I’m trying to study as much as I can before I head to Beijing. I’m going to start collecting what I learn here, as a reference for myself. Hopefully it will be useful to some, but otherwise it’s nice to just acknowledge the beauty of hanzi characters.
I’ve recently been using the Super Chinese app. It’s probably the first app where I’ve been able to focus and actually learn! Below and in future posts, I’ll be highlighting grammar and vocabulary that I’ve learned.
Duration Complements
Duration complements are used to indicate the length of time an action or a state lasts.
Structure: Subject + Verb + Duration Completement
他要运动一个小时。
He is going to exercise for an hour.
我今天想学习三十分钟。
I want to study for thirty minutes today.
他要在北京工作一年。
He will work in Beijing for one year.
她还要等三个月。
She has to wait for another 3 months.
Structure: Verb + 了 + Duration Complement
This specific setup indicates that the action took place in the past.
我等了三个小时。
I waited for 3 hours.
我工作了一年。
I worked for one year.
女儿下午学习了三个小时。
My daughter studied for 3 hours in the afternoon.
他在医院住了一个星期。
He stayed at the hospital for a week.