Verbs are words that express action, existence, or change.
Common Chinese verbs include: 走, 笑, 看, 是, 在, 走, 有, 喜欢, 开始.
Chinese verbs have the following grammatical features:
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They can be modified by adverbs of negation 不 and 没有, which come before the verb in the pattern: 不/没有 V
Examples:
- 我不是中国人。 I’m not Chinese.
- 他不知道。 He doesn't know.
- 我不吃鱼。 I don't eat fish.
- 他们没喝酒，也没跳舞。 They didn't drink and didn't dance.
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Can be modified by adverbs (but only mental verbs can be modified by adverbs of degree, such as 很).
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Most can take objects, although there are exceptions, such as separable verbs.
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Can usually be followed by the aspectual particles 了, 着, or 过, indicating that a verb is completed, in progress, or a past experience, respectively.
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Many can reduplicate in the form AA, AAB, or ABAB, indicating brief duration, an attempt, or repitition. (See also reduplication of verbs.)
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Mainly play the role of predicate in a sentence, and can be preceded by various modifiers or followed by various complements.