HSK 2
名词性短语
míng cí xìng duǎn yǔ
Noun phrases
Explanation
A noun phrase (名词性短语 míngcíxìng duǎnyǔ) is a group of words that functions like a noun, used to name a person, thing, or concept, and can serve as a subject (the person or thing performing the action, at the head of the sentence) or an object (the target affected by the action, e.g. "book" in "buy a book").
(attributive) + head noun. The attributive (an element modifying the noun) can be an adjective (新 xīn = new → 新书 = new book), a possessive phrase with 的 de (我的衣服 = my clothes), a modifying noun (中文水平 = Chinese-language level), or a numeral + measure word (一条河 yī tiáo hé = a river, 两本 liǎng běn = two volumes).
When you need to name and describe a thing concisely in one phrase to put into a sentence. 条 (tiáo), 本 (běn), 件 (jiàn) are measure words (words for counting units, like "cái, con, quyển" in Vietnamese), following a numeral or the demonstrative 这/那 (这件 = this one).
Vietnamese learners often place the attributive AFTER the noun following Vietnamese word order ("new book" → mistakenly say 书新). In Chinese the attributive always comes BEFORE the noun (新书). Also, don't forget the measure word between the numeral and the noun (一条河, not 一河).
Examples
new book, my clothes, Chinese-language level, a river, two volumes, this one
Learn “名词性短语” effectively
The grammar point “名词性短语” (Noun phrases) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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