是 before verb

[Beo]

Hey guys,

 

I'm a bit confused about the following sentences:

 

1.) 看来我是应该多锻炼锻炼了。Why is there a 是 before 应该?

2.) 把我累坏了 How would you translate 累坏?

 

Whole text: 上个星期和朋友们去游泳，把我累坏了，到现在我的腿还在疼。看来我是应该多锻炼锻炼了。

 

Hope you can enlighten me. Thanks in advance. Cheers Beo

[mungouk]

Have a look at this thread: https://www.chinese-forums.com/forums/topic/47456-uses-of-是-before-verbs/

 

tl;dr — for emphasis. Possibly using 是 as an adverb?

 

 

 

[edelweis]

11 hours ago, Beo said:

2.) 把我累坏了 How would you translate 累坏?

it wore me out.

(something like: it broke me with tiredness)

 

11 hours ago, Beo said:

看来我是应该多锻炼锻炼了。

Apparently I do need to exercise a bit more.

 

[DavyJonesLocker]

remember if the action has occurred you need a 的

 

 他们是去北京 They are going to Beijing

 他们是去北京的 They went to Beijing

 

as its optional, you probably would enforce the 是 when speaking 

 

[Dlezcano]

I wouldn't say that "看来我是应该多锻炼锻炼了" is part of a 是……的, sentence. In this case it emphasizes what is following the verb 是, but since the word "emphasize" is so vague I will try to translate it as in the following sentences:

 

看来我应该多锻炼锻炼了-->It seems I should train more.

看来我是应该多锻炼锻炼了--> Indeed, I should make more exercise; ....so it seems that I actually should do more exercise

 

It's a little hard to explain what this use of 是 expresses, but I will copy the entry of the dictionary regarding this meaning.

 

用于形容词或动词性的谓语前, “是”重读, 表示坚决肯定, 含有“的确”“实在”的意思 (used before an adjectival or verbal predicate, 是 is read emphasized to express  confirmation like "indeed", "definitely")

 

Another example could be:

我是在帮助你呀！(Actually I am trying to help you!)

 

English is not my mothertongue, excuse me if something is not clear.

[Beo]

Thanks a lot for all your explanations! I think I've understood the use 是 in this context now. I really appreciate your quick help!

[roddy]

2 hours ago, DavyJonesLocker said:

remember if the action has occurred you need a 的

 

 他们是去北京 They are going to Beijing

 他们是去北京的 They went to Beijing

Have you got a source for that? I've never heard that before, and running the sentences over in my head doesn't sound odd either way. Quite possibly one of many gaps in my knowledge, though. 

[DavyJonesLocker]

5 hours ago, roddy said:

Have you got a source for that? I've never heard that before, and running the sentences over in my head doesn't sound odd either way. Quite possibly one of many gaps in my knowledge, though. 

 

perhaps I am taking it out of context /misunderstanding it  but I got if from Yip Po Ching "Intermediate Chinese "

 

I quick scan of this  and this to also also suggest its the case, but I only quickly looked through it!

 

 

[roddy]

No, I think you're reading it right. I can still imagine having the 的  there, but perhaps I'd just be wrong. Seems to me maybe it adds extra emphasis? Not sure. 

[AaronUK]

@Beo Great to see some Chinese grammar questions! I am interested to know where you get the text you are reading from? 

 

[Beo]

hi Aaron, it's from an online HSK course on coursera.org

[mungouk]

14 hours ago, Beo said:

it's from an online HSK course on coursera.org

 

It's also in one of the HSK 3 sample exam papers.