freefall Posted February 12, 2007 at 07:57 AM Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 at 07:57 AM In English, when describing something with a descriptive clause, you can include a pronoun referring to that thing. Like for example, The window with paper stuck to it is open. Is this possible in chinese? Like could you say, Wo gen tamen yiqi zhu de yi jia ren hen gaoxing. The family I live with a happy. (Sorry, I'm at an internet cafe with no chinese character input). Where tamen refers to yi jia ren. If not, how do you say this? Gen wo yiqi zhu de yi jia ren? Ok I'm getting kicked off now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted February 12, 2007 at 10:35 AM Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 at 10:35 AM If not, how do you say this? Gen wo yiqi zhu de yi jia ren? Yes. This is correct, though I would use "jia ting" instead of "yi jia ren". Also, I think "gaoxing" is ok if you describe a particular incident or moment. If the family is generally / always "happy", then "kuai le" or "kai xin" may be more appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koneko Posted February 12, 2007 at 12:41 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 at 12:41 PM In Northern China, it's still quite common to hear married women with kids to address their husbands, "孩子的爹" (lit. Child's father). K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulao Posted February 12, 2007 at 07:30 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 at 07:30 PM Descriptive clauses in Chinese always precede the noun they modify, so if a pronoun were to be used, it's referent would be unspecified. Therefore the use of pronouns in such situations is incorrect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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