How to use separable verbs like 帮忙 (bāngmáng) in Chinese
V. + Obj.
Separable verb
V. + Obj.
HSK 4Verb phrasesSeparable verb
Rule structure
Some Chinese verb-object compounds consist of a verb part and an object part that can be split by other elements. Aspect particles, duration expressions, or quantity phrases often appear between the two parts.
Rule structure
Some Chinese verb-object compounds consist of a verb part and an object part that can be split by other elements. Aspect particles, duration expressions, or quantity phrases often appear between the two parts.
Examples
我帮了他一个忙。
Wǒ bāng le tā yī gè máng.
I did him a favor.
Examples
我帮了他一个忙。
Wǒ bāng le tā yī gè máng.
I did him a favor.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Separable verb” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Verb + Object. For example: 我帮了他一个忙。 — “I did him a favor.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我帮了他一个忙。 — “I did him a favor.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree
Indicating negative impact with "害得 (hàide)"
害得 (hàide) + Person + Verb Phrase
Doing something more with "多 (duō)"
多 (duō) + Verb Phrase
Combining verbs with "并 (bìng)"
Verb 1 + 并 (bìng) + Verb 2
Doing something less with "少 (shǎo)"
少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase
Emphasizing the doer of an action with "由 (yóu)"
由 (yóu) + Person + Verb
Expressing "to be worth" doing with "值得 (zhídé)"
值得 (zhídé) + Verb Phrase
Expressing "moreover" with "并且 (bìngqiě)"
Clause 1, 并且 (bìngqiě) + Clause 2