Chinese grammar / 139 topics
Intermediate Chinese grammar lessons
Browse 139 intermediate Chinese grammar topics. Read sentence patterns, clear explanations and examples with pinyin and English translations.
着 zhe
Describe an ongoing state with 着
Describe a position, arrangement, or condition that continues to hold.
得 de
Describe how an action goes with 得
Say that someone speaks clearly, runs quickly, or does something especially well.
得 / 不 de / bu
Express a possible result with 得 and 不
Say whether a particular result or direction can be achieved under the circumstances.
把 bǎ
Say what happens to an object with 把
Put a specific object before the verb to explain what happens to it.
越来越 yuè lái yuè
Describe a growing change with 越来越
Show that a quality, quantity, or feeling is increasing as time goes on.
虽然 · 但是 suīrán · dànshì
Show contrast with 虽然…但是…
Acknowledge one fact, then explain what is unexpectedly true alongside it.
如果 · 就 rúguǒ · jiù
Make a conditional plan with 如果…就…
Connect a possible situation with what you will do if it happens.
极了 jí le
Extremely with Adjective + 极了 (Jí Le)
Use 极了 after adjectives for a very high degree, keep 了 in the construction, and distinguish degree emphasis from superlative ranking.
不怎么 bù zěnme
Not Very and Not Often with 不怎么 (Bù Zěnme)
Use 不怎么 for a limited degree with adjectives or mental predicates, and recognize its frequency meaning with suitable action verbs.
全 quán
The Whole and All with 全 (Quán) in Chinese
Use 全 before suitable group nouns or predicates, and distinguish 全都不 from 不全都 when expressing total versus partial negation.
形容词重叠 xíngróngcí chóngdié
Adjective Reduplication in Chinese: AA and AABB
Repeat suitable adjectives for vivid descriptions, recognize AA and AABB patterns, and distinguish descriptive repetition from verbs used for brief activities.
地 de
Describing How an Action Happens with 地 (De)
Place a manner phrase and 地 before a Chinese action verb, and distinguish this structure from noun modifiers with 的 and complements with 得.
正好 zhènghǎo
Just Right and Happen To with 正好 (Zhènghǎo)
Use 正好 for a coincidental match between events or for a degree, amount, size, or timing that is exactly suitable.
还 hái
Still in Chinese with 还、还在 and 还是
Express continuation with 还, ongoing actions with 还在, and persistence with 还是, including negatives for “still not” and “not yet.”
就是 jiùshì
Emphasis with 就是 (Jiùshì): Exactly and Simply
Use 就是 to identify precisely or insist on a statement, and recognize how context gives this emphasis a neutral, firm, or stubborn tone.
又 yòu
Emphasizing Negatives with 又不 and 又没
Use 又 before 不 or 没 to push back against an assumption, explain a denial, or question why a response is necessary in Chinese.
就要……了 jiùyào…le
About to and Countdown Expressions with 就要……了
Use 就要 with final 了 for approaching events in Chinese, and add an explicit remaining interval with 还有……就要……了.
原来 yuánlái
原来 (Yuánlái): Originally and It Turns Out
Distinguish 原来 for an earlier state from 原来 introducing a realization, and use 原来的 before a noun to describe something former or original.
一下子 yīxiàzi
All at Once and Suddenly with 一下子 (Yīxiàzi)
Use 一下子 before a predicate for a sudden change or quickly achieved result, and distinguish it from postverbal 一下 for a brief action.
差点 chàdiǎn
Almost Happened with 差点 (Chàdiǎn) in Chinese
Use 差点 or 差点儿 before a predicate for an outcome that nearly occurred, and recognize why forms containing 没 need separate interpretation.
都……了 dōu…le
Emphatic Already with 都……了 in Chinese
Use 都 with final 了 to stress that a time, age, amount, or event has already been reached, often against an expectation.
从来都 cónglái dōu
Have Always with 从来都 (Cónglái Dōu) in Chinese
Use affirmative 从来都 to describe a consistent pattern across the relevant period, and contrast it with the negative 从来不 and 从来没 patterns.
结果 jiéguǒ
As a Result and Ended Up with 结果 (Jiéguǒ)
Use 结果 to introduce an outcome after its background, including consequences that follow logically or turn out differently from expectations.
没……了 méi…le
How Long Since an Action with Duration + 没……了
Say how long an action has not occurred by placing the elapsed period before 没 and ending the Chinese clause with 了.
