gùyì
On purpose, deliberately
Subj. + 故意 (gùyì) + Verb
Pattern diagram
Rule structure
The adverb 故意 (gùyì) means "deliberately, on purpose" and comes before the verb. It stresses that an action was done consciously, not by accident. The tone can be neutral or reproachful, but it is not always malicious.
Rule structure
The adverb 故意 (gùyì) means "deliberately, on purpose" and comes before the verb. It stresses that an action was done consciously, not by accident. The tone can be neutral or reproachful, but it is not always malicious.
Examples
他故意迟到了。
Tā gùyì chídào le.
He was late on purpose.
妹妹故意不接我的电话。
Mèimei gùyì bù jiē wǒ de diànhuà.
My younger sister purposely didn't answer my call.
Examples
他故意迟到了。
Tā gùyì chídào le.
He was late on purpose.
妹妹故意不接我的电话。
Mèimei gùyì bù jiē wǒ de diànhuà.
My younger sister purposely didn't answer my call.
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Use the structure: Subj. + 故意 (gùyì) + Verb. For example: 他故意迟到了。 — “He was late on purpose”.
他故意迟到了。 — “He was late on purpose”.
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
Tomyo
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
互相 — each other
互相 (hùxiāng) + Verb Phrase
再也不 — never again
Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
甚至 — even
甚至 (shènzhì) + Verb / Noun / Clause
难道 — rhetorical question “don’t you…”
难道 (nándào)⋯⋯?
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
差点 — almost
Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate
到底 — in the end, after all
到底 (dàodǐ) + Verb / Adj.
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
Got the rule? Test yourself
Two exercises, under a minute.