Verb/Adjective Phrases as Subject
动词或动词性短语、形容词或形容词性短语作主语
Use verb phrases and adjective phrases as the subject of a sentence
In Chinese, a verb or verb phrase, or an adjective or adjective phrase, can serve directly as the subject of a sentence without any special grammatical marker. The verb/adjective phrase comes first, followed by the comment or predicate about it.
This is different from English, which usually requires a gerund (-ing) or infinitive (to + verb). In Chinese, the verb or adjective simply occupies the subject position naturally.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Verb/Adjective Phrases as Subject (动词或动词性短语、形容词或形容词性短语作主语)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 动词或动词性短语、形容词或形容词性短语作主语 pattern
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Understanding 动词或动词性短语、形容词或形容词性短语作主语
In English, we use gerunds ("Swimming is fun") or infinitives ("To travel is exciting") when a verb serves as a subject. Chinese is simpler — you place the verb or adjective phrase directly at the beginning of the sentence as the subject. For example, 哭对身体有好处 literally means "Crying is good for the body." No special word like "-ing" is needed. This also works with adjective phrases: 太冷了不好 means "Being too cold is not good." This pattern is extremely common in Chinese proverbs, advice-giving, and general observations about life. Once you get comfortable putting actions and descriptions in the subject position, you will be able to express abstract ideas and opinions much more fluently. It is one of the keys to sounding more sophisticated in Chinese.
Key Points
- Verb phrases can be subjects: 跑步很累 (Running is tiring).
- Adjective phrases can be subjects: 紧张有什么用？(What good is being nervous?).
- No special marker like English "-ing" or "to" is needed — just put the phrase first.
- This pattern is common in proverbs and advice: 学习很重要 (Studying is important).
- The predicate often contains adjectives, 对...有好处/坏处, or evaluative phrases.
- Compound verb phrases work too: 早一点儿来比较合适 (Coming a little earlier is more suitable).
Many Chinese proverbs use verb phrases as subjects to express wisdom concisely. For example, 活到老学到老 (Live until old, learn until old — one is never too old to learn). This grammatical flexibility makes Chinese proverbs particularly elegant and compact.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
哭对身体有好处。
Crying is good for the body.
Verb 哭 as subject
早一点儿来比较合适。
Coming a little earlier would be more suitable.
紧张有什么用？
What good is being nervous?
Adjective 紧张 as subject
太冷了不好，太热了也不好。
Being too cold is not good, and being too hot is not good either.
学中文需要耐心。
Studying Chinese requires patience.
每天运动对健康很有好处。
Exercising every day is very good for health.
生气解决不了问题。
Getting angry cannot solve problems.
Common Mistakes
Do not add 的 before a verb-subject. Chinese does not need a nominalizer like "-ing" — just place the verb directly as the subject.
Do not add 是 before the verb/adjective subject. The phrase itself occupies the subject position naturally.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
In Chinese, just drop the verb or adjective at the start of the sentence — no "-ing" or "to" needed.
This pattern is great for giving advice or sharing opinions: 多喝水对身体好 (Drinking more water is good for the body).
If the verb phrase is long, consider whether the sentence still sounds natural — Chinese prefers shorter subjects.
Practice by translating English gerund subjects directly: "Running is fun" → 跑步很有意思.
Homework
Write six sentences where a verb or adjective phrase serves as the subject. Include three with verb phrases (e.g., 学中文很有意思) and three with adjective phrases (e.g., 太胖了不好). For each sentence, underline the subject.