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There are many kinds of auxiliary verbs that indicate possibility or willingness in Chinese.
I'll list out and explain one by one below.
Usage 1:To express willingness.
want;想要 xiǎng yào + Noun
e.g. I want a peach
我想要一個[个]桃子。
wǒ xiǎng yào yīgè táozi
want;想要 xiǎng yào + Verb + ...
e.g. I want to go travel to United States
我想要去美國[国]旅行。
wǒ xiǎng yào qù měiguó lǚxíng
want;想 xiǎng + Verb + ...
e.g. I want to give up
我想放棄[弃]。
wǒ xiǎng fàngqì
*「想 xiǎng 」can be regarded as "missing", do not to confuse it.
e.g. I miss you;我想你;wǒ xiǎng nǐ
want;要 yào + Noun
e.g. I want an apple.
他要一個蘋[苹]果。
tā yào yīgè píngguǒ.
want;要 yào + Verb + ...
e.g. I want to to Taiwan.
我要去台灣[湾]。
wǒ yào qù táiwān.
*「要 yào、想 xiǎng」have subtle difference.
「要 yào」indicates that "it's already decided to do."
But,「想 xiǎng」is still the stage of "consideration"
dare;敢 gǎn+ Verb + ...
e.g. He dares to challenge authority.
他敢挑戰權威[战权威]。
tā gǎn tiǎozhàn quánwēi.
will do ...;會 huì + Verb + ...
e.g. I will go to Europe.
我會[会]去歐[欧]洲。
wǒ huì qù ōuzhōu.
我願[愿]意與你度過[过]一生。
wǒ yuànyì yǔ nǐ dùguò yīshēng
e.g. I wish world peace.
我願世界和平。
wǒ yuàn shìjiè hépíng.
hope;希望 xī wàng + Clause/ Verb + ...
e.g. I hope to be a scientist.
我希望成為[为]一個科學家。
wǒ xīwàng chéngwéi yīgè kēxuéjiā.
Usage 2:To express judgement on reason or affairs.
should;應該 yīng gāi + Verb + ...
e.g. You should practice Chinese.
你應該去練習中文。
应该 练
nǐ yīnggāi qù liànxí zhōngwén.
should;應當 yīng dāng + Verb + ...
e.g. You should get up early.
你應當早點起床。
当 点
nǐ yīngdāng zǎodiǎn qǐchuáng.
* The use of this word is formal and to reprimand someone
So, it needs to be used with caution.
should;應 yīng + Verb + ...
e.g. You should follow the rules.
你應遵守規則[规则]。
nǐ yīng zūnshǒu guīzé.
* This word is formal, and it is monosyllable.
So it is only used in written ,speeches generally.
have to;得 děi + Verb + ...
e.g. You have to go to the hospital
你得去醫[医]院。
nǐ dé qù yīyuàn
e.g. Humans need water
人類[类]需要水。
rénlèi xūyào shuǐ
must;須[须]要 xū yào + Verb + ...
e.g. Humans must drink water
人類須要喝水。
Usage 3:To be able to
can, have ability to;能 néng + Verb + ...
e.g. I can finish the homework by myself.
我能自己完成作業[业]。
wǒ néng zìjǐ wánchéng zuòyè.
can, have ability to;能夠 néng gòu + Verb + ...
e.g. I can touch the ceiling.
我能夠摸到天花板。
wǒ nénggòu mō dào tiānhuābǎn.
can, have ability to;可以 kěyǐ + Verb + ...
e.g. Our products can meet this standard.
我們的產品可以達到這個標準。
产 达 这个标准
wǒmen de chǎnpǐn kěyǐ dádào zhège biāozhǔn.
can, have ability to;會 huì + Verb + ...
e.g. I can swim.
我會游泳。
wǒ huì yóuyǒng.
Usage 4:To allow
can, allowed;能 néng + Verb + ...
e.g. After finishing your homework, you can play the game.
