Grammar Point Verb + 著着 zhe: Ongoing Actions & States 著 zhe着 zhe after a verb shows that an action or state is continuing: sitting, standing, wearing, holding, a door being open. You’ll see it a lot in stories and descriptions. In everyday conversation, people usually use 在 zài for actions in progress. 一 When…
Author: tiffany
Two actions in the same time – 一邊 yìbiān…一邊 yìbiān…
Grammar Point 一邊一边 yìbiān … 一邊一边 yìbiān …: Doing Two Things at Once Use 一邊 yìbiān一边 yìbiān…一邊 yìbiān一边 yìbiān… to say someone is doing two things at the same time, on purpose: “listening to music while writing,” “singing while showering.” Both actions are equally important. 一 一邊一边⋯一邊一边 Subject + 一邊一边 + Verb (+ Object) +…
Showing Distance With 離 lí
Grammar Point 離离 lí: Distance From 離 lí离 lí is a preposition meaning “away from” or “from.” Use it to say how far one place (or time, or goal) is from another. 一 Near or Far A + 離离 + B + 近 / 遠远 A is close to or far from B. Put degree…
“Always” in Chinese 4 – 一向 yíxiàng
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 6 Grammar Point · HSK 6 一向一向 yíxiàng — “Always” 一向一向 yíxiàng means “always” or “consistently.” It describes habits, actions, or characteristics that have stayed the same over a long stretch of time, right up to now — like saying “it’s always been this way” in English. 一向一向 yíxiàng is…
“Again” in Chinese 2 – 再次 zàicì
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 4 Grammar Point · HSK 4 再次 zàicì — “Again” 再次 zàicì means “again” or “once again” — it’s used for repeating an action or event, but carries a more formal, deliberate tone than other ways of saying “again” in Chinese. 再次 zàicì goes right before the verb, the same…
“Indeed” in Chinese 4 – 可 kě
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 5 Grammar Point · HSK 5 可可 kě — “Indeed” The emphatic adverb 可可 kě is used in Chinese to add emphasis to a statement, often conveying a stronger attitude or emotion such as surprise, disagreement, or certainty. It’s a casual way to stress a point or to express “indeed.”…
Shifting Focus with 倒是 dàoshì
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 倒是 dàoshì can be used in a way that shifts focus or redirects attention in a conversation. This function is particularly useful when the speaker wants to introduce a new topic, perspective, or contrast that may not be directly related to the previous point, but still relevant. Structure Topic 1 + 倒是 dàoshì…
Showing Contrast – 倒是 dàoshì 2
Grammar Point:The function of 倒是 dàoshì in Chinese is to highlight a contrast, particularly when the second idea is unexpected or goes against what you might assume. It emphasizes a surprising or contrary situation based on the first condition. Structure Statement 1，S + 倒是 dàoshì + Statement 2 The first statement often implies an expectation…
“Indeed” in Chinese 3 – 倒是 dàoshì
Grammar Point:When 倒是 dàoshì is roughly translated as “indeed” in English, it’s used to emphasize or draw attention to a specific point in agreement. It highlights a particular detail or aspect of a situation, often to show support or alignment with an idea. Structure S + 倒是 dàoshì + Emphasis，Comment 他tā說shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 這次zhècì就jiù聽tīng他tā的de吧ba他tā说shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 这次zhècì就jiù听tīng他tā的de吧baHe does make a good…
“Even” in Chinese 2 – lián… yě…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the structure 連连 lián …也 yě/ 都 dōu… is used to emphasize “even,” highlighting something unexpected or extreme. Structure 連连 lián + N + 也 yě/ 都 dōu + V 連lián小孩xiǎohái也yě知道zhīdào连lián小孩xiǎohái也yě知道zhīdàoEven children know. 連lián一yì杯bēi水shuǐ也yě沒有méiyǒu连lián一yì杯bēi水shuǐ也yě没有méiyǒuThere isn’t even a glass of water. 他tā連lián早餐zǎocān都dōu沒méi吃chī就jiù去qù上班shàngbān了le他tā连lián早餐zǎocān都dōu没méi吃chī就jiù去qù上班shàngbān了leHe went to work without even having breakfast. 這zhè部bù電影diànyǐng連lián我wǒ奶奶nǎinǎi也yě喜歡xǐhuān看kàn这zhè部bù电影diànyǐng连lián我wǒ奶奶nǎinǎi也yě喜欢xǐhuan看kànEven my grandmother likes this…