Languages 1001

What is an “Object” (宾语) in Chinese?
In English, an “object” is who or what receives the action of a verb. Chinese works the same way! In a simple sentence, the “object” (宾语 bīnyǔ) is usually a noun, pronoun, or something that functions like a noun, and it normally comes after the verb.

Think of it as: Subject + Verb + Object. Simple as a sandwich: bread (subject), filling (verb), more bread (object)!

Examples with your story friends:

• 莉莉吃苹果。(Lìlì chī píngguǒ.) Lili eats apple.
• 建国喝咖啡。(Jiànguó hē kāfēi.) Jianguo drinks coffee.
• 浩然买了笔。(Hàorán mǎi le bǐ.) Haoran bought a pen.
• 晓彤喜欢猫。(Xiǎotóng xǐhuan māo.) Xiaotong likes cats.
• 秀兰看电视。(Xiùlán kàn diànshì.) Xiulan watches TV.
• 志强帮助我。(Zhìqiáng bāngzhù wǒ.) Zhiqiang helps me.

Quick tips:

• Objects can be things (面包 miànbāo “bread”), people (我 wǒ “me”), or even longer phrases.
• The object always follows the verb—Chinese loves its neat order!
• Common verbs (吃, 喝, 看, 买, 喜欢, 帮助) all want an object-friend after them!

Look out! If you see a verb, ask: “Verb, are you hungry for an object?” If it’s a verb like “eat, drink, watch, like,” the answer is YES! More examples (with a sprinkle of story!):

• 建国想喝茶 (Jiànguó xiǎng hē chá.) = Jianguo wants to drink tea.
  Because bosses need tea. Or coffee. Or both.
• 莉莉买了手机 (Lìlì mǎi le shǒujī.) = Lili bought a cellphone.
  Burning the midnight oil? Gotta stay connected!
• 浩然看电影 (Hàorán kàn diànyǐng.) = Haoran watches movies.
  Especially when “studying” at home.

1. 莉莉 。 (drink water)

2. 浩然 。 (do homework)

3. 建国 。 (buy bread)

4. 志强 。 (like music)

5. 秀兰 。 (read books)

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Challenge! Use a pronoun as an object:

6. 晓彤帮助 。 (help me)

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Bonus Joke: If a verb goes to a party, it never shows up alone—it always takes its object. Otherwise, it’s not a complete sentence. Don’t leave your verbs lonely!