Learn a little Chinese every day
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…
Grammar Point:This structure is often used to express that each item in a series or set is increasingly more or less of something. It highlights a trend or progression in comparison. Structure 一 MW + 比 + 一 MW + adj 我wǒ希望xīwàng我wǒ賺zhuàn的de錢qián一年yìnián比bǐ一年yìnián多duō我wǒ希望xīwàng我wǒ赚zhuàn的de钱qián一年yìnián比bǐ一年yìnián多duōI hope that the money I earn increases year by year. 最近zuìjìn的de天氣tiānqì真zhēn是shì一天yìtiān比bǐ一天yìtiān熱rè最近zuìjìn的de天气tiānqì真zhēn是shì一天yìtiān比bǐ一天yìtiān热rèThe weather lately is…
Grammar Point:This Chinese grammatical pattern expresses a negation related to an action or choice, often implying a lack of specific intention or avoiding giving a clear answer. Note: When you use this pattern, it sometimes means you don’t want to share the information or you don’t think the listener needs to know. Depending on the…
Grammar Point:The structure “A 沒有 méiyǒu B 這麼这么 zhème / 那麼那么 nàme Adj” is used to compare two things in Chinese, meaning “A is not as [adjective] as B.” It’s a simple way to say that one thing is less [adjective] than another. Structure A + 沒有 + B + (這麼/这么, 那麼/那么) + Adj. 這麼这么…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 更 gèng is used to indicate a higher degree or intensity, often translated as “even more” or “more” in English. It is typically used before an adjective or verb to intensify the degree of that adjective or verb. Structure S + 更 + Adjective/Verb 我wǒ更gèng想xiǎng吃chī日本rìběn菜cài我wǒ更gèng想xiǎng吃chī日本rìběn菜càiI’d rather have Japanese food. 我wǒ更gèng不bù懂dǒng你nǐ在zài說shuō什麼shénme了le我wǒ更gèng不bù懂dǒng你nǐ在zài说shuō什么shénme了leI’m even more…
Grammar Point:The sentential 了 often appears in sentences with adverbs, indicating that something will happen soon. It suggests an imminent change of state. Before you read this post, please make sure you have known what is 了1, 了2, and 了3.If you are not sure about it, you can check this article: 了 Part1 了2 (Sentence particle 了)…