Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Chinese term or phrase:
mandarin shi...de and le constructions
English translation:
emphasing things done and plain perfect tense, respectively
Added to glossary by
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
Apr 23, 2004 16:16
20 yrs ago
Chinese term
mandarin shi...de and le constructions
Homework / test
Chinese to English
Other
Linguistics
Both these constructions translate identically, refering to ca completed action in the past. But how does one determine when to use which? For example, if I were to translate the mini-dialog "My mother's left." "When did she leave?" "She left yesterday." Which constructions would I use?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | an explanation |
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
|
| 5 | Simpler one here! |
David Wang
|
| 4 | FYI |
Edward LIU
|
Proposed translations
14 hrs
Selected
an explanation
Well, you didn't indicate the tone of "shi" and that led to misunderstanding.
Actually, you were asking when to use "le" and when "shi4 de."
A simple explanation would be like this:
When dealing with a plain statement of perfect tense, you use only "le."
When you are answering a question or want to emphasize that something is already done, then you use "shi4...de."
But, beware not to put too many words in between!
Actually, you were asking when to use "le" and when "shi4 de."
A simple explanation would be like this:
When dealing with a plain statement of perfect tense, you use only "le."
When you are answering a question or want to emphasize that something is already done, then you use "shi4...de."
But, beware not to put too many words in between!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you so much for your help, I am very new at this, so I apologise for my lack of necessary accenting. I have yet to figure out how to format it properly on this website in an intelligible way. Thank you again for your help.
"
7 hrs
Edward LIU
Canada
Canada
Native in Chinese
Canada
Conference interpreter, MBA, ATIO, ATA
Native in: Chinese 
Works in: Chinese to English, English to Chinese, Russian to Chinese, and 8 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
16
FYI
'Le' usually indicates the present perfect tense of a verb and it may be preceded with 'Yi3 Jin1'(already) though not necessarily. 'Shi ...de' usuall indicates the past tense to describe a combination of time and action and 'Shi4' can sometimes be omited.
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Note added at 7 hrs 23 mins (2004-04-23 23:40:06 GMT)
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But this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, their usage in your sentences are the following:
\"My mother\'s left.\" (\'le\'only )
\"When did she leave?\" (\'shi ...de\' only)
\"She left yesterday.\" (\'shi ... de\' or \'le\' (seldom usely) )
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Note added at 7 hrs 23 mins (2004-04-23 23:40:06 GMT)
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But this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, their usage in your sentences are the following:
\"My mother\'s left.\" (\'le\'only )
\"When did she leave?\" (\'shi ...de\' only)
\"She left yesterday.\" (\'shi ... de\' or \'le\' (seldom usely) )
19 hrs
David Wang
Native in Chinese
Accurate Competitive Efficient
Native in: Chinese
Works in: English to Chinese, Chinese to English
Simpler one here!
If you'd like to emphasize on "time", use "de".
When you want to emphasize on "action", then "le". Yes, here we are talking about the "past tense" of course.
Example: Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 De0 (emphasize time:Ba1 Dian3 )
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)
Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 Le0 (emphasize action: Shui4)
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)
There are exceptions for sure but that's the general rule. Hope they are clear to you all.
When you want to emphasize on "action", then "le". Yes, here we are talking about the "past tense" of course.
Example: Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 De0 (emphasize time:Ba1 Dian3 )
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)
Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 Le0 (emphasize action: Shui4)
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)
There are exceptions for sure but that's the general rule. Hope they are clear to you all.
Discussion
I friend yesterday arrive.
��My friend arrived yesterday.��
W�� p��ngyou sh�� zu��ti��n d��o de.
I friend be yesterday arrive.
��My friend arrived yesterday.��