Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The word 當当 dāng can function as a preposition and is often translated as “when” in English. It is a more formal way to express the phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou. Structure 當/当 + Phrase The phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou or 時时 shí are often used with 當当 dāng structure. 當dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ， 他tā會huì一直yìzhí搖yáo尾巴wěibā当dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ， 他tā会huì一直yìzhí摇yáo尾巴wěibāWhen…
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, the word “suddenly” can be translated as 突然 tūrán or 忽然 hūrán. These words are often used to indicate an unexpected or abrupt change or action. Difference 忽然 hūrán The word 忽然 hūrán is an adverb that functions solely as an adverbial modifier in a sentence. It should not be preceded…
Grammar Point:The words 不過过 búguò, 但是 dànshì, and 可是 kěshì can all be used to express the meaning of “but” in Chinese, but they have slight differences in usage and tone. Difference 但是 dànshì This is a common and versatile word used to express contrast or contradiction in both spoken and written language. It can…
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, the words 已經经 yǐjīng and 都 dōu are commonly used to convey the meaning of “already.” Structure When comparing 已經经 yǐjīng and 都 dōu, both indicate that something has already occurred. However, 都 dōu adds a stronger emphasis and suggests the speaker’s emotional involvement or attitude towards the event. It conveys…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the translations for “must,” “certainly,” and “maybe” are 必須须 bìxū, 一定 yídìng, and 也許许 yěxǔ. But they do have some overlap parts. Structure All three of these words are adverbs in Chinese, which means they are not placed like in English where you put them before the subject or at the end…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the word 還还 hái can be translated as “still” or “yet” in certain contexts. It is commonly used to indicate that a particular situation or state continues to exist or remains unchanged. Structure S + 還还 hái + Adj When there are multiple adverbs in a sentence, 還还 hái is placed before…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, ordinal numbers are formed by adding the word 第 dì before the cardinal number. Structure 第 dì + Number 第 dì + Number + Measure word + N If you want to describe ordinal numbers with a noun, don’t forget to include a measure word in between. 第dì五wǔ瓶píng水shuǐ第dì五wǔ瓶píng水shuǐThe fifth bottle of water…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, “day” is translated as 日 rì or 天 tiān, and “week” is translated as 週周 zhōu, 禮礼拜 lǐbài or 星期 xīngqíqī. Structure Number + 日 or 天 天 tiān is commonly translated as “day” or “a day.” 日 rì is less commonly used in everyday Chinese. It has a slightly more formal…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the words used to express durations in minutes (分鐘钟 fēnzhōng) and hours (小時时 xiǎoshí) are not exactly the same as the words used to indicate specific points in time for minutes (分 fēn) and hours (點点 diǎn). Structure In Chinese sentence structure, if it is a time word, it should be placed…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the phrase “And so on” can be expressed in different ways depending on the context. Two common expressions used to convey a similar meaning are 什麼么的 shénme de and 等 děng. Structure Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 + 什麼么的 This expression is more colloquial and casual. 我wǒ喜歡xǐhuān看kàn電影diànyǐng、 聽tīng音樂yīnyuè、 玩wán遊戲yóuxì什麼的shénmede我wǒ喜欢xǐhuān看kàn电影diànyǐng、 听tīng音乐yīnyuè、 玩wán游戏yóuxì什么的shénmedeI…