Answer to How Well Do You Know the Use of Double Negatives in Chinese ?

Answer:
1. B

Analysis:
Dialogue:

Lì Li: Jīntiān yǒu diǎnr lěng a.
丽丽:今天有点儿冷啊。
Lily: It’s a little cold today.

Xiǎo Xīn: Shì a, nǐ hái chuān de zhè me shǎo, (fēi) gǎnmào (bùkě).
小新:是啊,你还穿得这么少,非感冒不可。
Xiao Xin: Yeah, you’re wearing so little that you’re certain to catch a cold.

★★Keywords★★
非 (Fēi) … 不可 (Bùkě)

It is usually used in formal written Chinese.

#1 When it is used for expressing determination:

We use it to show that somebody has a strong desire and determination to do something.

Sentence Structure:

Subj. + 非 (fēi) + [Verb] + 不可 (bùkě)

Examples:

Zhège miànshì hěn zhòngyào, wǒ fēi qù bùkě.
这个面试很重要,我非去不可。
This interview is very important and I must take.

Zhège wèntí fēi jiějué bùkě.
这个问题非解决不可。
The problem must be solved.

#2 When it is used for expressing emphasis:
It can be also used as “must” and “have to” to show something must be done by someone.

Sentence Structure:

Something +非 (fēi) + somebody + [Verb] + 不可 (bùkě)

Examples:

Zhège juédìng fēi tā lái zuò bùkě.
这个决定非他来做不可。
The decision has to be made by him.

Zhège xiàngmù fēi lǎobǎn tóngyì bùkě.
这个项目非老板同意不可。
This project must be approved by the boss.

#3 When it is used for predicting a future event:
It is similar to “be certain to do; bound to do; be sure to do” in English.

Examples:

Yàoshì bèi lǎobǎn fāxiàn le, fēi kòu nǐ gōngzī bùkě.
要是被老板发现了,非扣你工资不可。
If the boss finds out, he is bound to dock your wage.

Nǐ zài bù zǒu, fēi chídào bùkě.
你再不走,非迟到不可。
If you don’t leave, you are certain to be late.

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