too, also grammar 也 yě

也 yě means “too” or “also” (in a negative sentence, 也 yě means “either” or “neither”).

It appears between subjects and verbs. The sentence structure is Subject + 也 + Verb. Here are two common mistakes: the word “也 yě” cannot be put before the subject or at the very end of a sentence which are “也 + subject…” and “ subject + verb + 也.”

The basic sentence structure for 也 yě is

• Subject + 也 + Verb/verb phrase
• Subject + 也 + 不 + Verb/verb phrase

Here are a few examples:

Example 1

A: 我是学生。

Wǒ shì xuéshēng.

I am a student.

B: 我也是学生。

Wǒ yě shì xuéshēng.

I am a student, too.

 

Example 2

A: 我爱妳。

Wǒ ài nǐ.

I love you.

B: 我也爱你。

Wǒ yě ài nǐ.

I love you, too.

 

Example 3

A: 我不想去看电影。

Wǒ bùxiǎng qù kàn diànyǐng.

I do not want to go watch a movie.

B: 我也不想去。

Wǒ yě bùxiǎng qù.

I do not want to go, either.

This is one of the first grammars to learn, and it is VERY important for students to have plenty of practice. Students may get confused in the beginning, because in English sentences, “too” is placed at the end of the sentence. But in Chinese, that is not the case.

 

 

Use the “can-do” list to check if you learned this grammar.

Can-do checklist:

⃞    I can pronounce the word “也.”

⃞    I can write the word “也” in Chinese character and/or in pinyin.

⃞    I can understand the meaning of the word “也.”

⃞    I can place the word “也” correctly when I say a statement sentence.

⃞    I can place the word “也” correctly when I say a negative sentence.

 

 

Simplified Chinese Version

 

Traditional Chinese Version