Promotion

HSK 7

(要+)动词+就+动词+个+补语

( yào + ) dòng cí + jiù + dòng cí + gè + bǔ yǔ

The structure (要+) verb + 就 + verb + 个 + complement

Explanation

This is a contracted sentence (紧缩句 jǐnsuōjù, i.e. a condensed compound sentence, with the two clauses pushed together without an explicit connective). The structure "(要+) verb + 就 + verb + 个 + complement" expresses the idea "if you're going to do something, do it all the way, thoroughly, not half-heartedly."

Structure

(要 yào +) V + 就 (jiù) + V + 个 (ge) + complement (the element after the verb that indicates result/degree) (e.g. 要玩儿就玩儿个痛快 = if you're going to play, play to your heart's content; 喝就喝个够 = if you're going to drink, drink your fill). 要 can be omitted. 个 (ge) here is not a measure word (a counting-unit word) but a structural particle (a function word linking the verb with the complement), highlighting the complement that indicates the maximum degree.

When to use

Used in spoken/colloquial language (everyday speech), expressing a resolute attitude, a determination to do something thoroughly and all out.

Common mistakes

Taking 个 (ge) to be a measure word counting quantity (wrong — here it merely links the verb with the complement); dropping 就 (jiù), which makes the sentence lose the "if...then..." structure; using a complement that does not express degree (it must be 痛快, 够, 高兴 ... to fit the "all the way" sense).

Examples

要玩儿就玩儿个痛快,别总想工作。
yàowánrjiùwánrgètòngkuài,biézǒngxiǎnggōngzuò。

If you're going to have fun, have fun to the fullest; don't always be thinking about work.

喝就喝个够,今天不醉不回家。
hējiùhēgègòu,jīntiānbúzuìbùhuíjiā。

If you're going to drink, drink your fill; today we don't go home until we're drunk.

Practice

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The grammar point “(要+)动词+就+动词+个+补语” (The structure (要+) verb + 就 + verb + 个 + complement) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

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