Grammar Point:The Chinese word 畢毕竟 bìjìng is commonly used to emphasize a fact or reason, often suggesting that something is understandable or inevitable because of certain circumstances. It can be translated into English as “after all,” “in the end,” or “as expected.” It is used both in spoken and written Chinese. Structure 畢毕竟 bìjìng + Fact + ConclusionConclusion…
Author: tiffany
How to say “Yes” and “No” in Chinese
I’ll get straight to the point here. Chinese does not have specific words for “yes” and “no” that directly translate into English. Instead, Chinese language relies on context, repetition of verbs, or affirmative/negative expressions to convey agreement or disagreement. If you’re interested in the details, keep reading! No Direct “Yes” or “No” Words Unlike English, which uses…
Giving Directions – cóng…wǎng…
Grammar Point:The Chinese grammar pattern 從从 cóng…往 wǎng… is used to describe movement or direction. It is commonly used to explain the starting point and the direction of an action, especially in describing physical movement. Structure 從从 cóng + starting point + 往 wǎng + direction + V 從cóng學校xuéxiào往wǎng東dōng走zǒu, 你nǐ會huì看到kàndào一個yíge公園gōngyuán从cóng学校xuéxiào往wǎng东dōng走zǒu, 你nǐ会huì看到kàndào一个yíge公园gōngyuánFrom the school, walk east, and you…
Expressing Future in Chinese 2 – 将 jiāng
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 將将 jiāng is used to indicate something that will happen in the future. It’s more formal and commonly appears in writing, official speeches, or announcements. It can also be combined with 會会 huì or 要 yào to express someone’s willingness. Structure S + 將将 jiāng / 將将要 jiāngyào / 將将會会 jiānghuì + V Generally, when 將将 jiāng is combined with 會会…
5 Ways to Say “Still” in Chinese
Introduction:還还 hái, 仍然 réngrán, 依然 yīrán, 仍舊旧 réngjiù and 依舊旧 yījiù share a similar meaning of “still,” but there are some differences in their usages and connotations. 還还 hái (HSK 2) Still, also, or yet. It implies that something continues, but in a more casual or neutral way. Commonly used in spoken language and can…
“Still” in Chinese 4 – réngjiù and yījiù
Grammar Point:In Chinese, both 仍舊旧 réngjiù and 依舊旧 yījiù mean “still” or “as before,” but they are used slightly differently in terms of nuance, formality, and context. Structure S + 仍舊旧 réngjiù + Adj or V Common in both spoken and written language, though it leans slightly more formal. It often emphasizes the continuation of something despite expectations or…
Subjective Evaluation with V 起來 qǐlái
Grammar Point:In the context of subjective evaluation, Verb + 起來 qǐlái is used to express how something feels, looks, tastes, or seems based on the speaker’s perception. This structure helps describe an impression or an initial judgment about something. Structure S + V 起來 + adj or descriptive phrase 這zhè蛋糕dàngāo看kàn起來qǐlái很hěn甜tián这zhè蛋糕dàngāo看kàn起来qǐlái很hěn甜tiánThis cake looks very sweet. 他tā聽tīng起來qǐlái很hěn聰明cōngmíng他tā听tīng起来qǐlái很hěn聪明cōngmingHe sounds very smart. 這zhè首shǒu歌gē聽tīng起來qǐlái很hěn輕快qīngkuài这zhè首shǒu歌gē听tīng起来qǐlái很hěn轻快qīngkuàiThis song sounds very relaxed. 這zhè衣服yìfú穿chuān起來qǐlái不bú太tài舒服shūfú这zhè衣服yìfú穿chuān起来qǐlái不bú太tài舒服shūfuThis…
Ongoing Actions with zhe
Grammar Point:The particle 著着 zhe is used to indicate ongoing actions or a continuous state in Mandarin Chinese. While it’s common in narratives or storytelling, it’s not something you’ll hear often in everyday conversations. In daily life, people usually use 在 zài to talk about actions in progress. When do we use it? How would you describe these 2…
Two actions in the same time – 一邊 yìbiān…一邊 yìbiān…
Grammar Point:The term 一邊一边 yìbiān…一邊一边 yìbiān… is used to express the idea of doing one thing while doing another thing simultaneously, with both actions being intentional. It emphasizes that the two actions are happening at the same time and are equally important. If you want to express that something happened while another thing was happening,…
Showing Distance With 離 lí
Grammar Point:離离 lí is a Chinese preposition that can be used to indicate distance, separation, or departure. It is often translated as “away from,” “off,” or “from” in English. Structures A 離/离 lí B + 近 jìn or 遠/远 yuǎn 日本Rìběn離lí韓國Hánguó非常fēicháng近jìn日本Rìběn离lí韩国Hánguó非常fēicháng近jìnJapan is very close to Korea. 加拿大Jiānádà離lí墨西哥Mòxīgē不bú太tài遠yuǎn加拿大Jiānádà离lí墨西哥Mòxīgē不bú太tài远yuǎnCanada is not too far from Mexico. 我wǒ公司gōngsī離lí車站chēzhàn很hěn近jìn我wǒ公司gōngsī离lí车站chēzhàn很hěn近jìnMy company is very close…