Structure: Commant + 吧 Meaning: Note that when you have a command with the subject “we,” you’re basically just saying, “let’s (do something).” 吧 makes the suggestion sound more tentative and more polite. Examples:     咱们 走 吧。     Zánmen Continue Reading

Meaning: 精气神儿 (Jíng qì shénr) essence, breath, spirit Usage: “精”“气”“神”原是道家术语，古代道家认为精气神是人生命活动得以维持的三件宝,对三者的养护极为重视。现泛指一个人的精神状态。 “精,” ”气,” and “神” are Daoist terms. The ancient Daoists considered these concepts as the three key factors to keep the human body alive and healthy, so they put great Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 有点 / 有一点  + Adjective Meaning: To say that something is “a little too … ” or “a bit too …”, 有点 or 有一点 are often used (and the Northern versions 有点儿 and 有一点儿). Examples: 1. 这 Continue Reading

Structure: 不要 + Verb + Object Meaning: Negative commands in Chinese (“do not” or “don’t”) are formed with 不要. Usually the subject is omitted, as in English. Examples:     不要 说话！     Búyào shuōhuà     Don’t speak!

Negating Verbs Structure: Subject + 不 + Verb + Object Meaning: Almost all verbs can be negated with 不 (unless you’re talking about the past). The only verb that can never be negated with 不 is 有. Examples:     我 Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Verb + 一下 + Object Meaning: To express that a verb is carried out briefly or “a little bit,” you can add 一下 after it Examples:     你 看 一下。     Nǐ kàn yí xià     Take Continue Reading

Structure: Noun 1 + 是 + Noun 2 Meaning: This is equivalent to “Noun 1 is Noun 2” in English. Chinese does not conjugate verbs. That is, the form of the verb is the same no matter who is doing Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 多 + Adjective Meaning: As well as asking about degree, you can also use “多”(duō) to intensify adjectives. Examples: 1. 这 种 啤酒 多 好喝！     Zhè zhǒnɡ píjiǔ duō hǎohē     This kind of beer is Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 还 + Adjective Meaning: As well as continuation,”还”(hái) can also be used to weaken positive adjectives. This is similar to saying “quite” or “reasonably” in English. Examples: 1. 那 个 乐队 还 可以。     Nà ɡè yuèduì Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 没有 + Verb Meaning: Usually verbs can be negated with 不, but that construction is used for habitual or present actions. If the verb is about an action in the past, though, 没有 should be used. Examples: Continue Reading