Structure: subject + 还是 + Action + (吧) Meaning: 还是 as an adverb can express “had better” or “it would be better to”. The idea is that the speaker has given the matter some thought, and after considering it, has Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 从来  + 都 + Verb phrase Meaning: Without the negative adverbs 不 and 没, 从来 takes on the meaning of “always.” (Literally, 从来 means something like “from the beginning,” although no one is really thinking that phrase Continue Reading

Structure: Result , 因为 + Reason Meaning: A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with “因为”(yīnwèi). This is almost entirely equivalent to “because” in English. Usually “因为”will begin a new phrase in a sentence. Examples: 1. 我 不 Continue Reading

Structure: Context + 那么 + Result Meaning: When expressing “Then…”, you can use “那么” (nàme) in order to begin a judgment or result from previous context. An example of this in English would be “Then, what should we do? Examples: Continue Reading

Structure: Clause 1 , 还有 + ( ,  ) + Clause  2 Meaning: It’s as simple as using 还有 before the new clause or sentence. 还有 can also be used with a comma, similar to how we can say “in Continue Reading

Meaning: 土皇帝 (tǔ huángdì) a local tyrant Usage: “土皇帝”的字面意思是当地的皇帝，指在一个地方称霸的人，有贬义。“土”在这里的意思是“当地的，本地的”。 The literal meaning of “土皇帝” is a local emperor, referring to a local tyrant with derogatory sense. “土” means local. Examples: 1. 只有赶走这个土皇帝，镇上的人们才能过上好日子。     Zhǐyǒu gǎnzǒu zhège tǔ huángdì, zhèn shàng de rénmen Continue Reading

Structure: Event + 之前/之后 Meaning: Before and after can be expressed using 之前 (zhīqián) and 之后 (zhīhòu). They are in relatively the same vein as 以前/以后, except that these two are adverbs, while 之前/之后 is a preposition. Don’t forget that Continue Reading

Structure: Clause 1 , 再说 + Clause 2 Meaning: Just add 再说 to the beginning of the second clause of your sentence. Remember that both statements should be related to each other Examples:    我 不想 帮助 他，因为 他 经常 Continue Reading

Used with 像 Structure: 像 + [ items ] + 之类的 Meaning: 之类的 can be translated as “and so on” or “and stuff like that.” As in English, this grammar point is used to continue a list without explicitly mentioning Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 比较 + Adjective Meaning: The adverb 比较 (bǐjiào) can be used to express “quite”, “rather”, or “relatively”. It’s a way of comparing one thing with a general idea instead of comparing two concrete things. Examples:     你 Continue Reading