Grammar set - 7 Flashcards
Emphasis with “jiushi”
=》As an adverb, 就 (jiù) can be placed before the predicate to add emphasis. It often has an intense or provocative feel to it, similar to “just,” like how we sometimes say in English “it’s just not right!” This emphasis very often appears as 就是.
Used as “Is Exactly”
%Structure = 就是 + Noun
Examples
那个 人 就 是 她 的 新 男朋友。Nàge rén jiù shì tā de xīn nánpéngyou.That guy is her new boyfriend.
他 就 是 你 要 找 的 人 。Tā jiù shì nǐ yào zhǎo de rén.He’s just the person that you’re looking for.
我们 就 是 他 的 家人 。Wǒmen jiù shì tā de jiārén.We’re his family.
你 就 是 个 笨蛋！Nǐ jiù shì gè bèndàn!A moron is precisely what you are!
他 就 是 那 个 骗子！Tā jiù shì nàge piànzi!That conman is him!
Used as “only Because”
=》就是 can be used to intensify the predicate to mean “only (because of) that and nothing else.” In this case, 是 can’t be omitted. In many cases, you could also add in an 因为, but it’s not required.
Examples
他 不 去 旅游 就是 不 想 花钱 。 Tā bù qù lǚyóu jiùshì bù xiǎng huāqián. He didn’t travel only because he doesn’t want to spend the money.
你 不 参加 比赛 就是 怕 输 吗 ？ Nǐ bù cānjiā bǐsài jiùshì pà shū ma? You’re not entering the competition just because you’re afraid of failure?
他 这样 说 就是 嫉妒 我 。 Tā zhèyàng shuō jiùshì jídù wǒ. He said this only because he envies me.
她 问 这么 多，就是 担心 你 。 She asked so many questions only because she’s worried about you.
她 就是 漂亮 ，没 别的 优势 。 Tā jiùshì piàoliang, méi biéde yōushì.She’s just pretty; she doesn’t have any other strengths.
Other Usage
》In the examples above, 就 pairs exclusively with the verb 是. But 就 can also come before other verbs, with similar emphatic effect. In these cases, it's also OK to use 就是 before the other verbs as well.
% Structure = 就(是) + (不) + Verb
Examples
我 就 要 去！Wǒ jiù yào qù! I just want to go!
我 就是 喜欢 他。Wǒ jiù shì xǐhuan tā.I just like him.
我 就 不 告诉 你 。Wǒ jiù bù gàosu nǐ.I’m just not going to tell you.
我 父母 就是 不 让 我 一个人 去 。 Wǒ fùmǔ jiùshì bù ràng wǒ yīgèrén qù.My parents simply won’t let me go alone.
这个 学生 就是不 听 老师 的 话 。Zhège xuéshēng jiù bù tīng lǎoshī de huà.The student just wouldn’t listen to his teacher.
》As you may have noticed, many of these uses of 就 or 就是 carry a flippant, stubborn tone, referred to as 任性 (rènxìng) in Chinese.
Emphasizing negation with “you”
=》One of the many versatile uses of 又 (yòu) is to emphasize negation, giving your negative sentence a little kick!
》In this structure, 又 is used to emphasize that something didn't happen or is not the case, or will not happen. It's most often used with 不 and 没. This grammar structure is often used in an accusatory context.
% Structure = 又 + 不 / 没 + Predicate
Examples
问 我 干吗 ？我 又 不 知道 。Wèn wǒ gànmá? Wǒ yòu bù zhīdào. Why ask me? I definitely don’t know.
这些 菜 又 没 坏 ，为什么 要 扔 ？Zhèxiē cài yòu méi huài, wèishénme yào rēng?These food aren’t bad. Why would you throw them away?
不要 生气 ，我又 不 是 故意 的 。Bùyào shēngqì, wǒ yòu bù shì gùyì de. Don’t be mad.It really wasn’t on purpose.
今天 又 不 热 ，开 空调 干吗 ？Jīntiān yòu bù rè, kāi kōngtiáo gànmá?It’s not hot today. Why turn on the air conditioner?
明天 又 不 上班 ，那么 早 起床 干吗 ？Míngtiān yòu bù shàngbān, nàme zǎo qǐchuáng gànmá?You don’t work tomorrow. Why get up so early?
你 现在 又 不 忙 ，来 帮 我 一下 。Nǐ xiànzài yòu bù máng, lái bāng wǒ yīxià.You’re not busy now. Come and help me.
