Predicate - Verbs or verbial phrases, adjectives or adjective phrases as predicate
谓语 — 动词或动词性短语、形容词或形容词性短语作 谓语
The verbal predicate uses a verb or a verbial phrase. The adjectival predicate uses an adjective directly, WITHOUT the verb 'is' (is). 很 often serves as a neutral link.
Structure
Subject + Verb (+ Object) Subject + (很) + Adjective
How to use it
- The verb serves as the predicate with its object: I study Chinese.
- The adjective serves as the predicate with 很 (neutral): She is pretty.
- Without 很, an adjective alone implies a comparison.
Examples
我学习中文。
wǒ xuéxí Zhōngwén。
I study Chinese.
她很漂亮。
tā hěn piàoliang
She is pretty.
天气很冷。
tiānqì hěn lěng。
It is cold.
Notes and exceptions
- An adjective alone without 很 implies a comparison: She is pretty ≈ 'She is more beautiful.'
Common mistakes
- *She is pretty → She is pretty: no 'is' before a predicative adjective.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(The verb serves as the predicate with its object: I study Chinese.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(The adjective serves as the predicate with 很 (neutral): She is pretty.)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Without 很, an adjective alone implies a comparison.)