The Quantitative Complement (2) – 数量补语（2）

The Quantitative Complement (2) – 数量补语（2）

The Quantitative Complement is also called the complement of quantity, which indicates the frequency, quantity, or duration of an action or state.

2.1 The Complement of Frequency

The Complement of Frequency: a word or phrase attached to a verb to specify the frequency an action happens.

“Verb + Complement of Frequency” can be followed by an object which represents a thing.

– When the object specifies a thing, it should come after the complement of frequency. 

Verb + Complement of Frequency + Object

e.g.

他读了三遍这本书。(Tā dúle sān biàn zhè běn shū.) He read this book three times.

我刚打了一场篮球比赛。(Wǒ gāng dǎle yī chǎng lánqiú bǐsài.) I just played a basketball game.

我能用一下你的电脑吗？(Wǒ néng yòng yīxià nǐ de diànnǎo ma?) Can I use your computer?

– When a noun object specifies a person, animal, or location, it can either come before the complement of frequency or come after it.

Verb + Complement of Frequency + Object

Verb + Object + Complement of Frequency

e.g.

你通知他们一下，明天开会。(Nǐ tōngzhī tāmen yīxià, míngtiān kāihuì.) You inform them that there will be a meeting tomorrow.

我见过一次那个人，但是我们不熟悉。(Wǒ jiànguò yīcì nàgè rén, dànshì wǒmen bù shúxī.) I have met that person once, but we are not familiar with it.

他来过我家几回。(Tā láiguò wǒjiā jǐ huí.) He has been to my house several times.

我去过一次中国，非常漂亮。(Wǒ qùguò yīcì Zhōngguó, fēicháng piàoliang.) I have been to China once and it is very beautiful.

Note: the object is often placed before the complement of frequency,

Verb + Pronoun + Complement of Frequency

• when the pronoun is used as an object;

e.g.

我找了他两次，他都不在办公室。(Wǒ zhǎole tā liǎng cì, tā dōu búzài bàngōngshì.) I looked for him twice and he was not in the office.

X 我找了两次他。

• when the measure words are 拳, 脚, 把, 巴掌, 刀, 枪 and etc.

e.g.

他打了那个人一拳。(Tā dǎle nàgè rén yī quán.) He punched that man.

X 他打了一拳那个人。

2.2 The Complement of Duration

The Complement of Duration: those used after verbs to specify the duration of an action or state is called complements of duration.

– When the complement of duration specifies the duration of an action or state, the verbs should be state verbs that indicate the action happens continuously or repeatedly.

In the form “verb + complement of duration”, the object usually comes after “verb + complement of duration”.

verb + complement of duration + (Object)

e.g.

我吃了两天火锅。(Wǒ chīle liǎng tiān huǒguō.) I ate hot pot for two days.

这些学生学了一年汉语。(Zhèxiē xuéshēng xuéle yī nián hànyǔ.) These students have studied Chinese for a year.

我们休息了半个小时。(Wǒmen xiūxi le bàn gè xiǎoshí.) We rested for half an hour.

The object comes after the complement of duration, sometimes the complement of duration can take the word 的, however, in this case, the object can’t be a pronoun or noun of personal reference.

verb + complement of duration + (的) + Object

e.g.

我吃了两天的火锅。(Wǒ chīle liǎng tiān de huǒguō.) I ate hot pot for two days.

这些学生学了一年的汉语。(Zhèxiē xuéshēng xuéle yī nián de hànyǔ.) These students have studied Chinese for a year.

– When the object is a noun of personal reference or pronoun, it’s usually placed before the complement of duration.

verb + object + complement of duration

e.g.

我等了他半个多小时。(Wǒ děngle tā bàn gè duō xiǎoshí.) I waited for him for more than half an hour.

大家找你一天了。(Dàjiā zhǎo nǐ yītiānle.) Everyone has been looking for you for a day.

When the verb is a separable word, the complement of duration can be placed between the word.

e.g.

他游了一个小时的泳。(Tā yóule yīgè xiǎoshí de yǒng.) He swam for an hour.

我洗了一晚上澡。(Wǒ xǐle yī wǎnshàng zǎo.) I took a shower all night.

When the complement of duration is put after the verb and object, the verb needs to reduplicate.

verb + (object) + verb 了 + complement of duration

e.g.

这些学生学汉语学了一年。(Zhèxiē xuéshēng xué hànyǔ xuéle yī nián.) These students have studied Chinese for a year.

我等他等了半个多小时。(Wǒ děng tā děngle bàn gè duō xiǎoshí.) I waited for him for more than half an hour.

他游泳游了一个小时。(Tā yóuyǒng yóule yīgè xiǎoshí.) He swam for an hour.

– When the complement of duration specifies the time from the end of the action until now， the verbs can be terminative verbs and verb phrases with the complement of the result.

verb + (object) + the complement of duration + (了)

e.g.

他来中国两天了。(Tā lái Zhōngguó liǎng tiān le.) He has been in China for two days.

爸爸去上海一个月了。(Bàba qù Shànghǎi yīgè yuè le.) Dad has been to Shanghai for a month.

我们结婚十年了。(Wǒmen jiéhūn shí nián le.) We have been married for ten years.

Note that the adverb can be put before the verb or before the complement.

e.g.

He has retired for almost a year.

他差不多退休一年了。(Tā chàbùduō tuìxiū yī nián le.)

他退休差不多一年了。(Tā tuìxiū chàbùduō yī nián le.)

 

He has just arrived in China for two days.

他到中国刚两天。(Tā dào Zhōngguó gāng liǎng tiān.)

他刚到中国两天。(Tā gāng dào Zhōngguó liǎng tiān.)