HSK 2

方式副词:故意

fāng shì fù cí : gù yì

Adverb of manner: 故意 (on purpose)

Explanation

故意 (gùyì) is an adverb (a word that modifies a verb) of manner, meaning "deliberately," "intentionally."

Structure

故意 (gùyì) + verb. For example 故意提高声音 (gùyì tígāo shēngyīn) = deliberately raise one's voice.

When to use

When you want to emphasize that an action was done on purpose, not by accident. It is often used in the negative to explain oneself: 不是故意的 (bú shì gùyì de) = not on purpose.

Distinguish

故意 (gùyì) (deliberately, on purpose, usually with a negative connotation) is the opposite of 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn) (carelessly, accidentally); do not confuse it with 特意 (tèyì) (going to special effort to do something, a positive meaning).

Common mistakes

Vietnamese learners often place 故意 (gùyì) after the verb — this is wrong; it must come BEFORE the verb as an adverbial (a component indicating manner).

Examples

说话的时候,他故意提高声音,这样大家都能听见。
shuōhuàdeshíhougāoshēngyīnzhèyàngjiādōunéngtīngjiàn

When speaking, he deliberately raised his voice so that everyone could hear.

我不是故意弄坏电脑的。
shìnònghuàidiànnǎode

I didn't break the computer on purpose.

Practice

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Learn “方式副词:故意” effectively

The grammar point “方式副词:故意” (Adverb of manner: 故意 (on purpose)) 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.

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