Learn a little Chinese every day
Structure S + 有 yǒu + O This simple structure can express ownership. As Chinese does not have verb conjugation, it can be translated into English as have, has, or had. 我wǒ以前yǐqián有yǒu一yì隻zhī狗gǒu我wǒ以前yǐqián有yǒu一yì只zhī狗gǒuI had a dog before. 姊姊jiějie有yǒuiPhone 手機shǒujī姐姐jiějie有yǒuiPhone 手机shǒujīMy sister has an iPhone. 你nǐ有yǒu500 塊kuài錢qián嗎ma？ 你nǐ有yǒu500 块kuài钱qián吗ma？ Do you have $500? 你nǐ有yǒu空kòng嗎ma？你nǐ有yǒu空kòng吗ma？Do you have time?…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 本來来 běnlái is an adverb that is used to indicate the original of something, and it’s often translated as “originally,” “initially,” or “origin.” Structure S + běnlái + V 他tā本來běnlái是shì一名yìmíng工程師gōngchéngshī， 後來hòulái轉行zhuǎnxíng當dāng老師lǎoshī他tā本来běnlái是shì一名yìmíng工程师gōngchéngshī， 后来hòulái转行zhuǎnxíng当dāng老师lǎoshīHe was originally an engineer but later switched to become a teacher. 你nǐ本來běnlái打算dǎsuàn去qù哪裡nǎlǐ度假dùjià？ 你nǐ本来běnlái打算dǎsuàn去qù哪里nǎlǐ度假dùjià？ Where did you originally plan to…
＜的＞ 的 de is a Chinese noun modifier that can be used to indicate possession or link an adjective or verb phrase to a noun. V / Adj. / N+ 的 + N Tiffany 的de狗gǒuTiffany 的de狗gǒuTiffany’s dog (N + 的 + N) 可愛kěài的de狗gǒu可爱kěài的de狗gǒuCute dog (Adj + 的 + N) 我wǒ畫huà的de狗gǒu我wǒ画huà的de狗gǒuThe dog I draw (V + 的…
Grammar Point:The adverb 都 dōu in Chinese is typically used to indicate “all” or “both” and can be placed before the verb or before the subject. It is commonly used in sentences to indicate that multiple things or people are involved in an action or state. Structure S + 都 dōu + V or SV…
Grammar Point:The word 確實确实 quèshí in Chinese is an adverb that means “indeed” or “truly.” It is often used to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement. Structure S + 確實确实 quèshí + Statement 他tā確實quèshí很hěn聰明cōngmíng他tā确实quèshí很hěn聪明cōngmíngHe is indeed very intelligent. 我wǒ確實quèshí不bù喜歡xǐhuān他tā我wǒ确实quèshí不bù喜欢xǐhuan他tāI truly do not like him. 我wǒ確實quèshí沒méi收到shōudào你的nǐde錢qián我wǒ确实quèshí没méi收到shōudào你的nǐde钱qiánI indeed did not receive your money. 確實quèshí有yǒu這zhè件jiàn事shì确实quèshí有yǒu这zhè件jiàn事shìThere is…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 千萬万 qiānwàn is an idiomatic expression that is often used to convey a sense of urgency, or strong advice. It can be translated in different ways depending on the context, but it generally carries the idea of “please” in English. Structure Qiānwàn + Neg + V When someone uses 千萬万 qiānwàn…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 任何 rènhé is a common phrase used in the language and can be translated to “any” or “whatever” in English. Structure 任何 rènhé + N + (都) 沒想到méixiǎngdào你nǐ和hé十年shínián前qián一模一樣yìmóyíyàng沒有méiyǒu任何rènhé改變gǎibiàn没想到méixiǎngdào你nǐ和hé十年shínián前qián一模一样yìmóyíyàng没有méiyǒu任何rènhé改变gǎibiànI didn’t expect that you haven’t changed at all in the past ten years. 我wǒ明天míngtiān都dōu在zài家jiā， 所以suǒyǐ任何rènhé時間shíjiān都dōu歡迎huānyíng你nǐ來lái我wǒ明天míngtiān都dōu在zài家jiā， 所以suǒyǐ任何rènhé时间shíjiān都dōu欢迎huānyíng你nǐ来láiI’ll be at home all day tomorrow, so…
In Chinese, numbers are typically structured in a straightforward and consistent manner. Here are the basic elements and rules for constructing Chinese numbers: Basic numerals: Chinese has a set of basic numerals that are used to represent the digits from 0 to 9. They are: 0️⃣ 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ 4️⃣ 零líng零líng 🔊 一yī一yī 🔊 二èr二èr…
It’s just that diving into flavors and textures can be a bit dull, so let me also throw in some traditional Chinese snacks while we’re at it. Flavors/Taste – 味道 wèidào Dragon’s Beard Candy – 龍鬚糖/龙须糖 lóngxū táng To create Dragon’s Beard Candy, a mixture of maltose and corn syrup is heated, stretched, and folded…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 反正 fǎnzhèng is an adverb that is commonly used in spoken language and informal writing. It is similar to the English word “anyway,” but not exactly the same. Structure 反正 + Reason The difference between English and Chinese is that 反正 fǎnzhèng always needs a reason with it, unlike English where…