JIA-4
('jia' in the fourth tone)
There are some 52 standardChinese characters that
are spoken 'jia'.
Sound-determining elements include: 加 (9 occasions) , 甲 (5) , 夹 (9), 家 (5)
'Jia' is a good word to use as an
example.for some explanations on Chinese tones. For Western learners of Chinese
languages, tones are a challenge. It is hard to concentrate on tones when
speaking a series of words in sequence. It is easier to remember word stress,
rather than tones.
Many Chinese words consist of an initial
consonant, followed by two vowel sounds, just as 'jia'. In such cases,
pronounce as follows:
First tone: equal stress on both vowels
Second tone: stress on the second vowel
Third tone: stress on both vowels
Fourth tone: stress on the first vowel
The most frequently encountered 'jia'
characters / morphemes are:
家 = jia(1) = family
叻 = jia(1) = to add
价 = jia(4) = price
甲 = jia(3) = fingernail / also used as '1.' in lists and
contracts
夹 = jia(1) = folder
佳 = jia(1) = fine, good (used in the names of supermarkets)
价 = jia(4) = price
In spoken language usually:
价格 = jia(4)ge(2) = price
There is no genuine logical reason why
the 'ge(2)' character is added to the word for price, and in many written
combinations, such as 'low price', the 'jia(4)' is used alone. But in colloqial
usage, 'jia(4)ge(2)' is preferred over just 'jia(4)'.
*****
假 = jia(4) = vacation
The two-character version is:
假期 = jia(4)qi(1) = vacation
*****
驾 = jia(4) = to drive, to
pilot (a vehicle)
As ever so often, the two-character verson is
preferred.
驾驶 = jia(4)shi(3) = to
drive (a vehicle)
驶 = shi(3) = to sail, to
drive
驾驶执照 = jia(4)shi(3)
zhi(2)zhao(4) = driving licence
The colloqial term is:
驾驶证 = jia(4)shi(3) zheng(4)
= driving licence
*****
嫁 = jia(4) = to marry (of
a woman, not a man)
As ever so often, there is a two-character
version that is used more commonly:
嫁给 = jia(4)gei(3) = to
marry (what a woman is doing; when a man marries, this word cannot be used)
结婚 = jie(2)hun(1) = to
marry (this term can beused for men)
Sentence on a Chinese lifestyle advice
for women site:
你有勇气嫁给穷男人吗? = Ni(3) you(3)
yong(3)qi(4) jia(4)gei(3) qiong(2) nan(2)ren(2) ma(-)? = Do you have the
courage to marry a poor man?
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