Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 何況况 hékuàng is a conjunction used to introduce a stronger reason or example after making a general statement. It’s similar to “let alone,” “not to mention,” or “much less” in English and is often used for emphasis. Structure General statement + (更 gèng) + 何況况 hékuàng + specific example This expression is common…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 何必 hébì and 何苦 hékǔ are rhetorical expressions often used to question unnecessary actions or efforts. While both ask “why bother,” they focus on different aspects. Structure S + 何必 + Rhetorical Question It is used to suggest that something is unnecessary or redundant. It often implies a rhetorical question, indicating that there’s no need for…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the structures 在 zài··· 看来 kànlái and 从 cóng··· 来看 láikàn are commonly used to express a viewpoint. They can be translated as “in someone’s opinion” or “judging from a certain perspective.” Structure 在 + Somebody + 看來来 + Commentary This structure translates to “in someone’s opinion” or “from someone’s perspective.” It highlights a subjective…
Grammar Piont:The structure 除非 chúfēi… 才cái… is used in Chinese to express a condition or requirement that must be met in order for something to happen. It can be roughly translated to “Only if… will…” or “Unless… then…” in English. Structure 除非 + Condition，才 + Result This structure emphasizes that something will only occur under…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, ‘unless’ is expressed as 除非 chúfēi. It is commonly used with phrases such as 否則否则 fǒuzé or 要不然 yàobùrán to convey the meaning of ‘unless A, otherwise B’. Structure Result，除非 + Condition 我wǒ不bú做zuò了le， 除非chúfēi你nǐ幫bāng我wǒ加薪jiāxīn我wǒ不bú做zuò了le， 除非chúfēi你nǐ帮bāng我wǒ加薪jiāxīnI won’t do it unless you give me a raise. 我wǒ不要búyào吃chī這個zhège， 除非chúfēi你nǐ把bǎ紅蘿蔔hóngluóbo拿ná掉diào我wǒ不要búyào吃chī这个zhège， 除非chúfēi你nǐ把bǎ红萝卜hóngluóbo拿ná掉diàoI don’t want to eat this…
Grammar Point:To express even if in Chinese, we need to use 即使 jíshǐ or 哪怕 nǎpà and usually followed by the second clause 也 yě. In this pattern, the first clause is a supposition, which is then struck down as impossible by the statement’s second clause. Structure 即使 + ···，也 + ··· Subject 1 can…
Grammar Point:The “you sentence”, we call it 有字句 yǒuzìjù in Chinese. The word 有 yǒu has many functions. In this article, we are going to talk about “attachment” and “possession.” attachment in Chinese Structure S + 有 yǒu + 著/着 zhe + O It use to indicate existence or possession. 兩liǎng個ge國家guójiā之間zhījiān有yǒu著zhe長期chángqí的de友好yǒuhǎo關係guānxī两liǎng个ge国家guójiā之间zhījiān有yǒu着zhe长期chángqī的de友好yǒuhǎo关系guānxiThe two countries have a…
Grammar Point:The Chinese language features the “you sentence,” which is known as 有字句 yǒuzìjù. The word 有 yǒu has many functions. In this article, we are going to talk about “to have” and “existence.” have has in Chinese Structure S + 有 yǒu + O This simple structure can express ownership. As Chinese does not…
Grammar Point:The structure 一旦 yídàn···就 jiù··· is often used in Chinese to express “once”. In this pattern, 就 jiù serves as a condition marker and can be translated as “then” or “in that case”. This structure indicates that once a certain condition is met, the action or consequence in the second part will occur. It…
Grammar Point:Although 雖虽然, suīrán and but 但是, dànshì can both be translated as ‘although’ and ‘but,’ in English, you wouldn’t use ‘but’ in the same sentence as ‘although.’ In Chinese, however, ‘although’ and ‘but’ are often used together, especially in written text. Structure 雖然/虽然 ······，但是 or 可是 ······ Think of ‘although’ and ‘but’ as a…