嘛 (Ma): Presenting Something as Obvious in Chinese
Statement + 嘛
Use sentence-final 嘛 to explain an obvious point, offer reassurance, or add insistence, and distinguish it from 吗.
你妹妹很漂亮嘛。
Nǐ mèimei hěn piàoliang ma.
Your sister is obviously pretty.
HSK 2.0 Level 6 grammar
Make the relationship precise.
Work with nuanced adverbs, formal connections and near-synonyms. Read the example for its logic as well as its individual words.
51 grammar topics, 11 with practice.
天气预报说会下雨，下午果然下雨了。
Tiānqì yùbào shuō huì xià yǔ, xiàwǔ guǒrán xià yǔ le.
The forecast said it would rain, and sure enough it rained in the afternoon.
Study this construction →Find a construction
51 topics
Particles
来着 (Láizhe): Recall a Past Fact or Ask Again
Recalled statement / recall question + 来着
Use sentence-final 来着 to recall an earlier situation or retrieve a forgotten detail, including 我说什么来着 for I told you so.
那家店叫什么来着？
Nà jiā diàn jiào shénme láizhe?
What was that shop called again?
是否 (Shìfǒu): Whether or Whether Not
Subject + 是否 + predicate
Use 是否 before a predicate for a formal yes-or-no question or an embedded whether clause, without adding a second question form.
你是否愿意参加？
Nǐ shìfǒu yuànyì cānjiā?
Are you willing to take part?
之 (Zhī): A Formal Linking Particle Like 的
Modifier + 之 + noun
Read the literary linking use of 之 in noun phrases, titles, and fixed expressions, and distinguish it from a general replacement for 的.
这份礼物表达了我的感激之情。
Zhè fèn lǐwù biǎodá le wǒ de gǎnjī zhī qíng.
This gift expresses my feelings of gratitude.
与否 (Yǔfǒu): Whether or Not After a Predicate
Predicate + 与否，comment; main clause + predicate + 与否
Place 与否 after a condition, action, or quality to turn it into a formal whether-or-not expression within a sentence.
参加与否，请今天告诉我。
Cānjiā yǔfǒu, qǐng jīntiān gàosu wǒ.
Please tell me today whether you will take part.
呗 (Bei): An Obvious Choice or Resigned Response
Statement / suggestion + 呗
Understand sentence-final 呗 in casual Chinese, including obvious explanations, simple suggestions, acceptance, and a potentially dismissive tone.
没带伞就借一把呗。
Méi dài sǎn jiù jiè yì bǎ bei.
If you did not bring an umbrella, just borrow one.
Comparisons
人家 vs 别人: Other People and Colloquial Pronoun Uses
人家 vs. 别人
Compare 人家 and 别人 for others, and recognize 人家 as a context-dependent reference to a specific person or the speaker.
我不在乎人家怎么说。
Wǒ bù zàihu rénjia zěnme shuō.
I don't care about what other people say.
不断 versus 不停: Repeatedly or Without Stopping
不断 / 不停 + (地) + verb; verb + 个不停
Compare 不断 and 不停 for continuing actions, repeated developments, and the expressive verb + 个不停 pattern.
客户不断地改变主意，怎么办？
Kèhù bùduàn de gǎibiàn zhǔyì, zěnme bàn?
The client keeps changing his mind. What should I do?
一直 versus 一向: Continuously or Habitually
一直 + continuing action / state; 一向 + established habit / characteristic
Use 一直 for continuation over time or along a direction, and 一向 for a longstanding habit, attitude, or characteristic.
我会一直陪着你。
Wǒ huì yīzhí péizhe nǐ.
I will always be with you.
雨一直在下，我没办法出去。
Yǔ yīzhí zàixià, wǒ méi bànfǎ chūqù.
It's constantly raining, I have no way to go out.
彼此 versus 对方: Each Other or the Other Person
彼此 + verb; verb + 彼此 / 对方; 彼此 / 对方 + 的 + noun
Distinguish reciprocal 彼此 from 对方 for the other party, including their positions before verbs, after verbs, and before nouns.
结婚以前夫妻应该多花时间彼此了解。
Jiéhūn yǐqián fūqī yīnggāi duō huā shíjiān bǐcǐ liǎojiě.
