Mandarin Chinese

Contributed by Xu Yuru (Academia.edu profile)

Y.X.'s photo

Yuru Xu provided the data in 2023 in her capacity of a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation. Before 2023, BivalTyp displayed a preliminary version of the Mandarin Chinese data provided by Elena Kolpachkova in 2012. Elena Kolpachkova's data and analysis are available in the form of a published article:

Kolpachkova, E. N. 2018. Markirovanie aktantov dvuxmestnyx predikatov v sovremennom kitajskom jazyke [Bivalent predicates’ argument encoding in Modern Chinese]. In Say, S. S. (ed.). Valentnostnye klassy dvuxmestnyx predikatov v raznostrukturnyx jazykax [Bivalent valency classes in structurally diverse languages]. Saint Petersburg: ILS RAN. 456-479. (in Russian)

How to cite

Xu, Yuru. 2023. Bivalent patterns in Mandarin Chinese. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. St. Petersburg: Institute for Linguistic Studies, RAS. (Data first published on April 14, 2023; last revised on May 14, 2023.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Coordinates: 40.02, 116.23.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Sino-Tibetan, genus: Chinese.
Macro-area: East and Southeast Asia.

Grammar notes

Basic clause structure and the transitive construction

As an isolating language, Mandarin Chinese has no morphological case on nouns and and no verb indices. The basic transitive construction displays a neutral alignment in terms of case marking and indexing. Word order functions as the main argument-encoding device in the Mandarin Chinese transitive construction. The basic word order of transitive constructions involving two noun phrases is subject-verb-object (SVO). Deviations from this pattern are discussed and exemplified in i), ii), and iii).

i) The passive construction with a passive marker 被 bèi is normally used when there is a sense of misfortune or adversity. The passive marker and the agent noun phrase occupy the position between the subject (the patient noun phrase) and the verb. 被bèi is sometimes considered to be a preposition.

(1)  张三       被    一-只     狗     咬    了。
     Zhāngsān  bèi   yì-zhī    gǒu   yǎo   le
     Zhangsan  PASS  one-CLF   dog   bite  PFV
     ‘Zhangsan was bitten by a dog.’

ii) The predicates generally denoting position, appearance or disappearance may have an ergative structure. In this case, the subject position is empty, the location is expressed in the preverbal position and the post-verbal (object) position corresponds to the locatum (sometimes considered the semantic subject of the predicate).

(2) 那个       桶-里           装满         了    水。
    nèi-ge    tǒng-lǐ         zhuāngmǎn   le    shuǐ
    that-CLF  bucket-inside   fill_up     PFV   water
    ‘The bucket filled with water’  (Lit. ‘There is full of water in the bucket.’)

3) In co-verb constructions involving prepositions, such as 对 duì (3), 和 hé, etc., the object accompanied by the prepositios is placed in the slot before the verb, forming a subject-object-verb (SOV) sentence. In this work, 把 bǎ is also considered as preposition. But it should be noted that the analysis of the grammatical status of the ba-construction differs between researchers and speakers.

(3) 年龄       对        记忆力    有    影响。
    niánlíng  duì       jìyìlì   yǒu   yǐngxiǎng
    age       towards   memory   have  influence
    ‘Age influences memory.’

However, comparative constructions with 于 yú (4) and 像 xiàng have the basic SVO word order.

(4) 张三       落后         于     李四   了。
    Zhāngsān  luò-hòu      yú    Lǐsì   le
    Zhangsan  fall-behind  to    Lisi   PFV 
    ‘Zhangsan fell behind Lisi.’

In addition, the Chinese copular verb 是 shì ‘to be’ is often omitted when the predicate is an adjectival or a locative phrase.

(5) 张三         对        他  儿子    很     满意。
    Zhāngsān    duì       tā  érzi   hěn    mǎnyì
    Zhangsan    towards   he  son    very   content
     ‘Zhangsan is very content with his son.’

Case system

According to most descriptions, Mandarin Chinese has no morphological case.

Verb lemmas

Verbs are cited in the unmarked form, which is normally a bare root (sometimes accompanied by an aspectual marker).

