Learn a little Chinese every day
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…
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,…
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…
Grammar Point:一向 yíxiàng is a Chinese adverb that means “always” or “consistently.” It’s used to describe habits, actions, or characteristics that have remained the same over a long period, up to the present. It’s similar to saying “it’s always been this way” in English. Structure S + 一向 yíxiàng + Adj 這zhè家jiā店diàn的de價格jiàgé一向yíxiàng很hěn高gāo这zhè家jiā店diàn的de价格jiàgé一向yíxiàng很hěn高gāoThe prices at this shop…
Grammar Point:The word 再次 zàicì in Chinese means “again” or “once again”. It is used when you want to express repeating an action or event, similar to the English word “again,” but it carries a slightly more formal or deliberate tone than other ways of saying “again” in Chinese. Structure 再次 zàicì + verb 再次 zàicì is more formal than…
Grammar Point:The emphatic adverb 可 kě is used in Chinese to add emphasis to a statement, often conveying a stronger attitude or emotion such as surprise, disagreement, or certainty. It is a casual way to stress a point or to express “indeed.” Structure 可 kě + V or Adj 可 kě is an informal emphatic adverb commonly used…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 倒是 dàoshì can be used in a way that shifts focus or redirects attention in a conversation. This function is particularly useful when the speaker wants to introduce a new topic, perspective, or contrast that may not be directly related to the previous point, but still relevant. Structure Topic 1 + 倒是 dàoshì…
Grammar Point:The function of 倒是 dàoshì in Chinese is to highlight a contrast, particularly when the second idea is unexpected or goes against what you might assume. It emphasizes a surprising or contrary situation based on the first condition. Structure Statement 1，S + 倒是 dàoshì + Statement 2 The first statement often implies an expectation…
Grammar Point:When 倒是 dàoshì is roughly translated as “indeed” in English, it’s used to emphasize or draw attention to a specific point in agreement. It highlights a particular detail or aspect of a situation, often to show support or alignment with an idea. Structure S + 倒是 dàoshì + Emphasis，Comment 他tā說shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 這次zhècì就jiù聽tīng他tā的de吧ba他tā说shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 这次zhècì就jiù听tīng他tā的de吧baHe does make a good…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the structure 連连 lián …也 yě/ 都 dōu… is used to emphasize “even,” highlighting something unexpected or extreme. Structure 連连 lián + N + 也 yě/ 都 dōu + V 連lián小孩xiǎohái也yě知道zhīdào连lián小孩xiǎohái也yě知道zhīdàoEven children know. 連lián一yì杯bēi水shuǐ也yě沒有méiyǒu连lián一yì杯bēi水shuǐ也yě没有méiyǒuThere isn’t even a glass of water. 他tā連lián早餐zǎocān都dōu沒méi吃chī就jiù去qù上班shàngbān了le他tā连lián早餐zǎocān都dōu没méi吃chī就jiù去qù上班shàngbān了leHe went to work without even having breakfast. 這zhè部bù電影diànyǐng連lián我wǒ奶奶nǎinǎi也yě喜歡xǐhuān看kàn这zhè部bù电影diànyǐng连lián我wǒ奶奶nǎinǎi也yě喜欢xǐhuan看kànEven my grandmother likes this…