Elliptical Structures in Written Chinese
省略句
How it works
A 省略句 (shěnglüèjù) is an elliptical sentence in which some part is omitted because it is understood from context. At HSK6 level, such omission becomes especially common in written Chinese, narrative prose, and concise dialogue.
The omitted part may be:
subject
verb
object
connective
repeated content already understood
Example sentences
能解释的，我都解释过了；不能解释的，也不想再多说。
What could be explained, I have already explained; what cannot be explained, I do not want to say more about.
愿意留下来的，就继续；不愿意的，现在也可以离开。
Those willing to stay may continue; those unwilling may also leave now.
该说的都说了，至于听不听，那就是另一回事了。
Everything that should have been said has been said; as for whether it will be listened to, that is another matter.
Key point
Ellipsis is very common in advanced Chinese and often makes language more concise and natural.