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Grammar Point: 偏偏 piānpiān is a Chinese expression that is usually used to express a sense of frustration or disappointment. It is often used to describe a situation where something goes wrong or doesn’t turn out as expected, especially when one had hoped for a different outcome. Structure Fact + 偏偏 piānpiān + Unexpected Situation…
Grammar Point:There are many ways to show perspective in Chinese. In this article, we are going to learn 看來来 kànlái. It’s similar to saying “it seems that” or “apparently” in English. Structure 看來来 kànlái + Perspective 看來来 kànlái can be translated as “apparently” or “it seems” and is used by the speaker to introduce his…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 5 Grammar Point · HSK 5 白白 bái — “In Vain” The adverb 白白 bái doesn’t mean white here — it signifies an action “with no effect” or “in vain,” similar to the concept of white having no color. It’s typically used to modify an action verb and indicates doing…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 7-9 Grammar Point · HSK 7-9 幸虧 xìngkuī幸亏 xìngkuī — “Fortunately” 幸虧 xìngkuī幸亏 xìngkuī introduces a lucky circumstance that narrowly averted a bad outcome — it needs a full clause, and is usually paired with 要不然/不然/要不 yàobùrán/bùrán/yàobù要不然/不然/要不 yàobùrán/bùrán/yàobù or 否則 fǒuzé否则 fǒuzé. At this level it’s worth setting side by…
Grammar Point:趁 chèn is a preposition or verb meaning to take advantage of a time or situation—to do something while conditions are right or before they change.This usage does not translate naturally into English word-for-word and is usually better understood by its function rather than a direct equivalent. Structure 趁 chèn + condition / situation / opportunity…
Food Vocabulary 咖啡廳用語咖啡厅用语 Cafe Related Words in Chinese Order exactly what you want, however you want it — drink names, sizes, syrups, and the phrases for asking for a swap or an extra shot. Coffee shop menus in Taiwan mix English loanwords with their own local names! 01 — 咖啡選擇咖啡选择 Coffee Selections 02 — 尺寸尺寸…
01 — 部位 Ten Cuts of Beef Taiwan and mainland China often use entirely different names for the same cut — the Text Display switch on your site will flip the terms here too. Click a number on the diagram to bring up its flashcard. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10…
Food Vocabulary 雞鸡肉與与雞鸡蛋Chicken & Eggs in Chinese The rooster’s name is a lucky pun in Chinese — which is part of why it shows up at weddings, and part of why pointing its head at someone across a dinner table is such a pointed joke. Work through the words for chicken types, parts, eggs, and…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 1 Grammar Point · HSK 1 是是 shì — “to be” 是是 shì is an equative verb. It links two nouns that refer to the same thing, like “I am a teacher” or “This is my book.” Think of 是是 shì as an equals sign: A 是是 shì B means…
OneDotDot Chinese Grammar · HSK 2 Grammar Point · HSK 2 過过 guò — past experiences The particle 過过 guò talks about something you have (or haven’t) experienced before. It always goes right after the verb. Think of V + 過过 guò as “have ever done.” It’s about whether something is part of your experience,…