Serial-verb sentences (1)
A 连动句 (liándòngjù) is a sentence whose predicate contains two or more verb phrases in a row.
Such sentences usually carry one of two meanings:
1. the purpose of the action
2. the manner of the action
1. 表示动作的目的 — expressing the purpose of the action
Here the first action is done in order to carry out the second.
Basic structure
Subject + verb 1 + verb 2
Meaning:
going somewhere in order to do something else.
我想去超市买东西。
I want to go to the supermarket to buy some things.
Structure
去超市 + 买东西
go to the supermarket + buy things
我想I want to
去超市go to the supermarket
买东西buy things
Here the purpose of going to the supermarket is to buy things.
我们去西安饭店吃晚饭。
We're going to the Xi'an Restaurant to have dinner.
Structure
去西安饭店 + 吃晚饭
go to the Xi'an Restaurant + have dinner
我们we
去西安饭店go to the Xi'an Restaurant
吃晚饭have dinner
Here the purpose of going to the restaurant is to have dinner.
2. 表示动作的方式 — expressing the manner of the action
Here the first verb phrase shows how the second action is carried out.
Basic structure
Subject + manner + main action
Meaning:
the way in which something is done.
我们坐出租车去西安饭店。
We're taking a taxi to the Xi'an Restaurant.
Structure
坐出租车 + 去西安饭店
by taxi + go to the Xi'an Restaurant
我们we
坐出租车by taxi
去西安饭店go to the Xi'an Restaurant
Here 坐出租车 states how the going is done.
她坐出租车去超市。
She takes a taxi to the supermarket.
Structure
坐出租车 + 去超市
by taxi + go to the supermarket
她she
坐出租车by taxi
去超市go to the supermarket
Here too 坐出租车 shows the manner of the action.
The rule in short
1. Expressing purpose
Verb 1 + verb 2
The first action is done in order to do the second.
Examples:
去超市买东西
go to the supermarket to buy things
去西安饭店吃晚饭
go to the Xi'an Restaurant for dinner
2. Expressing manner
Manner + main action
The first part states how the second action is carried out.
Examples:
坐出租车去西安饭店
take a taxi to the Xi'an Restaurant
坐出租车去超市
take a taxi to the supermarket