差點兒没 구문의 差點兒, 没와 동의⋅중의 관계

Abstract

This paper aims to review ‘Chadianr’ and ‘Mei’ in ‘Chadianr Mei’ constructions in Chinese and clearly explain synonymity-ambiguity among them. ‘Chadianr Mei’ constructions has two contradictory meaning: ‘almost’ < +approach, +not yet > and ‘barely’ < -approach, -not yet >. Through lexical comparison, we can find that ‘Chadianr’ corresponds to ‘-ul ppenhata’ in Korean and ‘almost’ type in English. All three of these are combined with VP which denotes assuming of result. ‘Mei’ is 1) used as a usual negative adverb[Neg ‘Mei’], or 2) used as a focal adverb[Foc ‘Mei’]. The latter corresponds to the negative responsive adverb ‘cachis’ type. The complicated synonymity and ambiguity in the constructions is due to 1) the peculiar syntactic environment including two verbal phrase, and 2) the ambiguity of ‘Mei’ as negator and focus marker. Through this research, Chinese learners can easily find out the corresponding expressions of ‘Chadianr’ and ‘Mei’. And we can understand why ‘Chadianr Mei’ constructions have complicated semantic relation among themselves.