Reading Grammar Mandarin IIC Flashcards
[date] + 底/末
[date] + 初
- the end of (date)
- the beginning of (date)
到 X (為)止
until X
- indicates the end point of a process over a course of time
高達 X
attain a height of X, be as high as X
更加 X
even more X, still more X
- X cannot be monosyllabic
在 X 看來
according to X, in X’s opinion
與其 X 不如 Y (來得 adj)
rather than X, Y
- after balancing pros and cons, Y is the preference, which can be clarified with the part at the end
提到
説到
to mention
- used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a topic
- the latter is more spoken style
凡是 X，都 Y
fan2shi
every X, does Y
all X, has Y
verb + 出
- indicates how a result is brought about because of a related action
- preferably has no object behind it, therefore often passive or with 把 construction, however it is not incorrect to have an object behind it
verb + 於
ex. 位於，生於
serves to indicate the time or place that the action takes place
既 X, 也 Y
既 X, 又 Y
not only X, but also Y
- second one is only with adjectives
X(,) 為的是 Y
X(,) 是為了 Y
X is for the purpose of Y
- used to introduce a purpose after the action
才 X ，就 Y
only X, already Y
- used to convey that a certain event or action is taking place sooner, quicker or easier than expected
- X = a numeral phrase or verb phrase that indicates the short length of time or low amount involved
X 出頭
a little over X
- usually X is 十，百，千，萬，億
大 + Verb + numeral + Measure word
- 大吵幾回
- 大吃一頓
- 大罵一頓
to do/have something big
- to have a couple of fights
- to have a huge meal
- to call someone everything under the sun
只是
merely, just
- sometimes can also indicate one being stubbornly persistent in doing something, ‘but’ is here a better translation
何況
moreover; let alone
- it can be used to introduce an additional reason
X 由 Y
X is being done by Y
X is from Y
不過（是）
just, merely
- often combined with 就 when 不過 is followed by a numeral phrase
- 除非 X 否則 Y
2. 除非 X 否則不 Y
- unless X, Y
2. unless X, otherwise Y cannot
常常
往往
first one means ‘often’, second one means ‘usually’ or ‘always’
- second one expresses that something is bound to happen given certain circumstances
- X 是 Y 的 【number】 倍
2. X 比 Y 多/高/大 【number】 倍
- X is [number] times Y
- X is [number] times more/higher/larger than Y
- in the first construction 一倍 and 兩倍 both mean ‘double’
就
indicating a large amount
照這樣 X 下去
if X continues like this
- indicates that if the action goes on in this way, it will lead to a particular outcome
- 性
1. 可能性
2. 普遍性
- ity, -ness
- is usually attached to a noun or an adjective to form a noun phrase
1. possible –> possibility
2. universal –> universality - will often have 具有 before the noun phrase with 性
- 於
1. 相當於
2. 等於
3. 處於
4. 位於
in, at, to, than
- to be equal to, to be well-matched
- to be equal to, to be equivalent to
- to be in a certain position or state
- to be located in/at, to be situated in/at
便
then, thus
早在 X 就 Y
as soon/early as X, Y happened
- used only when talking about the past
X 佔 Y。。。
X takes up Y …
X takes up … of Y
不禁
忍不住
cannot but, cannot refrain from
- first one is more formal written style
numeral 1 比 numeral 2
numeral 1 to numeral 2
- indicates a ratio, usually at the end of a sentence
從而
thus, thereby, so that
- used in the second clause to introduce the result on the basis of the preceding sentences
