Generally speaking, Mandarin, just like other languages, has four types of sentences: declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives and exclamatives (Zhū 1982; Xú 1987; Jìn 1992; Mǎ 1995). Imperatives are used to give commands (1a), prohibitions (1b), and instructions (1c).
1. a. 出去!
Chū-qù!
go.out-go
‘Get out!’
| b. | 別關窗戶! |
|
| Bié guān chuānghu! |
| … |