Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is a vital aspect of Chinese (Simplified) grammar. It allows speakers to communicate what someone else has said without quoting them directly. This concept is useful in both spoken and written language, as it provides context and enhances the understanding of conversations. When using indirect speech, Chinese speakers generally utilize the character “说” (shuō) for “to say” with a change in the verb tense to reflect the timing of the original statement. Mastering the use of indirect speech in Chinese (Simplified) can significantly improve a student’s overall communication skills.
Exercise 1 – Indirect Speech with Simple Tenses
1. 他说*他喜欢*看电影。(he likes)
2. 她告诉我*她不舒服*。(she isn’t comfortable)
3. 他们说他们*已经吃过*午饭了。(already ate)
4. 孩子说*他怕黑*。(he is afraid)
5. 老师告诉我们*明天要考试*。(there is a test)
6. 我的朋友说他*要努力学习*。(he will study hard)
7. 妈妈告诉我*她会来接我*。(she will pick me up)
8. 他说*她不知道*答案。(she doesn’t know)
9. 她说*她从来没有去过*那个地方。(she never went)
10. 我告诉他*明天会下雨*。(it will rain)
11. 他说他*非常喜欢*这个城市。(he really likes)
12. 她说她*搬家了*。(she moved)
13. 他们告诉我*比赛取消了*。(the game is canceled)
14. 我的哥哥说*他买了一辆新车*。(he bought a car)
15. 她告诉我*电影很好看*。(the movie is good)
2. 她告诉我*她不舒服*。(she isn’t comfortable)
3. 他们说他们*已经吃过*午饭了。(already ate)
4. 孩子说*他怕黑*。(he is afraid)
5. 老师告诉我们*明天要考试*。(there is a test)
6. 我的朋友说他*要努力学习*。(he will study hard)
7. 妈妈告诉我*她会来接我*。(she will pick me up)
8. 他说*她不知道*答案。(she doesn’t know)
9. 她说*她从来没有去过*那个地方。(she never went)
10. 我告诉他*明天会下雨*。(it will rain)
11. 他说他*非常喜欢*这个城市。(he really likes)
12. 她说她*搬家了*。(she moved)
13. 他们告诉我*比赛取消了*。(the game is canceled)
14. 我的哥哥说*他买了一辆新车*。(he bought a car)
15. 她告诉我*电影很好看*。(the movie is good)
Exercise 2 – Indirect Speech with More Complex Tenses
1. 他说他*正在学习*汉语。(he is learning)
2. 她说她*打算回国*。(she plans to go back)
3. 他们说他们*会去旅行*。(they will travel)
4. 孩子说*他想吃*冰淇淋。(he wants to eat)
5. 老师说*我们不可以*吃东西。(we cannot eat)
6. 我的朋友说他*已经准备好了*。(he is ready)
7. 妈妈说*她明天会回家*。(she will return)
8. 他说那个女孩*正在哭*。(the girl is crying)
9. 她说她*将要参加*晚会。(she will attend)
10. 我告诉他*我已经完成*作业。(I finished)
11. 他说他*想学会*游泳。(he wants to learn)
12. 她说她*不能来*拜访。(she cannot visit)
13. 他们说他们*已经预订了*酒店。(they booked)
14. 我的叔叔说*他正在找工作*。(he is looking for work)
15. 她说这件衣服*不合适*。(it doesn’t fit)
2. 她说她*打算回国*。(she plans to go back)
3. 他们说他们*会去旅行*。(they will travel)
4. 孩子说*他想吃*冰淇淋。(he wants to eat)
5. 老师说*我们不可以*吃东西。(we cannot eat)
6. 我的朋友说他*已经准备好了*。(he is ready)
7. 妈妈说*她明天会回家*。(she will return)
8. 他说那个女孩*正在哭*。(the girl is crying)
9. 她说她*将要参加*晚会。(she will attend)
10. 我告诉他*我已经完成*作业。(I finished)
11. 他说他*想学会*游泳。(he wants to learn)
12. 她说她*不能来*拜访。(she cannot visit)
13. 他们说他们*已经预订了*酒店。(they booked)
14. 我的叔叔说*他正在找工作*。(he is looking for work)
15. 她说这件衣服*不合适*。(it doesn’t fit)
