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    Chinese Grammar

    Clauses with an omitted subject

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    (Subject) + Verb + Object

    Explanation

    Chinese frequently allows the subject of a sentence to be omitted when it is understood from context. This is known as pro-drop and is far more common in Chinese than in English. The omitted subject is recoverable from the surrounding discourse or situation.

    Examples

    • 去过很多次了，不想再去了。

      Qù guò hěn duō cì le, bù xiǎng zài qù le.

      I've been there many times already; I don't want to go again.

    • 吃完饭就出发吧。

      Chī wán fàn jiù chūfā ba.

      Let's set off as soon as we finish eating.

    • 觉得怎么样？

      Juéde zěnmeyàng?

      What do you think?

    Clauses with an omitted subject | Chinese Grammar