mandarin shi...de and le constructions

English translation: emphasing things done and plain perfect tense, respectively

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Chinese term or phrase:mandarin shi...de and le constructions
English translation:emphasing things done and plain perfect tense, respectively
Entered by: Wenjer Leuschel (X)

16:16 Apr 23, 2004
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Linguistics
Chinese term or phrase: mandarin shi...de and le constructions
Both these constructions translate identically, refering to ca completed action in the past. But how does one determine when to use which? For example, if I were to translate the mini-dialog "My mother's left." "When did she leave?" "She left yesterday." Which constructions would I use?
l7bt2
an explanation
Explanation:
Well, you didn't indicate the tone of "shi" and that led to misunderstanding.
Actually, you were asking when to use "le" and when "shi4 de."
A simple explanation would be like this:
When dealing with a plain statement of perfect tense, you use only "le."
When you are answering a question or want to emphasize that something is already done, then you use "shi4...de."
But, beware not to put too many words in between!
Selected response from:

Wenjer Leuschel (X)
Taiwan
Local time: 19:12
Grading comment
Thank you so much for your help, I am very new at this, so I apologise for my lack of necessary accenting. I have yet to figure out how to format it properly on this website in an intelligible way. Thank you again for your help.

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5Simpler one here!
David Wang
4FYI
Edward LIU
4an explanation
Wenjer Leuschel (X)


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
FYI


Explanation:
'Le' usually indicates the present perfect tense of a verb and it may be preceded with 'Yi3 Jin1'(already) though not necessarily. 'Shi ...de' usuall indicates the past tense to describe a combination of time and action and 'Shi4' can sometimes be omited.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs 23 mins (2004-04-23 23:40:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

But this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, their usage in your sentences are the following:

\"My mother\'s left.\" (\'le\'only )
\"When did she leave?\" (\'shi ...de\' only)
\"She left yesterday.\" (\'shi ... de\' or \'le\' (seldom usely) )

Edward LIU
Canada
Local time: 07:12
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 16
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
an explanation


Explanation:
Well, you didn't indicate the tone of "shi" and that led to misunderstanding.
Actually, you were asking when to use "le" and when "shi4 de."
A simple explanation would be like this:
When dealing with a plain statement of perfect tense, you use only "le."
When you are answering a question or want to emphasize that something is already done, then you use "shi4...de."
But, beware not to put too many words in between!

Wenjer Leuschel (X)
Taiwan
Local time: 19:12
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 18
Grading comment
Thank you so much for your help, I am very new at this, so I apologise for my lack of necessary accenting. I have yet to figure out how to format it properly on this website in an intelligible way. Thank you again for your help.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Simpler one here!


Explanation:
If you'd like to emphasize on "time", use "de".
When you want to emphasize on "action", then "le". Yes, here we are talking about the "past tense" of course.

Example: Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 De0 (emphasize time:Ba1 Dian3 )
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)

Wo3 Zuo2 Wan3 Ba1 Dian3 Shui4 Le0 (emphasize action: Shui4)
(I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night)

There are exceptions for sure but that's the general rule. Hope they are clear to you all.

David Wang
Local time: 19:12
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search