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Resultative verb compounds (V1+V2) in Chinese
Structure
Verb₁ + Verb₂ (result)
Explanation
In Chinese, resultative verb compounds combine two verbs where the first verb (V1) describes the action and the second verb (V2) describes the result or outcome of that action. For example, in 坐在 (zuò zài), 坐 means 'to sit' and 在 indicates the resulting location. These compounds are fundamental to Chinese grammar and express cause-and-result relationships concisely.
Examples
他坐在窗边，安静地看着外面的风景。
tā zuò zài chuāng biān, ānjìng de kàn zhe wàimiàn de fēngjǐng.
He sat by the window, quietly looking at the scenery outside.
孩子跑到妈妈身边，紧紧抱住了她。
háizi pǎo dào māma shēnbiān, jǐnjǐn bào zhù le tā.
The child ran to his mother's side and hugged her tightly.
那本书放在桌子上，你去拿吧。
nà běn shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng, nǐ qù ná ba.
That book is on the table — go get it.