致
曾经困扰我的恐惧
会远离我回忆
现在开始让我看见
是我的突破和极限
不分对错
没有极限
向前
随它吧,随它吧
跟风和天空对话
随它吧,随它吧
眼泪不再掉下
这个家
让我留下
任风吹雨打我力量从空气中扩散到地上
我灵魂盘旋在冰块各种不同形状
我思想结晶变成锋利的闪光
我永不回头看
以往会被埋藏
随它吧,随它吧
让我在曙光中升华
随它吧,随它吧
让完美被蒸发
这个家
在阳光之下
任风吹雨打
反正冰天雪地我也不怕

Download your free PINYIN forms

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汉语拼音表

拼音表一 form 1

拼音表二 form 2

我的身体 – Learn to name your body parts in Chinese

This video tells you how to name some of your body parts in Mandarin Chinese. Don’t forget to practice with your own body! 🙂

水果名 - learn your favorite fruits in Chinese

It tells you how to say the words for some common fruits in Mandarin Chinese.

蝴蝶歌 - A song about butterflies

It’s a song about butterflies which teaches you the words of spring.

 

我的家 - Learn the words to call family members

It teaches you how to call your family members in Chinese. Now you’ve learnt to call your loved ones in Mandarin Chinese!