| The most basic function of numerals is to describe quantity and order, but the word"numeral"no longer means"quantity"in spoken Chinese or in Chinese written works. It has a special meaning established by popular use, which is called miscounting usage of numeral.Many scholars have already researched aspects of Miscounting usage of numeral to include early history, evolution, cultural influences, and rhetorical use. These scholars have directed considerable research into single and double usage of numerals. However, when numerals are used singly, they carry with a unique connotation. Past researchers have not thoroughly investigated this use of numerals. Accordingly, this paper seeks to analyze and illuminate the finer points of this language phenomenon.To show the meaning and purpose of the text, Part 1 introduced the present condition of Chinese numeral structure research. Afterwards, the text explored the possibility that numeral structure comprises a method for distinguishing word from phrase, a theory which formed the basis for further research.Part 2 enumerated 11 modern Chinese numeral structures featuring miscounting usage, they are"yi yi","yi er san","yi wu yi shi","er bai wu","san yi san shi yi","qi qi ba ba","ba cheng","bai fen zhi bai","qian wan","wan wan"and"wan yi". Following their introduction, the text went on to explain each numeral structure's meaning. Part 2 comprised 5 sections. The first section introduced"san ba"and"yi er san", which are nouns. The second section introduced"san yi san shi yi","qi qi ba ba"and"bai fen zhi bai", which is an adjective. The third section introduced"yi yi","yi wu yi shi","ba cheng","qian wan"and"wan wan", which are adverbs. The fourth section introduced"wan yi", because"wan yi"is not only a noun, but also an adverb and a conjunction.Part 3 explained miscounting of numerals structure from internal and external factors: miscounting is based on counting of numerals structures; visualization thinking of Han nationality decides the existence of miscounting.In order to better use these numeral structures, we compared them with similar words in order to ascertain their base similarities and differences. There were 3 sections in part 4.The first section compared"yi yi"with"zhu yi". Both of them mean"one by one"and act as adverbial modifiers before the predicate. Some of the key differences between them are as follows. Firstly,"yi yi"emphasizes objects which are the verb relation to, meaning"all"or"everyone". And it emphasizes entirety. But"zhu yi"expresses the fashion of act, it meanes"one after one". It emphasizes individual. Secondly,"zhu yi"expresses a lengthways order, meaning"according some orders, the act happens". But"yi yi"doesn't have this meaning. Thirdly, after the verb"dui ying"matching"yi yi"and"zhu yi"respectively, they have different meaning."yi yi dui ying"expresses some things correspond to some things. While"zhu yi dui ying"expresses one thing corresponds to some things, or some things correspond to only one thing. So ,"zhu yi"can't replace"yi yi"in this state.The second section compared"qian wan"with"wan wan". They both express negative tone and in some cases can be used for substitution. Though similar in usage, some key differences exist and are summarized in the following sentences. Firstly,"qian wan"can be used in an imperative sentence, and it can't be used in the statement sentence. While"wan wan"is free from this restriction. Secondly,"wan wan"can only be used in sentence when expressing negation, but"qian wan"can also be used to express affirmation. Thirdly, in semantics, when"qian wan"or"wan wan"is used in imperative sentence when expressing meaning of negative ,"VP"expresses permission or wish in the structure"bu + VP", which they modified. However, the tone expressed by"wan wan"is stronger than that expressed by"qian wan."."wan wan"can express that something happens unexpectedly, but"qian wan"does not have this meaning.The third section compared"wan yi"with"yi dan". This analysis of differences summarizes to the following four points: (1.)"Yi dan"can express future time and past time, but"wan yi"can only express past time. (2.)"Yi dan"emphasizes that conditions are essential and consequence appear quickly."Wan yi"emphasizes that the possibility of affairs happening is small. (3.)"Yi dan"usually introduces something objectively while"wan wan"usually emphasizes subjectively through expression of the subject's mental state. (4.) Sentences using"wan yi,"usually contain in their meaning some measures to prepare for a problem that will happen, but"yi dan"emphasizes the consequence of these affairs.The last part is a conclusion. It carries on the summary of the text and enumerates its shortcomings.
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