Ch 23 · Lesson 8Mandarin · Chapter 23 · Lesson 8 · Grammar primer
所 + verb: 我所知道的
before the verb of a phrase makes it written Chinese: means the same as , what I know. The object slot stays empty, and stays.
The short version
。Wǒ suǒ zhīdào de bù duō.
Why?Hide
Put (suǒ) before the verb of a (de) phrase and only the register changes: (wǒ zhīdào de) and (wǒ suǒ zhīdào de) both mean 'what I know'. The second belongs in an essay or a speech. The object slot after the verb stays empty, and the (de) stays.
The whole system on one screen
The colours stay the same all page long:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Wǒ zhīdào de bù duō. | I don't know much (plain) |
。 | Wǒ suǒ zhīdào de bù duō. | What I know is not much (formal) |
。 | Suǒyǒu de xuésheng dōu lái le. | All the students came |
为。 | Zhè běn shū wéi hěn duō rén suǒ xǐhuan. | This book is loved by many people |
- 我知道的 wǒ zhīdào de: everyday
- 我所知道的 wǒ suǒ zhīdào de: written, formal speeches
(suǒ) belongs to essays, reports, news and speeches. Chatting with a friend, leave it out.
所 (suǒ) + verb: what the verb acts on
Put (suǒ) between the doer and the verb of a (de) phrase. The phrase names what the verb acts on, and still closes it:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| wǒ suǒ zhīdào de | what I know |
| tā suǒ shuō de huà | the words he said |
。 | Zhè shì wǒ suǒ xūyào de. | This is what I need |
| wǒmen suǒ zuò de yíqiè | everything we do |
Take (suǒ) out and each phrase means the same, only plainer: (tā shuō de huà). That plain clause is on relative clauses with 的.
The rules: an empty object slot, and 的 (de)
(suǒ) points at the verb's object, so the object cannot also sit after the verb. Move it out, or leave it unsaid:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| wǒ suǒ zhīdào de shì | the things I know |
| wǒ suǒ qù de dìfang | the places I went |
| wǒ suǒ zhù de dìfang | the place where I live |
So the verb needs something to act on: a thing, or a place, as with (qù) and (zhù). And (de) stays: (wǒ suǒ zhīdào) on its own is not a phrase. Set phrases are the exception, such as 据 (jù wǒ suǒ zhī), as far as I know.
Going further: 所 (suǒ) inside everyday words and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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