Graphic conventions and glossing abbreviations

Tone diacritics in the Pinyin system

ā - first tone (high and flat); á - second tone (rising); ǎ - third tone (falling-rising); à - fourth tone (falling); a - fifth tone (neutral).

Glossing abbreviations

BA — marker of the ba-construction; CLF — classifier; DE — pre-nominal and pre-verbial modification marker or postverbal resultative marker de; EXP — experiential aspect marker guo; PASS — passive marker bei; PFV — perfective; PROG — progressive; ZHE — durative aspect marker zhe.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain tòng

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	tóu	tòng
pn	head	ache
‘Zhangsan has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

2. have (illness) dé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dé	le	liúgǎn
pn	have	pfv	flu
‘Zhangsan has the flu.’

3. be afraid pà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	pà	gǒu
pn	be_afraid	dog
‘Zhangsan is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw rēng-chū

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	rēng-chū	le	yì-kē	shízǐ
pn	throw-out	pfv	one- clf	rock
‘Zhangsan threw a stone.’

5. have enough yǒu zúgòu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	xiànzài	yǒu	le	zúgòu-de	qián
pn	now	have	pfv	enough- de	money
‘Now Zhangsan has enough money .’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination, predicate + adnominal modifier.

6. resemble zhǎng

Valency pattern: SBJ_xiang

X: SBJ

Y: xiang

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	zhǎng	de	xiàng	tā-yéye
pn	grow	de	like	he-grandpa
‘Zhangsan resembles his grandpa.’

7. believe xiāngxìn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xiāngxìn	Lǐsì
pn	believe	pn
‘Zhangsan believes Lisi.’

8. take ná

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	cóng	jiàzi	shàng	ná	le	yì-běn	shū
pn	from	shelf	on	take	pfv	one- clf	book
‘Zhangsan took a book from the shelf.’

9. see kànjiàn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	kànjiàn	yī-dòng	fángzi
pn	see	one- clf	house
‘Zhangsan sees a house.’

10. influence yǒu yǐngxiǎng

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

niánlíng	duì	jìyìlì	yǒu	yǐngxiǎng
age	towards	memory	have	influence
‘Age influences memory.’

11. encounter yùjiàn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	yùjiàn	le	Lǐsì
pn	meet	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan encountered Lisi.’

12. enter jìn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	jìn	wū	le
pn	enter	house	pfv
‘Zhangsan entered the house.’

13. win dǎbài

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dǎbài	le	Lǐsì
pn	beat	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan beat Lisi.’

14. go out zǒu chū

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zǒu	chū	le	wūzi
pn	walk	out	pfv	house
‘Zhangsan went out of the house.’
Note: There are some doubts as to whether this can be treated as a transitive construction.

15. drive gǎn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	gǎn	niú
pn	prog	drive	cow
‘Zhangsan is driving the cow.’

16. bend nòng wān

Valency pattern: SUB_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	shùzhī	nòng	wān	le
pn	ba	branch	make	bent	pfv
‘Zhangsan bent the branch.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

17. tell shuō

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	duì	Lǐsì	shuō
pn	towards	pn	say
‘Zhangsan told Lisi.’

18. hold ná zhe

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèng	ná	zhe	yì-běn	shū
pn	right	hold	dur	one- clf	book
‘Zhangsan is holding a book.’

19. catch up zhuī-shàng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhuī-shàng	le	Lǐsì
pn	chase-up	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan caught up with Lisi.’

20. milk jǐ nǎi

Valency pattern: SBJ_gei

X: SBJ

Y: gei

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	gěi	nǎiniú	jǐ	le	nǎi
pn	for	cow	squeeze	pfv	milk
‘Zhangsan milked the cow.’

21. reach dào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dào	àn-biān	le
pn	reach	bank-edge	pfv
‘Zhangsan reached the bank.’

22. touch mō

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	mō	le	yīxià	qiángbì
pn	touch	pfv	once	wall
‘Zhangsan touched the wall once.’

