Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:A 程度補語补语 chéngdù bǔyǔ or “degree complement” is used to intensify or modify the degree of an action, the nature of a thing, or the degree reached in a state. Why do we need it Structure V + 得 de + Degree Complement 得 de serves as a particle that indicates the degree or…
Grammar Point:The combination V 來来 lái V 去 qù is often used to describe repeated actions or activities that involve moving back and forth, indicating cycles, continuous movement, or doing something without a clear direction. Structure V + 來来 lái + V + 去 qù The pattern V 來来 V 去 is often paired with words like 還还是 háishì, 依然 yīrán, 仍然…
Grammar Point:The way to express comparisons in Chinese is by using 比 bǐ. In this article, we will discuss how to use a verb with 比 bǐ to make comparisons. Structure A + 比 bǐ + B + V 得 + Adj. Remember, when there is a verb and an adjective together, you always need…
Grammar Point:怕 pà, 害怕 hàipà, 可怕 kěpà, and 恐怕 kǒngpà are all related to the concept of fear, but they have different nuances in meaning and usage in Chinese. Before we start, let’s have a small quiz. Do you know which one is correct? 我wǒ可怕kěpà我wǒ的de中文zhōngwén老師lǎoshī我wǒ可怕kěpà我wǒ的de中文zhōngwén老师lǎoshī 我wǒ害怕hàipà說shuō中文zhōngwén我wǒ害怕hàipà说shuō中文zhōngwén 我wǒ恐怕kǒngpà天氣tiānqì會huì下雨xiàyǔ我wǒ恐怕kǒngpà天气tiānqì会huì下雨xiàyǔ 我wǒ的de中文zhōngwén老師lǎoshī很hěn怕pà我wǒ的de中文zhōngwén老师lǎoshī很hěn怕pà 害怕 hàipà S + 害怕 hàipà +…
Grammar Point:Potential Complements indicate whether or not an action is possible. In this article, we will discuss other common terms related to Potential Complements. If you are not familiar with Potential Complements and Result Complements, I suggest you read the previous articles first. Structure V + 得 or 不 + 下 It indicates the capacity…
Grammar Point:When you want to use more than two adjectives to describe one thing, you can use the 又 yòu structure. This structure is used to convey that something is “both… and…” in English. The two adjectives used in this construction should not contrast in feeling. In other words, they should either both be positive…
This article focuses on the use of direction complements in figurative language, such as in English phrases like ‘clean up’, ‘calm down’, ‘figure out’, etc. If you’re unfamiliar with directional complements, I recommend reading the following links first. 📖 Basic Direction Complement📖 Compound direction complements V + 起來/起来 qǐlái 1. Bring things together 加jiā起來qǐlái加jiā起来qǐláiAdd up…
Grammar Point:Potential Complements indicate whether or not an action is possible, which means whether it is able to be done or not. It’s not that complicated, is it? The structure is also simple – just add 得 de or 不 bu between the result complement and the verb. Result complement VS Potential complement: The Result…
Grammar Point:The term 一邊一边 yìbiān…一邊一边 yìbiān… is used to express the idea of doing one thing while doing another thing simultaneously, with both actions being intentional. It emphasizes that the two actions are happening at the same time and are equally important. If you want to express that something happened while another thing was happening,…
Before we look up abstract words in Chinese, I want to tell you a secret. In China, any kind of accident or disease has an official death toll. I don’t know about the disease, but for any accident, the death toll cannot be over 35; otherwise, the officials will have to step down and take…