Grammar set - 6 Flashcards
Questions with “le ma”
=》Asking questions about completed actions will involve using both 了 (le) and 吗 (ma). These are simply added to the end of a sentence or statement. Just make sure that 了 (le) comes first, followed by 吗 (ma).
Basic Usage
% Structure = Subj. + Verb + Obj. + 了吗?
》Note the order of 了 (le) and 吗 (ma).
Examples
你 吃饭 了 吗 ？Nǐ chīfàn le ma? Did you eat?
老板 走 了 吗 ？Lǎobǎn zǒu le ma? Did the boss leave?
你男朋友 找到 新 工作 了 吗 ？Nǐ nánpéngyou zhǎodào xīn gōngzuò le ma? Has your boyfriend found a new job yet?
妈妈 ，你 昨天 给 我 打电话 了 吗 ？Māma, nǐ zuótiān gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà le ma? Mom, did you call me yesterday?
你 今天 去 上班 了 吗 ？Nǐ jīntiān qù shàngbān le ma? Did you go to work today?
With a Topic
% Structure = Topic (+ Subj.) + Verb + 了吗?
NOTE: in this structure, the topic is also the object for the verb.
Examples
晚饭 你 吃 了 吗 ？Wǎnfàn nǐ chī le ma? Did you eat dinner?
衣服 你 洗 好 了 吗 ？Yīfu nǐ xǐ hǎo le ma? Have you finished washing the clothes?
作业 你 写 完 了 吗 ？Zuòyè nǐ xiě wán le ma? Have you finishing doing homework?
这 个 电影 你 看 了 吗 ？Zhège diànyǐng nǐ kàn le ma? Have you seen this movie?
我 的 邮件 你 收到 了 吗 ？ Wǒ de yóujiàn nǐ shōudào le ma? Have you received my email?
Cause and effect with “yinwei” and “suoyi”
=》You will often come across 因为⋯⋯所以⋯⋯ (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…) in both written and spoken Chinese. This pattern will give your Chinese a clear logical structure, and can help make you more persuasive.
Using 因为 (yīnwèi) by Itself to Explain Causes
=》A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with 因为 (yīnwèi). This is equivalent to “because” in English. Usually 因为 (yīnwèi) will begin a new phrase in a sentence.
Structure
》In this structure, we first state the result, and then give the reason in the next statement after the 因为 (yīnwèi).
% Structure = Result, 因为 + Reason
Examples
他 学 得 很 快 ，因为 他 很 聪明 。Tā xué de hěn kuài, yīnwèi tā hěn cōngming.He learns fast because he is smart.
我 爱 吃 四川 菜 ，因为 很 辣 。 Wǒ ài chī Sìchuān cài, yīnwèi hěn là. I love eating Sichuan food because it’s very spicy.
我 在 学习 中文 ，因为 我 想 去 中国 。Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén, yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó.I am studying Chinese because I want to go to China.
我 不 喜欢 她 ，因为 她 不 友好 。Wǒ bù xǐhuan tā, yīnwèi tā bù yǒuhǎo.I don’t like her because she is very unfriendly.
今天 我们 很 忙 ，因为 有 很 多 工作 。Jīntiān wǒmen hěn máng, yīnwèi yǒu hěn duō gōngzuò. We are very busy today because we have lots of work.
Using 所以 (suǒyǐ) by Itself to Explain Results
=》Just as 因为 (yīnwèi) can be used to explain causes, 所以 (suǒyǐ) can be used to explain results. This is the equivalent of “so…” or “therefore…” in English.
Structure
》This pattern is similar to the expression using both 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ), but it leaves out the beginning 因为 (yīnwèi). This structure is more informal.
% Structure = Reason, 所以 + Result
Examples
汉字 太 难 了，所以 我 不 想 学 。Hànzì tài nán le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù xiǎng xué.Chinese characters are too hard, so I don’t want to study them.
她 很 漂亮，所以 很 多 男孩 喜欢 她。Tā hěn piàoliang, suǒyǐ hěn duō nánhái xǐhuan tā.She is beautiful, so a lot of boys like her.
他 找到 工作 了， 所以 很 高兴。Tā zhǎodào gōngzuò le, suǒyǐ hěn gāoxìng.He found a job so he’s happy.
我 太 忙 了，所以 没有 时间 给 你 打 电话。Wǒ tài máng le, suǒyǐ méiyǒu shíjiān gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.I was too busy, so I didn’t have time to give you a call.
我们 公司 有 很 多 外国人，所以 我们 要 说 英文。Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu hěn duō wàiguó rén, suǒyǐ wǒmen yào shuō Yīngwén.There are a lot of foreigners in our company, so we need to speak English.
Using 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ) Together
=》The full pattern 因为……所以…… (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…) is used to clearly indicate cause and effect. They could be thought of as equating to: “Since ___ happened, so ___ happened.” It sounds weird to use both “since” and “so” in one sentence in English, but it makes everything crystal clear in Chinese.
