Adverbs — time, focus & frequency

Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.

again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le (again, in the past)

Late again

• Your classmate arrived late on Monday, and on Tuesday the teacher sighs when the door opens at 8:20.
• he / him他tāagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 – "He is late again." again又yòu says the same thing has happened once more.

Subject + again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le

• again又yòu goes before the verb and (completed / change)了le marks the repeated event as having happened: again又yòuto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le, again又yòuto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le.
• It often carries a feeling: surprise, annoyance or amusement that it happened again.

I我wǒagain又yòuforget忘wàng了lehis他tā的dename名字míng zi。

Repeated past events

• yesterday昨天zuó tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ，today今天jīn tiānagain又yòuto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。 – "It rained yesterday, and today it is raining again."
• With an object: she / her她tāagain又yòuto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了le一双yī shuāngvariant of 鞋鞋xié。 – "She bought another pair of shoes."

she她tāagain又yòubuy买mǎi了lea一yìpair双shuāngshoes鞋xié。

Past again needs again又yòu, not again / then再zài

• For something that has already happened again, use again又yòu: he / him他tāagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le, not he / him他tāagain / then再zàito come来lái(completed / change)了le.
• again又yòu stands before the verb, after the subject and any time word: he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le.

again又yòu for a repetition you can predict

• again又yòu also works for a regular repetition that is certain to come: tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le。 – "Tomorrow is Monday again."
• For a planned or requested repetition, use again / then再zài: to ask请qǐngto say again再说zài shuōone time (all the way…一遍yī biàn – "Please say it again."

tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuis是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī了le。

Recap

• again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le = did it again (it already happened once more).
• again又yòu also fits a certain, regular repetition (again又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le); a planned or requested "again" takes again / then再zài.

Practise this pattern step by step.

all along一直yì zhí (all along, continuously)

It has not stopped all day

• You look out of the window at 6 p.m. The rain started in the morning and has not stopped once.
• today今天jīn tiānall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito rain下雨xià yǔ。 – "It has been raining all day (non-stop)."

all along一直yì zhí + Verb phrase

• Subject + all along一直yì zhí + Verb = do something continuously, without a break, over a period: all along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děng, all along一直yì zhídegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng.
• It goes before the verb or adjective and often combines with at / in在zài or all / both都dōu.

I我wǒthe whole time一直yì zhí(ongoing)在zàiwait for等děngyou你nǐ。

All along: a state that has not changed

• I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíwant / think / miss想xiǎngto go去qùChina中国zhōng guó。 – "I have always wanted to go to China."
• he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíto live住zhùat / in在zàiShanghai municipality…上海shàng hǎi。 – "He has lived in Shanghai all along." The state lasts from then until now.

he他tāall along一直yì zhílive住zhùin在zàiShanghai上海Shàng hǎi。

Continuous, not repeated

• all along一直yì zhí means without interruption; for something done again and again, use always总是zǒng shì or often经常jīng cháng.
• Put all along一直yì zhí before the verb, not at the end of the sentence: he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito work工作gōng zuò, not he / him他tāat / in在zàito work工作gōng zuòall along一直yì zhí.

Another meaning: straight ahead

• Giving directions, all along一直yì zhí means "straight": all along一直yì zhí往前走wǎng qián zǒu，then / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。 – "Go straight ahead and you're there."
• With not / haven't没méi or not不bù, it means "never, all this time": he / him他tāall along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méito come来lái – "He still hasn't come (the whole time)."

straight一直yì zhítowards往wǎngthe front前qiánwalk走zǒu。

Recap

• all along一直yì zhí + Verb/Adj = continuously, all along, from then until now.
• all along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méi = has not … the whole time. In directions, all along一直yì zhíto walk走zǒu = go straight.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always总是zǒng shì (always – a habit)

Every single morning

• Your father starts every day the same way, whatever the weather.
• (coll.) father爸爸bà bàearly morning早上zǎo shàngalways总是zǒng shìearly先xiān喝一杯hē yī bēicoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi。 – "Dad always has a cup of coffee first thing in the morning."

