Use of the “VOguo” Construction in Mandarin Chinese to Express an Experience

Abstract

This study examines the use of the construction “VOguo” in Mandarin Chinese to express an experience. The author, citing scholarly literature and examples, argues that this construction is present in both standard Mandarin and regional Chinese dialects. The “VOguo” construction adds a descriptive element to the sentence, shifting the focus to an element other than the object. Therefore, positioning guo after the object emphasizes the experience of the entire event rather than the action itself, which would occur if guo followed the verb. The study underscores the importance of considering regional dialects and historical changes in word order.