23. fight dǎjià

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	hé	Lǐsì	dǎjià
pn	prog	with	pn	fight
‘Zhangsan is fighting with Lisi.’

24. be friends shì péngyou

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	hé	Lǐsì	shì	péngyou
pn	with	pn	be	friend
‘Zhangsan is friends with Lisi.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

25. think xiǎng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	xiǎng	Lǐsì
pn	prog	think	pn
‘Zhangsan is thinking about Lisi.’

26. eat chī

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	chī	le	yí-gè	píngguǒ
pn	eat	pfv	one- clf	apple
‘Zhangsan ate an apple.’

27. fry zhà

Valency pattern: SUB_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	yú	zhà	le
pn	ba	fish	fry	pfv
‘Zhangsan fried the fish.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

28. wait děng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	děng	Lǐsì
pn	prog	wait	pn
‘Zhangsan is waiting for Lisi.’

29. forget wàngjì

Valency pattern: SUB_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	lìng	yì-tiáo	lù	wàngjì	le
pn	ba	another	one- clf	road	forget	pfv
‘Zhangsan forgot (about) the other road.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

30. depend qǔjué

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

jìyìlì	de	hǎo-huài	qǔjué	yú	niánlíng
memory	de	good-bad	depend	to	age
Lit. ‘The memory’s good or bad (state) depends on age.’
Note: Not included in the dataset because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

31. call jiào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	jiào-lái	le	Lǐsì
pn	call-come	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan called Lisi and made him come.’

32. get to know jiéshí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

yì	nián	qián	Zhāngsān	jiéshí	le	Lǐsì
one	year	ago	pn	get_to_know	pfv	pn
‘A year ago, Zhangsan got to know Lisi.’

33. know liǎojiě

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	liǎojiě	Lǐsì
pn	know	pn
‘Zhangsan knows Lisi.’

34. play (instrument) tán

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zài	tán	jítā
pn	prog	play	guitar
‘Zhangsan is playing the guitar.’

35. avoid duǒ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	duǒ	zhe	Lǐsì
pn	avoid	dur	pn
‘Zhangsan avoids Lisi.’

36. make zuò

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zuò	le	yí-gè	bǔshǔqì
pn	make	pfv	one- clf	mousetrap
‘Zhangsan made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun kāiwánxiào

Valency pattern: SBJ_na

X: SBJ

Y: na

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	zài	ná	Lǐsì	kāiwánxiào
pn	prog	with	pn	joke
‘Zhangsan is making fun of Lisi.’

38. have yǒu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	yǒu	yí-liàng	chē
pn	have	one- clf	car
‘Zhangsan has a car.’

39. look for zhǎo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zài	zhǎo	tā-de	yàoshi
pn	prog	look_for	he- de	key
‘Zhangsan is looking for his key(s).’

40. paint shuā guo yóuqī

Valency pattern: SBJ_gei

X: SBJ

Y: gei

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	gěi	wéilán	shuā	guo	yóuqī	le
pn	for	fence	brush	exp	paint	pfv
‘Zhangsan painted the fence.’

41. bite yǎo

Valency pattern: bei_SBJ

X: bei

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

Zhāngsān	bèi	yì-zhī	gǒu	yǎo	le
pn	pass	one- clf	dog	bite	pfv
‘Zhangsan was bitten by a dog.’
Note: The passive construction is normally used when there is a sense of misfortune or adversity.

42. forfeit shīqù

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	shīqù	le	tā-de	fángzi
pn	lose	pfv	he- de	house
‘Zhangsan lost his house.’

43. try to catch shì zhe qù zhuā

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	shì	zhe	qù	zhuā	nè-zhī	máo
pn	try	dur	go	catch	that- clf	cat
‘Zhangsan is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break nòng duàn

Valency pattern: SUB_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	gùnzi	nòng	duàn	le
pn	ba	stick	make	broken	pfv
‘Zhangsan broke a stick.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

45. flatter tǎohǎo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zài	tǎohǎo	Lǐsì
pn	prog	flatter	pn
‘Zhangsan is flattering Lisi.’

