例句

§ What Does 例句 (lìjù) Mean?

Definition

An example sentence; a sentence used to illustrate a grammatical rule or word usage.

If you're serious about learning Chinese, you're going to encounter the term 例句 (lìjù) a lot. It's a fundamental concept in language learning, and understanding it means you're understanding a key tool for your own progress. Simply put, 例句 means 'example sentence'. It's exactly what it sounds like: a sentence provided to show you how a specific word, phrase, or grammatical structure is used in a real context.

Think about it. When you learn a new English word, like 'ubiquitous', you don't just learn its definition ('present, appearing, or found everywhere'). You also want to see it in action, right? You'd look for an example like, 'The company's logo is now ubiquitous, appearing on everything from coffee cups to billboards.' That's an 例句 for 'ubiquitous'. The same principle applies directly to Chinese.

§ When Do People Use 例句 (lìjù)?

You'll find 例句 everywhere in your Chinese learning journey. Here are the most common scenarios:

• Dictionaries: Every good dictionary, whether it's a physical book or an online resource like Pleco, will provide 例句 for almost every entry. This is crucial because a word's meaning can change based on context.
• Textbooks and Learning Materials: Your Chinese textbooks are packed with 例句. They use them to introduce new vocabulary, explain grammar points, and give you practice sentences.
• Language Exchange Partners/Teachers: If you ask a native speaker or your teacher how to use a certain word, they will almost always respond with an 例句. It's the most natural way to explain usage.
• Grammar Explanations: When a complex grammar rule is introduced, 例句 are essential for breaking it down and showing how it applies in practice.
• Self-Study: When you're trying to figure out how to use a new word you just learned, you might search for 例句 online to see various applications.

The value of 例句 cannot be overstated. Learning a word in isolation is like learning a single brick without knowing how to build a wall. An 例句 shows you how that 'brick' fits into the 'wall' of a sentence. It demonstrates:

• Correct Usage: How the word functions grammatically (e.g., as a noun, verb, adjective).
• Common Collocations: What other words frequently appear with it.
• Appropriate Context: When and where it's suitable to use the word.
• Natural Flow: How the word sounds in a natural Chinese sentence.

In summary, 例句 is your window into the living language. It helps you move beyond rote memorization of definitions to true comprehension and practical application. Whenever you encounter a new word, actively seek out and analyze its 例句. This habit will significantly accelerate your fluency in Chinese.

§ Basic Usage: 例句 as a Noun

The most straightforward way to use 例句 (lìjù) is as a noun, meaning 'example sentence.' It behaves like most other nouns in Chinese. You can use it as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or even modify it with adjectives or classifiers.

DEFINITION

When 例句 is the subject of a sentence, it's what the sentence is about.

Translation hint: Example sentences are very important.

DEFINITION

When 例句 is the object, it's what the verb acts upon.

Translation hint: I wrote a few example sentences.

§ Using Classifiers with 例句

Like many nouns in Chinese, 例句 often uses classifiers when you're talking about a specific number of them. The most common classifier for 例句 is 个 (gè).

• 一个例句 (yī ge lìjù) - one example sentence

• 两个例句 (liǎng ge lìjù) - two example sentences

• 很多例句 (hěn duō lìjù) - many example sentences

Translation hint: Please give me an example sentence.

Translation hint: This book has many example sentences.

§ 例句 with Verbs: Common Combinations

You'll often see 例句 paired with verbs that relate to providing, writing, or looking at example sentences.

• 提供例句 (tígōng lìjù) - to provide example sentences

• 写例句 (xiě lìjù) - to write example sentences

• 看例句 (kàn lìjù) - to look at/read example sentences

• 学习例句 (xuéxí lìjù) - to study example sentences

Translation hint: The teacher often provides example sentences.

Translation hint: I like to look at the example sentences in the dictionary.

§ Prepositions with 例句

You won't typically use prepositions directly before 例句 to indicate its role in a sentence in the same way you might in English. Instead, Chinese uses word order or other structures. However, you might see prepositions used to link 例句 to other parts of the sentence, such as indicating the source or purpose of the example sentences.

Translation hint: Find example sentences from this book.

Here, 从 (cóng) indicates the source. You wouldn't say 'for example sentences' directly with a preposition like in English. Instead, you'd phrase it differently:

Translation hint: I need example sentences to help with studying. (Here, 来 indicates purpose.)

§ Don't Confuse 例句 with 例子 (lìzi)

Many learners, especially at the A2 level, tend to use 例子 (lìzi) when they specifically mean 'example sentence'. While 例子 does mean 'example', it's a much broader term. Think of 例子 as 'an instance' or 'a case in point'. It can refer to anything that serves as an example – a specific situation, a person's behavior, or even an object. However, if your example is a sentence, the correct and precise word is 例句.

