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."
故意 (gùyì) + verb. For example 故意提高声音 (gùyì tígāo shēngyīn) = deliberately raise one's voice.
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.
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).
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
When speaking, he deliberately raised his voice so that everyone could hear.
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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