Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 好像 hǎoxiàng is used to express the English phrase “seems” or “seems like.” It is commonly used to indicate that something appears or gives the impression of being a certain way, but it does not necessarily imply certainty. Structure S + 好像 + Comment/Description 好像 hǎoxiàng with a subject means “seems.”…
Grammar Point:Chinese reduplication of verbs is a linguistic feature in which a verb is repeated to indicate the softening, tentativeness, or brevity of an action. It is commonly used in spoken Mandarin Chinese and some other Chinese dialects. Structure V (一) V It will make your tones more casual and friendly especially when it is…
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, “furthermore” can be expressed using the word 而且 érqiě. It’s a conjunction used to connect related information, often adding emphasis. Structure S + V/Adj +，而且 érqiě + V/Adj 台灣Táiwān的de水果shuǐguǒ甜tián而且érqiě便宜piányí台湾Táiwān的de水果shuǐguǒ甜tián而且érqiě便宜piányiTaiwanese fruits are sweet and inexpensive. 我wǒ每天měitiān都dōu有yǒu中文zhōngwén課kè， 而且érqiě我wǒ週末zhōumò的時候deshíhòu還hái做zuò語言yǔyán交換jiāohuàn我wǒ每天měitiān都dōu有yǒu中文zhōngwén课kè， 而且érqiě我wǒ周末zhōumò的时候deshíhòu还hái做zuò语言yǔyán交换jiāohuànI have Chinese classes every day, and during weekends, I also engage in language exchange. 我wǒ這幾天zhèjǐtiān一直yìzhí覺得juéde沒méi胃口wèikǒu，…
Grammar Point:The terms 以前 yǐqián (before) and 以後后 yǐhòu (after) are Chinese expressions used to indicate time references. Here’s an explanation of their grammar and usage: 以前 yǐqián Time or Verb + 以前 (Before) 你nǐ明天míngtiān8 點diǎn以前yǐqián必須bìxū到dào公司gōngsī你nǐ明天míngtiān8 点diǎn以前yǐqián必须bìxū到dào公司gōngsīYou must arrive at the company before 8 o’clock tomorrow. 我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ在zài做夢zuòmèng， 但是dànshì我wǒ希望xīwàng50 歲suì以前yǐqián能néng退休tuìxiū我wǒ知道zhīdào我wǒ在zài做夢zuòmèng， 但是dànshì我wǒ希望xīwàng50 岁suì以前yǐqián能néng退休tuìxiūI know I’m dreaming, but…
Grammar Point:The term “as long as” can be translated to 只要 zhǐyào in Chinese. It is commonly used to express a condition or requirement that needs to be met for something to happen or be true. Structure 只要 + condition + 就 + result 只要zhǐyào你nǐ在zài我wǒ身邊shēnbiān， 我wǒ就jiù會huì很hěn開心kāixīn只要zhǐyào你nǐ在zài我wǒ身边shēnbiān， 我wǒ就jiù会huì很hěn开心kāixīnAs long as you’re by my side, I will…
Grammar Point:願愿意 yuànyì is a Chinese term that conveys the meaning of “willing” in English. It is commonly used to indicate a person’s willingness or readiness to do something. Structure S + 願意/愿意 + V 我wǒ願意yuànyì幫助bāngzhù你nǐ我wǒ愿意yuànyì帮助bāngzhù你nǐI am willing to help you. 他tā願意yuànyì參加cānjiā我們wǒmen的de計劃jìhuà他tā愿意yuànyì参加cānjiā我们wǒmen的de计划jìhuàHe is willing to participate in our project. 你nǐ願意yuànyì和hé我wǒ一起yìqǐ去qù嗎ma？ 你nǐ愿意yuànyì和hé我wǒ一起yìqǐ去qù吗ma？ Are you willing to…
Grammar Point:There are a few ways to express “what do you think” in Chinese. The most common one is by adding 怎麼樣么样 zěnme yàng after a statement. Structure Statement + 怎麼樣/怎么样 Zěnme yàng The phrase 怎麼樣么样 zěnme yàng is commonly used in Chinese to ask about the opinion of something. It can be translated as…
Grammar Point:Tag questions in Chinese are commonly used to confirm information or seek agreement from the listener. The choice of particle or question word used in the tag question may vary depending on the context and the desired tone. Structure Statement + 可以 + 嗎/吗 This phrase is often used to seek permission or ask…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the phrase 是不是 shì bú shì is commonly used to form “yes-no question” or to seek confirmation from someone. It is equivalent to the English phrase “isn’t it?” or “right?” Structure Statement + 是不是 shì bú shì In this pattern, the speaker is seeking confirmation for information that is already known or…