#classicalchinese

☀️🌙⭐ In the rich tapestry of classical Chinese language, a unique linguistic phenomenon known as "elegant appellations" or yǎchēng (雅称) stands out.

The particle 之 in classical (ancient) Chinese

As you will notice in the following articles, I will use the term ‘classical Chinese‘ instead of ‘ancient Chinese‘, as I feel more comfortable with the term ‘classical’.

How come? Possibly since with the term ‘ancient’ I would imply you to think of a language which is ‘that old’ so as to build up a barrier between you and the language, and this is better to avoid, in my personal opinion.

1. The particle 之 can be explained as follows:

As you may know from modern Chinese, the particle 之 is often used as a more literate word for 的 and is expressing an attributive character. In books concerning Chinese grammar is also be found the term subordinating particle. Which by that means that we have a person to whom something or someone belongs – so actually we are coordinating two substantives.

Example:

Modern Chinese: 我的狗 (transl. My dog)

Classical Chinese: 吾之犬 (wu2 instead of wo3/ zhi1 instead of de5/ quan2 instead of gou3)

2. The second- often forgotten or not heard–

but not less important function of 之, especially when it comes down to classical Chinese texts, is the capability of the particle to substitute something (noun or circumstance – expressed as noun phrase NP) or someone (person substantive) and serve as it. It can be quite confusing if more than one Zhi appears in one single sentence. But how not to loose faith? Just have a look at the previous sentence or the beginning of the text you read and you will find a connection. Mostly it will be translated as “It”.

Example:

Classical Chinese: 季文子三思而後行。子聞之，曰：「再，斯可矣。」

Translation: Ji Wen thought thrice, and then acted. When the Master was informed of it, he said, “Twice may do.”

(Example taken from the ancient text of Gongye Chang 20 公冶长. For information and access to the text go to ctext.org or directly to Gongye Chang 20)