STATIve verbS
11.3
11.2 Modification by intensifiers
Stative verbs, like adjectival verbs, can be preceded and modified by intensifiers. The intensi-
fiers are emphasized in each of the following sentences.
我们很尊敬他。
我們很尊敬他。
Wǒmen hěn zūnjìng tā.
We all respect him a lot.
我很想念你。
Wǒ hěn xiǎngniàn nǐ.
I miss you a lot.
我真怕这种人。
我真怕這種人。
Wǒ zhēn pà zhè zhǒng rén.
I’m really afraid of this kind of person.
他特别需要你的支持。
Tā tèbié xūyào nǐ de zhīchí.
He especially needs your support.
For a complete list of intensifiers, see section 10.3.
C10.3, 12.6.3
11.3 Indicating completion, past time, and change of state
The verb suffixes 了 le and 过/過 guo cannot be used to indicate the completion or past time
of a stative verb. To indicate that a state existed in the past, use a time expression or adverb
that refers to the past.
我小的时候怕狗。
我小的時候怕狗。
Wǒ xiǎo de shíhou pà gǒu.
When I was small I was afraid of dogs.
我以前很喜欢吃口香糖。
我以前很喜歡吃口香糖。
Wǒ yǐqián hěn xǐhuan chī kǒuxiāngtáng.
I used to like to chew gum. (lit. ‘Before, I liked to chew gum.’)
When a stative verb is followed by 了 le, it indicates change of state.
我懂了！
Wǒ dǒng le!
I understand (now)!
C37.1, 38
