Structure: 就是 + Adjective Meaning: 就是 can be used to modify an adjective to mean “really”, or “really that and nothing else”. Examples: 1. 他 就是 聪明，考试 总是 第 一 名。     Tā jiù Read More

Structure: 总 + [ other character ] + Verb Meaning: In this structure, 总, with its companion character (usually a modal/auxiliary verb), means “always will (fill in character/action here)” Once again, it gives the 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

Structure: Adjective + 得不得了 Meaning: 得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo) can be used as a complement to suggest a situation is serious, or is likely to result in perhaps terrible consequences. It can be used in Read More

Structure: Subject + 干脆 + Verb Meaning: 干脆 is an adverb meaning “you might as well” or “just”, and is normally used by the speaker to propose a straightforward course of action within a Read More

Structure: Subject + 一向 + Habit / Attitude / etc. Meaning: 一向 (yī xiàng) is generally used to express a habit, attitude, or ‘set way of things’ has continued for a long period of Read More

Structure: Subject + 进一步 +Verb Meaning: 进一步, is an adverb meaning ‘further’ or to ‘go a step forward’. Usually it is used in formal written Chinese, though it can be spoken as well. Examples: Read More

Structure: Adjective + 了（一）点儿 Meaning: 了一点儿(le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean “a little bit too”. It is softer in tone than using 太, and so is often used when the Read More

Structure: Subject + 有的是 + Noun Meaning: In Chinese, there are “a lot” of ways to say “a lot.” “有的是” (yǒudeshì) is one of those ways. However, we need to be very clear: “有的是” Read More

Structure: 原来 + Noun/Adjective/[verb phrase] Meaning: 原来 (yuánlái) means “originally” (similar to 本来) or “former”. It can also mean “all along”, and can be used to indicate a sudden realization of something previously unknown, Read More