9.1 The Verb 識 sik1 (‘to know’)

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In Grammar and Vocabulary 4.6, we learned the modal verb 識 sik1 (‘to know how to’). We learned that we can put a verb phrase for a skill or an activity after 識 sik1.

Subject
sik1
‘to know how to’
Verb Phrase
(Skill / Activity)
講廣東話
ngo5sik1gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2.
Iknow how tospeak Cantonese
I know how to speak Cantonese.

The word 識 sik1 can also be a verb. When 識 sik1 is a verb, it means ‘to know’. We put a noun (e.g., a language or a person) after it.

Subject
sik1
‘to know’
Noun
廣東話
ngo5sik1gwong2 dung1 waa2.
IknowCantonese
I know Cantonese.
ngo5sik1keoi5.
Iknowhim / her
I know him or her.