Grammar Point:The Chinese word 本來来 běnlái is an adverb that is used to indicate the original of something, and it’s often translated as “originally,” “initially,” or “origin.” Structure S + běnlái + V 他tā本來běnlái是shì一名yìmíng工程師gōngchéngshī, 後來hòulái轉行zhuǎnxíng當dāng老師lǎoshī他tā本来běnlái是shì一名yìmíng工程师gōngchéngshī, 后来hòulái转行zhuǎnxíng当dāng老师lǎoshīHe was originally an engineer but later switched to become a teacher. 你nǐ本來běnlái打算dǎsuàn去qù哪裡nǎlǐ度假dùjià? 你nǐ本来běnlái打算dǎsuàn去qù哪里nǎlǐ度假dùjià? Where did you originally plan to…
Category: HSK 3
“Indeed” in Chinese 1 – quèshí
Grammar Point:The word 確實确实 quèshí in Chinese is an adverb that means “indeed” or “truly.” It is often used to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement. Structure S + 確實确实 quèshí + Statement 他tā確實quèshí很hěn聰明cōngmíng他tā确实quèshí很hěn聪明cōngmíngHe is indeed very intelligent. 我wǒ確實quèshí不bù喜歡xǐhuān他tā我wǒ确实quèshí不bù喜欢xǐhuan他tāI truly do not like him. 我wǒ確實quèshí沒méi收到shōudào你的nǐde錢qián我wǒ确实quèshí没méi收到shōudào你的nǐde钱qiánI indeed did not receive your money. 確實quèshí有yǒu這zhè件jiàn事shì确实quèshí有yǒu这zhè件jiàn事shìThere is…
“Please” in Chinese – qiānwàn
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 千萬万 qiānwàn is an idiomatic expression that is often used to convey a sense of urgency, or strong advice. It can be translated in different ways depending on the context, but it generally carries the idea of “please” in English. Structure Qiānwàn + Neg + V When someone uses 千萬万 qiānwàn…
“Any” in Chinese – rènhé
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 任何 rènhé is a common phrase used in the language and can be translated to “any” or “whatever” in English. Structure 任何 rènhé + N + (都) 沒想到méixiǎngdào你nǐ和hé十年shínián前qián一模一樣yìmóyíyàng沒有méiyǒu任何rènhé改變gǎibiàn没想到méixiǎngdào你nǐ和hé十年shínián前qián一模一样yìmóyíyàng没有méiyǒu任何rènhé改变gǎibiànI didn’t expect that you haven’t changed at all in the past ten years. 我wǒ明天míngtiān都dōu在zài家jiā, 所以suǒyǐ任何rènhé時間shíjiān都dōu歡迎huānyíng你nǐ來lái我wǒ明天míngtiān都dōu在zài家jiā, 所以suǒyǐ任何rènhé时间shíjiān都dōu欢迎huānyíng你nǐ来láiI’ll be at home all day tomorrow, so…
“Anyway” in Chinese – fǎnzhèng
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 反正 fǎnzhèng is an adverb that is commonly used in spoken language and informal writing. It is similar to the English word “anyway,” but not exactly the same. Structure 反正 + Reason The difference between English and Chinese is that 反正 fǎnzhèng always needs a reason with it, unlike English where…
Absolutely in Chinese – juéduì
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 絕對绝对 juéduì is commonly translated to “absolute” or “absolutely” in English. It is used to describe something that is completely certain, or without any doubt. Structure As an Adjective 這zhè場chǎng比賽bǐsài韓國hánguó有yǒu絕對juéduì的de優勢yōushì这zhè场chǎng比赛bǐsài韩国hánguó有yǒu绝对juéduì的de优势yōushìIn this game, South Korea has an absolute advantage. 太太tàitai在zài家裡jiālǐ是shì絕對juéduì的de權威quánwēi太太tàitai在zài家里jiālǐ是shì绝对juéduì的de权威quánwēiMy wife is an absolute authority at home. 狗gǒu對duì人rén有yǒu著zhe絕對juéduì的de忠誠zhōngchéng狗gǒu对duì人rén有yǒu着zhe绝对juéduì的de忠诚zhōngchéngDogs have absolute loyalty to…
“Has no choice but to” – zhǐhǎo
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the expression 只好 zhǐhǎo is used to convey the idea that someone has no choice but to do something because it’s the only viable option or the best available solution in a given situation. Structure (S) + 只好 zhǐhǎo + V 大家dàjiā都dōu不想bùxiǎng當dāng班代bāndài, 只好zhǐhǎo抽籤chōuqiān決定juédìng大家dàjiā都dōu不想bùxiǎng当dāng班代bāndài, 只好zhǐhǎo抽签chōuqiān决定juédìngNo one wants to be the class representative, so…
Expressing “urgency” in Chinese
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, there are several words and phrases that can be used to express a sense of urgency or the need to do something quickly. Here are some commonly used expressions: 趕緊赶紧 gǎnjǐn, 趕赶快 gǎnkuài, 連连忙 liánmáng, and 立刻 lìkè. 趕緊/赶紧 gǎnjǐn It is often used in imperative sentences or statements to urge…
“Simply” in Chinese 1 – jiǎnzhí
Grammar Point:The word 簡简直 jiǎnzhí is a Chinese adverb often used to express exaggeration and convey a sense of something being untrue and hypothetical. It is similar in meaning to English words such as ‘simply,’ ‘absolutely,’ ‘completely,’ ‘literally,’ or ‘downright.’ Structure 簡简直 jiǎnzhí + Adj or V 那nà房子fángzi又yòu髒zāng又yòu暗àn簡直jiǎnzhí像xiàng鬼屋guǐwū, 你nǐ還是háishì找zhǎo別的biéde房子fángzi吧ba那nà房子fángzi又yòu脏zāng又yòu暗àn简直jiǎnzhí像xiàng鬼屋guǐwū, 你nǐ还是háishì找zhǎo别的biéde房子fángzi吧baThat house is dirty and dark;…
Emphasize a negation 2 – gēnběn
Grammar Point:根本 gēnběn is a Chinese adverb that the speaker uses to emphasize a negative view or a sense of impossibility. It often conveys a strong sense of negation or skepticism in sentences, highlighting that something is fundamentally lacking or impossible. Structure S + gēnběn + V 加州jiāzhōu房價fángjià那麼nàme高gāo, 年輕人niánqīngrén根本gēnběn買不起mǎibùqǐ房子fángzi加州jiāzhōu房价fángjià那么nàme高gāo, 年轻人niánqīngrén根本gēnběn买不起mǎibuqǐ房子fángziThe housing prices in California are…









