Even in the perusal of the first three lessons of the present course the reader could hardly have failed to notice the variety of so called "empty words" (虚字) let us call them "particles") and the important part they play in the structure of the written style.
The Chinese themselves pay no little attention to these particles, and there are many manuals on this subject in use in Chinese schools.
In the present course the particles are distributed in separate categories in accordance with their particular grammatical use.
These particles indicate the degree of quality, state, or action, and are divided into the following four categories:
- a.
加等The intensifying particles. - b.
平等The equalizing particles. - c.
高等The superlative particles. - d.
低等The limiting particles.
Intensifying particles indicate the increase of the degree of quality, state, or action.
These particles are:
`愈` `更` `益` `尤`① 愈久
Still longer.
more (^still) long[er].
② 愈加
Still more; further.
more (^still) add[:more].
③ 愈速愈妙
The sooner, the better.
[^the] 2more[:~er] 1quick[:soon], [the] more-excellent (better).
④ 愈多愈不知足
The more he has, the more dissatisfied he is.
[^the] more-much (more) [he has], [the] more not[:dis] know-enough ([~]satisfied) [he is].
⑤ 更要
Still more important.
more (^still_more) important.
⑥ 更有一件
There is still one more point.
2more exist[:^there_is] [still] 1one item[:point].
⑦ 益多
Still more.
still_more[:^still] much[:more].
⑧ 多多益善
The more the better.
[^the] much-much (more) [the] still_more-good (better).
⑨ 尤異
More strange.
^more strange.
⑩ 尤可怪
Still more extraordinary.
^still_more can[:able] [to be considered] strange.
⑪ 尤爲緊要
Still more important.
[^to] 2still_more 1be important-important (important).
⑫ 尤不足觀
Still more unworthy to be looked at.
^still_more not-enough (unworthy) [to be] look[ed_at].