Structure: subject + 还是 + Action + (吧) Meaning: 还是 as an adverb can express “had better” or “it would be better to”. The idea is that the speaker has given the matter some Read More

Structure: Subject + 从来  + 都 + Verb phrase Meaning: Without the negative adverbs 不 and 没, 从来 takes on the meaning of “always.” (Literally, 从来 means something like “from the beginning,” although no Read More

Structure: Result , 因为 + Reason Meaning: A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with “因为”(yīnwèi). This is almost entirely equivalent to “because” in English. Usually “因为”will begin a new phrase in Read More

Structure: Context + 那么 + Result Meaning: When expressing “Then…”, you can use “那么” (nàme) in order to begin a judgment or result from previous context. An example of this in English would be Read More

Structure: Clause 1 , 还有 + ( ,  ) + Clause  2 Meaning: It’s as simple as using 还有 before the new clause or sentence. 还有 can also be used with a comma, similar Read More

Meaning: 土皇帝 (tǔ huángdì) a local tyrant Usage: “土皇帝”的字面意思是当地的皇帝，指在一个地方称霸的人，有贬义。“土”在这里的意思是“当地的，本地的”。 The literal meaning of “土皇帝” is a local emperor, referring to a local tyrant with derogatory sense. “土” means local. Examples: 1. 只有赶走这个土皇帝，镇上的人们才能过上好日子。     Zhǐyǒu gǎnzǒu zhège Read More

Structure: Event + 之前/之后 Meaning: Before and after can be expressed using 之前 (zhīqián) and 之后 (zhīhòu). They are in relatively the same vein as 以前/以后, except that these two are adverbs, while 之前/之后 Read More

Structure: Clause 1 , 再说 + Clause 2 Meaning: Just add 再说 to the beginning of the second clause of your sentence. Remember that both statements should be related to each other Examples:    Read More

Used with 像 Structure: 像 + [ items ] + 之类的 Meaning: 之类的 can be translated as “and so on” or “and stuff like that.” As in English, this grammar point is used to Read More

Structure: Subject + 比较 + Adjective Meaning: The adverb 比较 (bǐjiào) can be used to express “quite”, “rather”, or “relatively”. It’s a way of comparing one thing with a general idea instead of comparing Read More