Subject + always总是zǒng shì + Verb

• always总是zǒng shì = "always, every time": a habit or a pattern that keeps repeating. It goes before the verb.
• Time words come before it: he / him他tāweekend周末zhōu mòalways总是zǒng shìto go去qùto climb a mountain爬山pá shān – "At weekends he always goes hiking."

he他tāat weekends周末zhōu mòalways总是zǒng shìgo去qùhiking爬山pá shān。

Habits and repeated situations

• she / her她tāalways总是zǒng shì第一个dì yí gèto / arrive到dàoclassroom教室jiào shì。 – "She is always the first to arrive in the classroom."
• It can describe a repeated state too: here这里zhè lǐ(modifier / structural particle)的dewinter冬天dōng tiānalways总是zǒng shìdegree / adjective linker很hěncold冷lěng。 – "Winters here are always cold."

she她tāalways总是zǒng shìthe first第一个dì yī gèarrive at到dàothe classroom教室jiào shì。

Position and negation

• always总是zǒng shì goes before the verb, never at the end: he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìto arrive late迟到chí dào, not he / him他tāto arrive late迟到chí dàoalways总是zǒng shì.
• "Never" is not always总是zǒng shìnot不bù in most cases; use never从来不cóng lái bù: he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bùto drink (alcohol)喝酒hē jiǔ – "He never drinks."

always总是zǒng shì versus always老是lǎo shì and all along一直yì zhí

• always总是zǒng shì is neutral: a fact about a habit. always老是lǎo shì sounds like a complaint: 你老nǐ lǎoto be / is是shì忘带wàng dàikey钥匙yào shi！
• all along一直yì zhí is one continuous stretch (all along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito rain下雨xià yǔ); always总是zǒng shì is the same thing happening again and again.

you你nǐalways老是lǎo shìforget忘wàngto bring带dàikeys钥匙yào shi！

Recap

• always总是zǒng shì + Verb = always, every time: a habit or repeated pattern.
• Before the verb, after time words. "Never" = never从来不cóng lái bù; a complaint often uses always老是lǎo shì.

Practise this pattern step by step.

finally终于zhōng yú (finally, at last)

After a two-hour wait

• The train was delayed and you have been waiting on the platform since six. At eight it pulls in.
• train火车huǒ chēfinally终于zhōng yúto come来lái(completed / change)了le！ – "The train has finally come!"

Subject + finally终于zhōng yú + Verb (+ (completed / change)了le)

• finally终于zhōng yú = "finally, at last": a result comes after a long wait, effort or process. It goes before the verb.
• Because it reports an outcome that has now happened, the sentence usually ends with (completed / change)了le or uses Verb + (completed / change)了le.

I我wǒfinally终于zhōng yúfound找到zhǎo dào了lemy我wǒ的dekeys钥匙yào shi。

After effort or after a long process

• 他学tā xué(completed / change)了le三年sān nián，finally终于zhōng yúto pass a university…考上kǎo shàng(completed / change)了leuniversity大学dà xué。 – "After three years of study, he finally got into university."
• The outcome need not be good news: he / him他tābusy忙máng(completed / change)了le一个月yí gè yuè，finally终于zhōng yúto fall ill病倒bìng dào(completed / change)了le。 – "After a month of overwork he finally fell ill."

he他tāstudy学xué了lethree years三年sān nián，finally终于zhōng yúgot into考上kǎo shàng了leuniversity大学dà xué。

What finally终于zhōng yú needs

• It needs a long wait or process before it; it does not mean "at the end of a list". For "lastly", use final最后zuì hòu.
• Put finally终于zhōng yú after the subject, before the verb: he / him他tāfinally终于zhōng yúto come来lái(completed / change)了le, not finally终于zhōng yú他来tā lái(completed / change)了le in ordinary speech.

finally终于zhōng yú versus final最后zuì hòu

• final最后zuì hòu orders events: we / us我们wǒ menearly先xiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn，final最后zuì hòuto go去qùto see看kànmovie电影diàn yǐng – "First we ate, and last we went to a film."
• finally终于zhōng yú adds the feeling of a long wait reaching its end: to wait for等děng(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí，movie电影diàn yǐngfinally终于zhōng yúto start开始kāi shǐ(completed / change)了le。

wait等děng了letwo两个liǎng gehours小时xiǎo shí，the film电影diàn yǐngfinally终于zhōng yústart开始kāi shǐ了le。

Recap

• finally终于zhōng yú + Verb (+ (completed / change)了le) = finally, at last, after a long wait or effort; the outcome may be welcome or not.
• finally终于zhōng yú goes before the verb. For the last step in a sequence, use final最后zuì hòu.

