Manner Adverb: 故意 (On Purpose)
方式副词：故意
Express intentional actions using 故意 and distinguish deliberate from accidental actions
Place 故意 before the verb to indicate the action was done deliberately, on purpose. The negative 不是故意 means "did not mean to" — an apology or defense.
故意 often appears in accusations (你故意的！) and defenses (我不是故意的！). It is a high-frequency emotional word.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Manner Adverb: 故意 (On Purpose) (方式副词：故意)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 方式副词：故意 pattern
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Understanding 方式副词：故意
Sometimes it matters whether someone did something on purpose or by accident. 故意 is the word that settles this question. When you say 他故意不理我 (He deliberately ignored me), you are saying his ignoring was intentional — not a mistake. This is a word loaded with emotion. Accusations use it: 你是故意的吧？(You did that on purpose, right?). Apologies deny it: 我不是故意的 (I did not mean to). Children use it constantly on playgrounds, adults use it in arguments, and it appears in courtrooms. The opposite concept — "accidentally" — is expressed by 不小心.
Key Points
- 故意 (gùyì) = on purpose / deliberately / intentionally.
- 不是故意的 = did not do it on purpose — a common apology/defense.
- 故意 often has a negative connotation — implying someone did something wrong intentionally.
- 故意 goes before the verb: 故意说, 故意做, 故意忽略.
- Opposite: 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn) = accidentally / carelessly.
- 是故意的 can be used as a standalone accusation: 你是故意的！(You did that on purpose!)
- 故意 can also be used neutrally: 我故意早来 (I came early on purpose — to help set up).
In Chinese social interactions, saying 我不是故意的 is an important face-saving phrase. It acknowledges the harm while preserving the speaker's moral standing. Chinese culture values intention — an accidental offense is much more forgivable than a deliberate one.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他故意提高声音。
He deliberately raised his voice.
我不是故意弄坏电脑的。
I did not break the computer on purpose.
Defense / apology
你是故意的吧？
You did that on purpose, did you not?
Accusation
她故意不看我。
She deliberately did not look at me.
对不起，我不是故意的。
Sorry, I did not mean to.
他故意迟到让大家等。
He was late on purpose and made everyone wait.
Common Mistakes
故意 does not need the adverbial particle 地. It directly precedes the verb.
The standard negation uses 不是……的 pattern: 不是故意的, not 不故意的.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memorize the apology formula: 对不起，我不是故意的 — you will need it often in daily life.
When someone apologizes to you, you can respond: 没关系，我知道你不是故意的 (No worries, I know you did not mean to).
Practice the accusation tone: 你是故意的吧？ — useful when joking with friends.
故意 vs. 不小心 is a crucial pair. Practice switching between them: 我故意做的 vs. 我不小心做的.
Homework
Write a short story about a misunderstanding: someone thinks an action was 故意 but it was actually 不小心. Include an accusation, a defense, and a resolution. Use 故意 and 不是故意的 at least three times each.