% Structure = 因为 + Cause, 所以 + Effect
》This expresses that because of cause, therefore there is a result.
Examples
因为 我 有 一个 中国 女朋友，所以 我 要 学 中文。Yīnwèi wǒ yǒu yī gè Zhōngguó nǚpéngyou, suǒyǐ wǒ yào xué Zhōngwén.Since I have a Chinese girlfriend, I need to study Chinese.
因为 他 生病 了，所以 没 去 上课。 Yīnwèi tā shēngbìng le, suǒyǐ méi qù shàngkè.Since he was sick, he didn’t go to class.
因为 我 很 累，所以 要 休息。Yīnwèi wǒ hěn lèi, suǒyǐ yào xiūxi.I’m very tired, so I want to rest.
因为 太 远 了，所以 我 不 想 去。Yīnwèi tài yuǎn le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù xiǎng qù.Since it’s too far, I don’t want to go.
因为 太 忙， 所以 我们 没有 时间 吃 中饭。 Yīnwèi tài máng, suǒyǐ wǒmen méiyǒu shíjiān chī zhōngfàn.We were too busy, so none of us had time to eat lunch.
Expressing “about to happen” with “le”
=》Remember that 了 (le) is not only for the past! When something is about to happen, you can also indicate this using 了 (le). Normally it is paired with a 快 (kuài), 快要(kuàiyào) or a 要 (yào). This is a special form of using 了 to indicate a change of situation.
快⋯⋯了 (kuài… le) with Verbs
=》When using 快 ⋯⋯了 (kuài… le) with verbs, it takes on a meaning similar to the English “just about to.” Normally you can add 要 (yào) before the verb.
% Structure = 快+ Verb + 了
or
% Structure = 快要 + Verb + 了
Examples
我们 快 到 了。Wǒmen kuài dào le.We’re almost there.
快 下雨 了 。Kuài xiàyǔ le.It’s going to rain soon.
快 要 过年 了，你 什么 时候 回家？Kuài yào guònián le, nǐ shénme shíhou huíjiā? It’s almost Chinese New Year. When are you going back to your hometown?
我 女朋友 快 要 过 生日 了。 Wǒ nǚpéngyou kuài yào guò shēngrì le.My girlfriend is about to have her birthday.
快 下车 了 ，你 再 等 一会儿 。Kuài xiàchē le, nǐ zài děng yīhuìr.We’re about to get off. Just wait a little while.
》Notice that for some translations, it's more natural to use the English word "almost" instead of "soon."
快⋯⋯了 (kuài… le) with Adjectives
=》In this structure, 快⋯⋯了 (kuài… le) is closer to the meaning of “almost” in English.
% Structure = 快 + Adj. + 了
Examples
天 快 黑 了。Tiān kuài hēi le.It’s almost getting dark.
我 快 好 了。Wǒ kuài hǎo le.I’m almost ready.
饭 快 凉 了。Fàn kuài liáng le.The food is about to be cold.
这些 脏 衣服 快 臭 了。Zhèxiē zāng yīfu kuài chòu le.These dirty clothes are about to smell bad.
不 能 再 喝 了，我 快 醉 了。Bù néng zài hē le, wǒ kuài zuì le.I can’t drink another, I am almost drunk.
要⋯⋯了 (yào… le) with Verbs
=》You can also just use 要 (yào) before the verb, without 快 (kuài).
% Structure = Subj. + 要 + Verb / Adj. + 了
》Note that occasionally you'll see adjectives (instead of verbs) in this pattern as well.
Examples
我 要 生气 了！Wǒ yào shēngqì le!I’m going to get angry!
他们 的 孩子 要 出生 了。Tāmen de háizi yào chūshēng le.Their child is about to be born.
9 点 了，超市 要 关门 了。Jiǔ diǎn le, chāoshì yào guānmén le.It’s 9 o’clock. The supermarket is about to close.
我 最好 的 朋友 要 结婚 了！Wǒ zuìhǎo de péngyou yào jiéhūn le!My best friend is about to get married!
圣诞节 要 到 了 ，你 有 什么 打算 ？Shèngdànjié yào dào le, nǐ yǒu shénme dǎsuàn?It’s almost Christmas. What plans do you have?
Expressing “everything” with “shenme dou”
=》什么……都 (shénme… dōu) is a pattern often used to express “all” or “everything.” Because it’s not just one word, though, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first.
Basic Usage
Structure
In this structure, 都 (dōu) is more frequently used than 也 (yě)。
Topic (+ Subj.) + 什么 + 都 / 也 + Verb / Adj.
In some sentences, there will be a subject after the topic in the pattern above. See the following sentences for examples.
Examples
When used in the positive sense, it is more natural to follow 什么 (shénme) with 都 (dōu) rather than 也 (yě) to express “everything.”