Before they get married, the bride and groom should spend more time getting to know each other.
Adverbs and degree
一向 (Yīxiàng): Longstanding Habits and Consistent Attitudes
Subject + 一向 + Habit / Attitude / Characteristic
Use 一向 to describe an established habit or attitude over time, and distinguish it from 一直 for continuous processes.
小王一向上班很早，这次是怎么了？
Xiǎo Wáng yīxiàng shàngbān hěn zǎo, zhè cì shì zěnme le?
Xiao Wang has always started work very early. What happened this time?
Advanced 倒 (Dào): Sarcasm, Disagreement, and Urging
Subject + verb + 得 + 倒 + adjective; subject + 倒 + predicate; 你 + 倒是 + action + 啊 / 呀
Use 倒 after 得 for pointed evaluations, before a predicate for contrast, and in 倒是 commands that urge someone to act.
你说得倒轻松，谁来帮我呢？
Nǐ shuō de dào qīngsōng, shéi lái bāng wǒ ne?
You make it sound easy, but who is going to help me?
很是 (Hěn Shì): Intensify a Quality or Feeling
Subject + 很是 + adjective / suitable mental predicate
Use 很是 as an emphatic degree expression with suitable adjectives and mental predicates, especially in written description.
听到这个消息，她很是高兴。
Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā hěn shì gāoxìng.
She was very pleased to hear the news.
足足 (Zúzú): Emphasize a Full Amount or Duration
足足 + verb + quantity; verb + 足足 + quantity
Highlight a surprisingly large quantity, length, or duration with 足足, and keep an explicit amount in the sentence.
我们足足走了五个小时。
Wǒmen zúzú zǒu le wǔ ge xiǎoshí.
We walked for a full five hours.
一再 (Yīzài): Repeatedly or Again and Again
Subject + 一再 + (地) + verb phrase
Use 一再 before a verb to emphasize repeated requests, reminders, explanations, or recurring actions in Chinese.
老师一再提醒我们检查名字。
Lǎoshī yízài tíxǐng wǒmen jiǎnchá míngzi.
The teacher repeatedly reminded us to check our names.
向来 (Xiànglái): Always or Traditionally So
Subject + 向来 + (都) + predicate
Describe a consistent habit, attitude, or characteristic with 向来, often with 都, and compare its meaning with 一向.
我向来不喝冷水。
Wǒ xiànglái bù hē lěng shuǐ.
I have always avoided drinking cold water.
果然 (Guǒrán): As Expected or Sure Enough
Subject + 果然 + predicate; expectation，果然 + confirming statement
Use 果然 when evidence confirms a prediction, belief, or earlier claim, whether the result is welcome or disappointing.
天气预报说会下雨，下午果然下雨了。
Tiānqì yùbào shuō huì xià yǔ, xiàwǔ guǒrán xià yǔ le.
The forecast said it would rain, and sure enough it rained in the afternoon.
似乎 (Sìhū): Seem, Apparently, or As If
Subject + 似乎 + predicate; 似乎 + clause
Express a tentative impression with 似乎, leaving room for uncertainty or a later contrast with the actual situation.
他今天似乎有点累。
Tā jīntiān sìhū yǒudiǎn lèi.
He seems a little tired today.
凡是 (Fánshì): Every Case That Meets a Condition
凡是 + qualifying class / condition，(subject +) 都 / 就 / 一律 + predicate
Use 凡是 to define a class without exceptions, followed by 都, 就, or 一律 to state the rule that applies.
凡是报名的学生，都要参加测试。
Fánshì bàomíng de xuésheng, dōu yào cānjiā cèshì.
Every student who signs up must take the test.
偏偏 (Piānpiān): Against Wishes or Expectations
Context，subject + 偏偏 + contrary event / behavior
Use 偏偏 for frustrating coincidences, deliberate contrary behavior, or a conspicuous exception to what others do.
我刚洗完车，偏偏就下雨了。
Wǒ gāng xǐ wán chē, piānpiān jiù xià yǔ le.
I had just washed the car when, of all times, it started raining.
