Learn a little Chinese every day
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…
報报 OneDotDot Chinese · Vocabulary Newspaper Formal Words 正式zhèngshì用語yòngyǔ正式zhèngshì用语yòngyǔ Chinese newspapers, official announcements, and formal writing lean on a set of words that rarely show up in everyday speech. Here are over eighty everyday words and phrases lined up against their more formal, written counterparts, each with a full news-style example sentence for context —…
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…
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…
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…
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…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 2 Grammar Point · HSK 2 雖然 suīrán虽然 suīrán — “Although” 雖然 suīrán虽然 suīrán is the most common way to say “although” in Chinese. It usually opens the sentence or clause, and — unlike English, where “but” is optional — Chinese always needs a matching 但是 dànshì但是 dànshì, 可是 kěshì可是…
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…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 3 Grammar Point · HSK 3 突然 tūrán — “Suddenly” 突然 tūrán emphasizes that something wasn’t anticipated — the surprise matters more than the speed. It works as both an adverb and an adjective: it can pair with 得 de, take a degree adverb like 很 hěn, 非常 fēicháng, or…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 2 Grammar Point · HSK 2 但是 dànshì — “But” 但是 dànshì is the most common, all-purpose word for “but” in Chinese. It works in both speaking and writing, and it’s usually the first “but” word learners meet. 但是 dànshì is a versatile, neutral word for expressing contrast — safe…