3rd Edition

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar A Practical Guide

    448 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    448 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, third edition, is an innovative reference guide to Mandarin Chinese, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume.

    The Grammar is divided into two parts. Part A covers traditional grammar points such as phrase order, and the structure of noun phrases and verb phrases. Part B is carefully organized around language functions and situations such as:

    • Asking questions
    • Communication strategies
    • Making comparisons
    • Giving orders and making requests
    • Expressing apologies, regrets, and sympathy

    The two parts of the Grammar are closely linked by extensive cross-references, providing a grammatical and functional perspective on many patterns. The Grammar is coordinated with the Workbook, which provides grammar-focused and situation-focused exercises to facilitate practice and reinforce language use.

    All grammar points and functions are richly illustrated with examples presented in simplified and traditional characters and Pinyin romanization, with a strong emphasis on contemporary usage. This third edition includes new sections on character structure, social media, speaker perspective, and more, as well as updated illustrative sentences and an expanded index.

    Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is ideal for all learners of Mandarin Chinese, from beginner to intermediate and advanced students.

    Part A Structures

    1 Overview of Pronunciation and Pinyin Romanization

    2 Syllable, Meaning, and Word

    3 The Chinese Writing System: An Overview

    4 Phrase order in the Mandarin sentence  

    5 Nouns

    6 Numbers

    7 Specifiers and Demonstratives

    8 Classifiers

    9 Noun Phrases

    10 Adjectives and Adjectival Verbs

    11 Stative Verbs

    12 Modal Verbs

    13 Action Verbs

    14 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

    15 Adverbs

    16 Conjunctions

    17 Aspect

    18 Resulative verbs 

    19 Directional verbs 

    20  把 ba sentences: The 'disposal' construction

    21 The passive

    Part B Situations and Functions

    22 Names, Kinship Terms, Titles, and Terms of Address

    23 Introductions

    24 Greetings and Goodbyes

    25 Basic Strategies for Communication

    26 Telecommunications and e-communications: Telephones, the internet, and social media

    27 Negating Information

    28 Asking questions, answering questions, and reporting questions

    29 Expressing Identification, Possession, and Existence 

    30 Describing People, Places, and Things

    31 Describing How Actions are Performed

    32 Indicating Result, Conclusion, Potential, and Extent

    33 Making Comparisons

    34 Talking About the Present

    35 Talking About Habitual Actions

    36 Talking About the Future

    37 Indicating Completion and Talking About the Past

    38 Talking About Change, New Situations, and Changing Situations

    39 Talking About Duration and Frequency 

    40 Expressing Additional Information

    41 Expressing Contrast

    42 Expressing Sequence

    43 Expressing Simultaneous Situations

    44 Expressing Cause and Effect or Reason and Result

    45 Expressing Conditions

    46. Expressing both, all, every, any, none, not any, and no matter how

    47 Expressing Location and Distance

    48 Talking about Movement, Directions, and Means of Transportation

    49 Talking about Clock Time and Calendar Time 

    50 Expressing Obligation and Prohibitions

    51 Expressing Commands and Permission

    52 Expressing Ability and Possibility

    53 Expressing Desires, Needs, Preferences, and Willingness

    54 Expressing Knowledge, Advice, and Opinions

    55 Expressing Fear, Worry, and Anxiety

    56 Expressing Speaker Attitudes and Perspectives with interjections and final particles

    57 Topic, Focus, and Emphasis

    58 Guest and Host

    59 Giving and Responding to Compliments 

    60 Expressing Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction

    61 Expressing Gratitude and Responding to Expressions of Gratitude

    62 Invitations, Requests, and Refusals

    63 Expressing Apologies, Regrets, Sympathy, and bad news

    64 Expressing Congratulations and Good Wishes

    Index

    Biography

    Claudia Ross, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, College of the Holy Cross.

    Jing-Heng Sheng Ma, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, Wellesley College.

    Pei-Chia Chen, Senior Lecturer and Academic Coordinator of the Chinese program, University of California San Diego.

    Baozhang He, Associate Professor Emeritus of Chinese, College of the Holy Cross.

    Meng Yeh, Teaching Professor of Chinese, Rice University.