NPCR 3 -- Interrogative pronouns of general denotation

[bobneudecker]

NPCR 3 Lesson 35 has a grammar point called "Interrogative pronouns of general denotation."  They provide several examples in Chinese, but no translation.  I cannot figure out what they are trying to express.  I would appreciate some help here.  Thanks.  Bob

 

 

1。  你 什 么 时 候 挣 够 了 钱 什 么 时 候 再 买 车。

 

2。   你 想 怎 么 过 就 怎 么 过 !

 

3。   银 行 的 钱 不 是 谁 想 借，  谁 就 能 借 到 ？  

[renzhe]

It's a bit hard to explain this generally, but it makes perfect sense once you "get it".

In short: the interrogative pronoun in the two parts of the sentence refers to the exact same thing. It helps not to think of it as an interrogative pronoun at all, but something specific but undefined. It's slightly different in all three cases.

"什么时候 A 什么时候 B" means that A and B happen at the same time. Only buy the car once you've saved up enough money.

"想怎么 A 就怎么 A" means doing something the way you want, usually without giving it any extra thought (就 is for immediacy).

"不是谁想 A 谁就能 A" has a negation -- it's not like whoever wants to do something can also do it. The bank will not lend money to anyone who wants to borrow.

[bobneudecker]

Many thanks for the help.  I think I'll have to mull this over for a while before I "get it," but at least you've put me on the right track.