Chinese grammar / 486 topics
Chinese grammar · page 12
Find a sentence pattern, read how it works, and practise it with Chinese examples, pinyin and English translations.
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Showing 397–432 of 486 topics
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.
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