再不…也 (Zài Bù…Yě): Even If You Do Not
Subject + 再不 + adjective / mental predicate，也 + unchanged response
Use 再不…也 with a negative quality or feeling to show that a decision still holds, and distinguish urgent 再不…就 sentences.
他再不高兴，也不能骂人。
Tā zài bù gāoxìng, yě bù néng mà rén.
However unhappy he is, he cannot insult people.
一律 (Yīlǜ): Apply a Rule Without Exceptions
Scope / group + 一律 + (都) + predicate
Use 一律 to show uniform treatment of every member of a stated group, especially in rules, instructions, and formal decisions.
报名费一律不退。
Bàomíngfèi yílǜ bù tuì.
Registration fees are nonrefundable in every case.
无非 (Wúfēi): Nothing More Than or Merely
无非 + (是) + verb phrase; 无非是 + noun phrase
Limit an explanation or description with 无非, including noun phrases with 是 and optional endings such as 而已 or 罢了.
我无非是想帮你。
Wǒ wúfēi shì xiǎng bāng nǐ.
I only want to help you.
到时候 (Dào Shíhou): When the Time Comes
Established future occasion，到时候 + action / decision
Refer back to an understood future occasion with 到时候, including expressions for seeing, deciding, or talking about it then.
周五我们一起去，到时候我来接你。
Zhōuwǔ wǒmen yìqǐ qù, dào shíhou wǒ lái jiē nǐ.
We will go together on Friday. I will pick you up then.
何必 (Hébì): Why Bother or Why Is That Necessary?
Subject + 何必 + predicate + (呢)？
Use rhetorical 何必 to question the need for an action, often with 呢, and distinguish it from a neutral request for a reason.
他只是迟到了两分钟，你何必生气呢？
Tā zhǐshì chídào le liǎng fēnzhōng, nǐ hébì shēngqì ne?
He was only two minutes late. Why get angry?
Conjunctions and complex sentences
以及 (Yǐjí): And or As Well As in Written Chinese
Item 1、item 2 + 以及 + item 3
Join related noun phrases or fuller items with 以及, especially when adding the last part of a formal list.
请带上护照、机票以及酒店地址。
Qǐng dài shang hùzhào, jīpiào yǐjí jiǔdiàn dìzhǐ.
Please bring your passport, plane ticket, and hotel address.
总之 (Zǒngzhī): In Short or To Sum Up
Earlier details，总之，summary / conclusion
Use 总之 to gather earlier details into one overall conclusion, decision, or general statement in Chinese.
路太远，车也少。总之，去那里不方便。
Lù tài yuǎn, chē yě shǎo. Zǒngzhī, qù nàlǐ bù fāngbiàn.
It is far away and transport is scarce. In short, getting there is inconvenient.
则 (Zé): Contrast Two Subjects in Formal Chinese
Subject 1 + predicate 1，(而) + subject 2 + 则 + predicate 2
Place 则 after the second subject to contrast two cases, often with 而 at the start of the second clause.
哥哥喜欢喝茶，妹妹则喜欢喝咖啡。
Gēge xǐhuan hē chá, mèimei zé xǐhuan hē kāfēi.
The older brother likes tea, whereas the younger sister likes coffee.
以免 (Yǐmiǎn): In Order to Avoid or So As Not To
Precaution / instruction，以免 + unwanted outcome
Explain a precaution with 以免, followed by the unwanted event that the earlier action is meant to prevent.
请提前出发，以免迟到。
Qǐng tíqián chūfā, yǐmiǎn chídào.
Please leave early to avoid being late.
因为…而 (Yīnwèi…Ér): Link a Cause to Its Effect
Subject + 因为 + cause + 而 + resulting predicate
Use 因为…而 inside a sentence to connect a reason with the action or state it causes, often in formal explanation.
我因为生病而请假。
Wǒ yīnwèi shēngbìng ér qǐngjià.
Because I got sick, I asked for time off.
假使…就 (Jiǎshǐ…Jiù): Formal If Then Conditions
假使 + hypothetical condition，subject + 就 + consequence
Introduce a hypothetical condition with 假使 and describe its consequence with 就, especially in formal or written Chinese.
假使明天下雨，我就不去上班了。
Jiǎshǐ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒ jiù bù qù shàngbān le.
