Chinese grammar / 151 topics
Upper intermediate Chinese grammar lessons
Browse 151 upper intermediate Chinese grammar topics. Read sentence patterns, clear explanations and examples with pinyin and English translations.
得不得了 de bùdéliǎo
得不得了 (De Bùdéliǎo): Extremely and Terribly in Chinese
Intensify a description with adjective + 得不得了, including positive emotions as well as difficult or unpleasant situations.
得很 de hěn
得很 (De Hěn): Strong Emphasis After an Adjective
Use adjective + 得很 for emphatic descriptions, and compare its word order and tone with 很 before an adjective.
了点儿 le diǎnr
Adjective + 了点儿: A Bit Too and Small Changes in Chinese
Use adjective + 了点儿 to soften a criticism, and recognize contexts where the same shape describes a small change.
有的是 yǒudeshì
有的是 (Yǒudeshì): Plenty Of and More Than Enough
Express abundant money, time, opportunities, or other resources with 有的是, including noun-first topic patterns.
都 dōu
都 Beyond All: Even, Already, and Emphatic Complaints
Recognize extended uses of 都 that highlight an extreme result, an already reached situation, or a reason for a response.
还…呢 hái…ne
还 for Surprise and Sarcasm: Emphatic Chinese Patterns
Understand 还 with surprising claims, ironic descriptions, and rhetorical questions, often reinforced by sentence-final 呢.
总会、总得 zǒng huì, zǒng děi
总 with Modals: Eventually, In Any Case, and Necessary Action
Use 总 with 会, 得, 要, or 能 to express an expected eventual outcome, an unavoidable need, or confidence despite circumstances.
看来 kànlái
看来 (Kànlái): Drawing a Conclusion or Naming a Perspective
Use 看来 for an inference from the situation and 在…看来 to identify whose view or judgment is being described.
只好 zhǐhǎo
只好 (Zhǐhǎo): Having No Better Choice in Chinese
Use 只好 to introduce the course of action someone accepts because other workable options have been ruled out.
可 kě
可 (Kě) for Emphasis: Strong Descriptions and Firm Warnings
Recognize emphatic 可 before adjectives and verbs, including 可…了, 可别, and expressions of a long-awaited development.
毕竟 bìjìng
毕竟 (Bìjìng): After All and Reasons That Still Matter
Use 毕竟 to foreground a decisive fact or reason that should be considered despite other concerns or appearances.
再不…就… zài bù…jiù…
再不…就…: If You Do Not Act Now in Chinese
Express urgency with 再不…就…, connecting continued inaction with an approaching consequence or missed opportunity.
差点没 chàdiǎn méi
差点没 (Chàdiǎn Méi): Almost Not and Ambiguous Near Misses
Interpret 差点没 by the intended outcome and context, including successful results that nearly failed and colloquial near-miss expressions.
反正 fǎnzhèng
反正 (Fǎnzhèng): Anyway, Regardless, and a Settled Reason
Use 反正 to keep a conclusion unchanged despite alternatives, or to introduce a practical reason for a decision in Chinese.
尽量 jǐnliàng
尽量 (Jǐnliàng): As Much as Possible and Trying Your Best
Place 尽量 before an action or description to aim for the greatest feasible extent, including efforts to avoid doing something.
恐怕 kǒngpà
恐怕 (Kǒngpà): I Am Afraid and Concerned Predictions
Use 恐怕 to present a concerning possibility, soften unwelcome information, or cautiously assess what is likely to happen.
好不容易 hǎo bù róngyì
好不容易 and 好容易: Achieving Something with Difficulty
Learn how 好不容易 and idiomatic 好容易 emphasize effort and difficulty, often with 才 before a hard-won result in Chinese.
甚至 shènzhì
甚至 (Shènzhì): Adding an Extreme or Surprising Case
Use 甚至 to extend a statement to an unexpected example or stronger claim, often with 都 or 也 for emphasis.
尽管 jǐnguǎn
尽管 (Jǐnguǎn): Feel Free to Ask, Speak, or Help Yourself
Encourage someone to act without hesitation using 尽管 before a verb, and distinguish this use from the concession meaning although.
不得不 bùdébù
不得不 (Bùdébù): Have To and Cannot Avoid Doing
Express externally imposed necessity or reluctant acknowledgment with 不得不 before an action or admission in Chinese.
到底 dàodǐ
到底 (Dàodǐ): What Exactly, After All, and Finally
Distinguish 到底 in insistent questions, explanations based on a defining fact, and statements about an eventual result.
究竟 jiūjìng
究竟 (Jiūjìng): Asking What Exactly or Finding the Real Answer
Use 究竟 to press for precise information in question-word and affirmative-negative questions, and recognize embedded uses.
干脆 gāncuì
干脆 (Gāncuì): Just Do It or Choose the Direct Option
Use 干脆 to propose or report a decisive, uncomplicated course of action when other options feel troublesome.
几乎 jīhū
几乎 (Jīhū): Almost All, Hardly Any, and Nearly
Use 几乎 to qualify a whole group or a predicate, and distinguish almost all from the near absence expressed with 没有.
再也不 zài yě bù
再也不 and 再也没: Never Again and No More Since Then
Use 再也不 for a future refusal or impossibility and 再也没 for an action that has not occurred again since a past point.
曾经 céngjīng
曾经 (Céngjīng): Once, Former Experience, and Past States
Use 曾经 before a predicate to recall an earlier experience or state, with 过 when appropriate and without implying exactly one time.
本来 běnlái
本来 (Běnlái): Original Plans and Things True All Along
Describe an original intention with 本来 and use 本来就 to emphasize a fact or viewpoint that was already true.
再三 zàisān
再三 (Zàisān): Repeatedly and Time After Time
Use 再三 before verbs of warning, requesting, considering, and emphasizing to describe repeated or sustained effort.
简直 jiǎnzhí
简直 (Jiǎnzhí): Simply, Absolutely, and Emphatic Comparisons
Use 简直 to express a striking judgment, amplify a description, or present an exaggerated comparison in Chinese.
一向 yīxiàng
一向 (Yīxiàng): Longstanding Habits and Consistent Attitudes
Use 一向 to describe an established habit or attitude over time, and distinguish it from 一直 for continuous processes.
千万 qiānwàn
千万 (Qiānwàn): Be Sure To and Whatever You Do, Do Not
Strengthen a Chinese request or warning with 千万, commonly followed by 要, 别, 不要, or 不能 before the action.
白 bái
白 (Bái) Before Verbs: In Vain, Wasted Effort, and For Free
Understand 白 before an action as wasted effort or no cost, and distinguish it from the color word white.
顺便 shùnbiàn
顺便 (Shùnbiàn): While You Are at It and Doing an Extra Task
Use 顺便 before a secondary action that fits conveniently into an existing trip, task, or conversation in Chinese.
了又 le yòu
Verb + 了又 + Verb: Doing Something Again and Again
Repeat a short verb around 了又 to emphasize repeated attempts, consideration, or checking, often despite an unchanged result.
难道 nándào
难道 (Nándào): Challenging an Idea with a Rhetorical Question
Use 难道 to question a surprising or doubtful proposition, often with 吗, and infer the speaker’s expected answer.
差很多 chà hěn duō
差很多 (Chà Hěn Duō): Very Different Rather Than Roughly the Same
Use 差很多 as a predicate to describe a substantial gap, and compare it with 差不多 in statements of rough similarity.
啊 a
啊 (A) in Lists: Naming Examples Conversationally
Add 啊 after items in an informal list to give examples of a category without implying the list is complete.
于是 yúshì
于是 (Yúshì): So Then and Consequences in a Narrative
Connect a situation with the action it prompts using 于是, and distinguish a narrative development from general causal reasoning.
而 ér
而 (Ér): Connecting Contrasts and Saying But Rather
Use 而 to contrast related clauses in Chinese, especially in 不是…而是… and 是…而不是… corrections and distinctions.
当中 dāngzhōng
当中 (Dāngzhōng): Among a Group and During a Process
Use 当中 after a group or process to identify membership, comparison within a set, or involvement during an activity.
彼此 bǐcǐ
彼此 (Bǐcǐ): Each Other and Mutual Relationships
Use 彼此 for reciprocal actions and shared relationships, as a participant, object, or modifier with 的.
当…的时候 dāng…de shíhou
当…的时候: Framing When Something Happens in Chinese
Use 当 to introduce a time clause, with 的时候 or 时 when appropriate, for occasions, states, and recurring reactions.
其中 qízhōng
其中 (Qízhōng): Among Them, Of Which, and Within a Set
Refer back to an established group with 其中 to identify a subset, a particular member, or an item standing out from the rest.
这个 zhège
这个 After a Person or Name: Labels and Emphatic Topics
Recognize person + 这个 + label for emphatic judgments, and compare neutral topic descriptions with 这种 or 这类.
了 le
了 After an Object: Completed Events and Sentence Rhythm
Compare verb + 了 + object with verb + object + 了, considering context, object length, and the difference between aspect and new relevance.
了 le
了 with Complements: After Results and Inside Directional Phrases
Place 了 after verb-result compounds and recognize selected directional constructions where it can follow the main verb.
嘛 ma
Topic + 嘛: Introducing What You Want to Discuss
Use 嘛 after a topic to create a conversational frame before the comment, and distinguish it from sentence-final obviousness.
呢 ne
呢 (Ne) in Questions: Wondering, Weighing Choices, and Tone
Add 呢 to question-word, alternative, and affirmative-negative questions for a reflective or context-sensitive conversational tone.
以上、以下、以内、以外 yǐshàng, yǐxià, yǐnèi, yǐwài
以上, 以下, 以内, and 以外: Setting Chinese Limits
Define upper and lower bounds with 以上, 以下, 以内, and 以外, and make exact boundary inclusion clear from context.
随着 suízhe
随着 (Suízhe): Along With and Changes That Develop Together
Use 随着 before a movement, condition, or developing process to show another action or change accompanying it.
自从 zìcóng
自从 (Zìcóng): Ever Since a Starting Event in Chinese
Introduce a past starting point with 自从 and describe the changes or continuing situation that follow, sometimes with 以来.
对…而言 duì…éryán
对…而言 (Duì…Éryán): From Someone’s Point of View
Use 对…而言 to identify whose circumstances or perspective a comment applies to, as a more formal alternative to 对…来说.
在内 zài nèi
在内 (Zài Nèi): Including Items Within a Total or Group
Use 包括…在内 and related 在内 phrases to make clear which people, costs, or items belong inside a stated total.
凭 píng
凭 (Píng): On the Basis Of, By Virtue Of, and Evidence
Use 凭 before a credential, resource, or reason that enables an action or supports a judgment, and recognize challenging 凭什么 questions.
给 gěi
Passive 给 (Gěi): Colloquial Got-Done-To Patterns
Recognize 给 as a colloquial passive marker and its emphatic use alongside 被 when describing an affected participant.
至于 zhìyú
至于 (Zhìyú): As For and Turning to a Related Topic
Use 至于 to move from an established discussion to a related issue, followed by the comment or answer about that issue.
就…来说 jiù…láishuō
就 for Scope: Regarding a Topic and From One Aspect
Use 就 before a discussion topic or with 来说 and 而言 to limit the perspective or aspect covered by a comment.
趁 chèn
趁 (Chèn): Do Something While the Opportunity Lasts
Learn how 趁 introduces a useful opportunity or temporary situation, so an action happens while conditions are favorable.
并不；并没有 bìng bù; bìng méiyǒu
并不 and 并没有 (Bìng): Emphasize a Chinese Negation
Use 并不 and 并没有 to reject an assumption or emphasize that something is not true, without changing the basic negation.
要不是 yàobushì
要不是 (Yàobushì): If It Were Not For
Explain how 要不是 introduces a counterfactual condition, crediting help or identifying what prevented a different outcome.
多亏 duōkuī
多亏 (Duōkuī): Say Thanks To in Chinese
Use 多亏 to credit helpful circumstances, connect them to a good outcome, and explain the trouble they helped prevent.
而已 éryǐ
而已 (Éryǐ): Express Only, Merely, or That's All
Learn where to place 而已 when limiting a claim to a noun, amount, or action, often alongside 只 or 仅仅.
将 jiāng
将 (Jiāng) as a Formal Alternative to 把
Understand the object-marking use of 将, its formal register, and how the following verb phrase describes handling or change.
什么 shénme
Verb + 什么 (Shénme): Challenge an Action in Chinese
Learn how rhetorical 什么 questions challenge someone's action, including the emphatic verb + 什么 + verb pattern.
像；不像 xiàng; bù xiàng
像…一样 and 不像…那么: Compare Specific Qualities
Compare how people or things share a quality with 像…一样, and express a lower degree with 不像…那么.
比起；相比 bǐqǐ; xiāngbǐ
比起…来 and 相比: Make Chinese Comparisons
Use 比起…来 and 与…相比 to establish a comparison point before describing a difference, judgment, or preference.
不如 bùrú
不如 (Bùrú): Not as Good as and Better To
Learn how 不如 compares quality or degree and how its suggestion use introduces a preferable course of action.
化 huà
化 (Huà): Form Chinese Words Meaning -ize or -ify
Understand how 化 forms words for transformation and processes, including noun-like uses in formal and technical Chinese.
难怪 nánguài
难怪 (Nánguài) as a Verb: Hard to Blame
Distinguish the verb use of 难怪, meaning someone cannot reasonably be blamed, from its familiar no-wonder use.
将；将要；将会 jiāng; jiāngyào; jiānghuì
将, 将要, and 将会: Express Future Events Formally
Use 将, 将要, and 将会 for future events in announcements, predictions, and formal writing, without implying only the near future.
并 bìng
并 (Bìng): Connect Related Verb Phrases
Learn how 并 joins related actions in concise written Chinese, and how it differs from 并 used before a negative.
由 yóu
由 (Yóu): Identify Who Handles or Causes an Action
Use 由 to identify the person responsible for an action, decision, or event, often after the matter being discussed.
难免 nánmiǎn
难免 (Nánmiǎn): Say Something Is Hard to Avoid
Describe natural or difficult-to-avoid outcomes with 难免, including its common combinations with 会 and 有点.
并且 bìngqiě
并且 (Bìngqiě): Add And Also or Moreover
Connect related actions with 并且 and strengthen an additional point using 还, 也, or a preceding 不但 clause.
值得 zhídé
值得 (Zhídé): Say Something Is Worth Doing
Use 值得 to evaluate an action or experience, and distinguish it from 值 when stating a monetary value.
害得 hàide
害得 (Hàide): Describe an Unwanted Consequence
Learn how 害得 links a cause to trouble, worry, or another unwelcome result, often with a complaining tone.
受 shòu
受 (Shòu): Express Being Affected or Receiving Treatment
Learn common 受 constructions for receiving respect, influence, or harm, and why 受 cannot replace 被 in every passive.
着 zhe
Verb + 着 + Verb + 着: As an Action Continues
Describe an ongoing activity that leads into a new development with the repeated verb + 着 pattern and a following result.
格外 géwài
格外 (Géwài): Express Especially or Unusually
Use 格外 before a quality or state to say it stands out in degree, and distinguish its adverb use from 特别.
尽管 jǐnguǎn
尽管 (Jǐnguǎn): Express Although and Despite
Use 尽管 with a contrasting result, often introduced by 但是 or 还是, and pronounce its first character with third tone.
倒 dào
倒 (Dào): Mark an Unexpected Contrast
Understand 倒 as a contrastive adverb for unexpected facts, qualified agreement, and differences from an earlier assumption.
反而 fǎn'ér
反而 (Fǎn'ér): Express the Opposite of Expectations
Use 反而 when a result goes against the expected direction, and place it after the subject of the contrasting clause.
却 què
却 (Què): Express But or Yet Within a Clause
Learn how 却 marks an unexpected contrast, where it sits relative to the subject, and how it differs from a conjunction.
由于 yóuyú
由于 (Yóuyú): Introduce a Cause or Reason
Use 由于 to introduce causes in formal Chinese, with a noun phrase or clause followed by the resulting situation.
既然…就 jìrán…jiù
既然…就 (Jìrán…Jiù): Since That Is the Case
Use 既然 to accept a known premise and draw a conclusion, recommendation, or challenging question from it.
因此 yīncǐ
因此 (Yīncǐ): Express Therefore in Chinese
Connect a stated cause to its consequence with 因此, a common transition in explanations, reports, and formal writing.
之所以…是因为 zhī suǒyǐ…shì yīnwèi
之所以…是因为: State the Result Before the Reason
Explain a result first with 之所以, then supply its cause with 是因为 or its purpose with 是为了.
得很；得不得了 de hěn; de bùdéliǎo
得很, 得不得了, and More: Chinese Degree Complements
Intensify a quality with adjective + 得很, 得不得了, 得要命, or 得不行, and understand the tone of each expression.
得了；得下；得起；得动；得着 de liǎo; de xià; de qǐ; de dòng; de zháo
得了, 得下, 得起, 得动, and 得着: Potential Complements
Express capacity, affordability, strength, and reach with Chinese potential complements, including their negative forms.
住；开；出来 zhù; kāi; chūlái
住, 开, and 出来: Chinese Result Complements
Learn how 住, 开, and 出来 describe holding, separation, and emergence as results of an action in Chinese.
起来 qǐlái
起来 (Qǐlái): Gather, Collect, or Put Things Away
Explore figurative verb + 起来 for gathering, combining, storing, and putting things away beyond literal upward movement.
坏了 huài le
坏了 (Huài Le): Express an Extreme State
Use 坏了 after a predicate to describe intense tiredness, hunger, worry, or excitement, and distinguish literal damage.
着；得着；不着 zháo; de zháo; bu zháo
着 (Zháo): Achieve a Result or Reach a Goal
Distinguish result-complement 着 from aspect 着, and use 得着 or 不着 to discuss whether the result is attainable.
到 dào
到 (Dào) as a Result Complement: Achieve the Goal
Understand how verb + 到 highlights successful attainment, including differences such as 买 versus 买到 and 做 versus 做到.
来…去 lái…qù
Verb + 来 + Verb + 去: Back and Forth or Repeatedly
Describe pacing, repeated discussion, or continued thinking with a repeated verb around 来 and 去.
只要…就 zhǐyào…jiù
只要…就 (Zhǐyào…Jiù): As Long As
Use 只要…就 for a sufficient condition and distinguish it from 只有…才, which makes a condition necessary.
一旦…就 yīdàn…jiù
一旦…就 (Yīdàn…Jiù): Once a Condition Is Met
Use 一旦 to mark a triggering event and describe what follows, including warnings and consequences with 就.
才 cái
才 (Cái): Only After, Only Then, or Not Until
Show that time, effort, or a condition must precede a result with 才, and distinguish this from a simple event sequence.
只有…才 zhǐyǒu…cái
只有…才 (Zhǐyǒu…Cái): Only If
Express a necessary condition with 只有…才, and learn how its meaning differs from the sufficient-condition pattern 只要…就.
除非 chúfēi
除非 (Chúfēi): Express Unless and Only If
Learn 除非 with 否则 or 不然 for unless, and with 才 when presenting the exceptional condition that enables a result.
即使…也 jíshǐ…yě
即使…也 (Jíshǐ…Yě): Even If
Use 即使…也 when an imagined condition does not change the outcome, and distinguish this from denying the condition itself.
就是…也 jiùshì…yě
就是…也 (Jiùshì…Yě): A Conversational Even If
Recognize 就是…也 as an even-if construction when a hypothetical obstacle leaves the speaker's decision unchanged.
就算…也 jiùsuàn…yě
就算…也 (Jiùsuàn…Yě): Even If or Even Assuming
Use 就算 to grant a possibility for argument's sake while keeping a result unchanged, often with a conversational tone.
哪怕…也 nǎpà…yě
哪怕…也 (Nǎpà…Yě): Even If, However Extreme
Use 哪怕…也 to concede a difficult or extreme condition while maintaining a decision, result, or commitment.
假如…就 jiǎrú…jiù
假如…就 (Jiǎrú…Jiù): Imagine If in Chinese
Introduce imagined situations with 假如 and connect them to consequences, advice, or hypothetical responses using 就.
要是…就 yàoshi…jiù
要是…就 (Yàoshi…Jiù): Say If in Conversation
Use conversational 要是…就 for conditions and consequences, and distinguish 要不是 when imagining an alternative without a fact.
万一 wànyī
万一 (Wànyī): What If or In Case
Raise a possible contingency with 万一, ask what to do if it happens, and understand 以防万一 for just in case.
的话 de huà
Topic + 的话 (De Huà): As For or When It Comes To
Use 的话 after a topic to narrow what the comment concerns, and distinguish this from its conditional if meaning.
不管…都 bùguǎn…dōu
不管…都 (Bùguǎn…Dōu): No Matter What
Express an unchanged result across choices with 不管, using a question word, alternatives, or a range of possibilities.
无论；不论 wúlùn; bùlùn
无论 and 不论: Express No Matter or Regardless
Use 无论 or 不论 with question words and alternatives to state that a result holds regardless of the circumstances.
把；当作；成 bǎ; dàngzuò; chéng
Advanced 把 Sentences: 给, 当作, and 成
Extend 把 sentences with emphatic 给, judgments using 当作 or 看作, and changes or mistaken identifications marked by 成.
连…都 lián…dōu
连…都不: Not Even an Action or a Single Thing
Emphasize complete absence with 连 + verb + 都不 or 都没, and use 连 with a minimal quantity for not even one.
不比；没有 bù bǐ; méiyǒu
不比 (Bù Bǐ) versus 没有: No More or Not As
Distinguish 不比 from 没有 in Chinese comparisons, including reassuring phrases that deny someone is worse than another person.
要…就 yào…jiù
要…就: If You Are Going to Do It, Do It
Learn the decisive 要 + verb + 就 + verb pattern for urging action, stating a condition, or insisting on how something is done.
任何 rènhé
任何 (Rènhé): Any or Whichever in Chinese
Use 任何 before nouns to include every possible member of a group, often with 都 or a following negative statement.
既…又；既…也 jì…yòu; jì…yě
既…又 and 既…也: Both And in Chinese
Combine two qualities, actions, or identities with 既…又 or 既…也, keeping the two descriptions grammatically parallel.
少不了 shǎobuliǎo
少不了 (Shǎobuliǎo): Cannot Do Without or Bound to Have
Use 少不了 for essential ingredients, unavoidable experiences, and contributions that are needed for an outcome.
等于 děngyú
等于 (Děngyú): Be Equivalent To or Amount To
Use 等于 beyond mathematics to explain that an action has effectively the same meaning, effect, or consequence as another.
从…中 cóng…zhōng
从…中 (Cóng…Zhōng): Learn or Gain Something From
Identify the source of knowledge, understanding, or experience with 从…中, including books, conversations, and events.
就 jiù
Verb + 就 + Verb: So Be It in Chinese
Express acceptance, indifference, or defiance by repeating a verb around 就, including negative forms and completed situations.
无…可… wú…kě…
无…可… (Wú…Kě…): Nothing or No One Available To
Understand formal expressions such as 无话可说, where the absence of a noun leaves an action impossible or unavailable.
一…都不；一…也没 yī…dōu bù; yī…yě méi
一…都不 and 一…也没: Not Even One in Chinese
Emphasize zero quantity or no occurrence with 一 + measure word and a negative predicate, often using 都 or 也.
不但…甚至连…也 bùdàn…shènzhì lián…yě
不但…甚至连…也: Not Only, But Even
Build a stronger addition with 不但 and 甚至连, focusing the second clause on a more surprising case or achievement.
好 hǎo
好 (Hǎo) for Purpose: So That Someone Can
Use 好 before a purpose clause to explain how an earlier action makes the next action easier or possible.
有关的 yǒuguān de
跟…有关的: Describe Things Related To a Topic
Build noun phrases with 跟, 和, or 与…有关的, and distinguish a related-to modifier from a complete 有关 statement.
一面…一面 yīmiàn…yīmiàn
一面…一面 (Yīmiàn…Yīmiàn): Do Two Things at Once
Connect simultaneous activities with 一面…一面 and understand its similarity to the more conversational 一边…一边.
所谓 suǒwèi
所谓 (Suǒwèi): So-Called or What Is Known As
Use 所谓 before a label or concept, with or without skepticism, and understand the role of optional 的.
越…越 yuè…yuè
越…越 (Yuè…Yuè): The More, the More or Less
Link changing degrees with 越…越, using one or two subjects and negative predicates for the more…the less.
不是…就是 bù shì…jiùshì
不是…就是 (Bù Shì…Jiùshì): Either One or the Other
Present two alternatives as the only relevant possibilities with 不是…就是, including recurring habits and uncertain identifications.
在…内 zài…nèi
在…内 (Zài…Nèi): Within a Period of Time
Set a time window or deadline with 在 + time period + 内, and distinguish within that interval from after it ends.
宁可 nìngkě
宁可…也不 and 宁可…也要: Would Rather
Express a deliberate preference with 宁可, rejecting another option with 也不 or accepting a cost with 也要.
或者…或者 huòzhě…huòzhě
或者…或者 (Huòzhě…Huòzhě): Offer Two Alternatives
Use a repeated 或者 before each alternative to present possible actions, plans, or explanations in a statement.
别说 bié shuō
别说…就是 / 连…: Let Alone in Chinese
Use 别说 to set aside a stronger case, then show that even a smaller or easier case supports the same conclusion.
更不用说 gèng bùyòng shuō
更不用说 (Gèng Bùyòng Shuō): Let Alone or Not to Mention
Extend a conclusion to an even clearer or stronger case with 更不用说, often after a 连…都 statement.
不但；不仅；不只 bùdàn; bùjǐn; bùzhǐ
不但, 不仅, and 不只: Not Only But Also Patterns
Compare 不但, 不仅, and 不只 with 而且, 还, or 也 when adding another fact or extending a statement.
本来；原来 běnlái; yuánlái
本来 versus 原来: Originally, All Along, or It Turns Out
Distinguish 本来 for original plans or inherent facts from 原来 for discoveries and former states, including common 就 and 的 patterns.
才；就 cái; jiù
才 versus 就: Late, Early, Only, and Already
Compare 才 and 就 for timing and quantity, and learn why 才 before a clock time can mean it is only that early.
再；又 zài; yòu
再 versus 又: Two Ways to Say Again in Chinese
Choose 再 or 又 for repetition, distinguish planned repeats from recurring events, and recognize 又 with future expectations.
总算；终于 zǒngsuàn; zhōngyú
总算 versus 终于: Finally in Chinese
Compare 总算 and 终于 when an event happens after waiting or difficulty, including differences in relief, emphasis, and register.
跟；对 gēn; duì
跟 versus 对: With Someone or Toward Someone
Distinguish 跟 and 对 in speech, interaction, comparisons, and attitudes, and learn where their uses overlap.
朝；向；往 cháo; xiàng; wǎng
朝, 向, and 往: Toward in Chinese
Compare 朝, 向, and 往 for movement, facing a target, and abstract direction, including common verb-plus-direction combinations.
对；对于 duì; duìyú
对 versus 对于: Overlapping Uses and Key Differences
Learn where 对 and 对于 both introduce a relevant object, and why 对 also appears in treatment, facing, and matching expressions.
对于；至于 duìyú; zhìyú
对于 versus 至于: Regarding or As For
Compare 对于 for a relevant object with 至于 for shifting a topic, and recognize 至于 in expressions about degree.
给；为 gěi; wèi
给 versus 为: Two Meanings of For in Chinese
Choose 给 for recipients and directed services, or 为 for benefits, purposes, duties, and emotional responses in common expressions.
关于；对于 guānyú; duìyú
关于 versus 对于: About a Topic or Regarding an Object
Distinguish 关于 for subject matter from 对于 for the object of a response, and use 关于…的 before a noun.
适合；合适 shìhé; héshì
适合 versus 合适: Suit Someone or Be Suitable
Distinguish the verb 适合, which takes a person or purpose as its object, from the adjective 合适, meaning suitable.
平时；平常 píngshí; píngcháng
平时 versus 平常: Usually or Ordinary
Use 平时 and 平常 for usual circumstances, and recognize 平常 as an adjective meaning ordinary or commonplace.
以后；之后 yǐhòu; zhīhòu
以后 versus 之后: After, Later, or In the Future
Compare 以后 and 之后 after an event or time, and distinguish their standalone meanings of in the future and after that.
以后；然后；后来 yǐhòu; ránhòu; hòulái
以后, 然后, and 后来: After, Then, and Later
Choose 以后 for an after-reference or future time, 然后 for sequence, and 后来 for a later development in a past account.
看起来；看来 kànqǐlái; kànlái
看起来 versus 看来: Looks Like or It Seems
Distinguish an appearance or impression with 看起来 from an inference with 看来, including 在…看来 for someone's perspective.
显得；看起来 xiǎnde; kànqǐlái
显得 versus 看起来: Appear or Look a Certain Way
Compare 显得 for a quality made apparent by context with 看起来 for an observed impression, without treating either as guaranteed fact.