Separable Words (2): 离合词

In Chinese, 离合词 (líhécí) are two-part words that can be split so other elements slot in between them.

Such words do not normally take a direct object.

If the sentence has an object, it usually goes between the two halves of the 离合词.

Core Rule

A 离合词 does not take an object directly.

If the sentence has an object:

first half of the 离合词 + object + second half

昨天游完泳以后，我的耳朵一直有点儿疼

Here:

游泳 → 游 + 完 + 泳

游泳 — to swim 游 — the first half 完 — the complement marking that the action is finished 泳 — the second half

So:

游完泳yóu wán yǒngto finish swimming

今年夏天只下了两次雨

Here:

下雨 → 下 + 两次 + 雨

下雨 — to rain 下 — the first half 两次 — twice 雨 — the second half

So:

下了两次雨xià le liǎng cì yǔit rained twice

小张下个月跟他女朋友结婚

Here 结婚 is a separable word.

结 — the first half 婚 — the second half 跟他女朋友 — with his girlfriend

In this sentence no object is placed directly after 结婚.

A 离合词 does not normally take an object directly.

If the sentence has an object, it usually slots in between the two halves:

游泳 → 游完泳下雨 → 下了两次雨