Ch 27 · Lesson 9Mandarin · Chapter 27 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
以便, 以免 and 以及
Written purpose: for so that, 免 for so as not to (免, with no ). And , the written and of a list.
The short version
免 (yǐmiǎn) already means 'not': no
，免。Qǐng bǎ rìqī xiě xiàlái, yǐmiǎn wàngjì.
Why?Hide
(yǐbiàn), so that, and 免 (yǐmiǎn), so as not to, open the second clause in written Mandarin. 免 (miǎn) means 'avoid', so the bad outcome goes in plainly: 免 (yǐmiǎn wàngjì), never 免 (yǐmiǎn bú wàngjì).
以便 (yǐbiàn) and 以免 (yǐmiǎn): so that, so as not to
Both open the second clause and give the purpose of the first. (yǐbiàn) names the result you want; 免 (yǐmiǎn) names the one you want to avoid:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Qǐng tíqián gàosu wǒmen, yǐbiàn wǒmen ānpái. | Tell us early, so that we can arrange it |
，。 | Qǐng xiě qīngchu dìzhǐ, yǐbiàn wǒmen liánxì nǐ. | Write your address clearly, so we can reach you |
，免。 | Qǐng bǎ rìqī xiě xiàlái, yǐmiǎn wàngjì. | Write the date down so you don't forget |
，免。 | Lùshang xiǎoxīn, yǐmiǎn chūshì. | Take care on the way, so nothing goes wrong |
The trap: 免 (miǎn) already means "avoid", so the bad outcome goes in plainly. English says "so you do NOT forget"; Mandarin says 免 (yǐmiǎn wàngjì), with no (bù).
Both belong on notices, forms and work emails. In speech, (hǎo) and 免 (miǎnde) do the same jobs: ， (zǎo diǎnr shuì, míngtiān hǎo zǎo qǐ), go to bed early so you can get up early tomorrow; ，免 (zǎo diǎnr zǒu, miǎnde chídào), leave early so you're not late.
以及 (yǐjí): and, in a written list
(yǐjí) joins nouns and noun phrases, like (hé), but in writing. It usually brings in the last item of a list:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
、。 | Huì shang tǎolùn le jiàgé, shíjiān yǐjí dìdiǎn. | The meeting discussed price, time and place |
。 | Zhè běn shū jièshào le Zhōngguó de lìshǐ yǐjí wénhuà. | This book covers China's history and culture |
。 | Wǒ mǎi le chá hé kāfēi. | I bought tea and coffee (said) |
It does not join two descriptions such as and : there, use (érqiě) or (yě): ， (wǒ hěn lèi, érqiě hěn è), I'm tired, and hungry too.
Going further: The whole family on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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