tiffany，作者 OneDotDot Chinese

Before and After in Chinese

Posted on July 18, 2023February 6, 2025 by tiffany

Grammar Point:The terms 以前 yǐqián (before) and 以後后 yǐhòu (after) are Chinese expressions used to indicate time references. Here’s an explanation of their grammar and usage: 以前 yǐqián Time or Verb + 以前 (Before) 你nǐ明天míngtiān8 點diǎn以前yǐqián必須bìxū到dào公司gōngsī你nǐ明天míngtiān8 点diǎn以前yǐqián必须bìxū到dào公司gōngsīYou must arrive at the company before 8 o’clock tomorrow. 我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ在zài做夢zuòmèng，但是dànshì我wǒ希望xīwàng50 歲suì以前yǐqián能néng退休tuìxiū我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ在zài做夢zuòmèng，但是dànshì我wǒ希望xīwàng50 岁suì以前yǐqián能néng退休tuìxiūI know I’m dreaming, but…

“As long as” in Chinese – zhǐyào

Posted on July 17, 2023July 18, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:The term “as long as” can be translated to 只要 zhǐyào in Chinese. It is commonly used to express a condition or requirement that needs to be met for something to happen or be true. Structure 只要 + condition + 就 + result 只要zhǐyào你nǐ在zài我wǒ身邊shēnbiān，我wǒ就jiù會huì很hěn開心kāixīn只要zhǐyào你nǐ在zài我wǒ身边shēnbiān，我wǒ就jiù会huì很hěn开心kāixīnAs long as you’re by my side, I will…

Newspaper Formal Words

Posted on July 16, 2023July 16, 2023 by tiffany

Here are some examples of Chinese informal words and their corresponding formal counterparts, commonly used in newspapers: A～G English Informal Word Formal Word absolutely not 肯定不 kěndìng bù 决非 juéfēi according to 按照 ànzhào 依 yī afraid to 恐怕 kǒngpà 恐 kǒng all 都 dōu 均 jūn, 皆 jiē a little bit 有點点 yǒudiǎn 稍…

“Willing” in Chinese – yuànyì

Posted on July 15, 2023July 16, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:願愿意 yuànyì is a Chinese term that conveys the meaning of “willing” in English. It is commonly used to indicate a person’s willingness or readiness to do something. Structure S + 願意/愿意 + V 我wǒ願意yuànyì幫助bāngzhù你nǐ我wǒ愿意yuànyì帮助bāngzhù你nǐI am willing to help you. 他tā願意yuànyì參加cānjiā我們wǒmen的de計劃jìhuà他tā愿意yuànyì参加cānjiā我们wǒmen的de计划jìhuàHe is willing to participate in our project. 你nǐ願意yuànyì和hé我wǒ一起yìqǐ去qù嗎ma？你nǐ愿意yuànyì和hé我wǒ一起yìqǐ去qù吗ma？ Are you willing to…

Zěnme yàng in Chinese

Posted on July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:There are a few ways to express “what do you think” in Chinese. The most common one is by adding 怎麼樣么样 zěnme yàng after a statement. Structure Statement + 怎麼樣/怎么样 Zěnme yàng The phrase 怎麼樣么样 zěnme yàng is commonly used in Chinese to ask about the opinion of something. It can be translated as…

Tag Questions in Chinese

Posted on July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:Tag questions in Chinese are commonly used to confirm information or seek agreement from the listener. The choice of particle or question word used in the tag question may vary depending on the context and the desired tone. Structure Statement + 可以 + 嗎/吗 This phrase is often used to seek permission or ask…

Chinese Shì bú shì Question

Posted on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:In Chinese, the phrase 是不是 shì bú shì is commonly used to form “yes-no question” or to seek confirmation from someone. It is equivalent to the English phrase “isn’t it?” or “right?” Structure Statement + 是不是 shì bú shì In this pattern, the speaker is seeking confirmation for information that is already known or…

Although in Chinese – Suīrán

Posted on July 11, 2023August 17, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:雖虽然 suīrán is the most common word used to express “although” in Chinese. It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause. Structure 雖然/虽然 ⋯⋯ ，但是 or 可是 ⋯⋯ This pattern means “although…, but…” in English. However, in English, the “but” is not necessary, but it is required in Chinese to…

“When” in Chinese – Dāng

Posted on July 9, 2023July 9, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:The word 當当 dāng can function as a preposition and is often translated as “when” in English. It is a more formal way to express the phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou. Structure 當/当 + Phrase The phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou or 時时 shí are often used with 當当 dāng structure. 當dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ，他tā會huì一直yìzhí搖yáo尾巴wěibā当dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ，他tā会huì一直yìzhí摇yáo尾巴wěibāWhen…

Suddenly in Chinese

Posted on July 8, 2023August 17, 2023 by tiffany

Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, the word “suddenly” can be translated as 突然 tūrán or 忽然 hūrán. These words are often used to indicate an unexpected or abrupt change or action. Difference 忽然 hūrán The word 忽然 hūrán is an adverb that functions solely as an adverbial modifier in a sentence. It should not be preceded…