我 觉得 这里 的 菜 什么 都 好吃。Wǒ juéde zhèlǐ de cài shénme dōu hǎochī.I think everything is delicious here. 中国 的 历史 爸爸 什么 都 知道。Zhōngguó de lìshǐ bàba shénme dōu zhīdào.My dad knows everything about Chinese history. 工作 的 事情 老公 什么 都 跟 我 说。Gōngzuò de shìqing lǎogōng shénme dōu gēn wǒ shuō.My husband tells me everything about work stuff. 妈妈 做 的 菜 我 什么 都 喜欢。Māma zuò de cài wǒ shénme dōu xǐhuan.I like everything that mom cooks. 我女朋友 觉得 外国 的 东西 什么 都 好。Wǒ nǚpéngyou juéde wàiguó de dōngxi shénme dōu hǎo.My girlfriend thinks that all foreign things are good.
Structure with a Noun
Structure
什么 + Noun + 都 + Verb
Examples
我们 什么 果汁 都 喝。Wǒmen shénme guǒzhī dōu hē.We drink any kind of fruit juice. 她 什么 衣服 都 是 黑色 的。Tā shénme yīfu dōu shì hēisè de.All of her clothes are black. 妈妈 做 的 什么 菜 都 好吃。Māma zuò de shénme cài dōu hǎochī.All of the dishes mom makes are tasty. 我男朋友 什么 运动 都 喜欢。Wǒ nánpéngyou shénme yùndòng dōu xǐhuan.My boyfriend likes all kinds of sports. 你 不 应该 什么 话 都 跟 他 说。Nǐ bù yīnggāi shénme huà dōu gēn tā shuō.You shouldn't tell him everything.
Negative Structure
Structures
The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) or a 没 (méi) after the 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě). Instead of “all” or “everything,” this expresses “none” or “not any.”
什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 不 + Verb
什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 没 (有) + Verb
Examples
生病 以后，爸爸 什么 酒 都 不 能 喝 了。Shēngbìng yǐhòu, bàba shénme jiǔ dōu bù néng hē le.After dad got sick, he can't drink any kind of alcohol. 老板 现在 很 生气，什么 人 也 不 见。Lǎobǎn xiànzài hěn shēngqì, shénme rén yě bù jiàn. The boss is very angry. He's doesn't want to see anybody. 今天 我 不 舒服，什么 东西 都 没 吃。Jīntiān wǒ bù shūfu, shénme dōngxi dōu méi chī.Today I don't feel well, so I didn't eat anything. 昨天 开会 的时候，她 什么 话 也 没 说。Zuótiān kāihuì de shíhou, tā shénme huà yě méi shuō.She didn't say anything at yesterday's meeting. 你 在 家里 怎么 什么 事 都 不 做？Nǐ zài jiālǐ zěnme shénme shì dōu bù zuò? How come you haven't done anything at home?
Expressing “stop doing” with “bie… le”
=》You may know how to make negative commands with “bie,” but what if someone is already doing it? The pattern 别⋯⋯了 (bié… le) is all you need to tell someone to STOP DOING THAT (which they’re already doing).
》Instead of just a verb, it can also be a verb phrase. Examples
% Structure = 别 + Verb / [Verb Phrase] + 了
别 说 了 ， 我 不 想 听 。Bié shuō le, wǒ bù xiǎng tīng.Stop talking. I don’t want to listen.
别 问 了， 我 不 想 说 。Bié wèn le, wǒ bù xiǎng shuō.Stop asking. I don’t want to say.
别 做 了 ，明天 再 做 吧 。Bié zuò le, míngtiān zài zuò ba.Stop doing it. Do it tomorrow.
别 看 了，睡觉 ！Bié kàn le, shuìjiào! Stop watching. Go to sleep!
别 哭 了 ，烦 死 了 。Bié kū le, fán sǐ le.Stop crying, it’s so annoying.
别 笑 了 ，别人 都 在 看 你。Bié xiào le, biérén dōu zài kàn nǐ.Stop laughing. Other people are looking at you.
别 吃 了 ，我们 要 迟到 了。Bié chī le, wǒmen yào chídào le.Stop eating. We’re going to be late.
别 玩 了 ，去 写 作业 。Bié wán le, qù xiě zuòyè.Stop playing. Do your homework.
别 买 了 ，太 贵 了 ！In this case, the person probably isn’t actually paying, but they’re about to.Bié mǎi le, tài guì le! Don’t buy it. It’s too expensive!
别 喝 了 ，你 已经 喝 了 五 杯 了。Bié hē le, nǐ yǐjīng hē le wǔ bēi le.Stop drinking. You’ve already drunk five glasses.
Expressing location with “zai… shang / xia / li”
=》You can use 在 (zài) to express location, but this article will explain how to use 在 (zài) to express location in relation to another object. This way, you can describe if something is “on the table” or “in the room.”
在 (zài) with “Big Locations”
=》If you’re talking about a “big place,” like a country or city, then all you need is 在 (zài) and the name of the place.
% Structure = 在 + Place
Examples
For example, these phrases are fine just as they are:
在 中国 zài Zhōngguóin China
在 美国 zài Měiguóin the USA
在 上海 zài Shànghǎiin Shanghai
在 纽约 zài Niǔyuēin New York
》You wouldn't want to add other words to the ends of these place names.
