Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 恐怕 kǒngpà shows uncertainty, caution, or worry. It’s used when stating something hesitantly. In English, it’s like “I’m afraid that,” “perhaps,” or “probably.” This adverb cannot be negate nor can it be used in questions. Structure S + 恐怕 kǒngpà When using this structure, please remember not to repeat the subject…
Grammar Point:當当然 dāngrán is an adverb that expresses certainty, indicating that something is “certain,” “obvious,” or “of course. Structure S + 當然/当然 dāngrán + Predicate 恐怖片kǒngbùpiàn當然dāngrán還是háishì要yào在zài電影院diànyǐngyuàn看kàn才cái好hǎo恐怖片kǒngbùpiàn当然dāngrán还是háishì要yào在zài电影院diànyǐngyuàn看kàn才cái好hǎoOf course, horror movies are best enjoyed in the cinema. 鹹酥雞xiánsūjī當然dāngrán要yào加jiā九層塔jiǔcéngtǎ才cái好吃hǎochī咸酥鸡xiánsūjī当然dāngrán要yào加jiā九层塔jiǔcéngtǎ才cái好吃hǎochīFor crispy chicken, adding basil is a must to make it delicious. 你nǐ昨晚zuówǎn那麼nàme晚wǎn睡shuì， 今天jīntiān當然dāngrán會huì打瞌睡dǎkēshuì你nǐ昨晚zuówǎn那么nàme晚wǎn睡shuì， 今天jīntiān当然dāngrán会huì打瞌睡dǎkēshuìConsidering you slept so late last…
Grammar Point:果然 guǒrán is an adverb that conveys a sense of confirmation or realization, often indicating that the result is consistent with expectations. It’s commonly used to express “as expected” or “sure enough” in English. Structure S + 果然 guǒrán + V + O 你nǐ果然guǒrán學xué得de很hěn快kuài你nǐ果然guǒrán学xué得de很hěn快kuàiYou really learn quickly just as I expected. 她tā果然guǒrán沒méi收到shōudào通知tōngzhī她tā果然guǒrán没méi收到shōudào通知tōngzhīSure enough, she…
Grammar Point:按照 ànzhào is a Chinese preposition often used to indicate following a certain method, guideline, or pattern. It conveys the idea of “following according to” or “in accordance with.” Structure 按照 ànzhào + a prescribed method, rule, or guideline You can use 按 àn on its own, to make the sentence more formal. 按照ànzhào你的nǐde意見yìjiàn，…
Grammar Point:The phrase 大概 dàgài is used in Chinese to express a sense of uncertainty or probability. It is commonly used to convey the idea that something might be the case but isn’t certain. Structure S + 大概 dàgài + V 你nǐ大概dàgài明天míngtiān8 點diǎn打dǎ給gěi我wǒ你nǐ大概dàgài明天míngtiān8 点diǎn打dǎ给gěi我wǒYou’ll probably call me around 8 o’clock tomorrow. 昨天zuótiān的de派對pàiduì大概dàgài有yǒu3 成chéng的de外國人wàiguórén昨天zuótiān的de派对pàiduì大概dàgài有yǒu3 成chéng的de外国人wàiguórénYesterday’s party…
Grammar Point:自從从 zìcóng is a Chinese grammar structure used to indicate the starting point of an action or a state and emphasize the continuity or change that has occurred since that point. It’s similar to the English phrase “since” or “ever since.” Structure 自從/自从 + Starting Point + Verb/Action It can be followed by phrases…
Grammar Point:至少 zhìshǎo is a Chinese adverb that is commonly used to express the minimum or lowest quantity or degree of something. It indicates the smallest amount or level required or expected. Structure S + 至少 + V 我們wǒmen至少zhìshǎo需要xūyào五wǔ個ge人rén參加cānjiā這個zhège活動huódòng我们wǒmen至少zhìshǎo需要xūyào五wǔ个ge人rén参加cānjiā这个zhège活动huódòngWe need at least five people to participate in this event. 他tā至少zhìshǎo應該yīnggāi打dǎ個ge電話diànhuà告訴gàosù我wǒ他tā至少zhìshǎo应该yīnggāi打dǎ个ge电话diànhuà告诉gàosu我wǒHe should at least call me…
Grammar Point:終於终于 zhōngyú is a commonly used Chinese adverb that expresses the meaning of “finally” or “at last.” It is used to indicate that something anticipated or expected has happened after a long wait, effort, or delay. Structure S + 終於于 + Verb or Verb Phrase + 了 It is often used with past tense…
Grammar Point:The phrase “對对 duì…來說来说 láishuō ” is a structure in Chinese that allows speakers to express their opinions or judgments about various topics, highlighting their subjective perspective on the matter at hand. Structure 對对 duì + S + 來說来说 láishuō 對duì台灣人Táiwānrén來說láishuō， 英文yīngwén發音fāyīn真的zhēnde很hěn難nán对duì台湾人Táiwānrén来说láishuō， 英文yīngwén发音fāyīn真的zhēnde很hěn难nánFor Taiwanese people, English pronunciation is really difficult. 對duì我wǒ來說láishuō， 教jiào中文zhōngwén是shì一件yíjiàn有yǒu趣qù的de事shì对duì我wǒ来说láishuō， 教jiào中文zhōngwén是shì一件yíjiàn有yǒu趣qù的de事儿shìrFrom my…
Grammar Point:All three of these, 向 xiàng, 朝 cháo, and 由 yóu can be used to indicate direction or position in Chinese. However, they have slightly different nuances and usages: 向 xiàng It is used to indicate a specific direction or the target of an action. It can also be used to express “towards” or…