Meaning: Blessing; happiness Origin: 甲骨文“福”字是双手捧着一个大酒坛，在祭台（“示”）前求神赐福的样子，后来省略了手形，逐渐演变成现在的字形。 On oracle bone inscriptions, the character “福” was a pair of hands holding a large jar, symbolizing someone asking for blessing and fortune from god in front of altar Read More
Structure: Subject + 没 + 有 + Object Meaning: The verb 有 (yǒu) is negated differently from ordinary verbs.Nearly all verbs can be negated with 不. The verb 有 (yǒu) is an exception, and Read More
Structure: Subject + 叫 + Name Meaning: The verb 叫 (jiào) can seem a little weird to beginners. So it gets its own grammar point!The verb 叫 means both “to call” and “to be Read More
Meaning: monarch; sovereign Origin: 君”的本义是“君主”，由“尹”和“口”组成，“尹”是一只手拿着表示权力的杖，“口”表示发号施令。 The original meaning of “君” is monarch, and it is comprised of “尹” and“口”. “尹” looks like a hand holding a stick, symbolizing power, and “口” means to issue Read More
Structure: Subject + 姓 + surname Meaning: The verb 姓 (xìng) literally means “to be surnamed” or “to have the surname.” You can use 姓 to tell someone your own surname, or that of Read More
Structure: subject + 会 + Verb + Object Meaning: The verb 会 (huì) can be used to express ability that has been learned, i.e. a skill. In this case 会 is an auxiliary verb. Read More
Structure with Verbs 总是 + Verb Meaning: 总是 （zǒngshì）and 老是 （lǎoshì) have the same meaning. Both can be interchanged in the same sentence. Examples: 1. 我 总是 忘记 这 个 词。 wǒ Read More
Structure: Subject + 一直 + Predicate Meaning: Expressing “all along” with 一直 (yīzhí) is pretty easy. Character for character, it literally means “one straight,” and it’s sort of like saying “constantly.” Examples: 1. 从 Read More
Structure: Place + 有 + Object Meaning: The verb 有, “to have”, can also be used to express existence. This is similar to saying “there is” or “there are” in English. Examples: 日本 Read More
Structure: Subject + 在 + Place Meaning: The verb 在 is used to express existence in a place. English does not have a verb that covers this, and instead uses “to be” with a Read More
