HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#62
Separable Verb
离合词
How it works
A 离合词 (líhécí) is a verb-object type word that can either stay together or be separated in a sentence.
This is a very important point because many learners try to treat these words like normal single verbs, but in Chinese they often separate when grammar requires it.
Common examples include:
见面 (jiànmiàn) to meet
洗澡 (xǐzǎo) to bathe
聊天 (liáotiān) to chat
帮忙 (bāngmáng) to help
Example sentences
我今天跟朋友见了面。
I met a friend today.
他每天洗澡。 / 他昨天洗了一个澡。
He bathes every day. / He took a bath yesterday.
我想跟老师聊聊天。
I want to chat with the teacher.
Key point
When grammar elements such as 了 (le), measure phrases, or reduplication appear, the word often separates.