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"Written for beginning learners of the language, this concise introduction to Chinese grammar assumes only a basic knowledge of Chinese, and no knowledge of grammatical terminology and practices. Comparing Chinese grammar patterns and rules with those of English, and illustrated with a wealth of real-life examples, it allows learners to understand the similarities and differences between the two languages. Using engaging and accessible language, it examines the Chinese sound system, writing system, word formation rules, parts of speech, and simple and complex sentences, as well as explaining special constructions that are typically challenging to second language learners. Each chapter begins with clear learning goals and ends with a useful summary highlighting the chapter's main points. To call attention to specific issues, sidebars are interspersed throughout the text, and exercises within the book and online answer keys help students to reinforce learned material and assist with self-study"--
List of contents
Preface; Glossary of grammar terms and abbreviations; The meanings of special symbols; Unit I. Introduction: 1. Chinese and Mandarin; 2. Chinese grammar; 3. Sound system; 4. Words and Chinese characters; Unit II. Parts of Speech: 5. Introduction of parts of speech in Chinese; 6. Nouns; 7. Numbers; 8. Measure words (Classifiers); 9. Pronouns; 10. Verbs; 11. Modal verbs; 12. Adjectives; 13. Adverbs; 14. Prepositions; 15. Conjunctions; 16. Particles; Unit III. Simple Sentences: 17. Introduction to simple sentences; 18. Elements of a sentence (1): subject and predicate; 19. Elements of a sentence (2): object; 20. Elements of a sentence (3): Complement; 21. Elements of a sentence (4): Attributive and adverbial; Unit IV. Special Sentences: 22. The ¿ b¿ construction; 23. The¿ bèi construction; 24. Questions; 25. Comparisons; 26. Existential sentences; 27. Emphatic sentences; Unit V. Complicated Sentences: 28. Compound sentences; 29. Complex sentences; Appendices.
About the author
Yongping Zhu is Associate Professor and Department Chair (2014–2021) at the University of Notre Dame, as well as President of Chinese Language Teachers Association, USA (2021–2022). Notable publications include Linguistic Analysis of Meaning and Syntactic Change in the Grammaticalization of Chinese Prepositions (2010) and A Teacher's Manual for the Instruction of Chinese (co-authored, 2018).Chu-Ren Huang is Chair Professor of the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is fascinated by what language can tell us about human cognition and our collective reactions to natural and social environments. Related publications include A Reference Grammar of Chinese (2016), Mandarin Chinese Words and Parts of Speech (2017), The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Applied Linguistics (2019), and The Cambridge Handbook of Chinese Linguistics (2022).
Summary
Including a variety of real language examples, this accessible introduction to Chinese grammar focuses on patterns and rules, and their similarities and differences with English. Written in an engaging and accessible way, it helps students with no prior knowledge of linguistics or Chinese to master Chinese grammar.
Foreword
An accessible introduction to Chinese grammar that focuses on patterns and rules, and their similarities and differences with English.