我 又 没 吃 过 ，我 怎么 知道 好 不 好吃 ？Wǒ yòu méi chī guo, zěnme zhīdào hǎo bu hǎochī?I haven’t eaten it. How would I know if it is tasty or not?
孩子 又 没 做错 ，打 他 干吗 ？Háizi yòu méi zuò cuò, dǎ tā gànmá?The child didn’t do anything wrong. Why hit him?
又 没 下 雨 ，带 伞 干吗 ？Yòu méi xiàyǔ, dài sǎn gànmá? It’s not raining. Why are you bringing the umbrella?
又 不 关 你 的 事 ，问 那么 多 干 吗？Yòu bù guān nǐ de shì, wèn nàme duō gànmá?It’s none of your business. Why ask so much?
Expressing “about to” with “jiuyao”
=》就要 (jiùyào) is similar to 快要 (kuàiyào), meaning “about to.” They are interchangeable in some cases. But there is a major difference that you need to take a good look at.
Basic Pattern
% Structure = (Subj. +) 就要 + Verb + 了
Examples
她 就要 出国 了 。Tā jiù yào chūguó le.She is about to go abroad.
就要 下雨 了 ！Jiù yào xiàyǔ le!It’s about to rain!
我们 的 大老板 就要 来 了 。Wǒmen de dà lǎobǎn jiùyào lái le.Our big boss is coming soon.
他们 就要 结婚 了 。Tāmen jiù yào jiéhūn le.They are about to get married.
就要 下课 了 ，还有 别的 问题 吗 ？Jiù yào xiàkè le, háiyǒu bié de wèntí ma?The class is almost over. Are there any other questions?
》In this case, 就要 can be replaced by 快要 or 快.
Advanced Pattern
=》快要 (kuài yào) is generally “about to” [happen], but 就要 (jiù yào) could be used to mark a more specific time. 要 (yào) here can be omitted. For this one, you wouldn’t normally use “about to” for this English translation, but the feeling is nevertheless that the impending event is coming up fast.
% Structure = 还有 + Time (+ Subj.) + 就 (要) + Verb + 了
Examples
还有 十 天 宝宝 就 一 岁 了 。Háiyǒu shí tiān bǎobao jiù yī suì le.In ten more days, the baby will be one year old.
还有 十 分钟 我 就 下班 了 。Háiyǒu shí fēnzhōng wǒ jiù xiàbān le.I get off work in 10 minutes.
还有 五 天 就要 放假 了 。Háiyǒu wǔ tiān jiù yào fàngjià le. I go on vacation in 5 days.
还有 一 个 月 就要 过年 了 。Háiyǒu yī gè yuè jiù yào guònián le.It will be Chinese New Year in another month.
还有 两 个 星期 我们 就要 考试 了 。Háiyǒu liǎng gè xīngqí wǒmen jiù yào kǎoshì le.We’re just two weeks away from the exam date.
Expressing “again” in the future with “zai”
=》While 又 (yòu) is used for “again” in the past, 再 (zài) is used for “again” in the future. That is, 再 is used when something has happened once and it will happen again.
Used as “Again”
=》The basic structure for using the future “again” is:
% Structure = Subj. + 再 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
我们 明年 再 来 。Wǒmen míngnián zài lái.We’ll come again next year.
你 可以 再 说 一 遍 吗 ？Nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?Can you please say it again?
要 不 要 再 试 一下 ？Yào bù yàozài shì yīxià?Would you like to try it again?
这 本 书 我 要 再 看 一 遍 。Zhè běn shū wǒ yào zài kàn yī biàn.I want to read this book again.
老师 说 明天 要 再 复习 一 遍 。Lǎoshī shuō míngtiān yào zài fùxí yī biàn.The teacher said we’ll review it again tomorrow.
》In fact, this structure is present in one of the most common Chinese phrases: "再见!" In this case, it literally means "See you again!" Used as "Another" or "Some More"
The English word “another” is often avoided altogether by using 再.
% Structure = Subj. + 再 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
再 吃 一点 。Zài chī yīdiǎn.Eat more.
再 点 几 个 菜 吧 。Zài diǎn jǐ gè cài ba.Let’s order some more dishes.
服务员 ，再 来 两 瓶 啤酒 。Fúwùyuán, zài lái liǎng píng píjiǔ.Waiter, two more bottles of beer, please.
你 再 给 我 五十 块 。Nǐ zài gěi wǒ wǔshí kuài.Give me fifty more kuai.
