Lesson 12: 我全身不舒服

1. I.Grammar
   

1. 1.Sentences with a subject-predicate phrase as predicate
   

1. a.As we have learned in previous chapters, adjectives in Chinese can function directly as predicates (e.g., 我很忙；我很好).  Sentences with a subject-predicate phrase are constructed by Subject 1 (person or thing), Subject 2 plus a predicate. Example:
   

2. •马大为 (Subject 1) 头 (Subject 2) 疼 (predicate). 
   

3. More examples:
   

4. •他全身不舒服 (His whole body is uncomfortable – he is not feeling well)
   

5. •今天天气冷不冷 (literally, Today's weather cold or not cold? - Is today cold or not)?
   

2. 2.Alternative questions with “还是”
   

1. a.An alternative question with “还是” is created when there are options (A or B).  Examples:
   

2. •你愿意吃中药还是愿意吃西药?  (Would you like to take Chinese medicine or Western medicine?)
   

3. •你是老师还是学生? (Are you a teacher or student?)
   

4. •今天去还是明天去? (Lit., "Today go or tomorrow go?" - Shall we go today or tomorrow?)
   

5. 
   

2. II.Usage
   

1. 1.Sentences with an optative verb “要”, “想”, and “愿意”
   

1. a.Both “要” and “想” can be used to express subjective intention and desire.  But “要” usually emphasizes a demand, while “想” emphasizes on whish or hope. Examples:
   

2. •我要吃烤鸭 (I want to eat roast duck)
   

3. •我想吃烤鸭 (I would like to eat roast duck)
   

2. b.Note the optative verb “要” can also be used to express need.  Its negative form is “不用”.  Examples:
   

3. •A: 他要不要住院? (Does he need to be hospitalized?)  B: 他不用住院 (He does not need to [be hospitalized])
   

4. •A: 我要多穿衣服吗? (Do I need to wear more clothes?)  B: 不用[多穿] (You don’t need to [wear more clothes])
   

3. c.“愿意” is also used to express one’s wishes.  It means a willingness to do something.  Examples:
   

4. •你愿意参加他的生日聚会吗?  Are you willing (or Would you like) to attend his birthday party?)
   

5. •你愿意跟我去那个商场吗? (Would you like to go to that market with me?)