Practical Audio Visual Chinese Vol.4 Grammar Points (ch.8,9,13)

Question 1

CH9

除非

Answer 1

Only if, unless
(Following 除非 is the only acceptable condition. It shows that no other way is acceptable. This can be used in conjuction with 才，否則，or 要不然.)

Chu2 fei1

Question 2

CH9

…,一方面(N/PN)也…

Answer 2

Additionally, and also…
(Shows that beyond reasons previously stated or implied, there is another reason stated after 一方面N/PN也… Since this reason is appendant, not critical, not decisive, the tone is not as strong as …再說…)

…, yi1fang1mian4 (N/PN) ye3…

Question 3

CH9

SV Opp. SV (兩個意思相反的單音節SV)

Answer 3

Two syllable SVs of opposite meaning combine to form a noun which means quantity “quantity, quality, or degree”. This only represents a range and not an exact numerical figure (if a specific number is given, then a different noun should be used. For example, instead of 高矮, 高度 should be used.)

Question 4

CH9

好不容易

Answer 4

Very difficult
(Following 好不容易 is a completed situation or event which is very difficult to achieve. It has the same meaning with or without 不 and is often used with the conjunction 才.

Hao3 bu4 rong2 yi

Question 5

CH9

…, 主要的是…

Answer 5

The main/principle issue is…
(Following 主要的是 is a situation or thing that is the biggest reason or factor for the previously mentioned situation.)

Zhu3yao4 deshi4

Question 6

CH9

NP(之)所以…, 是因為…

Answer 6

The reason that NP…, is because…
(This original pattern is 因為…所以… which has been flipped to give greater emphasis to the cause and result.)

i.e. 他們之所以罷工，是因為薪水太低。

Question 7

CH9

…不說, 還…

Answer 7

It goes without saying…, beyond that/ what’s more (don’t even mention…, even…)
(Following 不說 is something that is generally recognised by everybody, and following 還 is a situation that goes beyond the speaker‘s expectations that are based on this generally recognised fact.)

Question 8

CH9

嘆詞「哼」的用法

Answer 8

The interjection 哼 is said low, in a falling tone, and short. It shows a feeling of dissatisfaction, distain, or anger.

Heng1

Question 9

CH8

V慣

Answer 9

To become accustomed to… via the V
( V慣了 and 沒V慣 are Actual Types, V得慣 and V不慣 are Potential Types. When someone asks V得慣嗎 or 得慣V不慣, it expresses politeness about another person.)

V guan4

Question 10

CH8

的確

Answer 10

Indeed, really
(This shows that one agrees or is affirming another’s point of view. It is used at the beginning of a sentence or in front of a VERB, SV, or ADVERB.)

Di2que4

Question 11

CH8

恨不得

Answer 11

To itch to, to strongly desire to do something that cannot or should not be fulfilled.

Hen4bude

Question 12

CH8

不但不／沒…反而…

Answer 12

Not only…, but, on the contrary/instead
(following 不但不／沒 is something that is expected to happen. Following 反而 is the unexpected opposite result.)

Bu4dan4bu4/ mei2..fan3er2

Question 13

CH8

（在）N上

Answer 13

Means scope, limit, range (範圍) or aspect, respect, side (方面).

Question 14

CH8

V得/不來

Answer 14

1. Shows harmony (or discord).
2. Shows sufficient (or insufficient) ability to perform an action.
3. Compatible (or incompatible) tastes.

Question 15

CH8

不再…了

Answer 15

Never again.
(shows and action has ceased and will not continue or happen again. can be followed by a V, VO, VP, or SV)

Question 16

CH8

…甚至（於）…

Answer 16

To go as far as to, so much so that, even
(to reach or arrive at what seems, in normal conditions, to be an extreme degree or point. Proceeding or following 甚至於 see related matters, the one with the most intense degree or highest degree is placed after 甚至於.)

…Shen4zhi4 (yu2)…

Question 17

CH13

NP1是關於NP2

Answer 17

NP1 is about/concerns NP2
(Shows that NP1 and NP2 are related.)

Question 18

CH13

說也奇怪

Answer 18

“It’s really odd”
(After 說也奇怪 is a situation which the speaker feels is odd or perplexing, and defies reason.)

Question 19

CH13

向來

Answer 19

Always, all along, from past to present
(both 向來 and 從來 mean “the situation or habit remains the same from past to present”, and that there is no clear starting or ending point. 向來 is often used in positive sentences, and 從來 is used in negative sentences.)

Question 20

CH13

於是

Answer 20

Thereupon, to act accordingly
(Can be placed after the subject, and means that the thing after 於是 is usually caused by the thing before 於是. It indicates because of the former situation, the action takes place later accordingly. Natural phenomena can’t be described using 於是.)

Question 21

CH13

遲早（早晚）

Answer 21

Sooner or later
(Shows that a certain situation will definitely occur in the future; it’s just an issue of timing. When used with 會, often connotes a negative situation.)

Question 22

CH13

結果

Answer 22

As a result, finally, in the end.
(A conjunction describing a final result. often implies that the final result is different from one’s expectations.)

Question 23

CH13

NP所V的（O）

Answer 23

That which NP has V
(NP所V的 modifies the object which follows and which is the topic being discussed. 所 clarifies and brings emphasis to the object, but the meaning doesn’t change if 所 is omitted.)