在 (zài) with Specific Locations
=》To show where an object is in relation to another object, make a “sandwich” starting with 在 (zài), add a place, and then add one of the following words: 上 (shàng), 下 (xià), 里 (lǐ), 旁边 (pángbiān).
% Structure = 在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁边 / etc.
》Notice that the "preposition" comes after the location and object that it modifies. That is, in English we say "on the table," but in Chinese, it is more like "at the table, on." This can be somewhat confusing, but don't worry. Once you start using this construction, it gets easy really quickly.
Examples
我 在 火车 上。Wǒ zài huǒchē shàng.I am on the train.
# 他 在 楼下。Tā zài lóuxià.He is downstairs.
Walmart 在 我家 旁边。Walmart zài wǒ jiā pángbiān.Walmart is next to my house.
你 的 手机 在 包 里吗？Nǐ de shǒujī zài bāo lǐ ma? Is your cell phone in the bag?
在 地铁 上 有 很 多 人。Zài dìtiě shàng yǒu hěn duō rén.On the metro there are a lot of people.
Common Nouns of Locality
=》The little words that come after the location in the phrases above aren’t really “prepositions.” They are called “nouns of locality,” or 方位词 (fāngwèicí) in Chinese. They actually tend to have several forms, which can be confusing if you’re not used to them. The chart below shows their most common forms:
One-Character Two-Character English
上shàng 上面 / 上边shàngmiàn / shàngbian top, above
下xià 下面 / 下边xiàmiàn / xiàbian bottom, under
里lǐ 里面 / 里边lǐmiàn / lǐbian inside
外wài 外面 / 外边wàimiàn / wàibian outside
边biān 旁边pángbiān side, beside
前qián 前面 / 前边qiánmiàn / qiánbian front
后hòu 后面 / 后边hòumiàn / hòubian back, behind
左zuǒ 左边zuǒbian left
右yòu 右边yòubian right
Abstract Uses
=》Some prepositions can be paired with more abstract concepts to form idiomatic phrases. These kinds of phrases can really make your Chinese sound polished. Later on you will learn about these idiomatic phrases with “zai”.
Adjectives with “-ji le”
=》Just as 死了 (sǐle) can be used to intensify negative adjectives, 极了 (jíle) can be used to intensify both positive and negative adjectives. This is used in spoken, colloquial Chinese. 极 means “extreme” or “utmost.”
》This structure is technically a kind of degree complement, and one of the few that you can use after the adjective and without adding a 得. Remember to add the 了, since this is sort of an exclamatory statement similar to 太好了. It would be incorrect without it.
% Structure = Subj. + Adj. + 极了
Examples
Some examples with a positive connotation:
这个 主意 好 极了 。Zhège zhǔyi hǎo jíle.This idea is perfect.
味道 好 极了 ! Wèidào hǎo jíle!The taste is perfect!
他 的 英文 棒 极了 。Tā de Yīngwén bàng jíle.His English is perfect.
婚礼 热闹 极了 。Hūnlǐ rènao jíle.The wedding was very lively.
图书馆 一点 声音 都 没有 ，安静 极了 。Túshūguǎn yīdiǎn shēngyīn dōu méiyǒu, ānjìng jíle.There is no sound at all in the library. It’s really quiet.
Some examples with a negative connotation:
昨天 的 派对 无聊 极了 ! Zuótiān de pàiduì wúliáo jíle!Yesterday’s party was so boring!
他 那么 生气 ，我们 都 害怕 极了 。Tā nàme shēngqì, wǒmen dōu hàipà jíle.He was so angry. We were all very scared.
高考 那 天 ，我 紧张 极了 。Gāokǎo nà tiān, wǒ jǐnzhāng jíle.I was really nervous the day I took the college entrance examination.
这 件 事 让 我们 都 尴尬 极了 。Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒmen dōu gāngà jíle.This matter made us all very embarrassed.
那个 男孩 讨厌 极了 ! Nàge nánhái tǎoyàn jíle!That boy is really annoying!
Expressing “not very” with “bu zenme”
=》When you use 不怎么 (bù zěnme) before an adjective, it means “not very.” This structure is similar to how English speakers may say something is “not very good.”
》When used together with an adjective, 不怎么 becomes similar to 不太, which means that the degree of the adjective is not very high.
% Structure = Subj. + 不怎么 + Adj. / [Psychological Verb]
》Using this grammar structure is a way to indirectly or mildly state something. Instead of saying 他不聪明 (tā bù cōngming) you can say 他不怎么聪明 (tā bù zěnme cōngming), turning a very direct statement to a milder, more wayward statement.
Examples
最近 不 怎么 忙 。Zuìjìn bù zěnme máng.It hasn’t been very busy lately.
这里 的 冬天 不 怎么 冷 。Zhèlǐ de dōngtiān bù zěnme lěng.It’s not very cold here in winter.
