穿上你的外套
chuān shàng nǐ de wàitào
The English phrase "put on your jacket" is expressed in Chinese as 穿上你的外套 (chuān shàng nǐ de wàitào).
This phrase is used to instruct someone to dress themselves by placing a jacket over their body. In natural spoken Chinese, the possessive particle 的 is often omitted in casual commands, so you might simply hear 穿上你的外套 or even 穿上外套.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb phrase 穿上 (chuān shàng) means "to put on" or "to wear on".
Which one should you use?
While the single verb 穿 (chuān) can mean "to wear", adding the complement 上 (shàng) creates the phrase 穿上, which emphasizes the dynamic action of "putting on" the garment rather than the state of wearing it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 穿上 (chuān shàng) functions as a verb-complement construction, where 上 indicates the successful attachment of the clothing to the body.
How do you pronounce it?
chuān shàng nǐ de wàitào
Did you know?
- In Chinese, you cannot use the same verb 穿 (chuān) for all clothing. While it works for jackets, you must switch to a completely different verb, 戴 (dài), if you want to 'put on' accessories like hats or scarves.
- In Chinese, the same word 穿 (chuān) is used for 'threading a needle' or 'piercing'. The conceptual link is the act of passing one thing through another.
- The verb 穿 (chuān) is used specifically for clothes you step into or slide your arms through. If you were putting on a shawl or a cape, you would use the verb 披 (pī) instead.
Examples in context
- 当你外出时，请穿上你的外套。When you go out, please put on your jacket.
- 请把你的外套穿上，以免着凉。Please put on your jacket to avoid catching a cold.
- 外面有点冷，你应该穿上外套吧。It's a bit cold outside, you should put on your jacket.
- 外面很冷，快穿上外套啊！It's very cold outside, hurry up and put on your jacket!
- 外面很冷，快穿上你的外套。Wàimiàn hěn lěng, kuài chuānshàng nǐ de wàitào.It's cold outside, quickly put on your jacket.
- 请穿上你的外套，我们要出门了。Qǐng chuānshàng nǐ de wàitào, wǒmen yào chūmén le.Please put on your jacket, we are going out.
Example conversation
A mother is telling her son to get ready to go to the park.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，快点，我们要出发了。Wěi, kuàidiǎn, wǒmen yào chūfā le.Wei, hurry up, we are about to leave.
- 伟 Wei妈妈，我现在就去。Māma, wǒ xiànzài jiù qù.Mom, I'm going now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen别忘了穿上你的外套。Bié wàngle chuānshàng nǐ de wàitào.Don't forget to put on your jacket.
- 伟 Wei知道了，我这就穿。Zhīdàole, wǒ zhè jiù chuān.I know, I'll put it on right now.
