Learn a little Chinese every day
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)…
Grammar Point:The double 了 le + time-duration or number-quantity patterns indicate the completion of an action up to the time of speaking. The action may or may not continue, depending on the context. 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…
了1 (Verb-suffix了) S + V + 了 + (O) It means the action is complete and it should always be placed immediately after the verb. Here comes the tricky part. Is using 了1 equivalent to the past tense in English?The answer is NO! There is no past tense in Chinese. But we use “le” to indicate a completed action. Therefore, there…
Grammar Point:The way to express comparisons in Chinese is by using 比 bǐ. However, when expressing “as same as,” there’s no need to use 比 bǐ anymore. Instead, we use 跟 gēn or 和 hé. Structure 1 A + 跟 or 和 + B + 一樣样 or 相同 When you want to state that two…