Learn a little Chinese every day
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…
There are four different ways to talk about change in Chinese, each with its own nuance: 變变 biàn, 改變变 gǎibiàn, 變变化 biànhuà, and 變变成 biànchéng. Each of these terms has its own unique nuance, and understanding these subtleties can help you use them more accurately. Let’s have a small quiz. Do you know which one is correct? A – 最近zuìjìn的de生活shēnghuó有yǒu很hěn大dà的de變化biànhuà最近zuìjìn的de生活shēnghuó有yǒu很hěn大dà的de变化biànhuà…
Grammar Point:The Chinese conjunction 於于是 yúshì is used to indicate a sequence of events, where the second event is a direct result or natural consequence of the first one. It is similar to “and then,” “therefore,” or “as a result” in English. Structure Event A + 於是/于是 yúshì + Event B It shows a cause-and-effect relationship without…
Grammar Point:This Chinese structure is used to make a contrast, similar to saying “It’s not… but rather…” in English. The pattern is used when you want to correct or clarify something by presenting an alternative or more accurate statement. Structure 不是 + situation A + 而是 + situation B 我wǒ不是búshì不bù同意tóngyì而是érshì聽tīng不bú太tài懂dǒng我wǒ不是búshì不bù同意tóngyì而是érshì听tīng不bú太tài懂dǒngIt’s not that I disagree; I…