1.
complex sentence (grammar)
In Japanese grammar, a sentence containing one main clause and at least one subordinate clause. Contrasts with 単文 (simple sentence) and 重文 (compound sentence).
複文の構造を学ぶ。
To study the structure of complex sentences.
この文は主文と従属節からなる複文だ。
This sentence is a complex sentence made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause.
日本語の複文では、従属節が主文の前に置かれることが多い。
In Japanese complex sentences, the subordinate clause is often placed before the main clause.
Grammatical term. Compound of 複 (compound, multiple) + 文 (sentence).
RELATED GRAMMAR TERMS:
- 単文: simple sentence — one subject-predicate pair
- 重文: compound sentence — two or more coordinate clauses joined with conjunctions
- 複文: complex sentence — a main clause plus one or more subordinate clauses
- 主文: main clause
- 従属節: subordinate clause