The frequency complement (1)

In Chinese “number + 次 (cì)” follows the verb and states how many times the action happened.

Basic structure

Verb + number + 次

Meaning: … times.

我(Wǒ)想(xiǎng)去(qù)中(Zhōng)国(guó)，虽(suī)然(rán)去(qù)过(guo)一(yí)次(cì)，但(dàn)是(shì)很(hěn)想(xiǎng)再(zài)去(qù)一(yí)次(cì)。

I want to go to China. Although I've been once, I'd very much like to go again.

去 + 过 + 一次 go + experience + once

再 + 去 + 一次 again + go + one more time

去(qù)过(guo)一(yí)次(cì)have been once

再(zài)去(qù)一(yí)次(cì)go one more time

Here 一次 states how many times the action happened.

If the verb takes an object that is a person's name or a place name, the object may stand either before or after the frequency complement.

Verb + object + number + 次 or verb + number + 次 + object

安(Ān)妮(nī)去(qù)过(guo)一(yí)次(cì)北(Běi)京(jīng)。

Annie has been to Beijing once.

去过 + 一次 + 北京 has been + once + Beijing

安(Ān)妮(nī)Annie

去(qù)过(guo)has been

一(yí)次(cì)once

北(Běi)京(jīng)Beijing

Here 北京 is a place name, so it follows 一次.

李(Lǐ)文(Wén)见(jiàn)了(le)杨(Yáng)同(Tóng)乐(lè)两(liǎng)次(cì)。

Li Wen saw Yang Tongle twice.

见了 + 杨同乐 + 两次 saw + Yang Tongle + twice

李(Lǐ)文(Wén)Li Wen

见(jiàn)了(le)saw

杨(Yáng)同(Tóng)乐(lè)Yang Tongle

两(liǎng)次(cì)twice

Here 杨同乐 is a person's name, so it precedes 两次.

Verb + number + 次

Meaning: it states how many times the action happened.

去一次 — go once 见两次 — see twice

When the object is a person's name or a place name:

Verb + object + number + 次 or verb + number + 次 + object

去过一次北京 — has been to Beijing once 见了杨同乐两次 — saw Yang Tongle twice