Chinese – First Language (9263) | 介词

欢迎来到介词的世界 (Jiècí) - Prepositions!

你好，同学们！Welcome to a super important chapter in Chinese grammar: 介词 (Jiècí), or Prepositions. Don't worry if this sounds tricky at first—prepositions are essentially the "glue" and "road signs" of a sentence. They tell us where, when, how, or for whom an action happens.

Mastering prepositions is crucial because they govern the structure and meaning of nearly every complex sentence you'll write or read in Chinese. Let's break down this fundamental concept!

词类 (Cílèi) Section: 介词 (Prepositions)

1. 什么是介词？ (What is a Preposition?)

A preposition is a word used to connect a noun (or a noun phrase) to the main verb in a sentence. They introduce information about location, time, direction, manner, or recipient.

介词的基本功能 (The Basic Function of Prepositions)

• 连接 (Connection): They link an object (usually a person, place, or thing) to the action being performed.
• 修饰 (Modification): The entire prepositional unit (called the prepositional phrase) usually acts as an adverbial modifier, telling us more details about the main verb.

Analogy: If the verb is the engine of a car, the preposition is the map or GPS instruction. It tells the engine exactly where to go and how to get there.

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2. 介词的黄金结构规则 (The Golden Rule of Prepositional Structure)

This is the most critical rule to remember for Chinese prepositions, as it differs greatly from English!

介宾短语 (Jiè Bīn Duǎnyǔ) - The Prepositional Phrase

In Chinese, a preposition never stands alone. It always takes an object (noun, pronoun, or phrase) immediately after it. Together, they form a 介宾短语 (Prepositional Phrase).

Structure: 介词 + 宾语 (Object) = 介宾短语

位置 (Placement) - The Pre-Verb Rule

Unlike English, where prepositions often come *after* the verb (e.g., "sit *on* the chair"), in Chinese, the entire 介宾短语 almost always comes before the main verb.

Standard Sentence Structure:
Subject + [介词 + 宾语] + Verb + Other Elements

Example 1 (Location):
我 在 图书馆 看书。
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn kànshū.
(I + [at + library] + read book.)

Example 2 (Recipient):
他 给 妈妈 打电话。
Tā gěi māmā dǎ diànhuà.
(He + [to + mother] + make phone call.)

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3. 重要的介词及其用法分类 (Important Prepositions by Category)

We can group common prepositions based on the meaning they add to the sentence.

A. 时间和地点 (Time and Location)

These tell us where or when the action starts, happens, or ends.

• 在 (zài) - At / In: Indicates the location or time where an action occurs.
  Example: 老师 在 办公室 批改作业。 (The teacher corrects homework in the office.)
• 从 (cóng) - From: Indicates the starting point (time or place).
  Example: 我们 从 早上八点 开始上课。 (We start class from 8 AM.)
• 往 (wǎng) - Towards / To: Indicates direction, often used with verbs of movement (like 走, 跑).
  Example: 请你 往 前 走。 (Please walk towards the front.)

B. 对象和受益者 (Target and Recipient)

These tell us who the action is directed towards or who benefits from it.

• 给 (gěi) - To / For: Indicates the recipient of an action.
  Example: 我 给 你 寄了一封信。 (I sent a letter to you.)
• 对 (duì) - Towards / Regarding: Indicates the target of an attitude, emotion, or action.
  Example: 学生 对 中文 很感兴趣。 (Students are very interested in Chinese.)
• 跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) - With: Indicates companionship or involvement.
  Example: 我 跟 朋友 一起去吃饭。 (I go to eat with my friend.)

C. 方式和工具 (Manner and Instrument)

These tell us how the action is performed.

• 用 (yòng) - Using / By means of: Indicates the tool or method used.
  Example: 请你 用 中文 回答问题。 (Please answer the question using Chinese.)
• 按照 (ànzhào) - According to: Indicates compliance with a standard, rule, or requirement.
  Example: 我们 按照 计划 进行考试。 (We proceed with the test according to the plan.)

D. 比较和排除 (Comparison and Exclusion)

• 比 (bǐ) - Compared to: Used to introduce the object of comparison (crucial for forming comparative sentences).
  Example: 姐姐 比 我 高。 (Older sister is taller compared to me.)
• 除了 (chúle) - Except for / Besides: Introduces an exclusion or an additional element.
  Example: 除了 小明，所有人都来了。 (Except for Xiaoming, everyone came.)

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4. 被字句与介词 (The Passive Voice and Prepositions)

One of the most important functions of a Chinese preposition is forming the passive voice. The prepositions 被 (bèi), 叫 (jiào), and 让 (ràng) are used to introduce the agent that performs the unwanted action.

Structure of a 被 (Bèi) Sentence:

Passive Subject + 被 + (Agent/Doer) + Verb Phrase

• 被 (bèi): The most common and formal way to indicate the passive voice.
  Example: 我的手机 被 弟弟 弄坏了。 (My phone was broken by my younger brother.)
• 叫 (jiào) / 让 (ràng): Often used in spoken Chinese, similar meaning to 被.
  Example: 钥匙 叫 我 弄丢了。 (The key was lost by me.)

Tip for Being Passive: Remember that in the passive structure, the action is usually negative, undesirable, or emphasizes the result rather than the doer.

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5. 常见错误与区分 (Common Mistakes and Distinctions)

Many Chinese words, especially 在 (zài) and 给 (gěi), can be either a Verb (动词) or a Preposition (介词). Knowing the difference is key to correct grammar.

区分 介词 vs. 动词 (Preposition vs. Verb)

The simplest way to distinguish them is by checking their placement and function:

If it is a Verb (动词): It acts as the main action in the sentence. It can usually stand alone or take a direct object.

If it is a Preposition (介词): It *must* be followed by an object (forming a 介宾短语) and this whole phrase must precede the main verb, acting as a modifier.

Case Study 1: 在 (Zài)

• As a Verb (to be located at):
  你 在 哪里？ (Nǐ zài nǎli?) – Where are you located? (Main action)
• As a Preposition (at/in):
  我 在 家 学习。 (Wǒ zài jiā xuéxí.) – I study at home. (Modifies the main verb 学习)

Case Study 2: 给 (Gěi)

• As a Verb (to give):
  他 给 我 一本书。 (Tā gěi wǒ yī běn shū.) – He gave me a book. (Main action)
• As a Preposition (to/for):
  他 给 我 买了 咖啡。 (Tā gěi wǒ mǎile kāfēi.) – He bought coffee for me. (Modifies the main verb 买了)

学习总结 (Key Takeaways)

Congratulations! You’ve navigated the world of Chinese prepositions. Remember these core points:

1. 介词 introduces information (location, time, target) to the main action.
2. 介词 + 宾语 forms a 介宾短语.
3. The 介宾短语 nearly always comes before the main verb.
4. Words like 在 and 给 can be verbs or prepositions—look at the sentence structure to figure out their role!

Keep practicing sentence construction using these structures. You're doing great!