Structure: Number + 多 + Measure word + (noun) Meaning: A number in excess of a certain amount is expressed by adding “多” (duō) to the end of a number. This is usually translated as “more than…” in English. Examples: Continue Reading

Structure: Adjective + Noun + 之一 Meaning: In order to express “one of the…” in Chinese, “之一” (zhī yī) can be used at the end of the sentence. Examples: 1. 对 我 来 说，纽约 是 世界 上 最 好 的 Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Verb + 下去 Subject + Verb + 不 + 下去 Meaning: 下去 can be used as a result complement to talk about things continuing or carrying on. Think of it as a figurative way of “keeping the Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Verb + 不下 + Object Meaning: To talk about whether or not something can happen or is possible, potential complements are used. One of the most common is 不下. This is used to talk about whether or Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + physical action + 不动 Meaning: The potential complement 不动 is used to express lack of physical ability to do something. This can be used not only with actions like walking, running or climbing, but even actions like Continue Reading

Structure: Verb + 得 / 不 + [complement] Meaning: Potential complements can be positive or negative. What this means is fairly intuitive – potential complements can be used to express that something can happen or that it can’t. Examples: 1. Continue Reading

Structure: Verb / Adjective + 得 + Description Meaning: Descriptive complements are used to describe the action of a verb. This would be done with an adverb in English. Examples: 1. 他 做 得 很 不 好。 Tā zuò dé Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Verb + 到 / 给 / 在 … Meaning: 到 (dào) indicates that the action has obtained a goal or a certain state. Any verb that uses the complement 见 can also use 到. 给 (gěi) indicates Continue Reading

Structure: 通过/用 + Verb Phrase 1 + 来 + Verb Phrase 2 Meaning: Connecting two verb phrases is very easy. All you need to do is place 来 in between them. This has the meaning of doing the first verb Continue Reading

Structure: 对 + Object + Verb Phrase Meaning: Note that you shouldn’t be plugging in just any old verb here. Certain verbs are often used with 对, and some even need 对 if you want to add an object (like Continue Reading