我 能 不 能 再 拿 两 个 ？Wǒ néng bu néng zài ná liǎng gè?Can I take two more?
Used for Continuous Action
=》Here 再 is similar to the English “for a while longer” or “keep [going/doing].”
% Structure = Subj. + 再 + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
再 找 找 。Zài zhǎozhao.Keep looking.
不 急 ，再 想想 。Bù jí, zài xiǎngxiang.Don’t worry. Keep thinking.
再 等 一会儿 吧 。Zài děng yīhuìr ba.Let’s wait a little longer.
时间 还 早 ，再 玩 一会儿 。Shíjiān hái zǎo, zài wán yīhuìr ba.It’s still early. Let’s keep playing.
现在 才 六 点 半 ，你 可以 再 睡 一会儿 。Xiànzài cái liù diǎn bàn, nǐ kěyǐ zài shuì yīhuìr.It’s only half past six. You can sleep a little longer.
Expressing “again” in the past with “you”
=》Whenever you want to express something like “you did it again!” in Chinese, you generally want to use 又 (yòu).
Affirmative Form
=》Normally, 又 is used to express an action that has already happened again for (at least) the second time. It doesn’t have to be in quick succession; it happened before, and now it’s happened again.
% Structure = (Subj. +) 又 + Verb + 了
Examples
又 下雨 了 ！Yòu xiàyǔ le!It rains again!
你 又 迟到 了 。Nǐ yòu chídào le.You’re late again.
宝宝 又 哭 了 。Bǎobao yòu kū le.The baby is crying again.
我 又 忘 了 。Wǒ yòu wàng le.I forgot it again.
Negative Form
% Structure = (Subj. +) 又 + 不 / 没 + Verb
Examples
他 又 没 来 上课 。Tā yòu méi lái shàngkè.He didn’t come to the class again.
你们 又 不 想 给钱 ？Nǐmen yòu bù xiǎng gěi qián?You don’t want to pay? Again?
你 又 不 参加 ？Nǐ yòu bù cānjiā?You are not going to attend this? Again?
对不起 ，我 又 没 带 书 。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ yòu méi dài shū.Sorry, I forgot to bring the book again.
Colloquial Saying 又来了
=》又来了 fits the above pattern, but is also a little tricky because it expresses something that is still ongoing, and has already started as the speaker is speaking. Literally it’s say, “here it comes again,” but it’s more accurate to translate it as “there it is again,” or “there [he] goes again.” It indicates that the speaker is a bit annoyed that it happened again.
Other Usage
》When it becomes clear that something is about to happen again, you can also use 又. It's almost as if it has already happened in your mind. In these cases, it's quite common for 又 to be immediately followed by 是 (shì), 要 (yào), 可以 (kěyǐ), 能 (néng), and you'll notice that there's often a 了, indicating that something is about to happen.
今天 又 要 加班 了 ！Jīntiān yòu yào jiābān le!We’re going to work late today. AGAIN!
老板 请客 ，又 可以 吃 大餐 了 ！Lǎobǎn qǐngkè, yòu kěyǐ chī dàcān le!The boss is going to treat us. We can have a big meal again!
快 过年 了 ，我们 又 能 拿 压岁钱 了 ！Kuài guònián le, wǒmen yòu néng ná yāsuìqián le!CNY is coming soon. We can get our new year money again!
Expressing “all along” with “yuanlai”
=》原来 (yuánlái) means “originally” (similar to 本来) or “former.” It can also mean “all along,” and can be used to indicate a sudden realization of something previously unknown, a bit like “so it’s been like that all along, how could I not have realized?”
Used as “Original” or “Originally”
% Structure = 原来 + 的 + Noun
% Structure = Subj. + 原来 + Predicate
Examples
你 原来 的 发型 也 很 可爱 。Nǐ yuánlái de fàxíng yě hěn kě’ài.Your original hairstyle was also very cute.
这 件 衣服 原来 的 价格 是 999 块 。Zhè jiàn yīfu yuánlái de jiàgé shì 999 kuài.The original price is 999 RMB.
她们 原来 只是 邻居 ，现在 是 很好 的 朋友 。Tāmen yuánlái zhǐ shì línjū, xiànzài shì hěn hǎo de péngyou.Originally they were just neighbors. Now they’re very good friends.
我们 原来 住 在 浦东 ，几 个 月 以前 搬 到 了 这里 。Wǒmen yuánlái zhù zài Pǔdōng, jǐ gè yuè yǐqián bān dào le zhèlǐ.Originally we lived in Pudong. We moved here a few months ago.
