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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing the proper noun 小明 (Xiǎomíng)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    小明 (Xiǎomíng) is a common Chinese given name often used in examples and textbooks, similar to 'John' or 'Jane' in English. It literally means 'little bright.' Proper nouns in Chinese do not require articles and can follow prepositions like 和 directly.

    Examples

    • 小明今天没来上课，他生病了。

      Xiǎo Míng jīntiān méi lái shàngkè, tā shēngbìng le.

      Xiao Ming didn't come to class today — he's sick.

    • 你和小明是同学吗？

      Nǐ hé Xiǎo Míng shì tóngxué ma?

      Are you and Xiao Ming classmates?

    • 小明跑得比谁都快。

      Xiǎo Míng pǎo de bǐ shéi dōu kuài.

      Xiao Ming runs faster than anyone.

    Expressing the proper noun 小明 (Xiǎomíng) | Chinese Grammar