拿
ná
To take
拿 (ná) — take as an example
拿 (ná) + Noun + 来说 (lái shuō), ...
HSK 43.0
Pattern diagram
拿Noun来说，Statement
Rule structure
The pattern 拿 (ná)……来说 (lái shuō) introduces a concrete example that illustrates a general statement: "take ... for example." It differs from 对 (duì)……来说 (lái shuō), which marks a perspective ("for someone," "from someone's point of view").
Rule structure
The pattern 拿 (ná)……来说 (lái shuō) introduces a concrete example that illustrates a general statement: "take ... for example." It differs from 对 (duì)……来说 (lái shuō), which marks a perspective ("for someone," "from someone's point of view").
Examples
我们班同学都很努力，拿小王来说，他每天都学习到很晚。
Wǒmen bān tóngxué dōu hěn nǔlì, ná Xiǎo Wáng lái shuō, tā měitiān dōu xuéxí dào hěn wǎn.
Everyone in our class works hard; take Xiao Wang, for example — he studies until late every day.
菜很好吃，拿饺子来说，很香。
Cài hěn hǎochī, ná jiǎozi lái shuō, hěn xiāng.
The food is delicious; take the dumplings, for example: they smell great.
他很忙，拿昨天来说，没休息。
Tā hěn máng, ná zuótiān lái shuō, méi xiūxi.
He is very busy; take yesterday, for example: he did not rest.
Examples
我们班同学都很努力，拿小王来说，他每天都学习到很晚。
Wǒmen bān tóngxué dōu hěn nǔlì, ná Xiǎo Wáng lái shuō, tā měitiān dōu xuéxí dào hěn wǎn.
Everyone in our class works hard; take Xiao Wang, for example — he studies until late every day.
菜很好吃，拿饺子来说，很香。
Cài hěn hǎochī, ná jiǎozi lái shuō, hěn xiāng.
The food is delicious; take the dumplings, for example: they smell great.
他很忙，拿昨天来说，没休息。
Tā hěn máng, ná zuótiān lái shuō, méi xiūxi.
He is very busy; take yesterday, for example: he did not rest.
Try this rule
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “take as an example” in Chinese with 拿?
Use the structure: 拿 (ná) + Noun + 来说 (lái shuō), .... For example: 我们班同学都很努力，拿小王来说，他每天都学习到很晚。 — “Everyone in our class works hard; take Xiao Wang, for example — he studies until late every day”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我们班同学都很努力，拿小王来说，他每天都学习到很晚。 — “Everyone in our class works hard; take Xiao Wang, for example — he studies until late every day”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules
够 — “so… / really…” with 的
够 (gòu) + Adj. + 的 (de)
来得及 / 来不及 — having enough time
来得及 (láidejí) / 来不及 (láibují) + Verb
是 — X is X, Y is Y
X + 是 (shì) + X，Y + 是 (shì) + Y
有什么 — no point in doing it
有什么 (yǒu shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de) / 没什么 (méi shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de)
怎么 — no matter how hard one tries
怎么 (zěnme) + (Verb) + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Negative result
还 — challenging a claim
还 (hái) + X + 呢 (ne)
你 — go ahead and do it: 你X你的吧
你 (nǐ) + Verb + 你的 (nǐ de) + 吧 (ba)
让/叫 — do as you are told
让 (ràng) / 叫 (jiào) + you + Verb + 你 (nǐ) + 就 (jiù) + Verb