When learning Chinese, one of the essential adverbs that often appears in sentences is “也” (yě), which translates to “also” or “too” in English. Understanding the usage of this adverb is crucial for constructing sentences correctly and expressing additional information in a smooth and natural way. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of using “也” in Chinese grammar, providing examples and explanations to help you master this important word.
Understanding the Basic Usage of “也”
The adverb “也” is used to indicate that an action or state mentioned in one sentence applies to another subject as well. It is similar to the English words “also,” “too,” and “as well.” In Chinese, “也” is placed before the verb or adjective it modifies.
### Example 1:
– 他是学生。(Tā shì xuéshēng.) – He is a student.
– 我也是学生。(Wǒ yě shì xuéshēng.) – I am also a student.
In the example above, “也” is used to show that the speaker shares the same attribute (being a student) as the person mentioned in the first sentence.
### Example 2:
– 她喜欢吃苹果。(Tā xǐhuān chī píngguǒ.) – She likes eating apples.
– 我也喜欢吃苹果。(Wǒ yě xǐhuān chī píngguǒ.) – I also like eating apples.
Here, “也” indicates that the speaker shares the same preference (liking apples) as the subject in the first sentence.
Positioning of “也” in a Sentence
In Chinese grammar, the placement of “也” is quite specific. It usually comes before the main verb or adjective but after the subject of the sentence.
### Example 3:
– 他们会说中文。(Tāmen huì shuō Zhōngwén.) – They can speak Chinese.
– 我们也会说中文。(Wǒmen yě huì shuō Zhōngwén.) – We can also speak Chinese.
### Example 4:
– 他很高。(Tā hěn gāo.) – He is very tall.
– 她也很高。(Tā yě hěn gāo.) – She is also very tall.
In these examples, “也” is placed before the verbs “会” (huì) and “很” (hěn) but after the subjects “我们” (wǒmen) and “她” (tā), respectively.
Using “也” with Negation
When “也” is used in a negative sentence, it still precedes the verb, and the negation word “不” (bù) or “没” (méi) is placed after “也.”
### Example 5:
– 他不喜欢吃辣的。(Tā bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – He does not like eating spicy food.
– 我也不喜欢吃辣的。(Wǒ yě bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – I also do not like eating spicy food.
### Example 6:
– 她没去过中国。(Tā méi qùguò Zhōngguó.) – She has not been to China.
– 我也没去过中国。(Wǒ yě méi qùguò Zhōngguó.) – I also have not been to China.
In these sentences, “也” is positioned before the negation words “不” and “没” to indicate that the speaker shares the same negative state or action.
Combining “也” with Other Adverbs
“也” can be combined with other adverbs to add more layers of meaning to a sentence. It can be used with adverbs such as “都” (dōu, meaning “all” or “both”) to indicate that the additional information applies to multiple subjects.
### Example 7:
– 他们都喜欢看电影。(Tāmen dōu xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.) – They all like watching movies.
– 我们也都喜欢看电影。(Wǒmen yě dōu xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.) – We also all like watching movies.
In this example, “也” is combined with “都” to show that the preference for watching movies applies to both groups mentioned.
Using “也” with Conjunctions
“也” can be used with conjunctions such as “和” (hé, meaning “and”) to connect sentences or clauses that share a similar attribute or action.
### Example 8:
– 他是医生，和她是老师。(Tā shì yīshēng, hé tā shì lǎoshī.) – He is a doctor, and she is a teacher.
– 他是医生，我也是医生。(Tā shì yīshēng, wǒ yě shì yīshēng.) – He is a doctor, and I am also a doctor.
In this example, “也” is used to connect the speaker’s profession with the other person’s profession, emphasizing that both share the same occupation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using “也” in Chinese sentences, learners often make some common mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:
Incorrect Placement of “也”
One of the most frequent errors is placing “也” in the wrong position within the sentence. Remember that “也” should come before the verb or adjective but after the subject.
### Incorrect Example:
– 我吃也苹果。(Wǒ chī yě píngguǒ.) – I eat also apples. (Incorrect)
### Correct Example:
– 我也吃苹果。(Wǒ yě chī píngguǒ.) – I also eat apples.
Omitting “也” in Negative Sentences
Another mistake is forgetting to include “也” in negative sentences where it is needed to indicate shared negation.
### Incorrect Example:
– 他不喜欢吃辣的。我不喜欢吃辣的。(Tā bù xǐhuān chī là de. Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – He does not like eating spicy food. I do not like eating spicy food. (Incorrect)
### Correct Example:
– 他不喜欢吃辣的。我也不喜欢吃辣的。(Tā bù xǐhuān chī là de. Wǒ yě bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – He does not like eating spicy food. I also do not like eating spicy food.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of using “也” in Chinese sentences, here are some practice exercises. Try to complete the sentences by inserting “也” in the correct position.
1. 她是医生。____ 是医生。(Tā shì yīshēng. ____ shì yīshēng.) – She is a doctor. ____ am a doctor.
2. 他们喜欢看电影。我们 ____ 喜欢看电影。(Tāmen xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng. Wǒmen ____ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.) – They like watching movies. We ____ like watching movies.
3. 他不喜欢吃辣的。我 ____ 不喜欢吃辣的。(Tā bù xǐhuān chī là de. Wǒ ____ bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – He does not like eating spicy food. I ____ do not like eating spicy food.
4. 她会说法语。她 ____ 会说英语。(Tā huì shuō Fǎyǔ. Tā ____ huì shuō Yīngyǔ.) – She can speak French. She ____ can speak English.
5. 我没去过日本。他 ____ 没去过日本。(Wǒ méi qùguò Rìběn. Tā ____ méi qùguò Rìběn.) – I have not been to Japan. He ____ has not been to Japan.
Answers to Practice Exercises
1. 她是医生。我也是医生。(Tā shì yīshēng. Wǒ yě shì yīshēng.) – She is a doctor. I am also a doctor.
2. 他们喜欢看电影。我们也喜欢看电影。(Tāmen xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng. Wǒmen yě xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.) – They like watching movies. We also like watching movies.
3. 他不喜欢吃辣的。我也不喜欢吃辣的。(Tā bù xǐhuān chī là de. Wǒ yě bù xǐhuān chī là de.) – He does not like eating spicy food. I also do not like eating spicy food.
4. 她会说法语。她也会说英语。(Tā huì shuō Fǎyǔ. Tā yě huì shuō Yīngyǔ.) – She can speak French. She can also speak English.
5. 我没去过日本。他也没去过日本。(Wǒ méi qùguò Rìběn. Tā yě méi qùguò Rìběn.) – I have not been to Japan. He also has not been to Japan.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of the adverb “也” in Chinese grammar is essential for constructing sentences that convey additional, shared information effectively. By understanding its placement, usage in negative sentences, and combination with other adverbs and conjunctions, you can enhance your fluency and expressiveness in Chinese. Practice regularly with examples and exercises to become more comfortable and confident in using “也” accurately. Happy learning!
