When learning Mandarin Chinese, one of the key grammatical structures you will encounter is the concept of making comparisons of equality. This is often expressed using the word 一样 (yīyàng), which translates to “as…as” in English. Understanding how to make comparisons of equality is essential for conveying that two things are similar in some respect, whether it’s in terms of size, quality, quantity, or another attribute.
In this article, we will delve into the structure and usage of 一样 (yīyàng), provide ample examples, and highlight common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you should have a solid grasp of how to make comparisons of equality in Mandarin Chinese.
Basic Structure of 一样 (yīyàng)
The word 一样 (yīyàng) is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts to compare two entities. The basic structure for making a comparison of equality using 一样 (yīyàng) is as follows:
Subject + 跟/和 + Comparison Target + 一样 + Adjective
Here, 跟 (gēn) or 和 (hé) are prepositions meaning “with” or “and,” and they are used to introduce the comparison target. The adjective describes the quality or characteristic being compared.
Let’s break down an example:
– 他的汉语跟我的一样好。
– Tā de Hànyǔ gēn wǒ de yīyàng hǎo.
– His Chinese is as good as mine.
In this sentence:
– 他的汉语 (Tā de Hànyǔ) – His Chinese
– 跟 (gēn) – with
– 我的 (wǒ de) – mine
– 一样 (yīyàng) – as
– 好 (hǎo) – good
The sentence structure clearly shows that his Chinese is being compared to mine, and they are being described as equally good.
Common Adjectives Used with 一样 (yīyàng)
To effectively use 一样 (yīyàng) in comparisons, it’s helpful to know some common adjectives. Here are a few examples:
– 高 (gāo) – tall
– 矮 (ǎi) – short
– 大 (dà) – big
– 小 (xiǎo) – small
– 漂亮 (piàoliang) – beautiful
– 贵 (guì) – expensive
– 便宜 (piányi) – cheap
Examples:
1. 他跟我一样高。 (Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gāo.) – He is as tall as I am.
2. 这件衣服跟那件一样漂亮。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu gēn nà jiàn yīyàng piàoliang.) – This piece of clothing is as beautiful as that one.
Using Nouns with 一样 (yīyàng)
When comparing nouns, 一样 (yīyàng) can also be used to indicate that two items are the same or similar in some respect. The structure is slightly different:
Subject + 跟/和 + Comparison Target + 一样 + Noun
Examples:
1. 他的书跟我的一样。 (Tā de shū gēn wǒ de yīyàng.) – His book is the same as mine.
2. 这个苹果跟那个苹果一样大。 (Zhège píngguǒ gēn nàgè píngguǒ yīyàng dà.) – This apple is as big as that apple.
Negative Comparisons with 一样 (yīyàng)
To express that two things are not the same, you can use the negative form 不一样 (bù yīyàng). The structure is similar to the positive form:
Subject + 跟/和 + Comparison Target + 不一样 + Adjective/Noun
Examples:
1. 他的汉语跟我的不一样好。 (Tā de Hànyǔ gēn wǒ de bù yīyàng hǎo.) – His Chinese is not as good as mine.
2. 这件衣服跟那件不一样漂亮。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu gēn nà jiàn bù yīyàng piàoliang.) – This piece of clothing is not as beautiful as that one.
Additional Usage: 一样 with Verbs
While 一样 (yīyàng) is most commonly used with adjectives and nouns, it can also be used with verbs to indicate that two actions are performed in the same way. The structure for this is:
Subject + 跟/和 + Comparison Target + 一样 + Verb
Examples:
1. 他跟我一样工作努力。 (Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gōngzuò nǔlì.) – He works as hard as I do.
2. 她跟她妈妈一样做饭好吃。 (Tā gēn tā māma yīyàng zuòfàn hǎochī.) – She cooks as well as her mother.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
As with any language structure, learners often make mistakes when first using 一样 (yīyàng) for comparisons of equality. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them:
1. **Incorrect Preposition**: Ensure you use 跟 (gēn) or 和 (hé) correctly. Using another preposition can change the meaning of the sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.
– Incorrect: 他比我一样高。(Tā bǐ wǒ yīyàng gāo.)
– Correct: 他跟我一样高。(Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gāo.)
2. **Omitting 一样 (yīyàng)**: Sometimes learners forget to include 一样 (yīyàng) in the sentence, which can change the meaning entirely.
– Incorrect: 他跟我高。(Tā gēn wǒ gāo.)
– Correct: 他跟我一样高。(Tā gēn wǒ yīyàng gāo.)
3. **Using 不一样 (bù yīyàng) Incorrectly**: When making negative comparisons, ensure you place 不一样 (bù yīyàng) correctly in the sentence structure.
– Incorrect: 他不一样跟我高。(Tā bù yīyàng gēn wǒ gāo.)
– Correct: 他跟我不一样高。(Tā gēn wǒ bù yīyàng gāo.)
Practical Exercises
To solidify your understanding of using 一样 (yīyàng) for comparisons of equality, try these exercises. Translate the following sentences into Mandarin Chinese:
1. This movie is as interesting as that movie.
2. Her English is not as good as mine.
3. These two chairs are the same size.
4. He runs as fast as his brother.
5. This book is not as cheap as that book.
Answers:
1. 这部电影跟那部电影一样有趣。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng gēn nà bù diànyǐng yīyàng yǒuqù.)
2. 她的英语跟我的不一样好。 (Tā de Yīngyǔ gēn wǒ de bù yīyàng hǎo.)
3. 这两把椅子一样大。 (Zhè liǎng bǎ yǐzi yīyàng dà.)
4. 他跟他哥哥一样跑得快。 (Tā gēn tā gēge yīyàng pǎo de kuài.)
5. 这本书跟那本书不一样便宜。 (Zhè běn shū gēn nà běn shū bù yīyàng piányi.)
Conclusion
Understanding and using 一样 (yīyàng) for comparisons of equality is a crucial aspect of mastering Mandarin Chinese. This structure allows you to describe similarities between two items or actions accurately and effectively. By practicing with various adjectives, nouns, and verbs, and being mindful of common mistakes, you will become more confident in making these comparisons.
Remember to practice regularly, engage with native speakers if possible, and incorporate these structures into your everyday conversations. Happy learning!
