所(suǒ)
That Which (Nominalizer)
Structure Pattern
Explanation
所 (suǒ) before a verb creates a noun phrase meaning "that which is [verbed]." It's a literary nominalizer. Common fixed phrases: 所有 (all), 所以 (therefore), 所谓 (so-called).
Example Sentences
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Wǒ suǒ zhīdào de jiù zhèxiē.
What I know is just this.
Tā suǒ shuō de huà hěn yǒu dàolǐ.
What he said makes sense.
Suǒyǒu rén dōu tóngyì le.
Everyone agreed.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
所买书的人。
Correct Usage
买书的人。
所 (suǒ) + Verb nominalizes the *object* or *result* of the verb, meaning 'that which is [verbed]'. Therefore, '所买' means 'that which is bought', referring to the book, not the person who performs the action of buying. To describe the person who performs the action, simply use 'Verb + Noun + 的 + Noun' (e.g., '买书的人').
Master 所
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