做完功課後,你能去玩遊戲。
课后 游戏
zuò wán gōngkè hòu, nǐ néng qù wán yóuxì.
can, allowed;可以 kě yǐ + Verb + ...
e.g. After dinner, you can play with your mobile phone.
吃完飯後,你可以玩手機。
饭后 机
chī wán fàn hòu, nǐ kěyǐ wán shǒujī.
can, allowed;可 kě + Verb + ...
e.g. You must not enter my room.
你不可進[进]去我的房間[间]。
nǐ bùkě jìnqù wǒ de fángjiān
* It's commonly used as negative usage only due to monosyllable issue with affirmative sentence.
approve, allow;准許[许] zhǔn xǔ + Verb + ...
e.g. This is permitted.
這是被准許的。
zhè shì bèi zhǔnxǔ de.
approve, allow;准 zhǔn + Clause + ...
e.g. I approve it.
我准了。
wǒ zhǔnle.
approve, allow;許 xǔ + Clause + ...
e.g. Thank god for giving me this opportunity
感謝上帝許我一個孩子。
gǎnxiè shàngdì xǔ wǒ yīgè jīhuì
* 「許 xǔ 」means "approve", but I put "giving" which is more suit in this sentence.
* It's commonly used when extremely-high-status person talks to low-status person. e.g. God to people, Emperor to people
can;得 dé + Verb + ...
e.g. If Party A breaches the contract, Party B can demand compensation.
若甲方違約,乙方得要求賠償。
违约 赔偿
ruò jiǎ fāng wéiyuē, yǐfāng dé yāoqiú péicháng
* It's often used in contracts.
Usage 5:To comment
suit, appropriate ;配 pèi + Verb + ...
e.g. Is it appropriate for me to comment on this matter?
我配去評論[评论]這件事嗎[吗]?
*「配 pèi」is not a common wold to be used. The nature is to question whether someone's status matches with the something.
Generally, people use「配 pèi」to ask about collocation of colors or clothes only.
e.g. White clothes with black lines are classic.
白色衣服配黑色線條很經典。
线条 经
báisè yīfú pèi hēisè xiàntiáo hěn jīngdiǎn.
be worth to;值 zhí + Noun + ...
e.g. This gem is worth one million dollars.
這寶[宝]石值一百萬[万]元。
zhè bǎoshí zhí yībǎi wàn yuán.
deserves ,be worth to;值得zhí dé + Verb + ...
e.g. He deserves such help
他值得這樣的幫助。
这样 帮
tā zhídé zhèyàng de bāngzhù.
* "deserve" and "worth" are same words in Chinese.
But, people use「值得zhí dé」for positive example;「應得yīng dé」for negative example.
Because「值 zhí」indicates "value", and you're hard to talk value for negative example.
be worth to;可 kě + Verb + ...
e.g. There not much part which is worth to watched in this movie.
Real meaning:This movie is not worthy of being watched
這電[电]影可看得不多。
zhè diànyǐng kě kàn dé bù duō
* Read more usages about 「可 kě」in another article.(under editing)
Usage 6:To indicates possible.
may ;可能 kě néng + Verb + ...
e.g. He may have gone to the bar
他可能去酒吧了
tā kěnéng qù jiǔbāle
may ;也許 yě xǔ + Verb + ...
e.g. He may cheat me
他也許騙[骗]了我。
tā yěxǔ piànle wǒ
may ;或許 huò xǔ + Verb + ...
e.g. He may be at home
他或許在家。
tā huòxǔ zàijiā
Can't say for sure;說不定 shuō bú dìng + Verb + ...
Characteristics of auxiliary verbs
1. Most of auxiliary verbs can be answered questions alone.
e.g. Will you go to Europe?
你會去歐洲嗎?
nǐ huì qù ōu zhōu ma?
