16.4 Serial Verb Constructions II (Details)
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In Grammar and Vocabulary 8.5, we learned to form serial verb constructions.
We will see another meaning relationship in this lesson: the first verb phrase is formed by 有 jau5 (‘to have’), 冇 mou5 (‘to not have’) or 有冇 jau5 mou5 (‘to have + to not have’, for questions) and a noun. The second verb phrase provides details about the noun and makes it more specific.
This meaning relationship will appear in the following two expressions that we use to invite someone to do an activity.
We can use 有冇興趣 jau5 mou5 hing3 ceoi3 to ask if someone has an interest in an activity.
The noun 興趣 hing3 ceoi3 in the first verb phrase can refer to interest in anything. The second verb phrase specifies that 興趣 hing3 ceoi3 is about the activity 今個星期六一齊食飯 gam1 go3 sing1 kei4 luk6 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6.We can use 有冇時間 jau5 mou5 si4 gaan3 to ask if someone has time to do an activity. Notice how the meaning changes slightly depending on the position of the time expression below.
The noun 時間 si4 gaan3 in the first verb phrase can refer to time for anything. The second verb phrase specifies that 時間 si4 gaan3 is about the activity 今個星期六一齊食飯 gam1 go3 sing1 kei4 luk6 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6. The time expression is part of the second verb phrase. In this case, the question asks whether the listener has time or has been busy lately. The noun 時間 si4 gaan3 in the first verb phrase can refer to time for anything. The second verb phrase specifies that 時間 si4 gaan3 is about the activity 一齊食飯 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6. The time expression is put before 有冇時間 jau5 mou5 si4 gaan3. In this case, the question asks whether the listener has time this Saturday specifically.