ài
Love, to love
爱 (ài) + Verb + 不 (bù) + the same Verb
Pattern diagram
Rule structure
The pattern expresses the speaker's indifference or mild annoyance: "let them do as they please." It typically occupies the predicate position or stands as a separate remark.
Rule structure
The pattern expresses the speaker's indifference or mild annoyance: "let them do as they please." It typically occupies the predicate position or stands as a separate remark.
Examples
他爱来不来,我们不等了。
Tā ài lái bu lái, wǒmen bù děng le.
Whether he comes or not, we're not waiting.
Examples
他爱来不来,我们不等了。
Tā ài lái bu lái, wǒmen bù děng le.
Whether he comes or not, we're not waiting.
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Use the structure: 爱 (ài) + Verb + 不 (bù) + the same Verb. For example: 他爱来不来,我们不等了。 — “Whether he comes or not, we're not waiting”.
他爱来不来,我们不等了。 — “Whether he comes or not, we're not waiting”.
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
Tomyo
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B
Got the rule? Test yourself
Two exercises, under a minute.