In this HSK 3 video lesson we'll learn about how to correctly use 离合词 (Líhécí ▸Detachable Compounds) in Chinese.
Generally a 离合词 (Líhécí ▸Detachable Compound) is a two-character word. It can be used in two ways. The two characters together can be used as a verb, and also, the two characters can be used as a Verb-Object Phrase, with the first character as a verb and the second character as the Object.
We have learned many 离合词 before, these are some examples:
刮风 下雨 下雪 画画 唱歌 跳舞 散步
走路 游泳 跑步 打球 开车 洗澡 起床
睡觉 说话 吵架 见面 帮忙 聊天 请客
生病 生气 分手 结婚 离婚 毕业 上课
上班 加班 上学 看书 打字 写字 考试
These 离合词 can be used in two ways: as two-character verbs, or verb-object phrases.
We've learn Reduplication of Verbs before. A 离合词 can also be Reduplicated.
☑ See also Reduplication of Verbs (I) and Reduplication of Verbs (II). |
In a 离合词, it was the first character carries the “action verb” meaning, therefore only the first character is repeated. For example,
离合词 |
Reduplication of 离合词 |
||
VV | V一V | V了V | |
xǐzǎo 洗澡 to take (a) shower/bath |
xǐ xi zǎo 洗洗澡 to take (a) shower/bath “really quick” |
xǐ yi xǐ zǎo 洗一洗澡 to take (a) shower/bath “really quick” |
xǐ le xǐ zǎo 洗了洗澡 å took (a) shower/bath “really quick” |
jiànmiàn 见面 to meet face |
jiàn jian miàn 见见面 to meet “really quick” |
jiàn yi jiàn miàn 见一见面 to meet “really quick” |
jiàn le jiàn miàn 见了见面 met “really quick” |
For example,
We've learned how to ask questions with the V-not-V form. A 离合词 can also be used in this way.
☑ See also V不V. |
In a 离合词, it was the first character carries the “action verb” meaning, therefore only the first character is repeated. For example,
离合词 |
V不V / V没V for 离合词 |
bìyè 毕业 to graduate |
bì méi bì yè 毕没毕业? to (have) graduate (or) not? |
guāfēng 刮风 to blow wind |
guā bu guā fēng 刮不刮风? to blow (or) not blow wind? |
chǎojià 吵架 to verbally fight |
chǎo méi chǎo jià 吵没吵架? to (have) verbally fought (or) not (have) verbally fought? |
kǎoshì 考试 to take test |
kǎo bu kǎo shì 考不考试? to take-test (or) not take-test exam? |
For example,
If there is an Object, it can be used in two ways, depending on the situation:
离合词 |
离合词 with Objects |
|
jiànmiàn 见面 to meet |
gēn tā jiànmiàn 跟他见面 with him to meet |
✗见面他 |
chǎojià 吵架 to verbally fight |
hé tā chǎojià 和她吵架 with her to verbally fight |
✗吵架她 |
bāngmáng 帮忙 to help (a)-busy-(situation) |
bāng yéye de máng 帮爷爷的忙 to help grandpa |
✗帮忙爷爷 |
shēngqì 生气 to generate-anger |
shēng fùmǔ de qì 生父母的气 to be upset at the parents |
✗生气父母 |
For example,
Some structures need to be used after the 离合词, while some structures need to be used by inserted within a detached 离合词. And also some structures can be used both ways.
If 离合词 is represented with this structure: "V+O", the position of it can be as follows:
We will go over different structures and how they are used with 离合词 one by one:
For example,
For example,
shuì bā ge xiǎoshí jiào
shuì bā ge xiǎoshí de jiào
shuìjiào shuì bā ge xiǎoshí
睡八个小时觉
睡八个小时的觉
睡觉睡八个小时
to sleep (for) eight “ge” (of) hours
shēng liǎng ge yuè bìng
shēng liǎng ge yù de bìng
shēngbìng shēng liǎng ge yuè
生两个月病
生两个月的病
生病生两个月
to get sick (for) two “ge” (of) months
qǐng yí cì kè
qǐngkè qǐng yí cì
请一次客
请客请一次
to invite(/treat) guests (for) one time
guā yī zhèn fēng
guāfēng guā yí zhèn
刮一阵风
刮风刮一阵
to blow wind (for) one “duration-of-time”