Page 12 - EALC C306/505
P. 12
4
則 zé (Conj) then; and so . . . 則 initiates the second phrase of a
compound sentence, and most often signals that the entire sentence
represents an “if...then...” construction.
(N) principle; rule; (V) to emulate; to measure
學 xúe (V) to study; to learn
問 wèn (V) to ask
學問 xúewèn (N) learning (learned wisdom)
之 zhi (Particle)
1. zhi creates noun phrases in much the way that MC de 的
creates them. It most commonly binds two elements, the second of
which functions as the “root” noun (on roots, see Grammar and
Notes 1.2) and the first of which functions to modify that noun.
(Here, 之 binds 學問 to dào 道, thus specifying what kind of 道 is
meant.)
2. zhi functions as a pronoun, substituting for noun-objects
of verbs.
道 dào (N) a path; the Way; an art; a tradition of knowledge or behavior
無 wú (V) to lack [the antonym of yǒu 有, in its sense of “to exist”]
他 tuo (N) an other; (Adj) other
N.B. In WYW (wenyanwen) readings, 他 is not pronounced ta.
已 yǐ (SV) to be finished [distinguish graph from jǐ 己: self]
而已 ér yǐ “and that’s all”
矣 yǐ (Particle) terminates verbal sentences, indicating completion of
action. Whereas yĕ 也 is the most common terminus of equational
sentences built of noun phrases, yǐ 矣 is the most common
terminus of sentences that conclude with verbal phrases. (It is not
unusual for 也 to be used in place of 矣, but the reverse does not
appear to occur.)