Learn a little Chinese every day
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…
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…
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…