46. love (person) ài

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	ài	Lǐsì
pn	love	pn
‘Zhangsan loves Lisi.’

47. wave huīwǔ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèng	huīwǔ	zhe	shǒupà
pn	right	wave	dur	handkerchief
‘Zhangsan is waving a hankerchief. ’

48. dream mèngxiǎng yōngyǒu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	mèngxiǎng	yōngyǒu	yí-liàng	xīn	chē
pn	dream	have	one- clf	new	car
‘Zhangsan is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash qīngxǐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	qīngxǐ	le	bēizi
pn	wash	pfv	cup
‘Zhangsan washed the cup.’

50. put on chuān-shàng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	chuān-shàng	le	tā-de	kùzi
pn	wear-up	pfv	he- de	trouser
‘Zhangsan put on his trousers.’

51. be called jiàozuò

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

zhè-ge	gōngjù	jiàozuò	zhǐnánzhēn
this- clf	tool	be_called	compass
‘This tool is called a compass.’
Note: There are some doubts as to whether this can be treated as a transitive construction.

52. punish chéngfá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	chéngfá	le	tā-de	érzi
pn	punish	pfv	he- de	son
‘Zhangsan punished his son.’

53. attack xíjī

Valency pattern: bei_SBJ

X: bei

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

yúfū	bèi	yì-zhī	xióng	xíjī	le
fisherman	pass	one- clf	bear	attack	pfv
‘The fisherman was attacked by a bear.’
Note: The passive construction is normally used when there is a sense of misfortune or adversity.

54. fill (intr) zhuāngmǎn

Valency pattern: li_SBJ

X: li

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

nè-ge	tǒng-lǐ	zhuāngmǎn	le	shuǐ
that- clf	bucket-inside	fill_up	pfv	water
‘The bucket filled with water.’
Note: Here, "lǐ" is treated as an argument-marking device, but it can alternatively be viewed as a locative noun meaning ‘internal part’.

55. find zhǎodào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhǎodào	le	tā-de	yàoshi
pn	find	pfv	he- de	key
‘Zhangsan found his key(s).’

56. be short chà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	hái	chà	yí-kuài	qián
pn	still	lack	one- clf	money
‘Zhangsan still lacks one yuan.’

57. hate yànwù

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	yànwù	Lǐsì
pn	hate	pn
‘Zhangsan hates Lisi.’

58. like xǐhuan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xǐhuan	zhè-jiàn	chènshān
pn	like	this- clf	shirt
‘Zhangsan likes this shirt.’

59. need xūyào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xūyào	qián
pn	need	money
‘Zhangsan needs money.’

60. surround huánrào

Valency pattern: SBJ_sizhou

X: SBJ

Y: sizhou

Locus: Y

chéngshì-sìzhōu	huánrào	zhe	wéiqiáng
city-around	surround	dur	wall
‘The walls surround the city.’
Note: Here, "sìzhōu" is treated as an argument-marking device, but it can alternatively be viewed as a locative noun meaning ‘surrounding part’.

61. remain shèngxià

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	hái	shèngxià	shí-kuài	qián
pn	still	remain	ten- clf	money
‘Zhangsan has 10 yuan left.’

62. answer huídá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	huídá	le	lǎoshī-de	wèntí
pn	answer	pfv	teacher- de	question
‘Zhangsan answered the teacher′s question. ’
Note: Classified as TR because using a simple noun "lǎoshī" as the DO is also acceptable.

63. open dǎkāi

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dǎkāi	le	yí-gè	guàntou
pn	open	pfv	one- clf	can
‘Zhangsan opened a can.’

64. be different bù yīyàng

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

wǒ-de	chènshān	hé	nǐ-de	bù	yīyàng
i - de	shirt	with	you- de	not	same
‘My shirt is different from yours.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

65. fall behind luò-hòu

Valency pattern: SBJ_yu

X: SBJ

Y: yu

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	luò-hòu	yú	Lǐsì	le
pn	fall-behind	to	pn	pfv
‘Zhangsan fell behind Lisi.’

