HSK 7
宾语的语义类型3
bīn yǔ de yǔ yì lèi xíng 3
Semantic types of objects (part 3)
Explanation
This lesson deals with objects (the entity affected by the action) that have a special meaning: the verb takes an object, but that object is not the entity directly acted upon as usual; rather it indicates the manner, instrument, material, or purpose of the action.
Verb + special 宾语 (object). There are 4 types: (1) 方式宾语 (fāngshì bīnyǔ) — object of manner (存了个活期 = deposited as a demand-deposit term); (2) 工具宾语 (gōngjù bīnyǔ) — object of instrument (写毛笔 = write with a brush pen, 吃大碗 = eat from a big bowl); (3) 材料宾语 (cáiliào bīnyǔ) — object of material (浇水 = water with water); (4) 目的宾语 (mùdì bīnyǔ) — object of purpose (跑项目 = run around handling projects).
These are concise expressions, strongly colloquial in flavor, that omit prepositions (words placed before a noun indicating a relationship: with, for...) such as 用 (yòng = use) or 为了 (wèile = in order to); rely on context to understand the actual semantic relationship.
Interpreting them mechanically as "verb + entity acted upon" (e.g. 吃大碗 is not "eat the big bowl" but "eat from a big bowl"); adding a preposition oneself, which destroys the conciseness of this structure (if fully expressed as 用毛笔写, it is no longer the special-object phenomenon).
Examples
(1) Object of manner (the way of doing something)
To make it convenient to withdraw, he deposited the money as a demand deposit.
To save time, let's just send this letter by air.
(2) Object of instrument (the tool used to do something)
He persists in practicing brush calligraphy every day.
He eats from a big bowl, I eat from a small bowl.
(3) Object of material (the material used for the action)
For a beginner growing chrysanthemums, how should one water them?
He fell asleep with a newspaper covering his face.
(4) Object of purpose (the purpose of the action)
To shoot this film, he went everywhere soliciting sponsorship.
At our company he mainly runs around handling projects.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “宾语的语义类型3” effectively
The grammar point “宾语的语义类型3” (Semantic types of objects (part 3)) 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.
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.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.