互相 hùxiāng
Each Other in Chinese with 互相 (Hùxiāng)
Use 互相 before a suitable verb phrase for reciprocal actions, and distinguish mutual participation from several people acting in the same direction.
就 jiù
Earlier and Sooner Than Expected with 就 (Jiù)
Use 就 after a time expression for an early or prompt event, distinguish future “right away” from past earliness, and recognize 早就.
够 gòu
Enough with 够 (Gòu) Before and After Verbs
Use 够 for a sufficient amount or degree, form negatives with 不够, and recognize postverbal patterns meaning having done enough or being fed up.
终于 zhōngyú
Finally After a Wait with 终于 (Zhōngyú)
Use 终于 before a predicate for an outcome reached after waiting or difficulty, without treating 了 as mandatory in every sentence.
还是 háishì
A Considered Better Choice with 还是 (Háishì)
Use 还是 before an action to suggest a preferable choice after consideration, often with final 吧, and distinguish this use from choice questions.
最好 zuìhǎo
Had Better and It Is Best To with 最好 (Zuìhǎo)
Use 最好 before a recommended action, form advice against an action with 最好不要 or 最好别, and read its strength from context.
这样 zhèyàng
In This Way and In That Case with 这样 (Zhèyàng)
Use 这样 before actions for a manner of doing something, or introduce a consequence with 这样 or 这样的话 after describing a situation.
才 cái
Not Until and Later Than Expected with 才 (Cái)
Use 才 after a time expression to present an event as late relative to expectations, and distinguish this timing use from 才 marking small amounts.
一……一…… yī…yī…
One by One and Gradually with Repeated 一 Phrases
Repeat 一 plus a classifier or time unit for individual sequence, gradual change, or repeated actions, including emphatic forms with 又.
就 jiù
Just and Only with 就 (Jiù) for Small Quantities
Use 就 to single out a person or limited quantity, distinguishing focus before a subject from restriction before a predicate or number phrase.
老是 lǎoshì
Always as a Complaint with 老是 (Lǎoshì)
Use 老是 or 老 before a predicate for recurring behavior, often with frustration, and distinguish this adverb from 老 describing age.
才 cái
Only a Small Amount with 才 (Cái) in Chinese
Use 才 before quantities or quantity-bearing actions to emphasize that an amount, age, price, or duration is smaller than expected.
也都 yě dōu
Also All with 也都 (Yě Dōu) in Chinese
Combine 也 and 都 in the order 也都 when a whole relevant group shares a previously mentioned action, state, or negative condition.
这么、那么 zhème nàme
So, This and That Degree with 这么 and 那么
Use 这么 and 那么 before adjectives to point to a degree, and understand how context and viewpoint affect the choice between them.
挺……的 tǐng…de
Quite and Pretty with 挺……的 (Tǐng…De)
Use 挺 before adjectives or suitable mental predicates for conversational degree, often followed by 的 at the end of the descriptive phrase.
比较 bǐjiào
Rather and Relatively with 比较 (Bǐjiào)
Use 比较 before adjectives or suitable mental verbs for a relative degree, and distinguish the adverb from the verb meaning to compare.
什么的 shénme de
And Things Like That with 什么的 (Shénme De)
End an informal Chinese list with 什么的 when similar items are understood, including a single illustrative item or a series of activities.
之类的 zhī lèi de
Things Like That with 之类的 (Zhī Lèi De)
Use 之类的 after examples to refer to similar things, optionally introduce them with 像, and add a category noun when it clarifies the meaning.
等等 děngděng
And So On with 等 and 等等 in Chinese
Use 等 or 等等 after examples in a Chinese list, understand the role of a following category noun, and distinguish these endings from casual 什么的.
不过 bùguò
A Softer But with 不过 (Bùguò) in Chinese
Use 不过 to introduce a qualification or contrasting point after a statement, while recognizing that tone and context determine how strong the contrast feels.
要不 yàobù
Making Suggestions with 要不 (Yàobù): How About
Use 要不 to propose an option in conversation, often with final 吧, and distinguish this suggestion use from 要不 meaning “otherwise.”
还有 háiyǒu
Adding an Afterthought with 还有 (Háiyǒu)
Use 还有 to introduce another point or reminder in a conversation, and distinguish the connector from a literal statement that something else exists.
另外 lìngwài
In Addition and Separately with 另外 (Lìngwài)
Use 另外 to introduce an additional point or modify an action done separately or extra, with 还 or 也 often reinforcing addition.