66. plough lí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	lí	dì
pn	prog	plough	field
‘Zhangsan is ploughing the field.’

67. smell wén qǐlái

Valency pattern: SBJ_xiang

X: SBJ

Y: xiang

Locus: Y

wǒ-de	shǒu	wén	qǐlái	xiàng	qìyóu
i - de	hand	smell	up	like	gasoline
‘My hands smell like gasoline.’

68. cross chuānguò

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	chuānguò	le	mǎlù
pn	cross	pfv	road
‘Zhangsan crossed the road.’

69. sing chàng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	chàng	le	yì-shǒu	měimiào-de	gē
pn	sing	pfv	one- clf	beautiful- de	song
‘Zhangsan sang a beautiful song.’

70. write xiě

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xiě	le	yì-fēng	xìn
pn	write	pfv	one- clf	letter
‘Zhangsan wrote a letter.’

71. drink hē-xià

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	hē-xià	le	niúnǎi
pn	drink-down	pfv	milk
‘Zhangsan drank the milk.’

72. melt rónghuà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	rónghuà	le	yí-kuài	qiān
pn	melt	pfv	one- clf	lead
‘Zhangsan melted a piece of lead.’

73. match pèi

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

zhè-tiáo	yāodài	hé	wǒ-de	qúnzi	hěn	pèi
t his- clf	belt	with	i - de	dress	very	matched
‘This belt is matched with my dress.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate

74. leave líkāi

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	líkāi	le	tā-de	jiāxiāng
pn	leave	pfv	he- de	hometown
‘Zhangsan left his hometown.’

75. cover fùgài

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

zhè-kuài	dìtǎn	fùgài	zhe	zhěng-kuài	dìbǎn
this- clf	carpet	cover	dur	whole- clf	floor
‘This carpet covers the whole floor.’

76. remember jìde

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	hái	qīngchǔ-de	jìde	nè-dòng	fángzi
pn	still	clear- de	remember	that- clf	house
‘Zhangsan still remembers the house clearly.’

77. help bāngzhù

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	bāngzhù	le	Lǐsì
pn	help	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan helped Lisi.’

78. understand (language) dǒng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dǒng	fǎyǔ
pn	understand	f rench
‘Zhangsan understands French.’

79. hit (target) jīzhòng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

yí-dào	shǎndiàn	jīzhòng	le	zhè-dòng	fángzi
one- clf	lightning	hit	pfv	this- clf	house
‘Lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself gē-shāng zìjǐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_yong

X: SBJ

Y: yong

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	yòng	tìdāo	gē-shāng	le	zìjǐ
pn	with	razor	cut-hurt	pfv	oneself
‘Zhangsan cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck zhān

Valency pattern: SBJ_zai

X: SBJ

Y: zai

Locus: Y

bōlibēi	zhān	zài	le	zhuōzi	shàng
glass	stick	at	pfv	table	on
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) shū

Valency pattern: SBJ_gei

X: SBJ

Y: gei

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	shū	gěi	le	Lǐsì
pn	lose	for	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan lost to Lisi.’

83. be glad gāoxìng

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	hěn	gāoxìng	shōudào	zhè-fēng	xìn
pn	very	glad	receive	this- clf	letter
‘Zhangsan is very glad about receiving this letter.’
Note: Not included in the dataset because Y is embedded in a complement clause.

84. speak tánhuà

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	hé	Lǐsì	tánhuà
pn	prog	with	pn	speak
‘Zhangsan is speaking with Lisi.’

85. give birth shēng-xià

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Lǐsì	shēng-xià	le	yí-gè	háizi
pn	give_birth-down	pfv	one- clf	son
‘Lisi gave birth to a son.’

86. drop diào

Valency pattern: SBJ_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	bōlibēi	diào	zài	dì	shàng	le
pn	ba	glass	drop	at	floor	on	pfv
‘Zhangsan dropped the glass on the floor.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial. Sometimes, it coexists with the regular transitive pattern. However, it is preferrable for this lexical predicate.