DEFINITION

例子 (lìzi): example; instance; case

§ Overlooking the 'Sentence' Aspect

Sometimes learners will use 例句 in contexts where a full sentence isn't required or appropriate. For instance, if you're asking for an example of a single word's usage, you'd typically just show the word in context, or provide a short phrase. Using 例句 implies you're looking for a complete grammatical sentence.

• Incorrect: 我需要这个词的例句，就一个词。(Wǒ xūyào zhège cí de lìjù, jiù yīgè cí.) - I need an example sentence for this word, just one word. (This is contradictory. An example sentence is by definition more than one word.)
• Correct: 请给我一个这个词的用法例子。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè zhège cí de yòngfǎ lìzi.) - Please give me an example of this word's usage.

§ Misusing it with 'Provide' or 'Give' Verbs

While both 给出 (gěichū) and 提供 (tígōng) can mean 'to provide' or 'to give', when it comes to example sentences, the most natural and common verbs are 举 (jǔ) for 'to give/cite' or simply 给 (gěi) for 'to give'. Using 给出 or 提供 with 例句 isn't necessarily wrong, but it sounds a bit less natural in everyday conversation or a teaching context.

DEFINITION

举 (jǔ): to lift; to raise; to hold up; to cite; to enumerate

§ Using 例句 for Non-Sentence Examples

This goes back to the first point about 例子, but it's worth emphasizing. Sometimes learners will try to refer to a single word or a phrase as a 例句. This is incorrect. A 例句 must be a complete sentence with a subject, verb, and often an object, expressing a complete thought. If you're looking for an example of how a character is written or how a word combines with another, you're looking for an 'example' (例子), not an 'example sentence' (例句).

• Incorrect: 这个汉字的例句是什么？(Zhège Hànzì de lìjù shì shénme?) - What is the example sentence for this character? (You can't have an example sentence for just one character in this context; you'd ask for an example word or usage.)
• Correct: 这个汉字怎么用？(Zhège Hànzì zěnme yòng?) - How is this character used? (This asks for usage, which might involve example words or phrases.)
• Correct: 这个词的例句是什么？(Zhège cí de lìjù shì shénme?) - What is the example sentence for this word? (This is correct because a word can be used in a sentence.)

Alright, let's talk about 例句 (lìjù). This word is super practical, and you'll hear it often in language learning contexts. It means 'example sentence.' When you're learning new Chinese vocabulary or grammar, 例句 are your best friend. They show you exactly how a word or structure is used in a real-world context, helping you understand its nuances and natural collocations.

§ What is 例句?

DEFINITION

example sentence; a sentence used to illustrate a grammatical rule or word usage.

Basically, if someone says, 'Give me an 例句,' they want you to show them how to use a word in a sentence. Simple as that.

§ How to use 例句 in practice

Here are a few examples to get you started:

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

While 例句 is pretty straightforward, let's look at some related terms you might come across.

• 例子 (lìzi): This is a more general term for 'example.' It can refer to any kind of example – an example of a situation, a person, an object, or even an example sentence. Think of it as the broader category, and 例句 is a specific type of 例子.

  你可以给我一个例子吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ gěi wǒ yīgè lìzi ma?)
  (Can you give me an example? – This could be an example of anything.)

• 范例 (fànlì): This means 'model example' or 'exemplary case.' It implies a particularly good or standard example that should be followed. You'll often see this in more formal or academic contexts. It's not just *an* example, it's *the* example.

  这是我们公司的成功范例。(Zhè shì wǒmen gōngsī de chénggōng fànlì.)
  (This is a successful model example from our company.)

• 举例 (jǔlì): This is a verb meaning 'to give an example' or 'to cite an instance.' You'd use this when you're in the act of providing examples.

  为了更好地说明，我来举例说明。(Wèile gèng hǎo de shuōmíng, wǒ lái jǔlì shuōmíng.)
  (To explain better, I'll give an example.)

When to use 例句:

Stick with 例句 specifically when you are talking about sentences that serve as examples, especially in a language learning or grammar explanation context. If you're discussing a sentence, this is your go-to word.

When to use 例子:

Use 例子 when you're talking about any kind of general example – whether it's an object, a situation, a person, or even a sentence (but in a more general sense). It's the most versatile of these terms.

When to use 范例:

Reserve 范例 for when you want to highlight an outstanding or ideal example that others should learn from or emulate.

When to use 举例:

Use 举例 when you are performing the action of giving an example. It's a verb.