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Grammar Point:The Chinese grammar structure 自 zì… 以來来 yǐlái is used to express “ever since” in English. This structure indicates that something has been happening continuously from a certain point in the past up to the present. Structure Zì + Time or Event + yǐlái Compared with just using 自 zì, 從从 cóng, or 自從从…
Grammar Point 以後以后 yǐhòu: “After” and “In the Future” 以後 yǐhòu以后 yǐhòu has two jobs. After a time or an event, it means “after.” On its own, before the verb, it means “in the future” or “from now on.” 一 “After”: Time / Event + 以後以后 Time / Event + 以後以后 Put 以後 yǐhòu以后 yǐhòu…
Grammar Point 是 shì … 的 de: Emphasizing the Details Use 是 shì … 的 de to shine a spotlight on one detail of something that already happened: when it happened, where, how, or who with. You’ll use it all the time to explain things, to correct someone, or to ask for details. 一 Key…
Grammar Point 先 xiān … 再 zài …: First … Then … 先 xiān means “first,” and 再 zài means “then.” Use them together to put two actions in order: first this, then that. 一 The Basic Pattern (Subject) + 先 + Verb (+ Object)，再 + Verb (+ Object) When both actions are done by…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 4 Grammar Point · HSK 4 “And” in Chinese 3 — 與与 yǔ, 以及以及 yǐjí & 並并 bìng 與与 yǔ, 以及以及 yǐjí and 並并 bìng all translate as “and” in formal, written Chinese. They link different building blocks: 與与 yǔ and 以及以及 yǐjí join nouns and noun phrases, while 並并…
Grammar Point 會会 huì: “Can” and “Will” 會 huì会 huì has two main jobs. It can mean “can” in the sense of a skill you’ve learned, or “will” when you’re talking about something that’s going to happen in the future. 一 Skill: “Can” (Know How To) Subject + 會会 + Verb 會 huì会 huì is…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 否則则 fǒuzé means “otherwise.” Unlike 要不然 yàoburán, it carries a slight sense of threat or warning, as it implies that if a certain action is not taken or condition is not met, there will be consequences. Structure Condition + fǒuzé + Result 你nǐ先xiān做zuò完wán作業zuòyè，否則fǒuzé別bié想xiǎng看kàn電視diànshì你nǐ先xiān做zuò完wán作业zuòyè，否则fǒuzé别bié想xiǎng看kàn电视diànshìFinish your homework first, otherwise, forget about watching TV….
Grammar Point 來来 / 去: Coming and Going to Do Something 去 qù means “to go” and 來 lái来 lái means “to come.” Put another verb right after them and they tell you why someone is going or coming: “go shopping,” “come to see you,” “go eat hot pot.” In English you’d often say “go…
A field guide for learners Zero Pronoun Grammar point In Chinese grammar, a zero pronoun (零代詞líng dàicí零代词líng dàicí) refers to the omission of a pronoun when the context already makes it clear what the pronoun would be. This is common in conversational Chinese, and often happens with personal pronouns like: 我wǒ我wǒ — I/me · 你nǐ你nǐ…
Grammar Point Zero Pronouns: Leaving Out 我, 你, 他 In Chinese, if everyone already knows who or what you’re talking about, you can simply leave the pronoun out. This is called a “zero pronoun” (零代詞 líng dàicí零代词 líng dàicí). It’s especially common in everyday conversation, and it’s a big part of what makes Chinese sound…