Structure: Adjective + 是 + Adjective + 但是 Meaning: “…是…, 但是…” (…shì…, dànshì…) is a pattern often used when conceding a point in an argument or debate. It’s usually indicating that the speaker is conceding a point, but they still Continue Reading

Structure: 任何 + Noun Meaning: 任何 is a modifier that means means “any” or “whichever, whatsoever”. It is also like the English phrase “any and all, no matter what” Examples: 1. 我 的 弟弟 特别 顽固，任何 的 人 都 不 Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 不是 + Adjective/Noun/Verb# 1+ 是 + Adjective/Noun/Verb#2 Meaning: “不是…, (就)是…” (búshì…, (jiù)shì…) is used to clarify something about a certain noun. What’s being clarified can range from adjectives, verbs and even noun phrases Examples: 1. 那 不是 Continue Reading

Structure: 要我说 + Opinion Meaning: The structure is very simple. All you need to do is put “要我说” in front of your opinion. Context will take care of the rest! Examples: 1. 要我说，这件事先不要告诉爸妈。     Yào wǒ shuō， zhè jiàn shì Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 +Adj./Verb Meaning: “不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯” (bùdàn…, érqiě…) is a very commonly used pattern that indicates “not only, … but also….” Examples: 1. 这种菜不但好吃，而且有营养。     Zhè zhònɡ cài bú dàn hǎo chī ， ér qiě yǒu Continue Reading

Structure: 所有的 + Noun + 都 + Adjective Meaning: “所有的… 都…” (suǒyǒu… dōu…) is a pattern used to refer to “every” or “all” of a noun, with the quantity of said noun usually being fairly large. Examples: 1. 所有 的 自行车 Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 总算/终于 + Verb Meaning: Grammatically, 总算 and 终于 are basically used the same way. They are both adverbs, and they can be placed before the subject or after the subject. However, in comparison to 终于, 总算 is Continue Reading

Structure: Part A, 后来, Part B Meaning: 后来 is a time noun, and it can only be used on its own. It describes a certain time period in the past to the present, and it allows the speaker to described Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Verb + 以后/的时候, Comment Meaning: The complicated thing about “以后” and “的时候” is that they both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb Examples: 1. 下班 以后 我们 一起 去 吃饭。 Continue Reading

Structure: 以后 + Subject +Verb + Object Meaning: 以后 is used when talking about things that happen at some unspecified point in the future. Examples: 1. 他 以后 不 想 住 在 日本 。     Tā yǐ hòu bú xiǎnɡ Continue Reading