Structure: 可以 + Verb Meaning: 可以 expresses having another person’s permission. It can be thought of in the context of “allowed or not allowed”. Examples:     我 可以 进来 吗？     Wǒ ké yǐ Read More

Structure: 能 + Verb Meaning: 能 expresses having a certain ability or having obtained a certain requirement. It can also indicate that circumstances make an action not possible, or that an action is not Read More

Structure: 会 + Verb Meaning: 会 can express an action that you had to learn or be trained in to do Examples:     他 会 修 电脑。     Tā huì xiū diàn nǎo     Read More

Structure: 突然/ 忽然 + Verb Meaning: 突然 and 忽然 both can put in the sentence as adverbs or adjectives, just make sure to put them before the verb or the adjective! Examples:     睡觉 Read More

Meaning: 苦肉计 (kǔròujì) ruse of self-injury;Inflict injury upon oneself to gain trust Usage: “苦肉计”是指故意伤害自己以骗取对方信任的计策。 “苦肉计”means a trick of having oneself tortured to win the confidence of the other person involved. Examples: 1. 你别相信他，他在用苦肉计博得你的同情。     Read More

Meaning: 吊胃口 (diào wèikǒu) tempt (someone with something); stimulate someone’s desire Usage: “吊胃口”是指用好吃的东西引起别人的食欲，也比喻让人产生某种欲望或兴趣。常说“吊某人的胃口”。 “吊胃口”indicates tempting somebody with delicious food or stimulating someone’s desire. It is often said as “吊某人的胃口”. Examples: 1. 这个政客惯用的手段就是用假消息来吊媒体的胃口。     Zhè Read More

Structure: Adjective/Verb + 什么 + (Adjective/Verb) Meaning: Adding 什么(shénme) to the end of an adjective (or less frequently a verb) can be used to form a rhetorical question. In the phrase 你急什么？”what are you Read More

Meaning: 嚼舌头 (jiáo shétou) tittle-tattle Usage: “嚼舌头”的字面意义是咀嚼舌头。比喻说是非或者说废话。也说“嚼舌根”。常用作贬义词。 “嚼舌头” literally means to chew one’s tongue. It metaphorically means tittle-tattle or to say some nonsense words. It is also said as “嚼舌根”which is used as a Read More

Meaning: 打车 (dǎ chē) take a taxi Usage: “打车”是指租用出租汽车；乘坐出租汽车。 “打车(dǎ chē)” means taking a taxi. Examples: 1. 现在是下班高峰期，很难打车。     Xiànzài shì xiàbān gāofēngqī, hěn nán dǎ chē.     It’s the rush hour, so it’s Read More