离合词：见面、帮忙、散步
separable verbs: verb + object words that split open
Structure
跟 + 人 + 见面 · 动 + 过／了 + 数量 + 名：见过两次面 · 帮 + 人 + 的／一个 + 忙 · AAB：散散步、跑跑步
What it means
Some two-character verbs are really a verb plus its object: 见面 “see + face”, 帮忙 “help + busy matter”, 散步 “scatter + steps”. They can split open.
How it is built
跟 + person + 见面: 我跟他见过两次面 (I’ve met him twice). 了, 过 and numbers go in the middle: 帮了我一个大忙. Double the verb half: 散散步.
When to use it
Doubling the verb half makes it light and casual: 跑跑步, 散散步. To say who you help, use 帮我 or 帮我的忙: 你能帮我一个忙吗？
Watch out
They can’t take another object. ✗ 见面他 ✓ 跟他见面. ✗ 帮忙我 ✓ 帮我／帮我的忙.
Examples
我跟他见过两次面。
I’ve met him twice.
你能帮我一个忙吗？
Can you do me a favour?
周末我们去公园跑跑步吧。
Let’s go for a little run in the park at the weekend.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 2: 新邻居 (Neighbours)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →