Chinese grammar / 101 topics
Adverbs and degree in Chinese grammar
Learn Chinese adverbs and degree through sentence patterns, rewritten explanations, pinyin and English examples. Browse 101 grammar topics.
都 dōu
Talk about a whole group with 都
Say that an action or description applies to everyone or everything in a group. Name the group before you use 都.
也 yě
Add “also” with 也
Connect one statement to another with a shared action or description. Put 也 before the verb or adjective phrase.
有点儿 yǒudiǎnr
Describe a small problem with 有点儿
Soften a description such as a little salty, a little difficult, or a bit heavy.
在 zài
Say what is happening with 在
Describe an action that is in progress at the time you are talking about.
已经 yǐjīng
Say “already” with 已经
Show that a situation has been reached or an action has happened by the time you are talking about.
再 zài
Ask to do something again with 再
Use 再 for another action that is requested, planned, or still to come.
又 yòu
Report that something happened again with 又
Point out a repeated event or situation that has occurred again.
先 · 再 xiān · zài
Put actions in order with 先…再…
Describe a sequence of actions: first this, then that.
死了 sǐ le
Strong Adjective Intensifiers with 死了 (Sǐ Le)
Understand adjective + 死了 as a conversational exaggeration for extreme feelings or qualities, including common negative and positive uses.
差不多 chàbuduō
Approximation and Similarity with 差不多 (Chàbuduō)
Use 差不多 for things that are nearly alike, actions that are almost complete, and approximate numbers, times, or quantities.
一直 yīzhí
Continuous Actions and States with 一直 (Yīzhí)
Learn how 一直 expresses an action or state continuing through a period, including “all along,” “continuously,” and some uses of “always.”
总是 zǒngshì
Always and Repeated Habits with 总是 (Zǒngshì)
Use 总是 before verbs and descriptive predicates for habits, recurring events, or situations that consistently happen in Mandarin.
还 hái
Adding Another Action with 还 (Hái): And Also
Use 还 to add another action or fact about the same subject, and distinguish this additive meaning from the common uses of 也.
刚、刚刚 gāng gānggāng
Just Happened in Chinese with 刚 and 刚刚
Use 刚 or 刚刚 before an action to show recent occurrence, including cases where an added duration presents the event as relatively recent.
只 zhǐ
Only in Chinese with 只 (Zhǐ)
Use 只 before verbs and modal verbs to limit actions, abilities, possessions, or quantities in a Chinese sentence.
就 jiù
Then and So with 就 (Jiù) in Chinese
Learn how 就 connects a situation to the action or result that follows, including decisions, immediate responses, and practical suggestions.
一边……一边 yībiān…yībiān
Doing Two Things at Once with 一边……一边
Use 一边……一边 for two activities carried out together, and distinguish deliberate multitasking from a general “when” time clause.
多 duō
Asking How Tall, Big or Far with 多 (Duō)
Ask about degree with 多 before an adjective in Chinese, including height, size, distance, and the contextual age question 多大.
又……又 yòu…yòu
Both A and B with 又……又 in Chinese
Link two qualities of the same subject with 又……又 and understand how the paired descriptions combine into one overall impression.
离 lí
Expressing Distance with 离 (Lí) in Chinese
Use 离 to relate two locations in Chinese, describe them as near or far, and ask about the distance with 多远.
更 gèng
More and Even More with 更 (Gèng)
Use 更 before adjectives for a greater degree, with an implied comparison or an explicit 比 phrase in Chinese.
不太 bù tài
Not Very and Not Really with 不太 (Bù Tài)
Use 不太 before adjectives and selected verbs for moderate negatives such as “not very,” “not really,” or limited ability in Mandarin.
真 zhēn
Expressing Really and So with 真 (Zhēn)
Use 真 to emphasize a quality, feeling, or ability in Chinese, and understand why its force often sounds personal or exclamatory.
多 duō
How and So in Chinese Exclamations with 多 (Duō)
Use 多 before adjectives to express admiration, surprise, or a strong reaction, and distinguish these exclamations from degree questions.
还 hái
Saying Pretty Good or All Right with 还 (Hái)
Understand 还好、还行、还可以 and 还不错 as moderate positive evaluations whose strength depends on expectations and tone.
的 de
Describing Nouns with Adjective + 的 in Chinese
Connect adjectives to nouns with 的, recognize when short combinations omit it, and use adjective + 的 when the noun is understood.
的 de
Chinese Relative Clauses with Phrase + 的 + Noun
Use 的 to place a descriptive clause before a noun in Chinese, including phrases that English introduces with “who” or “that.”
最 zuì
Superlatives in Chinese with 最 (Zuì)
Use 最 for the highest degree within a group, including “best,” “biggest,” and favorite things expressed with 最喜欢.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
倒；倒是 dào; dàoshi
Advanced 倒 (Dào): Sarcasm, Disagreement, and Urging
Use 倒 after 得 for pointed evaluations, before a predicate for contrast, and in 倒是 commands that urge someone to act.
很是 hěn shì
很是 (Hěn Shì): Intensify a Quality or Feeling
Use 很是 as an emphatic degree expression with suitable adjectives and mental predicates, especially in written description.
足足 zúzú
足足 (Zúzú): Emphasize a Full Amount or Duration
Highlight a surprisingly large quantity, length, or duration with 足足, and keep an explicit amount in the sentence.
一再 yīzài
一再 (Yīzài): Repeatedly or Again and Again
Use 一再 before a verb to emphasize repeated requests, reminders, explanations, or recurring actions in Chinese.
向来 xiànglái
向来 (Xiànglái): Always or Traditionally So
Describe a consistent habit, attitude, or characteristic with 向来, often with 都, and compare its meaning with 一向.
果然 guǒrán
果然 (Guǒrán): As Expected or Sure Enough
Use 果然 when evidence confirms a prediction, belief, or earlier claim, whether the result is welcome or disappointing.
似乎 sìhū
似乎 (Sìhū): Seem, Apparently, or As If
Express a tentative impression with 似乎, leaving room for uncertainty or a later contrast with the actual situation.
凡是 fánshì
凡是 (Fánshì): Every Case That Meets a Condition
Use 凡是 to define a class without exceptions, followed by 都, 就, or 一律 to state the rule that applies.
偏偏 piānpiān
偏偏 (Piānpiān): Against Wishes or Expectations
Use 偏偏 for frustrating coincidences, deliberate contrary behavior, or a conspicuous exception to what others do.
再不…也 zài bù…yě
再不…也 (Zài Bù…Yě): Even If You Do Not
Use 再不…也 with a negative quality or feeling to show that a decision still holds, and distinguish urgent 再不…就 sentences.
一律 yīlǜ
一律 (Yīlǜ): Apply a Rule Without Exceptions
Use 一律 to show uniform treatment of every member of a stated group, especially in rules, instructions, and formal decisions.
无非 wúfēi
无非 (Wúfēi): Nothing More Than or Merely
Limit an explanation or description with 无非, including noun phrases with 是 and optional endings such as 而已 or 罢了.
竟然；竟 jìngrán; jìng
竟然 (Jìngrán): Express an Unexpected Result
Use 竟然 or the shorter 竟 to mark surprise at an event, whether the unexpected result is good or bad.
到时候 dào shíhou
到时候 (Dào Shíhou): When the Time Comes
Refer back to an understood future occasion with 到时候, including expressions for seeing, deciding, or talking about it then.
何必 hébì
何必 (Hébì): Why Bother or Why Is That Necessary?
Use rhetorical 何必 to question the need for an action, often with 呢, and distinguish it from a neutral request for a reason.