The Hierarchical Structure and Boundedness of “Duo/Shao/Zao/Wan+V+Num” Constructions

This study examines constructions in which duo ‘more,’ shao ‘less,’ zao ‘early,’ and wan ‘late’ function adverbially and are followed by a verb and a numeral expression. It argues that the structure should be segmented as [A][VNum], instead of [AV][Num], based on scope and constituency tests. There is a strong tendency for numeral expressions to co-occur with the aspect marker le, and their function is analyzed from the perspective of boundedness—specifically, as a match between action and property. Finally, this study discusses cases in which the verb does not take the aspectual suffix le.