Chinese Grammar- Verbs

Right... I know this post is about verbs again, but knowing this next bit really makes a difference when talking with locals on the street- well mostly in the shops. Chinese grammar is once again quite economical, at least for when you are at the bottom of the steep word learning curve. If you want to ask if some has something or not, or want something or not then you simply put the verb in the sentence, followed by the negative pattern for the verb.

So - Do you have apples?

Translates to : Ni you, mei you pinguo ma? (where "you" is the verb "to have")?

The literal translation is: " Do you have, not have apples?"


I've heard this pattern (yao, bu yao?) in restaurants when parents ask their children what they want to eat, by giving them an menu option and asking them if they want it. You can also hear it from store owners who show you things for sale.

It's taken me awhile to feel comfortable with answering the negative "bu yao" since I sometimes interpret short as rude (it's probably a result of my upbringing and my Canadian social conditioning). Luckily, they don't and it is acceptable to use it- the use of a gentle tone of voice when answering, of course, also helps.