他们 好像 不 怎么 高兴 。Tāmen hǎoxiàng bù zěnme gāoxìng.They seem not very happy.
这 个 学生 不 怎么 努力 。Zhège xuéshēng bù zěnme nǔlì.This student isn’t very hard-working.
那 家 餐厅 不 怎么 干净 。Nà jiā cāntīng bù zěnme gānjìng.That restaurant isn’t very clean.
这个 老师 不 怎么 专业 。Zhège lǎoshī bù zěnme zhuānyè.This teacher isn’t very professional.
你 是 不 是 昨天 睡 得 不 怎么 好 ？Nǐ shì bu shì zuótiān shuì de bù zěnme hǎo?Did you not sleep very well last night?
我 不 怎么 喜欢 咖啡 。Wǒ bù zěnme xǐhuan kāfēi.I’m not very into coffee.
他 跟 他 父母 长 得 不 怎么 像 。Tā gēn tā fùmǔ zhǎng de bù zěnme xiàng.He and his parents don’t look very much alike.
他 去 美国 一 年 多 了 ，不过 不 怎么 想家 。Tā qù Měiguó yī nián duō le, bùguò bù zěnme xiǎngjiā.He’s been in America for more than one year, but he’s not very homesick.
》Remember that to make 不怎么 mean "not very" use it with an adjective. Using it with a verb will give it the meaning of "not often."
Indicating the whole with “quan”
=》One of the uses of 全 (quán) is to indicate the entirety of something. It could be used for something like a whole household, an entire country, the whole world, etc.
Used before Noun
=》The structure is quite simple, just put 全 in front of the noun you want to emphasize “the whole” of. You cannot use it with 的. Pay attention to the types of nouns you can use with 全, since it is usually paired up with 身 (body), 家 (family), 国 (country), 世界 (world), 天 (day) and the like.
% Structure = 全 + Noun + 都 + Predicate
》The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
我们 全 家 都 去 过 北京 。Wǒmen quán jiā dōu qù guo Běijīng.Our entire family have been to Beijing.
全 公司 的 人 都 不 喜欢 新 老板 。Quán gōngsī de rén dōu bù xǐhuan xīn lǎobǎn.The whole company doesn’t like the new boss.
运动 完 以后 我 全 身 都 是 汗 。Yùndòng wán yǐhòu wǒ quán shēn dōu shì hàn.My whole body sweat after finishing exercising.
全 校 都 放假 了 。Quán xiào dōu fàngjià le.The whole school are on holiday.
这个 地方 全 年 都 很 热 。Zhège dìfang quán nián dōu hěn rè.It’s hot here the whole year.
Used before Predicate
Affirmative Form
=》Before a verb 全 can be omitted, but if it is used, the purpose is to emphasize the idea of “all” or “entire.”
% Structure = Subj. + 全都 + Predicate
Examples
大家 全 都 到 了。Dàjiā quán dōu dào le.Everybody has come.
奶奶 的 头发 全 都 白 了。Nǎinai de tóufa quán dōu bái le.My grandma’s hair all turned grey.
我 妈妈 做 的 菜 全 都 好吃 。Wǒ māma zuò de cài quán dōu hǎochī.The food that my mother makes are all tasty.
作业 全 都 做 完 了 吗 ？Zuòyè quán dōu zuò wán le ma?You’ve finished all your homework?
你 全 都 拿 走 吧。Nǐ quán dōu názǒu ba.Take them all.
Negative Form: Total Negation
=》When you negate 全都 with 不 or 没 after it, you’re not just saying “not entirely,” you’re saying “none of it” or “not at all.”
% Structure = Subj. + 全都 + 不 / 没 + Predicate
Examples
他们 全 都 没 去 。Tāmen quán dōu méi qù.None of them went.
这 个 周末 我们 全 都 不 在 家 。Zhège zhōumò wǒmen quán dōu bù zài jiā.None of us will be home this weekend.
你们 全 都 不 怕 吗 ？Nǐmen quán dōu bù pà ma?Are you all not afraid?
这些 菜 全 都 没 熟 。Zhèxiē cài quán dōu méi shóu.None of these food are fully cooked.
他 的 话 我 全 都 不 相信 。Tā de huà wǒ quán dōu bù xiāngxìn.I don’t believe anything he says.
Negative Pattern: Partial Negation
=》When you negate by putting 不 or 没 before 全都, you’re only partially negating. In other words, you’re communicating “not all.”
% Structure = Subj.+ 不 / 没 + 全都 + Predicate
Examples
他 说 得 有 道理 ，但 我 不 全 都 同意 。Tā shuō de yǒu dàolǐ, dàn wǒ bù quán dōu tóngyì.He has a point, but I can’t say I agree on all of it.
菜 太 多 了 ，我们 没 全 都 吃完 。Cài tài duō le, wǒmen méi quán dōu chī wán.The food was too much. We didn’t finish eating them all.
