nipponman Posted January 16, 2005 at 11:42 PM Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 at 11:42 PM What, that which, all that, whatever (nearest thing to a Chin. relative pronoun, introducing a noun clause): 不知所當為 (當說) do not know what to do, what to say; This is from linyutangs dictionary. But to me it is a little vague on proper usage, could someone explain this how to uses this word? Also is it an everyday word or formal speech or just useless? Any help would be appriciated, Nipponman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claw Posted January 17, 2005 at 12:38 AM Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 at 12:38 AM The closest translation for 所X that I can think of is "that which is X." So, 不知所當為/說 would mean "to not know that which is done/said" = "to not know what to do/say." This construction is somewhat formal though. Incidentally, this is why the word 所有 means "all" or "everything" since it literally means "that which is had," and 所以 means "therefore" since it literally means "that by means of which is." Both of these words have now become rather idiomatic in Modern Chinese though, especially 所以, since it comes originally from a Classical Chinese grammar construction. Most people do not think of 所以 as meaning "that by means of which is," but rather as a single word meaning "therefore." More often, you'll find 所 in front of verb-的-object constructions; for instance: 我所認識的漢字不多 = The Chinese characters that which I know is not much. The 所 in these cases is usually optional. 我認識的漢字不多 is sufficient usually, and sounds less formal. However, if the object is implied, sometimes it sounds better to leave in the 所: 我所認識的不多. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipponman Posted January 17, 2005 at 01:10 PM Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 at 01:10 PM Thank you Claw! I always used to wonder about 所以. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ever00t Posted January 19, 2005 at 01:37 PM Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 at 01:37 PM 所以 means hence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claw Posted January 19, 2005 at 05:57 PM Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 at 05:57 PM ...and "hence" is a synonym of "therefore"... what's your point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HashiriKata Posted January 19, 2005 at 11:00 PM Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 at 11:00 PM "hence" is a synonym of "therefore"... what's your point? To give "therefore" a companion in case it feels lonely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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