拿…来说
HSK 4- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 拿…来说 is used to introduce a specific example in order to illustrate a general point.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 拿…来说 means "to take… as an example," used to introduce a specific case to illustrate a general observation or situation. The example is placed between 拿 and 来说.
This is a very natural way to make your speech more vivid and easy to understand, similar to saying "just take… for example" in English. This structure is typically followed by a comment or conclusion.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 拿我们班来说，很多人喜欢打篮球。繁: 拿我們班來說，很多人喜歡打籃球。Ná wǒmen bān lái shuō, hěn duō rén xǐhuan dǎ lánqiú.
Taking our class as an example, many people like to play basketball.
- 拿学汉语来说，练习口语最重要。繁: 拿學漢語來說，練習口語最重要。Ná xué Hànyǔ lái shuō, liànxí kǒuyǔ zuì zhòngyào.
Taking learning Chinese as an example, practicing speaking is the most important.
- 拿我弟弟来说，他一点儿辣也不吃。繁: 拿我弟弟來說，他一點兒辣也不吃。Ná wǒ dìdi lái shuō, tā yìdiǎnr là yě bù chī.
Taking my younger brother as an example, he doesn't eat spicy food at all.
- 拿这件事情来说，是他不对。繁: 拿這件事情來說，是他不對。Ná zhè jiàn shìqing lái shuō, shì tā bú duì.
Taking this matter as an example, he is in the wrong.
- 拿我们公司来说，加班是常事。繁: 拿我們公司來說，加班是常事。Ná wǒmen gōngsī lái shuō, jiābān shì chángshì.
Taking our company as an example, working overtime is a common occurrence.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:拿我来说，这个问题很难。Correct:对我来说，这个问题很难。
To express a personal viewpoint, use 对...来说 (as far as I'm concerned). 拿...来说 is used to provide an illustrative example for a larger argument.
- Wrong:来说拿这个手机，太贵了。Correct:拿这个手机来说，太贵了。
The concrete example (this phone) must be placed immediately after 拿 and before 来说.