昨天 作业 太 多 了 ，我 没 全 都 做完 。Zuótiān zuòyè tài duō le, wǒ méi quán dōu zuò wán.I had too much homework yesterday. I didn’t finish doing them all.
我 的 家人 没 全 都 来 参加 我 的 婚礼 。Wǒ de jiārén méi quán dōu lái cānjiā wǒ de hūnlǐ.Not all of my family came to my wedding.
你 说 得 太 快 了 ， 我 没 全 都 记 下来 。Nǐ shuō de tài kuài le, wǒ méi quán dōu jì xiàlái. You spoke too fast. I didn’t write down all of what you said.
Expressing “some” with “yixie”
=》n order to express “some” or “a few,” you can use 一些 (yīxiē). To use it in this way, 一些 (yīxiē) is placed before the noun it modifies. 一些 (yīxiē) can modify the subject or the object.
% Structure = 一些 + Noun
Examples
妈妈 去 超市 买 了 一些 水果。 Māma qù chāoshì mǎi le yīxiē shuǐguǒ.Mom went to the supermarket and bought some fruit.
上 个 周末 他 买了 一些 衣服。 Shàng gè zhōumò tā mǎi le yīxiē yīfu.He bought some clothes last weekend.
我们 很 快 会 见到 一些 新 同事。Wǒmen hěn kuài huì jiàndào yīxiē xīn tóngshì.We’re going to meet some new co-workers very soon.
你 饿 不 饿？这里 有 一些 吃的。 Nǐ è bu è? Zhèlǐ yǒu yīxiē chīde.Are you hungry or not? There is some food here.
下课 以后， 学生们 问 了 一些 问题。 Xiàkè yǐhòu, xuéshengmen wèn le yīxiē wèntí.After class, the students asked some questions.
给 我 一些 时间，好吗？ Gěi wǒ yīxiē shíjiān, hǎo ma?Give me some time, OK?
他 给 我 带 了 一些 书。 Tā gěi wǒ dài le yīxiē shū.He brought me some books.
你 可以 借 我 一些 钱 吗？Nǐ kěyǐ jiè wǒ yīxiē qián ma?Can you lend me some money?
你 想 在 咖啡 里 放 一些 糖 吗 ？ Nǐ xiǎng zài kāfēi lǐ fàng yīxiē táng ma?Do you want to put some sugar in your coffee?
我 在 中国 的 时候，去 过 一些 很 漂亮 的 地方。 Wǒ zài Zhōngguó de shíhou, qù guo yīxiē hěn piàoliang de dìfang.When I was in China, I went to some beautiful places.
Using “youde” to mean “some”
=》To refer to just certain members of group, you can use 有的 (yǒude). This usage is normally translated as “some” in English. It is often used multiple times in one sentence to refer to different groups.
All you need to do is put 有的 (yǒude) before the nouns there are “some of” in the sentence. If there is already some context, you can omit the subject, and the 有的 (yǒude) can just mean “some” instead of “some of something.”
% Structure = 有的 + (Subj.) + Predicate， 有的 + (Subj.) + Predicate
Also, you aren’t limited to just two 有的 (yǒude) in the sentence. You can have multiple groups doing different things, and just precede them with a 有的 (yǒude) each time.
Examples
外国人 有的 很 有钱， 有的 没钱。 Wàiguó rén yǒude hěn yǒuqián, yǒude méi qián.Some foreigners are rich, but some aren’t.
我们 公司 有 一些 电脑， 有的 是 新的，有的 是 旧的。 Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu yīxiē diànnǎo, yǒude shì xīn de, yǒude shì jiù de.Our company has some computers. Some are new, and some are old.
他 写 了 很多 书，有的 卖 得 很好， 有的 卖 得 不好。 Tā xiě le hěn duō shū, yǒude mài de hěn hǎo, yǒude mài de bù hǎo.He has written a lot of books. Some sell well, but some don’t.
中国菜 有的 好吃，有的 不 好吃。 Zhōngguó cài yǒude hāochī, yǒude bù hāochī.Some Chinese foods are tasty, while some aren’t.
这 家 店 的 衣服 有的 贵 ， 有的 便宜 。 Zhè jiā diàn de yīfu yǒude guì, yǒude piányi.In this shop, some of the clothes are expensive and some are cheap.
他 有 很 多 房子， 有的 在 国内， 有的 在 国外。 Tā yǒu hěn duō fángzi, yǒude zài guónèi, yǒude zài guówài.He has a lot of houses, some of them are within the country and some are abroad.
晚上 六点 以后，有的 人 下班了， 有的 人 在 加班。 Wǎnshang liùdiǎn yǐhòu, yǒude rén xiàbān le, yǒude rén zài jiābān.After six o’clock some people are off work, while some are still working.
我 的 大学 老师 有的 很 年轻， 有的 很 老。 Wǒ de dàxué lǎoshī yǒude hěn niánqīng, yǒude hěn lǎo.Some of my college teachers are young, some are old.
