Language: Mandarin Chinese (PTH)
Contributors: Guohua Zhang
Simplex verb
Verb meaning: LAUGH [laugh]
Comment: Literally, Mandarin does not have a simple word for LAUGH. The meaning of xiao in Mandarin is highly generalized, including the meanings of English laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle, grin, etc. Mandarin precise counterpart of LAUGH is a compound da-xiao (lit. 'big-smile'). The property of compounding restrictes its alternations. All the four alternations for xiao are not available to da-xiao.
Schema: 1 > V
| # | Microrole | Coding set | Argument type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | laugher | Ø | S |
| (44) |
孩子在笑。 Háizi zài xiào. haizi kid zai PRES xiao laugh The kid is laughing. Comment: Literally, Mandarin does not have a simple word for LAUGH. The meaning of Xiao in Mandarin is highly generalized, including the meanings of English laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle, grin, etc. Mandarin precise counterpart of LAUGH is a compound da-xiao (lit. big-smile). The property of compound restricted its alternations. |
| Alternation | Derived coding frame | Occurs | Comment | # Ex. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
