Separable verb compounds in Mandarin consist of a verb and a particle that can split when certain grammatical elements intervene, affecting meaning and sentence flow. This guide covers how they work with examples.
Structure
A separable verb compound pairs a main verb with a particle—often a noun, resultative, or directional element—that sometimes moves to the end of the sentence when the verb is followed by an object or modifier. The particle carries meaning and must appear either attached to the verb or at the sentence end.
Examples
Please take the book out of the drawer.
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ 我早上七点起床。 | Wǒ zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng. | I get up at 7 a.m. | |
| 🍞 妈妈给我拿出来面包。 | Māma gěi wǒ ná chūlái miànbāo. | Mom took out bread for me. | |
| 🚌 我下午三点坐下来写作业。 | Wǒ xiàwǔ sān diǎn zuò xiàlái xiě zuòyè. | I sat down at 3 p.m. to do homework. | |
| 🔌 晚上我拔掉灯的插头。 | Wǎnshàng wǒ bá diào dēng de chātóu. | I unplugged the lamp at night. |
Usage
Use the joined form when the verb compound acts as a single unit without intervening elements; separate them when an object, adverb, or question word comes between, pushing the particle to the end. This distinction affects emphasis and grammaticality.
Common Separable Verb Compounds
Common separable verb compounds involve everyday actions like taking out, putting on, paying attention, and turning on, each pairing a verb with a particle that can separate in normal speech and writing. Below are some frequent ones.
| Hanzi Verb Compound | Pinyin Verb Compound | English Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 拿出来 | ná chū lái | to take out | |
| 放进去 | fàng jìn qù | to put in | |
| 赶出来 | gǎn chū lái | to drive out | |
| 吃出来 | chī chū lái | to eat out / to tell by tasting | |
| 看出来 | kàn chū lái | to discern / to tell by looking | |
| 想出来 | xiǎng chū lái | to come up with (an idea) | |
| 试出来 | shì chū lái | to find out by trying | |
| 叫出来 | jiào chū lái | to call out / to make someone say |
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 起床 | qǐchuáng | to get up (from bed) | |
| 拿出来 | ná chūlái | to take out | |
| 坐下来 | zuò xiàlái | to sit down | |
| 拔掉 | bá diào | to unplug / pull out | |
| 关掉 | guān diào | to turn off | |
| 寄出去 | jì chūqù | to send out (mail) | |
| 拿回去 | ná huíqù | to take back | |
| 换下来 | huàn xiàlái | to take off (clothes) |
Summary
Separable verb compounds consist of a verb plus a particle that can split when an object or modifier intervenes; the particle moves to the sentence end in such cases. Learn common pairs so you recognize and produce natural sentences.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025