87. govern guǎnlǐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	guǎnlǐ	zhe	wǒmen-de	chéngzhèn
pn	run	dur	we- de	town
‘Zhangsan runs our town.’

88. miss xiǎngniàn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xiǎngniàn	Lǐsì
pn	miss	pn
‘Zhangsan misses Lisi.’

89. follow gēn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	gēn	zhe	Lǐsì	zǒu
pn	follow	dur	pn	walk
‘Zhangsan follows Lisi and walks.’

90. dismount xià

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xià	le	mǎ
pn	go_down	pfv	horse
‘Zhangsan got down from the horse.’

91. listen tīng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	tīng	guǎngbō
pn	prog	listen	radio
‘Zhangsan is listening to the radio.’

92. obey tīng

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	yīxiàng	tīng	tā-mǔqīn-de	huà
pn	always	listen	he-mother- de	word
‘Zhangsan always listens to his mother's words.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

93. hear tīngdào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	tīngdào	yīnyuè	le
pn	hear	music	pfv
‘Zhangsan hears the music.’

94. mix hùn zài yīqǐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

fēngmì	hé	niúnǎi	hùn	zài	yīqǐ	le
honey	with	milk	mix	at	together	pfv
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look guānchá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	zhèngzài	guānchá	yún
pn	prog	observe	cloud
‘Zhangsan is looking at the clouds.’

96. take off tuōxià

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	tuōxià	le	tā-de	chènshān
pn	take_off	pfv	he- de	shirt
‘Zhangsan took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) mèng-jiàn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	mèng-jiàn	le	Lǐsì
pn	dream-see	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan dreams about Lisi.’

98. agree tóngyì

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	tóngyì	Lǐsì-de	kànfǎ
pn	agree	pn - de	opinion
‘Zhangsan agreed with Lisi.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

99. have a quarrel chǎojià

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	hé	Lǐsì	chǎojià	le
pn	with	pn	quarrel	pfv
‘Zhangsan quarrelled with Lisi.’

100. cost yào huā

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

zhè-ge	bēizi	yào	huā	shí-kuài	qián
this- clf	cup	need	cost	ten- clf	money
‘This cup costs ten yuan.’

101. shoot at kāiqiāng

Valency pattern: SBJ_chao

X: SBJ

Y: chao

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	cháo	niǎo	kāiqiāng	le
pn	facing	bird	fire	pfv
‘Zhangsan shot at the bird.’

102. pour dào-rù

Valency pattern: SBJ_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	táng	dào-rù	bēi-zhōng
pn	ba	sugar	pour-into	cup-middle
‘Zhangsan poured the sugar into the cup.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

103. lose nòng diū

Valency pattern: SBJ_ba

X: SBJ

Y: ba

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	bǎ	yàoshi	nòng	diū	le
pn	ba	key	make	lost	pfv
‘Zhangsan lost his keys.’
Note: The status of the "bǎ"-construction is controversial.

104. sink chén-rù

Valency pattern: SBJ_zhong

X: SBJ

Y: zhong

Locus: Y

mùtou	chén-rù	le	shuǐ-zhōng
wood	sink-into	pfv	water-middle
‘The log sank in the water.’
Note: Here, "zhōng" is treated as an argument-marking device, but it can alternatively be viewed as a locative noun meaning ‘middle’.

105. kill shāsǐ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	shāsǐ	le	Lǐsì
pn	kill	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan killed Lisi.’

106. hit dǎ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dǎ	le	Lǐsì
pn	hit	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan hit Lisi.’

107. kiss qīnwěn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	qīnwěn	le	Lǐsì
pn	kiss	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan kissed Lisi.’

108. read dú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	dú	le	yī-běn	yǒuqù-de	shū
pn	read	pfv	one- clf	interesting- de	book
‘Zhangsan read an interesting book.’

109. move (bodypart) nuódòng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	nuódòng	le	yīxià	shǒuzhǐ
pn	move	pfv	once	finger
‘Zhangsan moved his finger once.’

110. respect zūnjìng

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	duì	Lǐsì	zūnjìng
pn	towards	pn	respect
‘Zhangsan respects Lisi.’

