Grammar Point:The Chinese word 跟 gēn has several functions depending on the context. As a preposition, it is often used to mean “with”, “and”, “from” or “to.” Structure With (Doing something together) When 跟 gēn is used to mean “with” in the sense of accompanying someone or being together, it is often paired with 一起 yìqǐ, which means “together.” If…
Category: HSK 2
To Have Remembered – 想起來 xiǎngqǐlái
Grammar Point:The verb phrase 想起來来 xiǎngqǐlái is a resultative compound verb that expresses the idea of “recalling” or “remembering” something after some effort or realization. Structure S + 想起來来 xiǎngqǐlái + O 我wǒ想起來xiǎngqǐlái你nǐ的de名字míngzi了le我wǒ想起来xiǎngqǐlái你nǐ的de名字míngzi了leI just remembered your name. 他tā想xiǎng不bù起來qǐlái昨天zuótiān吃chī了le什麼shénme他tā想xiǎng不bù起来qǐlái昨天zuótiān吃chī了le什么shénmeHe can’t recall what he ate yesterday. 你nǐ想起來xiǎngqǐlái他tā住zhù在zài哪裡nǎlǐ了le嗎ma? 你nǐ想起来xiǎngqǐlái他tā住zhù在zài哪里nǎlǐ了le吗ma? Do you remember where he lives? 我wǒ想xiǎng不bù起來qǐlái他tā的de電話diànhuà號碼hàomǎ我wǒ想xiǎng不bù起来qǐlái他tā的de电话diànhuà号码hàomǎI can’t remember his phone…
Chinese New Year
過过年 guònián (Chinese New Year) is the most important traditional festival in China, celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide. The festival lasts for 5-9 days, depending on which day of the week it starts. People celebrate by reuniting with family, having big feasts, giving red envelopes (紅红包 hóngbāo), and setting off firecrackers. Each year is associated with one of the 12 Chinese…
Showing Experience with 過 guò
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?…
Different Functions of 差不多 chàbùduō
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…
Location with 部 bù and 邊 biān
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),…
Imperatives “to do more” – 一点 yìdiǎn
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,…
Chinese Imperatives with 一點 yìdiǎn
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,…
Had Better To – 還是 háishì… 吧 ba
Grammar Point:One of the ways to express ‘had better’ in Chinese is 還是还是 háishì…吧 ba. 還是还是háishì as an adverb can express ‘still’, ‘yet’, and ‘or’, it can also express a preference for an alternative. 吧 ba is often placed in the end, as it’s a suggestion. Structure S + 還还是 + Suggestion + 吧 你nǐ還是háishì換huàn個ge男朋友nánpéngyǒu吧ba! 你nǐ还是háishì换huàn个ge男朋友nánpéngyou吧ba! You’d better…
Chinese Recipe – Cold Cucumber
涼拌小黃黄瓜 liángbàn xiǎohuángguā Cold cucumber is a light and refreshing Taiwanese side dish that’s perfect for hot summer days. Made with crunchy cucumbers, sugar, salt, vinegar, garlic, and a hint of chili, it strikes the perfect balance of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. The cucumbers are lightly smashed to soak up the marinade, and…