原来 她 是 他 的 中文 老师，现在 是 他 老婆 。Yuánlái tā shì tā de Zhōngwén lǎoshī, xiànzài shì tā lǎopo.She was originally his Chinese teacher. She is now his wife.
Used as “All along”
% Structure = 原来 + [New Information]
Examples
原来 是 你 ！Yuánlái shì nǐ!So it was you all along!
原来 你们 认识 ！Yuánlái nǐmen rènshi! So you both knew each other this whole time!
原来 是 这样 ！Yuánlái shì zhèyàng!Oh, so it’s like that!
原来 你 这么 有钱！Yuánlái nǐ zhème yǒuqián!It turns out you are so rich!
原来 你 在 骗 我 ！ 我 怎么 那么 傻 ？ Yuánlái nǐ zài piàn wǒ! Wǒ zěnme nàme shǎ?You have been tricking me, how could I be so stupid?
》The more formal expression 原来如此 (yuánlái rúcǐ) can be used like 原来是这样 in example 3.
Expressing “all at once” with “yixiazi”
=》一下子 (yīxiàzi) can be used as an adverb meaning “all at once.” It has to come at the beginning of the sentence. In colloquial Chinese, “一下” is also used.
Used as “All at once”
》一下子 (yīxiàzi) is a very informal expression to describe how fast things happened. 通常涉及的是数量上或程度上短时间内的突然的、剧烈的变化。谓语有时会包含数量短语。
% Structure = Subj. + 一下(子) + Predicate + 了
Examples
天气 一下 变 冷 了 。Tiānqì yīxià biàn lěng le.The weather is suddenly getting cold.
他 一下 吃 了 三 碗 米饭 。Tā yīxià chī le sān wǎn mǐfàn.He ate three bowls of rice all at once.
她 下楼 的时候 一下子 摔倒 了 。Tā xiàlóu de shíhou yīxiàzi shuāidǎo le.She suddenly fell when she went downstairs.
我们 说话 的 时候 ，她 一下子 哭 了 起来 。Wǒmen shuōhuà de shíhou, tā yīxiàzi kū le qǐlai.She burst into tears when we were talking.
她 上 个 月 一下 瘦 了 十 斤 。One “jin” = 500gTā shàng gè yuè yīxià shòu le shí jīn.She lost ten jin last month all at once.
Used as “Soon and Naturally”
=》一般都会有铺垫，解释”事情发生得很快，同时也很自然、很轻松”的原因。后面经常跟”就”连用。一下子 (yíxiàzi) usually implies that things happen very quickly, naturally and easily. Usually followed with 就( jiù).
% Structure = Subj. + 一下(子) + 就 + Predicate + 了
Examples
老师 进来 以后 ，大家 一下子 就 安静 了 。Lǎoshī jìnlái yǐhòu, dàjiā yīxiàzi jiù ānjìng le.Everyone became silent after the teacher came in.
听 他 说 完 ，我 一下子 就 明白 了 。Tīng tā shuō wán, wǒ yīxiàzi jiù míngbai le.After hearing him out, I understood everything all at once.
他 是 最 高 的 ，我 一下 就 看到 他 了 。Tā shì zuì gāo de, wǒ yīxià jiù kàndào tā le.He is the tallest. I spotted him right away.
拍 完 那 部 电影 ，他 一下子 就 出名 了 。Pāi wán nà bù diànyǐng, tā yīxiàzi jiù chūmíng le.He became very famous soon after that movie came out.
看到 那 张 照片 ，我 一下子 就 想 起来 了 。Kàndào nà zhāng zhàopiàn, wǒ yīxiàzi jiù xiǎng qǐlái le.It all flashed back to me when I saw that picture.
Expressing “almost” using “chadian”
=》To say that something bad almost happened (but didn’t), you can add the word 差点 (chàdiǎn) before the verb. You will also hear 差点儿 (chàdiǎnr) in northern China. There is no difference in meaning between 差点 and 差点儿.
Literal Meaning
=》It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means “to lack,” or “to be short.” So in Chinese, the way to say “almost” is to say, “lacking that little bit.” If that “little bit” hadn’t been lacking, it would have happened. But it was lacking, so it didn’t happen. Technically, it almost happened. Just remember: The fact is always opposite with the verb phrase after 差点(儿), whether the verb phrase contains “没” or not.
Structure
》Note that the "Verb Phrase" part of the structure is usually something bad or something you don't wish for, and that it didn't happen.