Ans. Will;會;huì
2. Most of auxiliary verbs can express question by "verb + 不 bú + verb".
* Exceptions:也許 yě xǔ、或許 huò xǔ、說不定 shuō bú dìng
我想要一個[个]桃子。
wǒ xiǎng yào yīgè táozi
e.g. I want to go travel to United States
我想要去美國[国]旅行。
wǒ xiǎng yào qù měiguó lǚxíng
want;想 xiǎng + Verb + ...
e.g. I want to give up
我想放棄[弃]。
wǒ xiǎng fàngqì
*「想 xiǎng 」can be regarded as "missing", do not to confuse it.
e.g. I miss you;我想你;wǒ xiǎng nǐ
want;要 yào + Noun
e.g. I want an apple.
他要一個蘋[苹]果。
tā yào yīgè píngguǒ.
e.g. I want to to Taiwan.
我要去台灣[湾]。
wǒ yào qù táiwān.
「要 yào」indicates that "it's already decided to do."
But,「想 xiǎng」is still the stage of "consideration"
e.g. He dares to challenge authority.
他敢挑戰權威[战权威]。
tā gǎn tiǎozhàn quánwēi.
e.g. I will go to Europe.
我會[会]去歐[欧]洲。
wǒ huì qù ōuzhōu.
be willing to;肯 kěn + Verb + ...
e.g. He is willing to study hard.
他肯努力學習[学习]。
tā kěn nǔlì xuéxí.
be willing to;願意 yuàn yì + Verb + ...
e.g. I am willing to spend whole my life with you.e.g. He is willing to study hard.
他肯努力學習[学习]。
tā kěn nǔlì xuéxí.
be willing to;願意 yuàn yì + Verb + ...
我願[愿]意與你度過[过]一生。
wǒ yuànyì yǔ nǐ dùguò yīshēng
*「肯 kěn」indicates the situation that "though it's hard, but someone is still willing to..."
It's different with「願意 yuàn yì」
wish;願 yuàn + ClauseIt's different with「願意 yuàn yì」
e.g. I wish world peace.
我願世界和平。
wǒ yuàn shìjiè hépíng.
e.g. I hope to be a scientist.
我希望成為[为]一個科學家。
wǒ xīwàng chéngwéi yīgè kēxuéjiā.
should;應該 yīng gāi + Verb + ...
e.g. You should practice Chinese.
你應該去練習中文。
应该 练
nǐ yīnggāi qù liànxí zhōngwén.
e.g. You should get up early.
你應當早點起床。
当 点
nǐ yīngdāng zǎodiǎn qǐchuáng.
* The use of this word is formal and to reprimand someone
So, it needs to be used with caution.
should;應 yīng + Verb + ...
e.g. You should follow the rules.
你應遵守規則[规则]。
nǐ yīng zūnshǒu guīzé.
* This word is formal, and it is monosyllable.
So it is only used in written ,speeches generally.
have to;得 děi + Verb + ...
e.g. You have to go to the hospital
你得去醫[医]院。
nǐ dé qù yīyuàn
*「得 děi 」indicates the situation that "you have to do ...,otherwise something bad thing would happen".
* Pay attention on pinyin, it's different with the normal.
need;需要 xū yào + Noun + ...* Pay attention on pinyin, it's different with the normal.
e.g. Humans need water
人類[类]需要水。
rénlèi xūyào shuǐ
must;須[须]要 xū yào + Verb + ...
e.g. Humans must drink water
人類須要喝水。
rénlèi xūyào shuǐ
* Pay attention that 「須 xū 」跟「需 xū」are subtle different.
One is used with noun; the other is used with verb.
One is used with noun; the other is used with verb.
must;必須 bì xū + Verb + ...
e.g. You have to go to school
你必須上學。
nǐ bìxū shàngxué
* 「須 xū」is seldom used in spoken because it's monosyllable.
People usually use in written.
have to;要 yào + Verb + ...
e.g. You have to obey me
你要聽[听]我的話[话]。
nǐ yào tīng wǒ dehuà
e.g. You have to go to school
你必須上學。
nǐ bìxū shàngxué
must;須 xū + Verb + ...
e.g. You must wear a helmet.