再说 zàishuō
Besides and Moreover with 再说 (Zàishuō)
Use 再说 at the start of a supporting clause to add another reason for a decision or judgment, rather than translating it literally as “say again.”
那么、那 nàme nà
Then and In That Case with 那么 (Nàme) and 那 (Nà)
Use 那么 or 那 to respond to established circumstances with a decision, inference, suggestion, or follow-up question in Chinese.
来 lái
来 (Lái) for Purpose: Connecting a Method to an Action
Learn how 来 connects a tool or method to its purpose, including common Chinese patterns with 用 and 通过.
个个、天天 gègè, tiāntiān
Reduplicated Chinese Measure Words: 个个, 天天, and Every
Understand how repeated measure words such as 个个 and 天天 express every member, every day, or every occurrence.
之前、之后 zhīqián, zhīhòu
之前 vs 之后: Saying Before and After in Chinese
Use 之前 and 之后 after events or as independent time expressions, and compare their meaning and usage with 以前 and 以后.
以来 yǐlái
以来 (Yǐlái): Ever Since and Periods Leading Up to Now
Express an ongoing period with 以来 after a starting event, and use 来 after a duration to mean over the past period.
时 shí
时 (Shí): A Concise Way to Say When in Chinese
Use event + 时 for when or during in Chinese, with correct word order and a comparison to the longer 的时候.
后来 hòulái
后来 (Hòulái): Describing What Happened Later
Use 后来 to connect events in a past narrative and distinguish it from expressions used for future plans.
分之 fēn zhī
分之 (Fēn Zhī): Chinese Fractions and Percentages
Read and form Chinese fractions with the denominator first, and express percentages and proportions using 分之.
多 duō
多 (Duō) After Numbers: Saying More Than in Chinese
Learn where 多 goes in approximate quantities such as ages, prices, and durations when an amount exceeds a round number.
吗 ma
吗 with Question Words: Embedded Questions in Chinese
See why 吗 can appear with 什么, 谁, or 哪里 when the question word belongs inside a larger yes-no question.
嘛 ma
嘛 (Ma): Presenting Something as Obvious in Chinese
Use sentence-final 嘛 to explain an obvious point, offer reassurance, or add insistence, and distinguish it from 吗.
吧…吧 ba…ba
吧…吧: Weighing Two Unsatisfactory Options in Chinese
Use repeated 吧 to weigh alternatives, explain the drawback of each choice, and express uncertainty about a decision.
的 de
Sentence-Final 的 (De): Certainty and Reassurance
Understand how 的 at the end of a statement expresses confidence, including common reassuring sentences with 会.
关于 guānyú
关于 (Guānyú): About, Regarding, and Topic Phrases
Use 关于 to introduce a topic or form a noun modifier with 的, and avoid adding it unnecessarily after Chinese verbs.
直到…才 zhídào…cái
直到…才: Not Until and Continuing Up to a Time
Express not until with 直到…才 and understand how 直到 with a negative clause describes a situation lasting to a boundary.
给 gěi
给 (Gěi) Before a Verb: Doing Something for Someone
Place 给 before the beneficiary of an action to describe services, favors, and things done for another person in Chinese.
为 wèi
为 (Wèi): Acting for Someone or Expressing Concern
Use 为 to identify who an action, feeling, or contribution is for, with common patterns for work, support, and concern.
不到 bùdào
不到 (Bùdào): Less Than an Amount or Before a Milestone
Use 不到 for quantities below a stated limit and combine it with 就 to emphasize that something happened sooner than expected.
向 xiàng
向 (Xiàng): Toward Someone, Asking, and Learning From
Use 向 for physical direction and for the person addressed in requests, apologies, reports, or learning from someone.
往 wǎng
往 (Wǎng): Directions, Destinations, and Continuing
Use 往 before directions and movement verbs, recognize formal verb + 往 phrases, and understand 往下 for continuing an activity.
在…上、在…下 zài…shàng, zài…xià
在…上, 在…下, and 在…方面: Abstract Chinese Frames
Discuss a topic, describe surrounding conditions, or name an aspect with the Chinese patterns 在…上, 在…下, and 在…方面.
对 duì
对 (Duì) with Verbs: Targets, Feelings, and Attitudes
Learn common 对 + target patterns for speaking to someone, showing an attitude, and expressing interest or responsibility.
看起来 kànqilai
看起来 (Kànqilai): Saying Something Looks or Seems
Describe visible impressions with 看起来 + adjective and use 看起来像 when saying what a person or thing looks like.
让、叫、请、使 ràng, jiào, qǐng, shǐ
让, 叫, 请, and 使: Chinese Causative Verb Patterns
Build causative sentences with 让, 叫, 请, and 使 to describe permission, requests, and actions or feelings caused by others.
要看、得看 yào kàn, děi kàn
要看 and 得看: Saying It Depends in Chinese
Explain what a decision depends on with 要看 or 得看, from short answers to full sentences about uncertain outcomes.
好像 hǎoxiàng
好像 (Hǎoxiàng): Expressing Seems and Tentative Impressions
Use 好像 before a description or clause to express an impression, uncertainty, or a conclusion that is not fully confirmed.
以为 yǐwéi
以为 (Yǐwéi): An Assumption That Turns Out to Be Wrong
Express mistaken assumptions with 以为 and understand its use in corrections, surprises, and warnings about what someone believes.
经过 jīngguò
经过 (Jīngguò): Passing Through and Going Through a Process
Use 经过 for passing a place and for the experience, preparation, or period that precedes an outcome in Chinese.
通过 tōngguò
通过 (Tōngguò): Passing, Approval, and Achieving Through a Method
Understand 通过 as a verb meaning pass and as a preposition introducing the channel or method used to achieve a result.
来自 láizì
来自 (Láizì): Stating an Origin or Source in Chinese
Use 来自 to say where people and things originate, and to identify the source of an idea, suggestion, or influence.
算 suàn
算 (Suàn): Counting as Something and Making a Judgment
Use 算 with nouns and descriptions to assess whether something qualifies, and recognize the more qualified tone of 算是.
来 lái
我来 and 你来: Using 来 to Say Who Will Do It
Use 来 as a stand-in for an understood task when offering to act, assigning a turn, or asking someone to try.
不用 bùyòng
不用 (Bùyòng): Saying There Is No Need to Do Something
Use 不用 before a verb to remove a necessity, offer reassurance, or explain an exemption, and distinguish it from 不要.
得 děi
得 (Děi): Must and Have To in Spoken Chinese
Express practical necessity with 得 pronounced děi, and distinguish this modal verb from the complement particle de.
少 shǎo
少 (Shǎo) Before Verbs: Do Less or Cut Back
Place 少 before an action to suggest doing less, reducing an amount, or cutting back on a habit in Chinese.
多 duō
多 (Duō) Before Verbs: Do More or More Often
Use 多 before an action to recommend a greater amount or frequency, with common patterns using 点 and 一点.
正在…呢 zhèngzài…ne
Actions in Progress: 在, 正在, 着, and 呢 in Chinese
Understand common ongoing-action patterns with 在, 正在, 着, and sentence-final 呢 without assuming every marker is required.
不怎么、没怎么 bù zěnme, méi zěnme
不怎么 and 没怎么: Not Often or Not Much
Use 不怎么 for infrequent habits and 没怎么 for limited past activity, with the negative phrase before the verb.
到 dào
到 (Dào) After a Verb: Continuing Until a Time or Event
Mark an action’s endpoint with verb + 到, and learn when to repeat a verb that already has an object.
次、遍、下 cì, biàn, xià
次, 遍, and 下: Counting Actions in Chinese
Count occurrences, complete repetitions, and brief actions using the Chinese verbal measure words 次, 遍, and 下.
离合词 líhécí
Separable Verbs in Chinese: Verb-Object Phrases and Word Order
Understand separable Chinese verbs, including where aspect markers and counted actions go and how to introduce another participant.
给 gěi
Verb + 给: Placing a Recipient After a Chinese Verb
Learn recipient placement after verbs such as 送 and 递, using verb + 给 + recipient and related object-first patterns.
给 gěi
给 Before Verbs: Naming the Target of an Action
Use 给 + target before verbs for calling, writing, replying, and other actions directed at a person in Chinese.
来、去 lái, qù
Chinese Direction Complements: 来, 去, and Compound Directions
Learn how 来 and 去 mark movement relative to a viewpoint, and combine them with directional verbs such as 上, 下, and 出.
起来 qǐlai
起来 (Qǐlai): Upward Movement, Starting, and Impressions
Understand literal and extended uses of 起来 after verbs, including upward motion, an action beginning, and sensory impressions.
结果补语 jiéguǒ bǔyǔ
Chinese Result Complements: What an Action Achieves
Use result complements such as 好, 完, 错, and 饱 to distinguish performing an action from reaching its result.
下去 xiàqu
下去 (Xiàqu): Continuing an Action in Chinese
Use verb + 下去 to keep an activity going in Chinese, and verb + 不下去 to explain that you cannot continue it.
所有 suǒyǒu
所有 (Suǒyǒu): All, All Of, and Not All in Chinese
Build noun phrases with 所有, combine them with 都, and distinguish not all from none when placing the negative.
之一 zhī yī
之一 (Zhī Yī): Saying One Of in Chinese
Use 之一 after a group noun phrase to identify one member, including one of the best and one of the reasons.
另、另外 lìng, lìngwài
另 and 另外: Another, the Other, and the Remaining Ones
Use 另 or 另外 before a quantity phrase to identify another item or the remaining members of a known group.
不是…吗 bù shì…ma
Chinese Rhetorical Questions: 不是…吗 and 怎么会
Recognize common rhetorical question patterns used to remind, challenge, or express disbelief rather than request new information.
是…的 shì…de
是…的 for Past Details: Emphasizing When, How, or With Whom
Use 是…的 to focus on details of an established event, including its time, place, method, or participants.
是…的 shì…de
是…的 for Purpose: What Someone Came for or Something Is Used for
Explain intentions and intended functions in Chinese with 是来…的, 是去…的, 是用来…的, and related purpose patterns.
是…的 shì…de
是…的 Patterns: Details, Classification, Purpose, and Emphasis
Distinguish the main Chinese 是…的 patterns by meaning, including omitted nouns, event details, intended uses, and firm assertions.
话题 huàtí
Chinese Topic-Comment Sentences: Put the Topic First
Understand how Chinese introduces a topic before commenting on it, including objects moved ahead of a separate subject.
被 bèi
被 (Bèi) Sentences: Chinese Passive Voice and Affected Subjects
Build Chinese passive sentences with 被, place the affected participant first, and decide whether to name the doer.
着、是 zhe, shì
Existential Sentences with 着 and 是: Describing What Is Somewhere
Start with a place to describe what is standing, lying, or located there, using existential patterns with 着 or 是.
想…就… xiǎng…jiù…
想…就…: Doing Whatever You Want in Chinese
Use 想…就… to permit an action or express freedom of choice, including repeated question words for whatever and wherever.
不是不 bù shì bù
Double Negatives in Chinese: 不是不 and 不可能不
Interpret Chinese double negatives by scope, including rejecting a negative claim, unavoidable actions, and statements about everyone.
连…都… lián…dōu…
连…都…: Saying Even in Chinese
Highlight an unexpected person, thing, or event with 连…都…, including correct placement when the focused phrase is an object.
每次…都… měi cì…dōu…
每次…都…: Saying Every Time in Chinese
Describe a consistent reaction or repeated outcome with 每次…都…, including sentences where the two events have different subjects.
谁都 shéi dōu
Question Words + 都: Everyone, Everywhere, and Whenever
Use 谁, 哪儿, 什么时候, and other question words with 都 to make inclusive statements rather than ask questions.
多长时间…一次 duō cháng shíjiān…yī cì
How Often in Chinese: 多长时间…一次 and Frequency Answers
Ask about the interval between actions with 多长时间…一次 and give frequencies using a period plus an action count.
倍 bèi
倍 (Bèi): Times as Much and Multiplicative Comparisons
Express ratios with 是…的…倍 and distinguish a total multiple from an increase described with a comparative adjective.
一点也不 yīdiǎn yě bù
一点也不 and 一点都不: Not at All in Chinese
Strengthen a negative description with 一点也不 or 一点都不, including feelings and attitudes as well as adjectives.
不知道…好 bù zhīdào…hǎo
不知道…好: Not Knowing What Would Be Best to Do
Express indecision with 不知道…好, using an embedded question and optional 才 to ask what action would be appropriate.
为了 wèile
为了 (Wèile): Explaining Purpose and Intended Benefit
Place 为了 before a goal or beneficiary to explain why an action is taken, and distinguish purpose from an existing cause.
哪儿、谁、什么 nǎr, shéi, shénme
Question Words Meaning Some: Somewhere, Someone, and Something
Recognize indefinite uses of 哪儿, 谁, 什么, and 什么时候 when Chinese refers to an unspecified person, place, thing, or time.
对…来说 duì…láishuō
来说 (Láishuō): For Someone, Generally, and Speaking Broadly
Frame a comment with 对…来说 or a familiar 来说 phrase to identify a perspective or the scope of a generalization.
