Structure: 为 + [some part] + V Meaning: When you work for a company, or do other sorts of physical (and even mental) activities for another party, you’re likely to use the Chinese preposition Read More

Structure: Object + Subject + Verb + 错 + Meaning: To express that an action resulted in an error, you can use a result complement with -错. This covers what is often expressed with Read More

Structure: Object + Verb + 好 + 了 Meaning: Forming a result complement with 好 has a very similar meaning to forming one with 完. It expressed that the action has been completed successfully. Read More

Structure: V + Number + M Meaning: The grammar pattern is very similar to English. For example, “看三次” and “saw three times” mirror each other in structure. In Chinese sentences, these measure words can Read More

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 Read More

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