你須戴上安全帽。
nǐ xū dài shàng ānquán mào.
e.g. You must wear a helmet.
你須戴上安全帽。
nǐ xū dài shàng ānquán mào.
* 「須 xū」is seldom used in spoken because it's monosyllable.
People usually use in written.
have to;要 yào + Verb + ...
e.g. You have to obey me
你要聽[听]我的話[话]。
nǐ yào tīng wǒ dehuà
Usage 3:To be able to
can, have ability to;能 néng + Verb + ...
e.g. I can finish the homework by myself.
我能自己完成作業[业]。
wǒ néng zìjǐ wánchéng zuòyè.
e.g. I can touch the ceiling.
我能夠摸到天花板。
wǒ nénggòu mō dào tiānhuābǎn.
e.g. Our products can meet this standard.
我們的產品可以達到這個標準。
产 达 这个标准
wǒmen de chǎnpǐn kěyǐ dádào zhège biāozhǔn.
can, have ability to;會 huì + Verb + ...
e.g. I can swim.
我會游泳。
wǒ huì yóuyǒng.
can, allowed;能 néng + Verb + ...
e.g. After finishing your homework, you can play the game.
做完功課後,你能去玩遊戲。
课后 游戏
zuò wán gōngkè hòu, nǐ néng qù wán yóuxì.
e.g. After dinner, you can play with your mobile phone.
吃完飯後,你可以玩手機。
饭后 机
chī wán fàn hòu, nǐ kěyǐ wán shǒujī.
e.g. You must not enter my room.
你不可進[进]去我的房間[间]。
nǐ bùkě jìnqù wǒ de fángjiān
* It's commonly used as negative usage only due to monosyllable issue with affirmative sentence.
approve, allow;准許[许] zhǔn xǔ + Verb + ...
e.g. This is permitted.
這是被准許的。
zhè shì bèi zhǔnxǔ de.
approve, allow;准 zhǔn + Clause + ...
e.g. I approve it.
我准了。
wǒ zhǔnle.
approve, allow;許 xǔ + Clause + ...
e.g. Thank god for giving me this opportunity
感謝上帝許我一個孩子。
gǎnxiè shàngdì xǔ wǒ yīgè jīhuì
* 「許 xǔ 」means "approve", but I put "giving" which is more suit in this sentence.
* It's commonly used when extremely-high-status person talks to low-status person. e.g. God to people, Emperor to people
can;得 dé + Verb + ...
e.g. If Party A breaches the contract, Party B can demand compensation.
若甲方違約,乙方得要求賠償。
违约 赔偿
ruò jiǎ fāng wéiyuē, yǐfāng dé yāoqiú péicháng
* It's often used in contracts.
Usage 5:To comment
suit, appropriate ;配 pèi + Verb + ...
e.g. Is it appropriate for me to comment on this matter?
我配去評論[评论]這件事嗎[吗]?
wǒ pèi qù pínglùn zhè jiàn shì ma?
Generally, people use「配 pèi」to ask about collocation of colors or clothes only.
e.g. White clothes with black lines are classic.
白色衣服配黑色線條很經典。
线条 经
báisè yīfú pèi hēisè xiàntiáo hěn jīngdiǎn.
be worth to;值 zhí + Noun + ...
e.g. This gem is worth one million dollars.
這寶[宝]石值一百萬[万]元。
zhè bǎoshí zhí yībǎi wàn yuán.
e.g. He deserves such help
他值得這樣的幫助。
这样 帮
tā zhídé zhèyàng de bāngzhù.
But, people use「值得zhí dé」for positive example;「應得yīng dé」for negative example.
Because「值 zhí」indicates "value", and you're hard to talk value for negative example.
be worth to;可 kě + Verb + ...
e.g. There not much part which is worth to watched in this movie.