% Structure = Subj. + 差点 + Predicate
》You can put 了 at the end of the sentence for emphasis. In this case, 就 is often used and it's optional.
% Structure = Subj. + 差点 (+就) + Predicate + 了
》The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
车 差点 撞到 我 。The car didn’t hit me.Chē chàdiǎn zhuàngdào wǒ.The car almost hit me.
我们 差点 相信 他 。We didn’t believe himWǒmen chàdiǎn xiāngxìn tā.We almost believed him.
他们 差点 打 起来 。They didn’t start a fight.Tāmen chàdiǎn dǎ qǐlái.They almost started a fight.
我 差点 忘 了 。I didn’t forget.Wǒ chàdiǎn wàng le.I almost forgot.
我 今天 差点儿 迟到 了 。 I wasn’t lateWǒ jīntiān chàdiǎnr chídào le.I was almost late today.
她 差点 疯 了 。She didn’t go crazy.Tā chàdiǎn fēng le.She almost went crazy.
他 差点 就 死 了 。He didn’t die.Tā chàdiǎn jiù sǐ le.He almost died.
菜 差点 糊 了 。It wasn’t burned.Cài chàdiǎn hú le.The food was almost burnt.
我们 队 差点儿 输 了 。the team didn’t loseWǒmen duì chàdiǎnr shū le.Our team almost lost.
我 差点 就 做到 了 。I didn’t did it.Wǒ chàdiǎn jiù zuòdào le.I almost did it.
Using 差点 with 没
》This can get confusing, even though it's really the same pattern (and same logic) with a little added complexity. This pattern goes beyond the difficulty level of the needs of the B1 learner, so to learn more about this usage, see expressing "almost" using "chadian mei".
Expressing “already” with “dou”
=》都⋯⋯了 (dōu… le) is a pattern used to express that something has already happened, similar to 已经⋯⋯了. However, 都⋯⋯了 is used more emphatically, implying that the speaker holds some sort of attitude in relation to the event, and is not merely objectively stating the facts, as with 已经⋯⋯了. The two options can actually also be combined in the pattern 都已经⋯⋯了. Here the meaning is the same as 都⋯⋯了.
Used before Time
When 都⋯⋯了 (dōu… le) is used at the beginning of a sentence, it will usually be followed with 还 (hái) or 还在 (háizài). This implies that the other party should stop some kind of action. 用在句子的开头，后面常常跟”还”或者”还在”连用，表示对方应该停止某种行为了。
% Structure = 都 + Time + 了
Examples
都 九点 了 ，快点 起床 ！Dōu jiǔ diǎn le, kuài diǎn qǐchuáng!It’s already nine o’clock. Get out of bed!
都 十二 点 了 ，你 还 不 睡 ？Dōu shí’èr diǎn le, nǐ hái bù shuì?It’s already 12am. Aren’t you going to bed?
都 二十一 世纪 了 ，你 还 这么 想 ？Dōu èrshí-yī shìjì le, nǐ hái zhème xiǎng?It’s already the 21st century and you still think this way?
都 一 个 小时 了 ，他 还 在 厕所 里 。Dōu yī gè xiǎoshí le, tā hái zài cèsuǒ lǐ.It’s already been an hour. He’s still in the bathroom.
都 一个 星期 了 ，还在 下雨 。Dōu yī gè xīngqī le, háizài xiàyǔ.It’s been raining for a week and it’s still raining.
Used before Predicate
% Structure = Subj. + 都 + Predicate + 了
》The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
饭 都 凉 了 ，快 吃 吧 。Fàn dōu liáng le. Kuài chī ba.The food is cold already. Let’s eat.
牛奶 都 坏 了 ，扔掉 吧 。Niúnǎi dōu huài le, rēngdiào ba.The milk’s gone bad. You should throw it away.
我 都 说 了 三 遍 了 。别 烦 我 ！Wǒ dōu shuō le sān biàn le. Bié fán wǒ!I’ve said it three times already. Leave me alone!
这个 电影 你 都 看 过 了 ，看 别的 吧 。Zhège diànyǐng nǐ dōu kàn guo le, kàn biéde bā.You’ve seen this movie already. Let’s watch something else.
他 都 道歉 了 ，你 别 生气 了。Tā dōu dàoqiàn le, nǐ bié shēngqì le.He’s made an apology. Stop being so mad at him.