If it rains tomorrow, then I'm not going to work.
何况 and 更何况: Let Alone or All the More
Established case，(更)何况 + stronger inferred case + (呢)
Extend a point to an even clearer case with 何况 or 更何况, in statements and rhetorical questions with 呢.
这句话连孩子都懂， 何况大人呢？
Zhè jù huà lián háizi dōu dǒng, hékuàng dàrén ne?
Children can understand what this sentence means, let alone the adults.
Noun phrases
本 (Běn): This, Our, or the Current in Formal Chinese
本 + noun
Use 本 before an institution, place, period, or occasion to refer to the current or speaker-associated one in formal writing.
本店周一休息。
Běn diàn zhōuyī xiūxi.
This shop is closed on Mondays.
性 (Xìng): Form Words for Properties and Characteristics
Word / phrase + 性
Understand the suffix 性 in words for qualities, possibilities, and types, and learn why it cannot be attached to every word.
我们需要检查这个计划的可行性。
Wǒmen xūyào jiǎnchá zhège jìhuà de kěxíngxìng.
We need to check this plan's feasibility.
Prepositions and coverbs
鉴于 (Jiànyú): In View Of or In Light Of
鉴于 + relevant circumstance，decision / conclusion
Introduce a considered circumstance with 鉴于, then state the decision, recommendation, or conclusion it supports.
鉴于天气恶劣，活动推迟到周日。
Jiànyú tiānqì èliè, huódòng tuīchí dào zhōurì.
In view of the bad weather, the event has been postponed until Sunday.
Sentence structure and word order
非…不可 and 非要: Insistence, Necessity, and Certainty
Subject + 非(要) + action + 不可; 非 + required person / action + 不可
Use 非…不可 for a firm requirement or predicted consequence, and 非要 for insistence that may sound determined or stubborn.
这件事我非问清楚不可。
Zhè jiàn shì wǒ fēi wèn qīngchu bùkě.
I absolutely must get to the bottom of this matter.
岂不是 (Qǐ Bù Shì): Wouldn't That Mean…?
Situation / subject + 岂不是 + implication？
Use 岂不是 in rhetorical questions to highlight an obvious implication, objection, or consequence rather than ask for unknown information.
门都锁了，现在去岂不是白跑一趟？
Mén dōu suǒ le, xiànzài qù qǐ bù shì bái pǎo yí tàng?
The door is locked. Wouldn't going now just be a wasted trip?
兼 (Jiān): Combine Roles, Jobs, or Functions
Role 1 + 兼 + role 2; subject + 兼任 / 兼做 + roles
Describe someone holding two roles or something serving multiple functions with 兼, including noun + 兼 + noun patterns.
她是作家兼老师。
Tā shì zuòjiā jiān lǎoshī.
She is both a writer and a teacher.
莫非 (Mòfēi): Could It Be That…?
Observation，莫非 + conjecture + (不成)？
Introduce a conjecture with 莫非 when evidence prompts a guess, or use it rhetorically to challenge an unexpected possibility.
他今天没来，莫非生病了？
Tā jīntiān méi lái, mòfēi shēngbìng le?
He did not come today. Could he be ill?
由此 (Yóucǐ): From This or As a Result
Earlier evidence / situation，由此 + inference / result
Connect earlier evidence to a conclusion or earlier circumstances to a result with 由此, including the phrase 由此可见.
大家都按时完成了任务，由此可见，这个安排是可行的。
Dàjiā dōu ànshí wánchéng le rènwu, yóucǐ kějiàn, zhège ānpái shì kěxíng de.
Everyone finished on time. From this, we can see that the arrangement is workable.
非得 (Fēiděi): Must, Have To, or Insist On
Subject + 非得 + action (+ 不可 / 不行 / 不成)
Use 非得 for strong necessity or insistence, often with 不可, 不行, or 不成 to exclude other alternatives.
明天非得早起不可。
Míngtiān fēiděi zǎoqǐ bùkě.
We absolutely have to get up early tomorrow.
莫过于 (Mòguòyú): Nothing Is More…Than
Extreme quality / topic + 莫过于 + leading case
Use 莫过于 to name the highest or most extreme case on a stated scale, including joy, sadness, importance, or comfort.
