一句话
yī jù huà
In Chinese, the phrase for "a sentence" is 一句话 (yī jù huà).
一句话 is commonly used when referring to something someone said or a specific line of text in a conversational context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 一 (one), 句 (a measure word for sentences) and 话 (speech/words).
Which one should you use?
While 一句话 refers to a single spoken or written sentence, 句子 is the more formal, linguistic term for 'sentence' used in grammar contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 句 (jù) acts as the classifier or measure word specifically for sentences and phrases.
How do you pronounce it?
yī jù huà
Did you know?
- The character 句 originally referred to a 'bend' or 'curve'. In ancient times it described a curved piece of bamboo before it evolved into a measure word for segments of speech.
- In Chinese, the phrase 一句话 is often used as a shorthand for 'in a nutshell'. When someone says 总之，一句话, they are signaling a final, concise summary of their entire argument.
- The term 话 is also used in many compound words to denote 'language' or 'dialect', such as in 广东话 for 'Cantonese'.
Examples in context
- 如果一句话里有“但是”，那么“但是”之前的都是废话。If there is a "but" in a sentence, everything before it is just fluff.This sentence uses 一句话 to discuss a logical point about a 'but' within a sentence.Tatoeba #14029683 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #14029684 by jan_OkulaJu
- 这不是一句话。This is not a sentence.This sentence uses 一句话 to negate the statement that something is a sentence.Tatoeba #819742 by fucongcong, translation #547389 by MUIRIEL
- 今天天气真不错！(Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn búcuò!)The weather today is really nice!
- 我想预订一张火车票。(Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yī zhāng huǒchē piào.)I would like to book a train ticket.
- 请再说一句话。Qǐng zài shuō yí jù huà.Please say one more sentence.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is practicing speaking with her teacher.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen老师，我能再说一句话吗？Lǎoshī, wǒ néng zài shuō yí jù huà ma?Teacher, can I say one more sentence?
- 志强 Zhiqiang可以，请说吧。Kěyǐ, qǐng shuō ba.Yes, please go ahead.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这句话对吗？Zhè jù huà duì ma?Is this sentence correct?
- 志强 Zhiqiang非常完美。Fēicháng wánměi.It is perfect.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