Expressing “always” with “conglai”
=》Although perhaps more often used in the negative to mean “never,” 从来 (cónglái) can be used with 都 (dōu) to mean “always” or “have always (done).”
》Without the negative adverbs 不 and 没, 从来 takes on the meaning of "always." (Literally, 从来 means something like "from the beginning," although no one is really thinking that phrase when they use it.) When used in the positive, though, it is customary to put the adverb 都 after 从来.
% Structure = Subj. + 从来 + 都 + Predicate
》The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
他 从来 都 这样 。Tā cónglái dōu zhèyàng.He’s always like this.
她 从来 都 这么 晚 睡 。Tā cónglái dōu zhème wǎn shuì.She’s always gone to bed so late.
他 说话 从来 都 很 大声 。Tā shuōhuà cónglái dōu hěn dàshēng.He’s always spoken very loudly.
她 买 衣服 从来 都 只 买 名牌 。Tā mǎi yīfu cónglái dōu zhǐ mǎi míngpái.She always buys brand-name clothes when she goes shopping.
这个 国家 的 女孩 从来 都 很早 结婚 。Zhège guójiā de nǚhái cónglái dōu hěn zǎo jiéhūn.Girls in this country always get married at a very young age.
我们 学校 的 学生 从来 都 只 能 穿 校服 。Wǒmen xuéxiào de xuéshēng cónglái dōu zhǐ néng chuān xiàofú.Students in our school can only wear school uniforms.
我们 下棋 ，从来 都 是 他 赢 。Wǒmen xiàqí, cónglái dōu shì tā yíng.He always wins when we play chess.
我 从来 都 一个人 住 ，已经 习惯 了 。Wǒ cónglái dōu yīgèrén zhù, yǐjīng xíguàn le.I’ve always lived alone; I’m used to it already.
成功 从来 都 要 靠 自己 努力 。Chénggōng cónglái dōu yào kào zìjǐ nǔlì.Success always depends on working hard by oneself.
Expressing “as a result” with “jieguo”
=》结果 (jiéguǒ) can be used as a conjunction or adverb, meaning “as a result” or “consequently.” It normally starts the second half of a sentence, and can also introduce an unexpected or undesirable result.
Indicating a Logical Result
% Structure = Reason / Condition ，结果 + Result / Ending
Examples
她 穿 得 很 少 ，结果 感冒 了 。Tā chuān de hěn shǎo, jiéguǒ gǎnmào le.She didn’t wear enough, as a result, she caught a cold.
我 太 紧张 了 ，结果 说 错 了 很 多 。Wǒ tài jǐnzhāng le, jiéguǒ shuō cuò le hěn duō.I was too nervous. As a result, I said a lot of things wrong.
他 开 得 太 快 了 ，结果 撞到 了 一 个 人 。Tā kāi de tài kuài le, jiéguǒ zhuàngdào le yī gè rén.He drove too fast. As a result, he hit someone.
他 没 好好 复习，结果 考试 没 考好 。Tā méi hǎohǎo fùxí, jiéguǒ kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo.He didn’t review well. As a result, he didn’t do well in the exam.
他 总是 迟到 ，结果 老板 炒 了 他 的 鱿鱼 。Tā zǒngshì chídào, jiéguǒ lǎobǎn chǎo le tā de yóuyú.He’s always late for work. As a result, his boss fired him.
Indicating an Unexpected Result
=》Sometimes there is no cause-effect relationship between what comes before and after 结果 (no logical connection). In these sentences, the second half of the sentence usually emphasizes that what actually happened was unexpected or undesired.
% Structure = Situation ，结果 + [Unexpected Result]
Examples
我 去 机场 接 他 ，结果 没 接到 他 。Wǒ qù jīchǎng jiē tā, jiéguǒ méi jiēdào tā.I went to the airport to pick him up. I didn’t find him there.
我 跟 朋友 打赌 ，结果 我 输 了 。Wǒ gēn péngyou dǎdǔ, jiéguǒ wǒ shū le.I took a bet with my friends. I lost in the end.
我 昨天 跟 朋友 去 喝酒 ，结果 喝醉 了 。Wǒ zuótiān gēn péngyou qù hējiǔ, jiéguǒ hēzuì le.I went to have a drink with my friends yesterday. I got drunk in the end.
他 吃 了 很 多 药 ，结果 都 没有 用 。Tā chī le hěn duō yào, jiéguǒ dōu méiyǒu yòng.He took a lot of pills. None of them were useful in the end.
