Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The 為 wèi…而 ér… structure in Chinese is used to explain purpose or reason, similar to saying “for the purpose of” or “in order to” in English. This structure emphasizes why an action is taken or what it’s aimed at achieving. Structure 為为 wèi + Purpose/Reason + 而 ér + Action/Outcome This structure is typically used in written or formal…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 而已 éryǐ is used to indicate limitation or emphasize that something is just what it is and nothing more. It’s similar to saying “that’s all,” “just,” or “nothing more” in English. It’s often placed at the end of a sentence to downplay or clarify the significance of something. Structure Statement + 而已 éryǐ 而已…
Grammar Point:The usage of the Chinese conjunction 而 ér can vary depending on the context. In this article, we will focus on its function in contrast (while, whereas), which is often used to show a distinction between two actions, states, or situations Structure Situation + 而 ér + Contrast situation 為什麼wèishénme他tā很hěn高gāo而ér我wǒ很hěn矮ǎi为什么wèishénme他tā很hěn高gāo而ér我wǒ很hěn矮ǎiWhy is he so tall while I’m so short?…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 然而 rán’ér is a conjunction used to express contrast or a turning point, similar to “however” or “yet” in English. It’s often used in written or formal contexts to introduce a statement that contrasts with the previous one. Structure Statement 1 + 然而 rán’ér + Statement 2 Statement 2 presents information that contrasts with…
Grammar Point:Both 有一點点 yǒuyīdiǎn and 一點点 yìdiǎn convey the notion of ‘a little’ or ‘a bit,’ but with slight nuances. In China, 有點兒点儿 yǒudiǎnr is more commonly used instead of 有一點点 yǒuyìdiǎn. Structure 有一點点 yǒuyìdiǎn + Adjective indicates comparison Adjective + 一點点 yìdiǎn no comparison 一點点 yìdiǎn + Noun 今天jīntiān天氣tiānqì有一點yǒuyìdiǎn熱rè今天jīntiān天气tiānqì有一点yǒuyìdiǎn热rèToday’s weather is a bit hot….
Grammar Point:The Chinese grammar pattern “V+了le…就 jiù…” is used to express a sequence of actions, where one action happens right after another. It can be translated as “as soon as” or “right after” in English. Structure V + 了le + 就 + Verb Phrase The two verb phrases can be either affirmative or negative. 他tā吃chī了le早餐zǎocān就jiù開始kāishǐ工作gōngzuò他tā吃chī了le早餐zǎocān就jiù开始kāishǐ工作gōngzuòAfter…
Why Are Chinese Separable Verbs Important? One of the key reasons is that among the 1,000 commonly used verbs in Modern Chinese, a whopping 685 of them are separable verbs. You’ll frequently come across them, especially in basic words like 睡覺觉 (to sleep), 吃飯饭 (to eat), and 看書书 (to read), when learning Chinese. Knowing which…
Grammar Point:This Chinese pattern allows you to describe how well or how adjective someone does something, and it can be used for comparisons between two subjects. Structure A 比 bǐ B + Verb + 得 de + Adjective 我wǒ比bǐ我wǒ弟弟dìdi走zǒu得de慢màn我wǒ比bǐ我wǒ弟弟dìdi走zǒu得de慢mànI walk slower than my younger brother. 這zhè種zhǒng狗gǒu比bǐ那nà種zhǒng狗gǒu吃chī得de多duō这zhè种zhǒng狗gǒu比bǐ那nà种zhǒng狗gǒu吃chī得de多duōThis type of dog eats more than that type. 你nǐ的de字zì比bǐ我wǒ妹妹mèimei寫xiě得de難看nánkàn你nǐ的de字zì比bǐ我wǒ妹妹mèimei写xiě得de难看nánkànYour…
Grammar Point:There are 3 functions of 把 bǎ in Chinese. Determination, command, and doing a movement on something that makes a change to it. And since 把 bǎ cannot be translated into English, many English speakers feel awkward using it. But it is a piece of grammar that Chinese native speakers use a lot in…
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, 既 jì… 又 yòu… and 既 jì… 也 yě… are used to express two qualities, actions, or conditions that exist simultaneously. Both structures are similar and function like “both… and…” in English. Structure 既 jì + Adj + 又 yòu + Adj 這zhè件jiàn衣服yīfú既jì好看hǎokàn又yòu暖和nuǎnhuo这zhè件jiàn衣服yīfu既jì好看hǎokàn又yòu暖和nuǎnhuoThis outfit is not only stylish but also warm. 林lín老師lǎoshī的de中文zhōngwén課kè既jì嚴格yángé又yòu無趣wúqù林lín老师lǎoshī的de中文zhōngwén课kè既jì严格yángé又yòu无趣wúqùMr. Lin’s Chinese class…