Classical Words of the Day: April 3rd, 2015

Adjectival phrases of more than one syllable are followed by the noun modifier, 之

士shi4
knight

豪傑hao2jie2
heroic

若夫豪傑之士
As for heroic knights



Comparative degree is expressed by the coverb 於，which takes on the meaning "than."

望wang4
to hope

則無望民之多於鄰國也
then do not hope that your people will be more than [those of] neighboring countries (Mencius 1A/3)






Reference:  Pulleyblank, Edwin G. Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar. Vancouver [B.C.: UBC, 1995. Print.

Classical Words of the Day: April 2nd, 2015

Classes of Verbs

Stative verb:  denote state rather than action, closely associated with adjectives

ie:  山高:  The mountain is high.

*Note:  高山 would be high mountain


Intransitive verb:  requires single noun to complete its meaning

ie: 王來:  The king comes.


Transative verb:  requires two or more nouns

ie: 王殺人:  The king kills people




Reference:  Pulleyblank, Edwin G. Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar. Vancouver [B.C.: UBC, 1995. Print.

Classical Words of the Day: April 1st, 2015

The Copula 為wei4
can be used in the sense of "to be," like the modern 作。

孟子為卿於齊
Mencius  was a minister of Qi.  (Mencius 2B/6)

子為誰
Literal:  sir make who
Translation:  Who are you? (LunYu 18/6)

不為不多矣
Literal: not make not many PERFECT
Translation:  is (already) not not-many.  (Mencius 1A/1)


Reference:  Pulleyblank, Edwin G. Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar. Vancouver [B.C.: UBC, 1995. Print.