Subject-Predicate Predicate Sentences
主谓句4：主谓谓语句
Build sentences where the predicate itself is a subject-predicate phrase
The sentence has a "big subject" (topic of the whole sentence) and a "small subject" (the subject within the predicate clause). The small subject + its predicate together function as the predicate of the big subject.
The big subject and small subject usually have a part-whole, possession, or topicalization relationship. For example, 奶奶 (big subject) — 身体 (small subject, a part of 奶奶) — 非常好 (predicate about 身体).
Lesson Targets
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Podcast: Subject-Predicate Predicate Sentences (主谓句4：主谓谓语句)
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Understanding 主谓句4：主谓谓语句
Chinese is a topic-prominent language, meaning you often state the topic first and then comment on it. The subject-predicate predicate sentence is a perfect example: 奶奶身体非常好 literally means "Grandma — body — very good." The first noun (奶奶) is the overall topic, and what follows (身体非常好) is itself a complete subject-predicate phrase that comments on the topic. This structure feels very different from English, where you would say "Grandma is in great health" using a single subject and predicate. In Chinese, this double-subject construction is extremely common and natural. You will hear it in descriptions of people, objects, places, and even abstract concepts. Learning to think in terms of "topic + comment" rather than "subject + verb + object" is key to sounding natural in Chinese.
Key Points
- Big subject (大主语) = the topic of the sentence, what the sentence is about.
- Small subject (小主语) = the subject within the predicate, usually a part or attribute of the big subject.
- The relationship is often part-whole: 奶奶身体好 (Grandma — body — good).
- Can also be a topicalized object: 那本书我没看过 (That book — I — have not read).
- No special connector is needed between the big and small subjects.
- This is different from English which requires "whose" or restructuring: "Grandma's health is great."
- Very common in daily speech for describing people, things, and situations.
Asking about health using this structure is a cornerstone of Chinese small talk. 你身体怎么样？(How is your health?) or 你家人身体好吗？(Is your family in good health?) are standard polite inquiries, especially when greeting older people.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
奶奶身体非常好。
Grandma is in very good health.
Part-whole: 奶奶 → 身体
这件衣服颜色很好看。
This piece of clothing has a beautiful color.
Part-whole: 衣服 → 颜色
那本书我没看过。
That book — I have not read it.
Topicalized object
这个电影我看了三遍了。
This movie — I have watched it three times.
Topicalized object
他工作很忙。
He is very busy with work.
这个地方风景很漂亮。
This place has beautiful scenery.
我头有点儿疼。
I have a bit of a headache.
Part-whole: 我 → 头
那个人性格很好。
That person has a great personality.
Common Mistakes
In the subject-predicate predicate structure, you do not need 的 or 是. The two subjects sit directly next to each other.
Do not use 是 before an adjective predicate. Chinese adjective predicates do not use 是; use 很 or another adverb instead.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think "topic + comment": state what you are talking about, then make a comment about one of its aspects.
Look for part-whole relationships: person → body part, object → color/size, place → scenery.
Topicalized objects work the same way: 那本书 (topic) + 我没看过 (comment).
This structure avoids clumsy possessive phrases like 奶奶的身体 — just put them side by side.
Homework
Write ten subject-predicate predicate sentences. Include five with part-whole relationships (describing people's appearance, health, personality, or an object's attributes) and five with topicalized objects (things you have or have not done).