Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:從从而 cóng’ér is a formal conjunction used to indicate a cause-and-effect or means-and-result relationship between two clauses. It can be translated as “thus,” “thereby,” or “consequently” in English. Structure Cause or method + 從从而 cóng’ér + resulting 從从而 cóng’ér is mainly used in formal writing, such as essays, reports, and news articles, to emphasize a logical result following a cause or method. While it…
Grammar Point:The particle 過过 guò is used to talk about something you have or haven’t experienced in the past. It always goes right after the verb. Structure S + V + 過过 guò + O 我wǒ去qù過guò中國Zhōngguó我wǒ去qù过guò中国ZhōngguóI have been to China. 你nǐ看kàn過guò這zhè部bù電影diànyǐng嗎ma？ 你nǐ看kàn过guò这zhè部bù电影diànyǐng吗ma？ Have you seen this movie before? 我wǒ見jiàn過guò他tā我wǒ见jiàn过guò他tāI have met him before. 我wǒ說shuō過guò嗎ma？？我wǒ说shuō过guò吗ma？？Have I said that before?…
Grammar Point:差不多 chābùduōchàbuduō expresses the idea of “not much difference” or “almost the same.” It is often used to describe a situation where two things or situations are very similar or nearly identical. Structure S1 + (and + S2) + 差不多 Verb – It general means “about the same” in English. 我們wǒmen的de年紀niánjì差不多chābùduō我们wǒmen的de年纪niánjì差不多chàbuduōOur ages are about…
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, 將将 jiāng can function similarly to 把 bǎ when constructing sentences that emphasize the handling or disposition of an object. But 將将 jiāng is more formal and is often used in written or official contexts, whereas 把 bǎ is more commonly used in spoken Chinese. If you are not familiar with 把 bǎ, I recommend reading this article first.What…
Grammar Point:The key difference is that 部 bù refers to an entire section or region, while 邊边 biānbian refers to a side or direction. 部 bù 部 bù is more formal and typically used to refer to regions in a directional sense, such as 東东部 dōngbù (the East), 南部 nánbù (the South), 西部 xībù (the West),…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 才 cái is used to indicate that something is less than expected or insufficient, often reflecting the speaker’s surprise or dissatisfaction. It can also suggest that something happened later or more slowly than anticipated, similar to “not until” or “as late as” in English. Structure S + 才 cái + V + O This…
Grammar Point:The structure Adj + 了點点 le diǎn is used in Chinese to express that something is “a bit too” or “slightly excessive” in terms of a particular quality or condition. It often conveys mild dissatisfaction, criticism, or concern. Structure Adj + 了點点(儿) le diǎndiǎn(r) It implies that the adjective describes something slightly beyond what is ideal…
Grammar Point:一點点也不 yìdiǎn yě bù is used in Chinese to emphasize complete negation or “not at all”. It expresses that there is not even a little bit of something or no degree of a particular quality, attitude, or behavior. Structure 一點点 yìdiǎn + 也 yě or 都 dōu + 不 bù + Adj Using 一點点 yìdiǎn with 也 yě or 都…
Grammar Point:Both 有一點点 yǒuyīdiǎn and 一點点 yìdiǎn convey the notion of ‘a little’ or ‘a bit,’ but with slight nuances. In China, 有點兒点儿 yǒudiǎnr is more commonly used instead of 有一點点 yǒuyìdiǎn. Structure 有一點点 yǒuyìdiǎn + Adjective 一點点 yìdiǎn + Noun 今天jīntiān天氣tiānqì有一點yǒuyìdiǎn熱rè今天jīntiān天气tiānqì有一点yǒuyìdiǎn热rèToday’s weather is a bit hot. 我wǒ弟弟dìdi有一點yǒuyìdiǎn矮ǎi我wǒ弟弟dìdi有一点yǒuyìdiǎn矮ǎiMy younger brother is a bit short. 我wǒ覺得juéde那nà家jiā店diàn的de珍珠奶茶zhēnzhūnǎichá有一點yǒuyìdiǎn貴guì我wǒ觉得juéde那nà家jiā店diàn的de珍珠奶茶zhēnzhūnǎichá有一点yǒuyìdiǎn贵guìI…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 一點点 yìdiǎn is often used in imperatives to soften the tone of a command, making it sound more polite, less direct, or more reasonable. Structure V + Adj + 一點点 yìdiǎn Usually, when a verb is followed by an adjective in Chinese, “得 de” is used to indicate the degree of the action. However,…