Expressing Moods/Tones

Question 1

Tone of surprise

Answer 1

1) 还 - before a predicate (often followed with a 呢) to express a kind of ‘even’ tone: 都 怪 你 ，你 还 生气 呢 (it’s all your fault, but you’re the one who’s mad)。

Question 2

Tone of sarcasm

Answer 2

1) 还 - before a noun phrase (often followed by 呢) to express that that noun phrase is not an accurate description: 还 好朋友 呢 ，天天 说 我 坏话 。(What a “good friend”! Talking trash about me every day.)

Question 3

Tone of speculation or uncertainty

Answer 3

1) 总 + 不 / 没 + Verb: Expresses a sense that it never really is: 你们 之间 的 联系 这么 少，看 起来 总 不 像 是 一 家 人 (You talk to each other so little. It seems that you’re barely family) or 他 这么 大 年纪 了，我们 总 不 能 让 他 一个人 去 吧？(He’s so elderly. We can’t just let him go there all alone, right?)

Question 4

Tone of certainty

Answer 4

1) 总 (zong - always) used in contexts where it would not directly translate. + 会 / 得 / 要 / 能 + Verb Phrase (+ 吧). For example: 不管 发生 了 什么，人 总 要 吃饭 吧。(No matter what happens, people still have to eat, right?)

Question 5

Express a sense of having to / having no choice

Answer 5

1) 只好 in structure ⋯⋯ ，(Subj. +) 只好 + [Verb Phrase], to express a sense of dissatisfaction, but having only one choice. 我 忘 了 预约 ，只好 去 排队 。(I forgot to make an appointment, so I had to wait in line.)

2）不得不 in structure S + 不得不 + V. This has a stronger tone than, e.g. bixu, and means someone can’t help doing something. 你 真的 太 厉害 了 ， 我 不得不 承认 。(You are so good. I have to admit it.)

Question 6

Adding Emphasis

Answer 6

1) 可 can be added before a verb or adjective (often followed by 了）to add emphasis, and sometimes a tone of surprise: 这 只 小 狗 可 淘气 了！(The speaker never expected puppies to be this naughty) or 你 可 别 走！ )I’m blocking your way, almost pleading with you)
2) Use 甚至 。。。 都/也。。。 to add emphasis by comparing to something else as ‘even’ being/not being.
3) Use 简直 to add the sense of ‘simply’ or ‘basically’. N.B. you need to follow with a predicate or modified adjective (not an adjective on its own), and is often followed by 是。他 简直 是 骗 人 （He’s just/basically lying to you); 她 简直 太 漂亮 了 ！我 简直 不 明白 他 为什么 这么 傻 ！
4) Use 千万 in imperative sentences to give a sense of ‘absolutely’. 这 个 菜 很 难吃，千万 不要 点！(This dish is horrible. Make sure you don’t order it!)

5）Use s+这个+label to emphasise that someone is something (you X!)你 这个 坏蛋，就 没 做 过 一 件 好 事。or 上海 这个 城市，夏天 太 热，冬天 太 冷。

6) Use 并 to emphasise a negative statement. 你 这样 做 其实 并 没有 解决 客户 的 问题。

Question 7

To cushion something to soften or make more polite

Answer 7

1) 恐怕：literally meaning to fear, but can be used to politely disagree with a gentle tone. 这 件 事 恐怕 得 你 帮忙 。(I’m afraid we’re going to need your help with this matter.)
2) Use 呢 with questions (where the question is already obvious). You can use in 还是 questions, v不v questions or interrogative pronoun questions, to soften tone or make commands feel like suggestions. 咱们 打 游戏 呢 ，还是 泡吧 呢 ，我 都 可以！or 这 是 谁 的 笔 呢? or 你 去 不 去 逛街 呢？(gentle) or 牛奶 你 喝 不 喝 呢？(without the 呢 all demand an answer/obedience!)