我 点 的 是 牛肉 汉堡 ，结果 服务员 给 了 我 一 个 鸡肉 的 。Wǒ diǎn de shì niúròu hànbǎo, jiéguǒ fúwùyuán gěi le wǒ yī gè jīròu de.I ordered a burger. The waiter gave me a chicken sandwich instead.
Expressing “each other” with “huxiang”
=》When some action is mutual, you can use the word 互相 (hùxiāng). The word “mutual” feels formal in English, but in Chinese even everyday phrases such as “learn from each other” use the word 互相, which expresses this “each other” aspect。
》Usually 互相 (hùxiāng) is used with two-syllable words, and for one-syllable words some other information will be added after the verb to make it sound more natural (see below for examples of this.)
% Structure = 互相 + Verb
Examples
互相 帮助 hùxiāng bāngzhùHelp each other
互相 了解 hùxiāng liǎojiěKnow each other
互相 伤害 hùxiāng shānghàiHurt each other
互相 尊重 hùxiāng zūnzhòngRespect each other
互相 支持 hùxiāng zhīchíSupport each other
互相 鼓励 hùxiāng gǔlìEncourage each other
互相 影响 hùxiāng yǐngxiǎngInfluence each other
互相 利用 hùxiāng lìyòngTake advantage of each other
》Don't use 互相 (hùxiāng) with single-syllable verbs. If you really have to use 互相, you can make the verb longer by adding extra information after it.
X - 互相 看hùxiāng kànlook at each other
✓ - 互相 看 了 一 眼hùxiāng kàn le yī yǎnglanced at each other
》Note that for some verbs which are inherently "mutual," the use of 互相 (hùxiāng) is redundant and unnecessary. So the following phrases are not wrong, but a little strange.
!!! - 互相 拥抱hùxiāng yōngbàohug each other
!!! - 互相 交流hùxiāng jiāoliúcommunicate with each other
Expressing “enough” with “gou”
Affirmative Form
=》In Chinese the word for “enough” comes before a verb more often than after an adjective.
% Structure = 够 + Verb / Adj. + 了
Sometimes you’ll see an optional 了 added after the verb for emphasis (as in “no, really, it’s enough!”).
Examples
我们 买 了 很 多 菜 ，够 吃 了 。Wǒmen mǎi le hěn duō cài, gòu chī le.We bought a lot of food. It’s enough for us to eat.
这些 纸 够 用 吗 ？Zhèxiē zhǐ gòu yòng ma?Are these papers good enough to use?
放心 吧 ，我 带 的 钱 够 花 。Fàngxīn ba, wǒ dài de qián gòu huā.Don’t worry. I’ve brought enough money to spend.
》When it comes before an adjective, 了 is needed at the end of the sentence.
我 对 你 够 好 了 。Wǒ duì nǐ gòu hǎo le.I’ve been good enough to you.
别 抱怨 了 ，你 够 幸运 了 。Bié bàoyuàn le, nǐ gòu xìngyùn le.Stop complaining. You’ve been lucky enough.
Negative Form
% Structure = Subj. + 不 + 够 + Adj. / Verb
》Note that 了 can't be used when it's negated.
Examples
他 觉得 他 女朋友 不够 漂亮 。Tā juéde tā nǚpéngyou bù gòu piàoliang.He thinks his girlfriend is not pretty enough.
你 说 得 不够 清楚 。Nǐ shuō de bù gòu qīngchǔ.You didn’t speak very clearly.
这些 菜 不够 吃 ，再 点 几 个 菜 。Zhèxiē cài bù gòu chī, zài diǎn jǐ gè cài.These dishes are not enough to eat. Let’s order some more.
这里 太 小 了 ，不够 坐 。Zhèlǐ tài xiǎo le, bùgòu zuò.It’s too small here. It’s not big enough to sit.
你 的 包 太 小 了，这些 东西 肯定不够 放 。Nǐ de bāo tài xiǎo le, zhème duō dōngxi kěndìng bùgòu fàng.Your bag is too small. This stuff definitely can’t fit in it.
Colloquial Saying
》Literally 够了 means "it's enough." the speaker is "getting sick of [doing] something" or "done with [doing] something." 这些动词比较有限。常用的是：吃、喝、玩、看、听等感官类的。
A few common examples:
我 受 够 了 ！Wǒ shòu gòu le!I’ve had enough of it!
天天 吃 外卖 ，我们 都 吃 够了 。Tiāntiān chī wàimài, wǒmen dōu chī gòu le.We eat take-out every day. We’re sick of eating it.
