I am confused about "ge" in "Zhè ge" and "Nà ge"

[calibuddy25]

Why is "ge" not found after "Zhè" in this following sentence:

 

Zhè shì wǒ de shū.

 

I thought it should be:

 

Zhè ge shì wǒ de shū.

"This is my book"

[Shelley]

I think it might be because shi doesn't need a measure word.

 

Shi means "to be" or "is" 

 

Ge is a measure word or classifier. if you say this book, you would need a measure word : zhe ben shu or those three books : na san ben shu

 

"The most common specifiers are na - that/those and zhe - this/these.

Like numbers, specifiers cannot immediately precede a noun. They are followed by number+classifier phrase, or by a classifier" 

 

Quote from my grammar text book Schuam outline Chinese grammar.

 

I have found this book very helpful and easy to understand.

[Yorin]

First things first: The measure word for shu1 is ben3.

So your question is: Why isn't the sentence "Zhe4 ben3 shi4 wo3 de shu1." ?

 

To clarify this, let's take a look at an equivalent in english:

"This piece of chocolate is my chocolate". (equivalent to: "Zhe4 ben3 shu1 shi4 wo3 de shu1.")

"This piece is my chocolate". (equivalent to: "Zhe4 ben3 shi4 wo3 de shu1.")

"This is my chocolate." (equivalent to: "Zhe4 shi4 wo3 de shu1.")

 

While the second sentence is gramatically correct, it's unusual to say it this way.

You'd usually use the third sentence. And the same goes for Chinese.

As far as I know, "Zhe4 ben3 shi4 wo3 de shu1" is gramatically correct, it's just unusual to say it that way.

 

On the other hand "This piece is mine."  (equivalent to: "Zhe4 ben3 shi4 wo3 de.") is perfectly normal to say.

[calibuddy25]

Thank you shelley for the explanation and book recommendation. And thank you Yorin for the amazing examples! Now I truly understand the concept. Made things more clear for me!

[Preston Yan]

The second sentence is also right.

Just as you know, the third is easier to say. And that is how people say it.

This book is my book.  ( We both know you are saying a book, so no need to say it out.)

 

This is my book. (Easy and no misunderstanding.)

 

PS: I am Chinese. I want to learn English. 

[calibuddy25]

I have one more question. If I were to say try to point out a book and say it was good, then would it be written like this?

 

Zhe4 be3n ha3o

"This (book) is good"

 

Am I correct on this?

[Shelley]

If the book has been mentioned before in the conversation you can leave out the word book.

 

So if someone asks Zhe ben shu zen me yang? you can say zhe ben hao. or just hao.

 

But I think if you start the conversation you need to say Zhe ben shu hao even if you are pointing at it.

 

I try to imagine how it would be in English and if you are sure the person is looking at the book i guess it could be ok to say that one is good.

 

I have been trying to attach a file but it doesn't seem to be working. I will try again later. it explains the rules of omission.

 

 

[Tiana]

Agreed with Shelley above but just to add a useful detail. You should say "Zhe ben hen hao" instead of just "zhe ben hao".

You use "zhe ben hao" in these situations: you mean this one is better (than another one) or this one is good (while another one is not so).

So, without the empty "hen", your sentence would sound as if you compare or contrast the book with another one.

[Shelley]

Ah it has worked, here is the page from the grammar book about omissions.

[calibuddy25]

Thank you so much shelley! I seriously need to buy a grammar book. lol.

[Shelley]

Well after struggling myself with grammar and trying all sorts of things this book (Schaum Outline of Chinese Grammar) has proven to be the best for me. I would recommend it highly.