Grammar
The Beijing dialect was studied by linguists like Joseph Edkins and Robert Morrison.
The grammar of the colloquial Beijing dialect utilizes more colloquial expressions than does Standard Chinese. In general, Standard Chinese is influenced by Classical Chinese, which makes it more condensed and concise; Beijing dialect can therefore seem more longwinded (though note the generally faster speaking rate and phonetic reductions of colloquial Beijing speech).
An example:
- Standard Chinese:
- 今天会下雨，所以出门时要记得带雨伞。
- Jīntiān huì xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ chūmén shí yào jìde dài yǔsan.
- Translation: It is going to rain today, (so) remember to bring an umbrella when you go out.
- Beijing dialect:
- 今儿得下雨，（所以）出门儿时候记着带雨伞！
- Jīnr děi xiàyǔ, (suǒyǐ) chūménr shíhòu jìzhe dài yǔsan!
- Under the influence of the Beijing dialect's phonetic reductions:
- Jīr děi xiàyǔ, (suǒyǐ) chūmér ríhòu jìr dài yǔsan!
Read more about this topic: Beijing Dialect
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