The Use of Dzak, Reduplication of Verbs, Reflexive Pronouns

In expressing the carrying of the action of the verb into effect

\{dzak}/ (着) is often used after it. Thus: \{zing-dzak}/ (尋着) means

that a thing has been actually found. \{Zing}/ means ‘to find’. There

are a great many active verbs which can take the \{dzak}/ after them.

For example we have \{tuh-dzak}/ (得着), meaning a thing has been

obtained. \{Tuh}/ means ‘to get. \{Bang°-dzak}/ (掽着) means a person or

thing has been met. \{Bang°}/ (掽) means ‘to strike against.

Verbs are often repeated for emphasis. We have had an example of this

in the expression \{°zoo °zoo}/, meaning “sit down” Thus \{khoen°

khoen°}/ (看看) means “Look, look.”

In many cases \{ih}/ (一) is inserted between the verbs, as \{khoen° ih

khoen°}/. In such cases the last verb is changed into a verbal noun.

Literally it would be “Look a look.”

The Reflexive Personal Pronouns hardly require any explanation. They

are formed by adding \{z°-ka}/ (自家) after the Personal Pronouns. Thus

“I myself” would be \{°ngoo z°- ka}/ (我自家). “You yourself” would be

\{noong° z°-ka}/ (濃自家) and so on for the rest.

Lessons in the Shanghai Dialect · 第 64 / 160 题