In Chinese, many verbs use a variety of nouns as objects. For example, 洗 (xǐ, to wash) can become 洗脸 (xǐ liǎn, to wash the face), 洗脚 (xǐ jiǎo, to wash feet), 洗手 (xǐ shǒu, to wash hands), etc. Between the verb and its object, you can insert certain elements, such as a measure word: 洗一会儿脚 (xǐ yīhuǐr jiǎo, to wash feet for a moment).
However, certain verbs and their objects, such as 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo, to take a bath), are often used together and therefore become disyllabic verbs. For these types of disyllabic verbs, you can still insert certain elements between the two characters. We call them 离合动词 (lí hé dòng cí) or separable verbs.
It is important to distinguish separable verbs from the rest of disyllabic verbs because disyllabic verbs in general are not separable. For example, you can’t insert anything between the two characters in 同意 (tóngyì, to consent) or 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like). Additionally, separable verbs cannot take an object because its composition already involves a verb-object relationship.
The two characters of separable verbs all involve a verb-object relationship, but the exact nature of that relationship may vary. For example, 考试 (kǎo shì, to test) is a separable verb and doesn’t take an object. However, the single character word 考 (kǎo, to test) also means to test and it can take an object, such as in 靠算数 (kǎo suàn shù, to take a math test). In the case of 跳舞 (tiào wǔ, to dance), 跳 (tiào) means “to jump,” and 舞 (wǔ) is a noun meaning “dance.” The two characters together make up the verb “to dance.” However, 跳 (tiào) used by itself cannot convey the idea of dancing.
Some examples:
Not all disyllabic verbs that involve verb-object relationships are separable verbs. However, the number of separable verbs is quite large. Here are some of them:
How do you distinguish them?
Predicative-object Separable Verbs | VRC Separable Verbs | Dynamic Trend Separable Verbs |
洗澡 xǐ zǎo
to take a bath |
打断 dǎ duàn
to interrupt |
出来 chū lái
to come out |
毕业 bì yè
to graduate |
达到 dá dào
to achieve |
下来 xià lái
to go down |
操心 cāo xīn
to worry |
碰见 pèng jiàn
to meet |
分开 fēn kāi
to separate |
散步 sàn bù
to take a walk |
抓紧 zhuā jǐn
to firmly grasp |
指出 zhǐ chū
to point out |
道歉 dào qiàn
to apologize |
吃饱 chī bǎo
to have eaten one’s fill |
上去 shàng qù
to go up |
鞠躬 jū gōng
to bow |
看懂 kàn dǒng
to be able to read |
起来 qǐ lái
to get up |
VRC is a syntax structure consisting of a verb and its resultative complement.
Among the three types above, an independent element can be inserted such as 着, 了, 过, 得, or 不 to create a resultative complement, directional verb, attribute, etc. They all count as separable verbs.
For example, after the word 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo, to take a bath), you can add 着, 了, or 过 to create:
洗澡 (xǐ zǎo, to take a bath) can also take resultative complements and directional verbs such as 洗好了澡 (xǐ hǎo le zǎo, finished a bath) or 洗起澡来了 (xǐ qǐ zǎo lái le, taking a bath). Furthermore, 澡 plus an adjective or a number can also be added in front of the noun. This can be seen in 洗凉水澡 (xǐ liángshuǐ zǎo, to take a cool bath) and 洗一个澡 (xǐ yīgè zǎo, to take a shower).
Attribute or Reference Elements | Numeral Phrases | 着, 了, 过,完了 |
生男朋友的气
shēng nánpéngyǒu de qì Angry with my boyfriend |
鞠三个躬
jū sāngè gōng Make three bows |
散着步
sàn zhe bù Taking a walk |
生他的气
shēng tā de qì Angry with him |
操点儿心
cāo diǎnr xīn Worry a little |
毕了业
bì le yè Graduated |
生那个气
shēng nàgè qì Angry with that |
洗一个澡
xǐ yígè zǎo Take a bath |
散过步
sàn guò bù Finished a walk |
生这个气
shēng zhègè qì Angry with this |
道一个歉
dào yígè qiàn Make an apology |
散完了步
sàn wán le bù After taking a walk |
Potential complement | 什么 (shénme) expresses negativity or disdain, which means “no need” | 他妈的 (tā mā de) or 你妈的 (nǐ mā de) expresses indignation or cynicism; they are vulgar |
毕不了业
bì bù liǎo yè Can’t graduate |
道什么歉
dào shén qiàn No need to apologize |
扯你妈的淡
chě nǐmāde dàn F**king nonsense |
毕得了业
bì dé liǎo yè Can graduate |
说什么话
shuō shénme huà No need to say something |
放他妈的屁
fàng tāmāde pì F**king bulls**t |
For example:
For example:
It is important to note that separable verbs vary in the ways that they can be separated and the extent to which they can be separated. Some can be more freely separated than others. In this case, usage is largely idiomatic. For example:
Correct: 他道了几次歉。Tā dào le jǐ cì qiàn – He apologized several times.
Awkward: 他道了几次谢。Tā dào le jǐ cì xiè – He expressed thanks several times.
Awkward: 他道了几次喜。Tā dào le jǐ cì xǐ – He expressed congratulations several times.
道歉 (dào qiàn, to apologize) is a separable verb. One may say 到了几次歉 (dào le jǐ cì qiàn), but many people would find it awkward to say 道了几次谢 (dào le jǐ cì xiè) or 道了几次喜 (dào le jǐ cì xǐ). However, one may say 道什么谢 (dào shénme xiè, no need to thank) and 道什么喜 (dào shénme xǐ, nothing to congratulate about). The usage of separable verbs is highly idiomatic. You will need to memorize them individually.
This book will help you better understand separable verbs:
Disclaimer: The definitions and classification of separable verbs are from the Modern Chinese Grammar Dictionary. The examples used are my own.