一点也/都不 with an adjectiv Structure: Subject + 一点也/都 + 不 + Adjective Meaning: The phrases “一点也不 ” and “一点都不 ” can both be used to express “not at all . Examples:     他的朋友 一点 都 不 可爱。     Tā de Continue Reading

Meaning: 打圆场 (dǎ yuán chǎng)  mediate a dispute; ease a situation Usage: “打圆场”是指从善意的角度出发，调解矛盾，缓和紧张气氛的行为。 “打圆场”refers to mediate a dispute from a well-meaning perspective. Examples: 1. 眼看他俩就要吵起来了，小王赶紧打圆场叫大家一起去吃饭，才避免了争吵。     Yǎnkàn tāliǎ jiùyào chǎoqǐlaile, Xiǎo Wáng gǎnjǐn dǎyuánchǎng jiào dàjiā yìqi qù chīfàn, cái 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:     所有 的 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:     这种菜不但好吃，而且有营养。     Zhè zhònɡ cài bú dàn hǎo chī ， ér qiě Continue Reading

Structure: 对 + Object + Verb phrase Meaning: When using 对 (duì) as a preposition, it is used to indicate “to” or “towards” a object or target. As with all prepositions, some care should be taken when using this particle, Continue Reading

Structure: Clause 1 + 不过 + Clause 2 Meaning: Instead of just using 可是 or 但是, you can also use the softer and more informal 不过 (búguò). The meaning is closer to “however” or “nevertheless” in English in Chinese grammar. Continue Reading

Structure with 以来 Structure: Time or Event + 以来 Meaning: To express “ever since”, all one needs to do is put “以来” (yǐlái) after a specific event or time. It expresses what has happened since the event spoken until the Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 差点 (儿) + [verb phrase] + 了 Meaning: It might help to understand the literal meaning of the structure. The word 差 (chà) has a lot of meanings. In this case, it means “to lack,” or “to Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + Time + 就 + Verb + Object Meaning: Just as 才 can express lateness, 就 (jiù) can be used to indicate that something happened earlier than expected. Examples:     她 十八 岁 就 大学 毕业 了。     Continue Reading

Structure with 幸亏 幸亏/幸好 + accidental reasons Meaning: 幸亏 (xìngkuī), 幸好 (xìnghǎo), and 好在 (hǎozài) mean “fortunately” or “luckily”. They can be used to express that something has happened by chance, and has thereby enabled you to avoid some difficulty. Continue Reading