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Lesson 30 of 37

它们 in Context

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A NEW WORD HAS BEEN UNLOCKED 
它们 

Usage 1 - "those, they (for non-humans)": 

Sentence:

这群小猫它们非常的可爱。

English:

This group of cats is really cute.

Top-Down Words:

群 qún - measure word for groups
猫 māo - cat
非常 fēicháng - very
可爱 kěài - cute, adorable, lovable


*Sentence: 

它们会吃肉。

English:

They can eat meat.



Need a Reminder?

The Six Steps to Learning Words

Understanding Chinese Words - Morphemes

3 Questions About Words


Member Comments from 2019-mid-2020

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John Grist 

should 小 猫 translate as kittens ?

Mandarin Blueprint

It can be, but not necessarily. Remember, 小 can be a prefix indicating familiarity or affection, so it can also simply indicate a beloved cat.

MB Team

This is where Luke and Phil talked about your question in the Mandarin Blueprint Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYhT1gXaDNM&t=1011s

 

Great Job! Keep Going! 一些 in Context
Comments   8

Chris Lewis

这群小猫它们非常的可爱
Could this sentence work without 它们?Maybe even just use the word 是?I don't really see the point of it.

REPLY

Mandarin Blueprint

Yep! Could also work with 是.

REPLY

Rick Angleland

For 这群小猫它们非常的可爱。
could one also say 这群小猫非常的可爱。i.e. omit 它们

REPLY

Mandarin Blueprint

Yes, that's fine.

REPLY

MB Team

This is where Luke and Phil talked about your question in the Mandarin Blueprint Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOLiKJAbqd4&t=3107s

REPLY

Georgia Swanson

What is the purpose of the 的 in the first sentence, "这群小猫它们非常的可爱“?Can it be omitted from this sentence or does it add a particular grammar point that we just haven't learned about (in which case I'll just be patient and wait to find out!)? Thanks!

REPLY

Mandarin Blueprint

Hey Georgia, good question, and luckily it has a simple answer! There's no difference in meaning, it's just a rhetorical flair that people use sometimes.

REPLY

MB Team

This is where Luke and Phil talked about your question in the Mandarin Blueprint Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckyqHHyCq9k&t=2603s

REPLY