有…那么 yǒu…nàme
有 in Chinese Comparisons: As…As and Reaching a Standard
Use 有 + reference + adjective to ask whether something reaches another’s degree, and recognize expanded patterns with 那么 or 这么.
跟…比 gēn…bǐ
跟…比: Starting a Chinese Comparison with Compared With
Frame Chinese comparisons with 跟…比 or 跟…比起来, placing the reference first before explaining a difference or preference.
更、还 gèng, hái
更 and 还 in 比 Comparisons: Even More in Chinese
Add 更 or 还 before an adjective in a 比 sentence to emphasize a stronger degree relative to the comparison standard.
得多、多了 de duō, duō le
Much More in Chinese Comparisons: 很多, 得多, and 多了
Emphasize a large difference in Chinese by placing 很多, 得多, or 多了 after an adjective in a comparison sentence.
是 shì
Adjective + 是 + Adjective: Conceding a Point in Chinese
Acknowledge that a description is true before adding a reservation, using patterns such as 好看是好看，但是….
一…就… yī…jiù…
一…就…: As Soon As and Immediate Reactions in Chinese
Connect a trigger to an immediate result with 一…就…, for single events, future plans, and habitual reactions.
要么…要么… yàome…yàome…
要么…要么…: Either…Or Choices in Chinese
Present alternative actions or outcomes with 要么…要么…, including decisions, instructions, and contrasting possibilities.
除了…以外 chúle…yǐwài
除了…以外: Except, Besides, and In Addition in Chinese
Distinguish exclusion from addition with 除了…以外 by reading the following 都, 也, or 还 and the scope of the sentence.
还好…不然… háihǎo…bùrán…
还好…不然…: Fortunately and Otherwise in Chinese
Describe a fortunate circumstance with 还好 and explain the avoided problem using 不然 and its hypothetical outcome.
如果…的话 rúguǒ…dehuà
如果…的话: Forming If Conditions in Chinese
Put a condition between 如果 and 的话, introduce its result with 就 when appropriate, and recognize shorter conditional forms.
不但…而且… bùdàn…érqiě
不但…而且…: Not Only…But Also in Chinese
Link two related points with 不但…而且…, and adjust the position of 不但 when the clauses have different subjects.
怪不得、难怪 guàibude, nánguài
怪不得 and 难怪: Saying No Wonder in Chinese
Connect a newly understood reason with an observation using 怪不得 or 难怪, including explanations introduced by 原来.
一方面…另一方面… yī fāngmiàn…lìng yī fāngmiàn
一方面…另一方面…: Presenting Two Sides in Chinese
Organize two aspects of a situation with 一方面 and 另一方面, whether the points support each other or pull in different directions.
等到 děngdào
等到 (Děngdào): When the Time Comes and Not Until
Use 等 or 等到 to introduce a future milestone or a later point in a Chinese narrative, with 再, 就, or 才.
常常、经常 chángcháng, jīngcháng
常常 vs 经常: Two Ways to Say Often in Chinese
Compare 常常 and 经常 as frequency adverbs, including ordinary word order, negation, and 经常 in modifier expressions.
刚、刚才 gāng, gāngcái
刚 vs 刚才: Just Happened and Just Now in Chinese
Distinguish adverb 刚 from time word 刚才 by word order, relative recency, noun modification, and interaction with aspect.
有点、一点 yǒudiǎn, yīdiǎn
有点 vs 一点: A Little, Slightly More, and Not at All
Choose 有点 before descriptions and 一点 after comparative or request adjectives, and recognize their different negative patterns.
还是、或者 háishì, huòzhě
还是 vs 或者: Asking a Choice or Listing Possibilities
Use 还是 in alternative questions and 或者 in statements of possibilities, including questions embedded inside larger sentences.
人家、别人 rénjia, biérén
人家 vs 别人: Other People and Colloquial Pronoun Uses
Compare 人家 and 别人 for others, and recognize 人家 as a context-dependent reference to a specific person or the speaker.
之间、中间 zhījiān, zhōngjiān
之间 vs 中间: Between, the Middle, and Relationships
Distinguish 之间 and 中间 for spaces, intervals, ranges, and relationships, including when 中间 can stand alone.
离、从 lí, cóng
离 vs 从: Distance From and Starting From in Chinese
Use 离 to measure separation and 从 to introduce a starting point or source in space, time, and other relationships.
以后、的时候 yǐhòu, de shíhou
以后 vs 的时候: After an Event or When It Happens
Choose 以后 for a later stage and 的时候 for the time of an event or state, even when English uses when for both.