Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "freeze" with 冰 (bīng)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 冰 + Resultative Complement

    Explanation

    冰 (bīng) can function as a verb meaning "to freeze" or "to ice," in addition to its common noun meaning of "ice." When water turns to ice or something is chilled, 冰 describes that transformation, as in 冰会变成水 (ice will turn into water).

    Examples

    • 把西瓜放进冰箱里冰一下,等会儿吃更好吃。

      bǎ xīguā fàng jìn bīngxiāng lǐ bīng yíxià, děnghuìr chī gèng hǎochī.

      Put the watermelon in the fridge to chill it; it'll taste better later.

    • 外面太冷了,湖面上的水都冰住了。

      wàimiàn tài lěng le, húmiàn shàng de shuǐ dōu bīng zhù le.

      It's too cold outside; the water on the lake has frozen over.

    • 你帮我把这瓶啤酒冰上,晚上朋友要来。

      nǐ bāng wǒ bǎ zhè píng píjiǔ bīng shàng, wǎnshang péngyou yào lái.

      Help me chill this bottle of beer; friends are coming over tonight.

    Expressing "freeze" with 冰 (bīng) | Chinese Grammar