旅行中最开心的事莫过于遇到老朋友。
Lǚxíng zhōng zuì kāixīn de shì mòguòyú yùdào lǎo péngyou.
Nothing is happier on a trip than meeting an old friend.
与其…不如 (Yǔqí…Bùrú): Rather Than, Better To
与其 + option A，不如 + preferred option B; 与其说 + A，不如说 + B
Compare a rejected option with a preferred one using 与其…不如, and refine a judgment with 与其说…不如说.
与其在这里等，不如先去吃饭。
Yǔqí zài zhèlǐ děng, bùrú xiān qù chī fàn.
Rather than wait here, we might as well eat first.
跟…似的 (Gēn…Shìde): Like or As If in Chinese
跟 + comparison model / situation + 似的
Make a conversational comparison with 跟…似的, placing the model or imagined situation between the two parts.
这两个孩子长得跟双胞胎似的。
Zhè liǎng ge háizi zhǎng de gēn shuāngbāotāi shìde.
These two children look like twins.
不愧是 (Bùkuì Shì): Live Up to a Reputation
Subject + 不愧是 / 不愧为 + role / reputation
Praise a person or thing for matching an expected standard with 不愧是, and recognize the more formal alternative 不愧为.
她第一次参加就拿了冠军，不愧是专业选手。
Tā dì yī cì cānjiā jiù ná le guànjūn, bùkuì shì zhuānyè xuǎnshǒu.
She won on her first attempt. She really lives up to being a professional.
由…做主 (Yóu…Zuòzhǔ): Say Who Makes the Decision
Matter / area + 由 + decision-maker + 做主
Identify the person with decision-making authority using 由…做主, with the matter or area of responsibility stated first.
这次旅行去哪儿，由你做主。
Zhè cì lǚxíng qù nǎr, yóu nǐ zuòzhǔ.
You can decide where we go on this trip.
一来…二来 (Yīlái…Èrlái): For One Thing, For Another
一来 + reason / purpose 1，二来 + reason / purpose 2
Organize two reasons or purposes with 一来…二来, presenting them as parallel grounds for an action or conclusion.
我想走路去，一来可以锻炼，二来不用找停车位。
Wǒ xiǎng zǒulù qù, yīlái kěyǐ duànliàn, èrlái bú yòng zhǎo tíngchēwèi.
I want to walk: for one thing, I can get exercise; for another, I will not need to find parking.
以…的名义 (Yǐ…De Míngyì): In the Name Of
以 + person / organization / stated cause + 的名义 + action
Use 以…的名义 to describe acting under someone's name, authority, or stated cause, including sincere and questionable claims.
不要以我的名义给公司写信, 公司会找我麻烦的。
Bùyào yǐ wǒ de míngyì gěi gōngsī xiě xìn, gōngsī huì zhǎo wǒ máfan de.
Don't write to the company in my name, they will give me trouble.
Verb phrases
谅 (Liàng): I Expect or I Bet in a Firm Assertion
（我）谅 + person + 也 + negative predicate
Use 谅 to express a confident assumption about what someone will dare or be able to do, often with a challenging tone.
我谅他也不敢当面撒谎。
Wǒ liàng tā yě bù gǎn dāngmiàn sāhuǎng.
I bet he would not dare lie to my face.
不屑 and 不屑于 (Bùxiè): Disdain Doing Something
Subject + 不屑(于) + action
Express looking down on an action with 不屑 or 不屑于, and distinguish this attitude from a neutral judgment that it is not worthwhile.
她不屑用谎话换取表扬。
Tā bùxiè yòng huǎnghuà huànqǔ biǎoyáng.
She disdains using lies to win praise.
以便 (Yǐbiàn): So That or In Order To
Preparatory action，以便 + intended outcome / easier action
State the intended benefit of an earlier action with 以便, a formal purpose connector that does not guarantee the outcome occurs.
我们很早就去了机场， 以便能赶上最早的飞机。
Wǒmen hěn zǎo jiù qù le jīchǎng, yǐbiàn néng gǎnshàng zuì zǎo de fēijī.
We got to the airport very early so we could make the earliest flight.
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