111. be squeamish *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

112. be content mǎnyì

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	duì	tā-érzi	hěn	mǎnyì
pn	towards	he-son	very	content
‘Zhangsan is very content with his son.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

113. fall in love ài-shàng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	ài-shàng	le	Lǐsì
pn	love-up	pfv	pn
‘Zhangsan fell in love with Lisi.’

114. trust xìnrèn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xìnrèn	Lǐsì
pn	trust	pn
‘Zhangsan trusts Lisi.’

115. sympathise tóngqíng

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	tóngqíng	tā-mǔqīn
pn	sympathise	he-mother
‘Zhangsan sympathises his mother.’

116. envy jídù

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	jídù	Lǐsì
pn	envy	pn
‘Zhangsan envies Lisi.’

117. be angry shēngqì

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	duì	Lǐsì	shēngqì
pn	towards	pn	get_angry
‘Zhangsan is angry with Lisi.’

118. be surprised jīngyà

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	shōudào	zhè-ge	lǐwù	hěn	jīngyà
pn	receive	this- clf	gift	very	surprised
‘Zhangsan received this gift and was very surprised.’
Note: Not included in the dataset because Y is embedded in a complement clause.

119. love (tea) xǐ'ài

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xǐ'ài	chá
pn	love	tea
‘Zhangsan loves tea.’

120. enjoy xiǎngshòu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	xiǎngshòu	zhe	rè-chá-de	nuǎnyì
pn	enjoy	dur	hot-tea- de	warmth
‘Zhangsan enjoys hot tea.’
Note: Not included in the dataset because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

121. want xiǎngyào

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	xiǎngyào	yí-bù	xīn	shǒujī
pn	want	one- clf	new	cellphone
‘Zhangsan wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge yǒu jīyuàn

Valency pattern: SBJ_he

X: SBJ

Y: he

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	hé	Lǐsì	yǒu	jīyuàn
pn	with	pn	have	grudge
‘Zhangsan has grudge against Lisi.’

123. take offence gǎndào (bèi) màofàn

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	gǎndào	bèi	màofàn	le
pn	feel	pass	offend	pfv
‘Zhangsan felt offended.’
Note: Not included in the dataset because Y cannot be overtly expressed.

124. upset xīnfán

Valency pattern: SBJ_rang

X: SBJ

Y: rang

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	ràng	Lǐsì	hěn	xīnfán
pn	make	pn	very	upset
‘Zhangsan greatly upset Lisi.’
Note: Here, "ràng" is treated as an argument-marking device, but its status is controversial.

125. marvel jīngtàn-bù-yǐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_dui

X: SBJ

Y: dui

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	duì	zhè-zuò	chéngzhèn	jīngtàn-bù-yǐ
pn	towards	this- clf	town	marvel-not-stop
‘Zhangsan marvelled at this town.’

126. despise bǐshì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	bǐshì	Lǐsì
pn	despise	pn
‘Zhangsan despises Lisi.’

127. get upset xīnfán

Valency pattern: SBJ_yin

X: SBJ

Y: yin

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	yīn	tā-érzi	ér	xīnfán
pn	because_of	he-son	so	upset
‘Zhangsan is upset because of his son.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

128. get irritated jīnù

Valency pattern: SBJ_bei

X: SBJ

Y: bei

Locus: Y

Zhāngsān	kuài	bèi	tā-nǚ'ér	jīnù	le
pn	soon	pass	he-daughter	irritate	pfv
‘Zhangsan is getting irritated with his daughter.’
Note: The passive construction is normally used when there is a sense of misfortune or adversity.

129. be fond xǐhuan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Zhāngsān	hěn	xǐhuan	Lǐsì
pn	very	like	pn
‘Zhangsan is fond of Lisi.’

130. be shy gǎndào nánkān

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zhāngsān	yīn	gèzi	ǎi	ér	gǎndào	nánkān
pn	because_of	height	short	so	feel	embarrassed
‘Zhangsan feels embarrassed because he is short.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed in a dependent clause.