HSK 5
用代词复指
yòng dài cí fù zhǐ
Using pronouns for reference (anaphora)
Explanation
复指 (fùzhǐ - co-reference) is the use of a pronoun (a word that substitutes for a noun) to refer back to a person/thing mentioned in a previous sentence, keeping the whole passage cohesive and avoiding repeating the same noun. This is a technique for linking sentences in a 句群 (jùqún - sentence group, a passage made up of several related sentences).
[The first sentence introduces noun A] → [the following sentences use a pronoun in place of A]. There are two kinds of commonly used pronouns: personal pronouns (words referring to people: 他 tā he, 她 tā she) for people, and demonstrative pronouns (pointing words: 它 tā it, 这 zhè this, 那 nà that) for things or matters. Example (1) uses 他 (tā) to refer back to 小伙子 (the young man); example (2) uses 它 (tā) to refer back to 网络 (the Internet).
When writing a multi-sentence passage about the same subject, from the second sentence onward you should replace the noun with the corresponding pronoun so the writing flows (mention 网络 once and then use 它 in the following sentences).
For people use 他/她 (tā); for things/matters use 它 (tā) or 这/那 (zhè/nà - this/that). Choosing the wrong kind of pronoun will make the sentence unclear.
Vietnamese learners often repeat the full noun in every sentence (which sounds wordy), or use 他 for a thing. Remember: to refer back to a person use 他/她; to refer back to a thing/matter use 它 or 这/那.
Examples
This young man is a British exchange student at our school. Before coming to China, he had studied a little Chinese in Britain, and he found Chinese very interesting. Last year the company sent him to China to study Chinese, and now it even wants him to stay and work in China.
The Internet is becoming more and more important to our lives. It tells us at any time about the news happening all over the world each day; many people can shop and communicate with friends through it without leaving home, and it makes life more and more convenient.
People in southern China like to drink a certain kind of wine. This wine is made from rice, tastes sweet, and both adults and children can drink it. It is also one of the things northerners like to buy after traveling to the south.
My hometown is in southern China. It is a small city with beautiful scenery, very suitable for tourism. I was born and grew up there, and didn't leave until I was sixteen. It is also my favorite city.
The book "Modern Chinese Dictionary" is the fruit of many years' work by Chinese language researchers, and its 7th edition was published in September 2016. It is not only one of the most important dictionaries for Chinese people worldwide to learn modern Chinese, but is at the same time regarded as the "standard" for people in many countries and regions of the world who research and study Chinese. To this day, besides its Chinese edition, the "Modern Chinese Dictionary" also has several overseas editions. Its publication has played a positive role in promoting academic exchange and cooperation at home and abroad.
Practice
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Learn “用代词复指” effectively
The grammar point “用代词复指” (Using pronouns for reference (anaphora)) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. 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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