你 玩 够了 没有 ？Nǐ wán gòu le méiyǒu?Are you done playing?
Expressing “finally” with “zhongyu”
=》终于(zhōngyú) 表示经过很长时间的等待最后实现了愿望，通常都是说话人期待发生的事情，含喜悦、满意的感情色彩。终于(zhōngyú) expresses realization of a desire after waiting for a long time. Usually the speaker is looking forward to what’s going to happen. 终于(zhōngyú) also carries a feeling of joy and satisfaction.
》跟英文的"finally"不一样的是，终于(zhōngyú) 不能单独使用，也不能放在主语前面或者句子的最后。而且，它必须要跟“了“连用，表示事情已经发生了。Different from the English “finally”, 终于(zhōngyú) can’t be used alone. It also can’t be put in front of the subject or at the end of the sentence. 终于(zhōngyú) needs to be used with “了“，to express that the action is completed.
% Structure = Subj. + 终于 + Predicate + 了
》The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
你 终于 到 了 ！Nǐ zhōngyú dào le!You finally arrived!
咱们 终于 见面 了 ！Zánmen zhōngyú jiànmiàn le!We finally met each other!
你们 终于 明白 了 。Nǐmen zhōngyú míngbai le.You finally understood.
作业 终于 做 完 了 ！Zuòyè zhōngyú zuò wán le!I finally finished my homework!
飞机 终于 起飞 了 ！Fēijī zhōngyú qǐfēi le!The plane is finally taking off!
你们 终于 决定 了 。Nǐmen zhōngyú juédìng le.You finally made your decision.
饭 终于 做 好 了 。我 快 饿 死了 。Fàn zhōngyú zuò hǎo le. Wǒ kuài è sǐ le.Dinner is finally ready. I’m starving.
这个 愿望 终于 实现 了 ！Zhège yuànwàng zhōngyú shíxiàn le!This dream finally came true!
我们 找 了 两 个 多 小时 ，终于 找到 了 那 家 店 。Wǒmen zhǎo le liǎng gè duō xiǎoshí, zhōngyú zhǎodào le nà jiā diàn.We’d been looking for that shop for more than two hours. We finally found it.
这些 问题 终于 解决 了 。我们 应该 庆祝 一下 。Zhèxiē wèntí zhōngyú jiějué le. Wǒmen yīnggāi qìngzhù yīxià.These problems are finally resolved. We should celebrate!
Expressing “had better” with “haishi”
=》One of the ways to use 还是 (háishì) is to have it mean “you had better,” similar to how in English we may say “I think you had better start on your homework.”
》还是 as an adverb can express "had better" or "it would be better to." The idea is that the speaker has given the matter some thought, and after considering it, has finally come to a decision. The announcement of this decision will frequently include 还是, and it usually comes before a verb or a subject.
% Structure = Subj. + 还是 + [Verb Phrase] + 吧
》吧 is often placed after this structure, as it's a suggestion.
Examples
还是 明天 去 吧 。Háishì míngtiān qù ba.We’d better go tomorrow.
还是 让 她 进来 吧 。Háishì ràng tā jìnlái ba.We’d better let her come in.
你 还是 快点 走 吧 。Nǐ háishì kuài diǎn zǒu ba.You’d better leave now.
我们 还是 帮帮 他 吧 。Wǒmen háishì bāngbang tā ba.We’d better help him.
太 晚 了 ，还是 先 回家 吧 。Tài wǎn le, háishì xiān huíjiā ba.It’s too late. We’d better go home now.
这里 太 脏 了，我们 还是 走 吧 。Zhèlǐ tài zāng le, wǒmen háishì zǒu ba.It’s too dirty here; we’d better leave.
快 迟到 了 ，我们 还是 打车 吧 。Kuài chídào le, wǒmen háishì dǎchē ba.We’re running late. Let’s take a taxi.
》When the part after 还是 is a negative verb phrase, it's OK to drop the 吧 at the end.
太 贵 了 ，还是 别 买 了 。Tài guì le, háishì bié mǎi le.It’s too expensive. You’d better not buy it.
她 不 想 说 ，还是 不要 再 问 了 。Tā bù xiǎng shuō, háishì bùyào zài wèn le.She doesn’t want to say anything. We’d better stop asking.
他 一定 不 同意 ，还是 别 跟 他 说 了 。Tā yīdìng bù tóngyì, háishì bié gēn tā shuō le.He will definitely disagree. We’d better not tell him.