酒吧里， 有的人 在 喝酒 ， 有的人 在 跳舞 ， 还 有的人 在 聊天 。 Jiǔbā lǐ, yǒude rén zài hējiǔ, yǒude rén zài tiàowǔ, hái yǒude rén zài liáotiān.In the bar, some people are drinking, some are dancing, and some are chatting.
因为 工作，我 认识 了 很 多 人 ， 有的 是 大学老师， 有的 是 CEO。 Yīnwèi gōngzuò, wǒ rènshi le hěn duō rén, yǒude shì dàxué lǎoshī, yǒude shì CEO.I know a lot of people because of my work. Some are college teachers and some are CEOs.
Counting money
=》Cash is king, even though China is now crazy for mobile payments. Either way, though, mastering how to say quantities of money is vital!
Asking “How Much Money” with 多少钱 (duōshao qián)
=》Before you learn how to count money in Chinese, make sure you know how to ask “how much money” when you go shopping in China.
Structure = Subj. + 多少钱 ?
Examples
多少 钱 ？Duōshao qián? How much?
你 的 手机 多少 钱？Nǐ de shǒujī duōshao qián? How much was your cell phone?
我们 的 午饭 多少 钱？Wǒmen de wǔfàn duōshao qián? How much is our lunch?
这 杯 咖啡多少 钱？Zhè bēi kāfēi duōshao qián? How much for this cup of coffee?
这 件 衣服 多少 钱？Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshao qián? How much is this clothing?
Stating Quantities of Money
=》Chinese has a specific structure for talking about quantities for money:
% Structure = Number + 块 + Number + 毛
Examples
两 块 五 毛 liǎng kuài wǔ máotwo kuai five mao (2.5)
三 块 八 毛 sān kuài bā máothree kuai eight mao (3.8)
十 块 两 毛 shí kuài liǎng máoten kuai two mao (10.2)
二十 三 块 八毛 èrshí-sān kuài bā máo Twenty-three kuai eight mao (23.8)
五十 块 五 毛 wǔshí kuài wǔ máofifty kuai five mao (50.5)
》Note that "2.5 RMB" reads as 两块五 (liǎng kuài wǔ).
X - 二 块 五 èr kuài wǔ
✓ - 两 块 五 liǎng kuài wǔ two kuai five mao (2.5)
》If the smaller units are only in tens, you can just say the number of tens. So "3.8 RMB" is 三块八 (sān kuài bā). This way of giving the price is normally only used for amounts under 100 RMB.
When the smallest unit is 2, it reads as 二 (èr) instead of 两 (liǎng).
X - 两 块 两 liǎng kuài liǎng
✓ - 两 块 二 liǎng kuài èr two kuai two mao (2.2)
X - 五 块 两 wǔ kuài liǎng
✓ - 五 块 二 wǔ kuài èr five kuai two mao (5.2)
》The first number is the amount of whole RMB (or dollars etc.), and the second is the amount smaller units (e.g. cents). So "3.86 RMB" is
三 块 八 毛 六sān kuài bā máo liùthree kuai eight mao six fen (3.86)
》And if there's no smaller unit, e.g. "3 RMB," you can just say:
三 块sān kuài Three kuai
》块 (kuài) is the more common, informal way to talk about money. More formally you can use 元 (yuán) in exactly the same way. This is similar to the difference between "dollars" and "bucks" in American English, or "pounds" and "quid" in British English. 块 (kuài) is appropriate in more situations than "bucks" or "quid," though.
Expressing “every” with “mei”
=》In this article we will look at the structure for saying “every” in Chinese, which is slightly more involved than just throwing in the word 每 (měi).
》The pronoun 每 (měi) covers the meanings of "each" and "every." It should normally be used with a measure word and used with 都 (dōu) in a complete sentence.
% Structure = 每 + Measure Word + Noun + 都
》Note that there are some words that don't use measure words because they themselves are already measure words. For example: 天 (tiān), 年 (nián), 周 (zhōu), 次 (cì) etc.
Examples
每 个 菜 都 好吃。Měi gè cài dōu hěn hǎochī.Every dish is delicious.
你 每 个 人 都 认识 吗？Nǐ měi gè rén dōu rènshi ma? Do you know every person?
老板 每 个 月 都 出差。Lǎobǎn měi gè yuè dōu chūchāi.The boss goes on business trips every month.
他 每 天 都 不 吃 早饭。Tā měi tiān dōu bù chī zǎofàn.Every morning he skips breakfast.
他 每 年 都 来 中国。Tā měi nián dōu lái Zhōngguó.He comes to China every year.
我 每 个 星期 都 给 妈妈 打电话。Wǒ měi gè xīngqī dōu gěi māma dǎ diànhuà.I give mom a phone call every week.
这个 班 的 每 个 学生 都 很 聪明。Zhège bān de měi gè xuéshēng dōu hěn cōngming.Each of the students in this class are very smart.
老师 每 天 都 给 我们 很多 作业。Lǎoshī měi tiān dōu gěi wǒmen hěn duō zuòyè.Every day the teacher gives us a lot of homework.