Real meaning:This movie is not worthy of being watched
這電[电]影可看得不多。
zhè diànyǐng kě kàn dé bù duō
* Read more usages about 「可 kě」in another article.(under editing)
Usage 6:To indicates possible.
may ;可能 kě néng + Verb + ...
e.g. He may have gone to the bar
他可能去酒吧了
tā kěnéng qù jiǔbāle
e.g. He may cheat me
他也許騙[骗]了我。
tā yěxǔ piànle wǒ
e.g. He may be at home
他或許在家。
tā huòxǔ zàijiā
e.g. He might be drunk
他說不定喝醉了。
tā shuō bú dìng hē zuìle
*「說 shuō 」indicates "talk"; 「不定 bú dìng」indicates "cannot make sure"
「說不定」means "Can't say for sure"
「說不定」means "Can't say for sure"
Characteristics of auxiliary verbs
1. Most of auxiliary verbs can be answered questions alone.
e.g. Will you go to Europe?
你會去歐洲嗎?
nǐ huì qù ōu zhōu ma?
Ans. Will;會;huì
2. Most of auxiliary verbs can express question by "verb + 不 bú + verb".
* Exceptions:也許 yě xǔ、或許 huò xǔ、說不定 shuō bú dìng
e.g. Will you go to Europe?
你會不會去歐洲?
nǐ huì bú huì qù ōu zhōu?
Ans. Will;會;huì
e.g. Do Humans need water?
人類需不需要水。
rénlèi xū bù xū yào shuǐ ?
Ans. need;需要;xū yào
3. Some of auxiliary verbs can be modified by adverbs directly.
It's different with English. People can modify auxiliary verbs by adverbs directly, instead of modify the continue verb.
* Exceptions:也許 yě xǔ、或許 huò xǔ、說不定 shuō bú dìng
e.g. I cannot swim well
我不太會游泳。
wǒ bú tài huì yóuyǒng
→ In English, it adds negation(not) for auxiliary verb(can) and adds adverb(well) for verb(swim).
In Chinese, it adds negative+adverb (不太 bú tài, not well) for auxiliary verb(會huì, can) directly.
4. Most of auxiliary verbs cannot only carry a noun behind.
* Exceptions:想要 xiǎng yào、要 yào、值 zhí
5.Auxiliary verbs cannot overlap.
e.g. Let me see;我看看;Wǒ kàn kàn
e.g.我會會 wǒ huì huì (Wrong, it doesn't make sense.)
e.g.我要要 wǒ yào yào(Wrong, it doesn't make sense.)
6. Most of auxiliary verbs cannot be used with「了 Le、著 zhe、過 guò」
e.g. I requested for three apples
我要了三個蘋果。
wǒ yàole sān gè píngguǒ
e.g. I thought of three ways
我想了三個辦法。
wǒ xiǎngle sān gè bànfǎ
7. Auxiliary verbs cannot be used with the combination like「起來 qǐlái、下去 xiàqù、出來 chū lái」.
e.g. 很起來(Wrong)
wǒ hěn qǐ lái (Wrong)
* Exceptions:也許 yě xǔ、或許 huò xǔ、說不定 shuō bú dìng
我不太會游泳。
wǒ bú tài huì yóuyǒng
In Chinese, it adds negative+adverb (不太 bú tài, not well) for auxiliary verb(會huì, can) directly.
* Exceptions:想要 xiǎng yào、要 yào、值 zhí
5.Auxiliary verbs cannot overlap.
e.g. Let me see;我看看;Wǒ kàn kàn
e.g.我會會 wǒ huì huì (Wrong, it doesn't make sense.)
e.g.我要要 wǒ yào yào(Wrong, it doesn't make sense.)
e.g. I requested for three apples
我要了三個蘋果。
wǒ yàole sān gè píngguǒ
→ 「要yào」means "request" here, instead of auxiliary verbs.
我想了三個辦法。
wǒ xiǎngle sān gè bànfǎ
→ 「想 xiǎng」means "think" here, instead of auxiliary verbs.
e.g. 很起來(Wrong)
wǒ hěn qǐ lái (Wrong)
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