The frequency complement (2)
A verb can take both a frequency complement and an object at the same time.
The kind of object matters:
a thing usually follows the frequency;
a pronoun goes before it.
1. When the object is a thing
Verb + number + 次 + object
To do something … times.
因为我想再吃一次烤鸭，再喝一次奶茶
吃 + 一次 + 烤鸭
eat + once + roast duck
喝 + 一次 + 奶茶
drink + once + milk tea
再zàiagain
吃一次烤鸭chī yí cì kǎoyāeat roast duck once more
喝一次奶茶hē yí cì nǎichádrink milk tea once more
Here 烤鸭 and 奶茶 are things, so they follow 一次.
2. When the object is a pronoun
Verb + pronoun + number + 次
To do something to him / you / me … times.
我想找他一次
我想wǒ xiǎngI want to
找zhǎolook for
他tāhim
一次yí cìonce
Here 他 is a pronoun, so it precedes 一次.
安妮来过这儿两次
安妮ĀnnīAnnie
来过lái guohas come
这儿zhèrhere
两次liǎng cìtwice
Here 这儿 names a place and comes before 两次.
Quick rule
Object is a thing: verb + number + 次 + thing
吃一次烤鸭 — eat roast duck once
喝一次奶茶 — drink milk tea once
Object is a pronoun: verb + pronoun + number + 次
找他一次 — look for him once
Core meaning
The frequency complement — number + 次 — states how many times the action happened.