我们 每 周 都 要 开会。Wǒmen měi zhōu dōu yào kāihuì.Every week we need to have a meeting.
他们 每 个 周末 都 去 公园。Tāmen měi gè zhōumò dōu qù gōngyuán.Every weekend they go to the park.
Expressing “half” with “ban”
=》The Chinese word 半 (bàn) means “half.” That’s simple enough, but what can get slightly tricky is the rules for how it combines with measure words.
Used Alone
=》You’ll need to use a measure word (Measure Word) in this structure.
% Structure = 半 + Measure Word + Noun
Examples
》The measure words are also indicated below.
半 个 小时 bàn gè xiǎoshíhalf an hour
半 个 月 bàn gè yuèhalf a month
半 碗 米饭 bàn wǎn mǐfànhalf a bowl of rice
半 瓶 酒 bàn píng jiǔhalf a bottle of liquor
半 份 炒面 bàn fèn chǎomiànhalf a serving of chow mein
With a Number
=》When it’s more than just a half, then 半 (bàn) comes after the measure word instead of before. It’s the difference between “half an hour” and “an hour and a half.”
半 个 小时 bàn gè xiǎoshíhalf an hour
一 个 半 小时 yī gè bàn xiǎoshían hour and a half
》The order is actually basically the same as what we do in English (we just don't have so many pesky measure words to keep track of in English!).
% Structure = Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun
Examples
三 个 半 小时 sān gè bàn xiǎoshíthree and a half hours
两 个 半 月 liǎng gè bàn yuètwo and a half months
一 斤 半 水果 One “jin” = 500gyī jīn bàn shuǐguǒ one and a half jin of fruit
一 瓶 半 白酒 yī píng bàn báijiǔ one and a half bottles of wine
四块 半 巧克力 sì kuài bàn qiǎokèlì four and a half pieces of chocolate
Notable Exceptions
=》There are some words that act as their own measure words, notably the time words 天 (tiān), meaning “day,” and 年 (nián), meaning “year.”
Used Alone
% Structure = 半 + 天 / 年
Examples
半 天 bàn tiānhalf a day
半 年 bàn niánhalf a year
》Note that you do not need to use 个 (gè) here; in fact, it's wrong to do so:
X - 半 个 天 bàn gè tiānhalf a day
X - 半 个 年 bàn gè niánhalf a year
With a Number
=》天 (tiān) and 年 (nián) aren’t the only words that take this alternate pattern, but they’re the two key ones you need to learn first.
% Structure = Number + 天 / 年 + 半
Examples
两 天 半 liǎng tiān bàntwo and a half days
一 年 半 yī nián bàna year and a half
三 天 半 sān tiān bànthree and a half days
四 年 半 sì nián bànfour and a half years
Measure words for counting
=》Chinese uses measure words, a type of word called classifiers in linguistics which are common in East Asian languages. Measure words have a number of important uses, but one of the first ways you’ll need to use them is for counting. Chinese learners should master them, starting with the measure word 个 (gè).
>Whenever you talk about the quantity of something in Chinese, you need a measure word.
% Structure = Number + Measure Word + Noun
》English does actually have measure words, it's just that most nouns usually don't need them. In English, most nouns are count nouns - they specify one instance of something. "An apple," for example. Some nouns are mass nouns and refer to something without specifying how much of it there is. Examples are "furniture," "paper," "water," etc. You can't say "a furniture"; you need a measure word: "a piece of furniture," "two sheets of paper," "three glasses of water," and so on. 》In Chinese, all nouns are mass nouns so they all need measure words. Just as in English, different nouns are associated with different measure words (e.g. it wouldn't make sense to talk about "a glass of furniture" unless something went horribly wrong in the factory). Examples
一 个 人 yī gè réna person
两 只 猫 liǎng zhī māotwo cats
三 条 鱼 sān tiáo yúthree fish
四 杯 牛奶 sì bēi niúnǎifour glasses of milk
五 瓶 水 wǔ píng shuǐfive bottles of water
六 块 巧克力 liù kuài qiǎokèlìsix pieces of chocolate
七 盒 茶叶 qī hé cháyèseven boxes of tea leaves
八 台 电脑 bā tái diànnǎoeight computers
九 支 玫瑰 jiǔ zhī méiguīnine roses
十 个 美女 shí gè měinǚten beautiful women
》Also remember that there isn't a one-to-one relationship between nouns and measure words. One measure word can be used with several different nouns:
一 条 狗 yī tiáo gǒua dog
一 条 河 yī tiáo héa river
一 条 路 yī tiáo lùa road
一 条 龙 yī tiáo lónga dragon
一 条 鱼 yī tiáo yúa fish
一 条 短信 yī tiáo duǎnxìna text (message)
》And one noun can take different measure words in different situations:
一 块 巧克力 yī kuài qiǎokèlì a piece of chocolate
一 盒巧克力 yī hé qiǎokèlì a box of chocolate
一 颗 巧克力 yī kē qiǎokèlì a small piece of chocolate
