53.4 Describing Actions with 得 dak1

If we want to describe how an action is done, we can use the particle 得 dak1 to introduce the description. The sentence structure we use depends on whether or not we mention an object in the sentence.

If we don’t mention an object, we simply add 得 dak1 and the description after the verb of the action. The description is usually a degree word and an adjective. The particle 得 dak1 functions like the suffix -ly in English (as in beautifully). It can turn the adjective behind it into an adverb, which can be used to modify the verb.

If we want to add the adverb 好似 hou2 ci5 (‘seem’) and the pronoun 噉 gam2 (‘seem’), we can put 好似 hou2 ci5 before the degree word and 噉 gam2 after the adjective.

If we mention an object, we first say the verb and the object as usual. After that, we duplicate the verb. Finally, we add 得 dak1 and the description.

Again, if we want to add the adverb 好似 hou2 ci5 (‘seem’) and the pronoun 噉 gam2 (‘seem’), we can put 好似 hou2 ci5 before the degree word and 噉 gam2 after the adjective.

If the verb is a separable verb (e.g., 跳舞 tiu3 mou5 ‘to dance’), we can choose to omit or keep the object part.

If we choose to omit the object part, we can simply add 得 dak1 and the description after the verb part.

If we choose to keep the object part, we first say the verb as usual. After that, we duplicate the verb. When duplicating the verb, we need to omit the object part. Finally, we add 得 dak1 and the description.