You may know auxiliary verbs by other names, such as "helping verbs" (since the usually precede verbs and "help" them), "modal verbs" (since the often express a kind of mood) or even by their common abbreviation: aux. They add meaning to verbs, expressing need, ability, or desire.
Common auxiliary verbs include 要, 想, 会, 能, 可以, 应该, 得.
Chinese auxiliary verbs have the following grammatical features:
-
Come before verbs, in the simple pattern: Aux V
Examples:
- 我想去学校。 I would like to go to school.
- 学生应该学习。 Students should study.
- 冬天会下雪吗? Will it snow in winter?
-
They are negated by 不, the adverb of negation, which comes before them in the pattern: 不 Aux
Examples:
- 他不会做菜。 He can't cook dishes.
- 我不要结婚。 I don't want to get married.
- 他不想上班。 He doesn't want to go to work.
-
Some auxiliary verbs (想, 会, 能, 可能, 愿意) are frequently modified by 很 in the pattern: 很 Aux
Examples:
- 他很会说话。 He can really talk.
- 我很愿意。 I'm happy to.
- 我很想走。 I would really like to leave.
-
Some auxiliary verbs (要, 想, 会, 能, 得) may be preceded by 一定 to indicate a high degree of certainty in the pattern: 一定 Aux
Examples:
- 明天你一定要来。 You definitely must come tomorrow.
- 你这么做,以后一定会后悔的。 If you do this, you will definitely regret it later.
- 有了大家的支持,我一定会成功的。 With everyone's support, I will certainly succeed.
- 只要你努力学习,就一定能考上大学。 You will definitely be accepted into a university if you study hard.
- 明天你一定要来。 You definitely must come tomorrow.
-
With the exceptions of 应 and 得, auxiliary verbs can form a sentence all by themselves, as in an answer to a question.
Examples:
- 你要走吗?——要。 Do you have to go?——Yes.
- 你想喝茶吗?——想。 Would you like to drink tea?——Yes.
- 你会说中文?——会。 You can speak Chinese?——Yes.
-
Can form question of the pattern: Aux 不 Aux
Examples:
- 我能不能借钱? Can you lend money?
- 你要不要喝酒? Do you want to drink (alcohol)?
- 会不会出事了? Could there have been an accident?
-
Cannot normally be immediately followed by aspectual particles 了, 着, 过. The aspectual particle should come after the verb, not immediately after the auxiliary verb, in the following pattern: Aux V Part
Examples (both correct and incorrect):
- 我现在会做菜了。 I can cook now.
- 我现在会了做菜。
- 我们很快就能完成工作了。 We can finish the work very soon.
- 我们很快就能了完成工作。
- 他得休息了。 He must have a rest.
- 他得了休息。
-
Some auxiliary verbs can be used consecutively before a verb, as in the pattern: Aux1 Aux2 V
Examples:
- 他应该会帮助你的。 He will most likely help you.
- 太晚了,我得要回家了。 It's too late. I have to go home.
- 想要参加比赛的人请在这里进行登记。 Those that would like to participate in the contest, please register here.