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Grammar Point 去 qù & 來来 lái 去 means “to go” and 來来 lái means “to come” — basic movement words. But slot either one in front of another verb, and it starts signaling intention: a planned action or purpose, not just movement. 一 Structure 去 points away from the speaker, 來来 points toward the…
Grammar Point Sentence Structure Chinese word order looks a lot like English at first — but once you pack in time, place, and manner, or start speaking casually, there’s more structure underneath than it seems. 一 The Full Word Order When a sentence packs in several extra details, they follow a set order. Time can…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, a rhetorical question can be formed by using the word 什麼么 shénme which means “what.” It is used to emphasize a point or express surprise or disbelief. This is a way of making a statement or remarking on something, and the speaker isn’t necessarily expecting a response. Structure V or Adj +…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 從來从来 cónglái means “always.” It is used to indicate that something has been true or consistent throughout a period of time. Structure S + 從來从来 cónglái + 都 dōu In this structure, you do not add negation words like 不 bù or 没 méi to indicate the negative form. 成功chénggōng從來cónglái都dōu要yào靠kào努力nǔlì成功chénggōng从来cónglái都dōu要yào靠kào努力nǔlìSuccess always…
Grammar Point:The word “Never” in Chinese can be translated as 從來从来 cónglái. It is used to indicate that something has not happened at any time in the past or will not happen in the future. Structure S + cónglái + 不 bù + V In casual speech, 從來从来 cónglái can be shortened to just 從从…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, both 看起來来 kànqǐlái and 看上去 kànshàngqùshangqu are expressions used to describe how something appears or looks. They are often employed in similar contexts, with subtle differences in their usage. Ps. In my opinion, 看起來来 kànqǐlái is more commonly used in casual conversation, while 看上去 kànshàngqùshangqu more frequently appears in written forms. However,…
Measure Words 個 ge & 張 zhāng English sometimes uses measure words too — “a flock of birds,” “a herd of cows” — but Chinese uses them for almost everything, all the time. Even single, countable nouns need one. 一 What Is a Measure Word? Whenever a number or a word like “this/that” comes before…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 曾經曾经 céngjīng means “once” or “ever” and is used to describe something that happened or a condition that existed in the past. It conveys the idea of a past experience or a previous state. Structure S + céngjīng + 是 or 在 or 有 他tā曾經céngjīng是shì一位yíwèi有名yǒumíng的de醫生yīshēng他tā曾经céngjīng是shì一位yíwèi有名yǒumíng的de医生yīshēngHe was once a famous doctor. 這裡zhèlǐ曾經céngjīng是shì醫院yīyuàn，…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 5 Grammar Point · HSK 5 已已 yǐ & 早已早已 zǎoyǐ — “Already” In Chinese, 已已 yǐ and 早已早已 zǎoyǐ both convey a sense of “already.” However, 早已 zǎoyǐ specifically emphasizes that something has been done or occurred a long time ago or well in advance. 已已 yǐ is the…
Grammar Point:本來来就 běnlái jiù often implies “supposed to” or “it goes without saying,” indicating that something is expected or common knowledge. Structure S + běnlái jiù + something supposed to 學xué中文zhōngwén本來běnlái就jiù不bù容易róngyì学xué中文zhōngwén本来běnlái就jiù不bù容易róngyìLearning Chinese is inherently not easy. 穿chuān褲子kùzi本來běnlái就jiù比bǐ穿chuān裙子qúnzi方便fāngbiàn穿chuān裤子kùzi本来běnlái就jiù比bǐ穿chuān裙子qúnzi方便fāngbiànWearing pants is supposed to be more convenient than wearing a skirt. 這zhè本來běnlái就jiù是shì你的nǐde工作gōngzuò这zhè本来běnlái就jiù是shì你的nǐde工作gōngzuòThis is supposed to be your job….