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Expressing 'to play soccer' with 踢球 (tīqiú)
Structure
Subject + 踢球
Explanation
踢球 (tīqiú) literally means "to kick a ball" and is the standard Chinese expression for playing soccer or football. It is a verb-object compound that functions as a single verb in sentences. Unlike English, where you "play" soccer, Chinese uses the specific action verb 踢 (kick) combined with 球 (ball).
Examples
他从小就喜欢踢球，梦想成为职业球员。
Tā cóngxiǎo jiù xǐhuan tīqiú, mèngxiǎng chéngwéi zhíyè qiúyuán.
He has loved playing soccer since childhood and dreams of becoming a professional player.
周末我们一起去踢球吧，正好凑够十个人。
Zhōumò wǒmen yīqǐ qù tīqiú ba, zhènghǎo còugòu shí gè rén.
Let's go play soccer together this weekend; we have just enough for ten people.
下雨天也挡不住他去踢球的热情。
Xiàyǔ tiān yě dǎng bù zhù tā qù tīqiú de rèqíng.
Even rainy days can't stop his enthusiasm for playing soccer.