Practise this pattern step by step.

almost几乎jī hū (nearly, almost)

So close

• You ran for the bus and reached the stop just as the doors closed.
• I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūto keep up with赶上gǎn shàng(completed / change)了lebus公共汽车gōng gòng qì chē。 – "I almost caught the bus." It came very close but did not happen.

almost几乎jī hū + Verb or Adjective

• almost几乎jī hū = "almost, nearly": it goes before the verb, adjective or number phrase it limits.
• It often goes with all / both都dōu or each每měi: he / him他tāalmost几乎jī hūevery day每天měi tiānall / both都dōuto run跑步pǎo bù – "He runs almost every day."

he他tāalmost几乎jī hūevery day每天měi tiān(all)都dōurun跑步pǎo bù。

Almost all, almost none

• With all所有suǒ yǒu or all / both都dōu: almost几乎jī hūall所有suǒ yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le。 – "Almost all the students came."
• With not / haven't没méi or not不bù: I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūnot / haven't没méito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。 – "I hardly slept at all."

almost几乎jī hūall所有suǒ yǒu的destudents学生xué sheng(all)都dōucome来lái了le。

Where almost几乎jī hū goes

• Put almost几乎jī hū before the part that is "almost": almost几乎jī hūevery day每天měi tiān, almost几乎jī hūnot have / haven't没有méi yǒu, almost几乎jī hūall / both都dōu. Not after the verb.
• With all / both都dōu, almost几乎jī hū comes first: we / us我们wǒ menalmost几乎jī hūall / both都dōu去过qù guò, not we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōualmost几乎jī hū去过qù guò.

almost几乎jī hū versus about the same差不多chà bu duō

• about the same差不多chà bu duō also means "about, almost", and is more common in speech: about the same差不多chà bu duō十点shí diǎn(completed / change)了le.
• almost几乎jī hū stresses how close something came, and suits not / haven't没méi / not不bù: he / him他tāalmost几乎jī hūnot不bùto speak说话shuō huà – "He hardly says a word."

he他tāalmost几乎jī hūnot不bùspeak说话shuō huà。

Recap

• almost几乎jī hū + Verb / Adj / number phrase = almost, nearly.
• almost几乎jī hūall / both都dōu / almost几乎jī hūall所有suǒ yǒu = almost all; almost几乎jī hūnot / haven't没méi / almost几乎jī hūnot不bù = hardly at all.

Practise this pattern step by step.

only只zhǐ (only)

Just one bowl, please

• At a noodle shop your friend orders three dishes. You are not hungry.
• I / me我wǒif only只要zhǐ yào一碗yī wǎnnoodles面条miàn tiáo。 – "I only want a bowl of noodles."

Subject + only只zhǐ + Verb

• only只zhǐ = "only, just" and goes before the verb, even when "only" in English seems to belong to the object.
• I / me我wǒonly只zhǐto drink tea喝茶hē chá – "I only drink tea." he / him他tāonly只zhǐ去过qù guòBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng – "He has only been to Beijing."

he他tāonly只zhǐhas been to去过qù guoBeijing北京Běi jīng。

Only a small amount

• With a number: I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu十块钱shí kuài qián。 – "I only have ten yuan."
• With a completed action: yesterday昨天zuó tiānI / me我wǒonly只zhǐto sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le五个wǔ gèhour小时xiǎo shí。 – "Yesterday I only slept five hours."

I我wǒonly只zhǐhave有yǒuten十shíyuan块kuàimoney钱qián。

only只zhǐ never stands before the subject

• "Only I went" is only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuI / me我wǒto go去qù(completed / change)了le, not only只zhǐI / me我wǒto go去qù(completed / change)了le: before a noun or the subject, use only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu.
• Keep only只zhǐ before the verb, not after it: I / me我wǒonly只zhǐto shout喝hē(completed / change)了le一杯yī bēi, not I / me我wǒto shout喝hē(completed / change)了leonly只zhǐ一杯yī bēi.

only只zhǐ versus only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu

• only只zhǐ limits the action: I / me我wǒ只会zhǐ huìvariant of 说说shuōerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn érChinese language中文zhōng wén – "I can only speak a little Chinese."
• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu limits a person or thing: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒushe / her她tāto know知道zhī dàoanswer答案dá àn。 – "Only she knows the answer."

only只有zhǐ yǒushe她tāknows知道zhī dàothe answer答案dá àn。

Recap

• only只zhǐ + Verb = only, just; it stands before the verb.
• To make a noun or subject "only", use only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu + noun: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuI / me我wǒ, only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu一个yí gè.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb + (completed / change)了le (how long you haven't …)

Three days without meat

• Your friend is on a vegetable diet and is starting to miss dumplings.
• I / me我wǒ三天sān tiān没吃肉méi chī ròu(completed / change)了le。 – "I haven't eaten meat for three days."

Duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb + (completed / change)了le

• Subject + duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb (+ object) + (completed / change)了le = has not done something for that length of time.
• The duration comes before not / haven't没méi, unlike a positive duration, which follows the verb.

I我wǒthree days三天sān tiānnot没méieat吃chīmeat肉ròu了le。

Counting the gap up to now

• we / us我们wǒ men好久没hǎo jiǔ méito appear见jiàn(completed / change)了le！ – "We haven't seen each other for ages!"
• he / him他tā两个liǎng gèweek星期xīng qīnot / haven't没méito come来láito go to class上课shàng kè(completed / change)了le。 – "He hasn't come to class for two weeks."

we我们wǒ mena long time好久hǎo jiǔnot没méisee见jiàn了le！

Two things that must stay

• Keep the final (completed / change)了le when the gap lasts up to now: I / me我wǒ三天sān tiān没吃肉méi chī ròu(completed / change)了le means it is still true today.
• Put the duration before not / haven't没méi: 三天sān tiān没吃肉méi chī ròu(completed / change)了le, not 没吃肉méi chī ròu三天sān tiān(completed / change)了le.

Positive duration goes after the verb

• Positive: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng niánChinese language中文zhōng wén。 – "I studied Chinese for two years." The duration follows the verb.
• Negative gap: I / me我wǒ两年liǎng nián没说méi shuōChinese language中文zhōng wén(completed / change)了le。 – "I haven't spoken Chinese for two years." The duration moves to the front.

I我wǒtwo years两年liǎng niánnot没méispeak说shuōChinese中文Zhōng wén了le。

Recap

• Duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb + (completed / change)了le = haven't done it for that long (up to now).
• Negative gap: duration before not / haven't没méi. Positive duration: after the verb (学了xué le两年liǎng nián).

Practise this pattern step by step.

Time + only then / not until才cái (not until – lateness)

Not until midnight

• The party was supposed to end at ten. Your brother walked in at midnight.
• he / him他tā十二点shí èr diǎnonly then / not until才cáito return home回家huí jiā。 – "He didn't get home until twelve." only then / not until才cái says it was later than expected.

Time + only then / not until才cái + Verb

• Subject + time + only then / not until才cái + Verb = not until that time; the speaker finds it late.
• The time word comes before only then / not until才cái, and only then / not until才cái stands right before the verb.

he他tātwelve o'clock十二点shí èr diǎnnot until才cáigo home回家huí jiā。

Late after a condition or a process

• After a long process: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánonly then / not until才cáito dare敢gǎnvariant of 说说shuōChinese language中文zhōng wén。 – "I studied for three years before I dared to speak Chinese."
• The time can be a clause: he / him他tāvariant of 吃吃chī(completed / change)了lemedicine药yàoonly then / not until才cáito fall asleep睡着shuì zháo。 – "He only fell asleep after taking medicine."

I我wǒstudy学xué了lethree years三年sān niánonly then才cáidare敢gǎnspeak说shuōChinese中文Zhōng wén。

Read only then / not until才cái and aspect in context

• The simple late-arrival model here is he / him他tā十二点shí èr diǎnonly then / not until才cáito return home回家huí jiā. Other contexts can allow (completed / change)了le; do not treat only then / not until才cái as a universal ban on aspect or change-of-state marking.
• The time word goes before only then / not until才cái: 九点jiǔ diǎnonly then / not until才cáito get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng, not only then / not until才cái九点jiǔ diǎnto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng (that means "it's only nine").

The opposite: then / just就jiù for early

• he / him他tā六点liù diǎnthen / just就jiùto return home回家huí jiā(completed / change)了le。 – "He was home as early as six." then / just就jiù makes the time sound early, and (completed / change)了le is normal.
• The same clock time can take only then / not until才cái or then / just就jiù, depending on what was expected.

he他tāsix o'clock六点liù diǎnalready就jiùgo home回家huí jiā了le。

Recap

• Time + only then / not until才cái + Verb = not until then; later than expected.
• The simple late-arrival model omits final (completed / change)了le. Other only then / not until才cái constructions can use aspectual or sentence-final (completed / change)了le; choose from the whole message.

Practise this pattern step by step.

early先xiān … ，again / then再zài … (first …, then …)

Instructions for a guest

• A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine.
• you你nǐ先放xiān fàngclothes衣服yī fú，again / then再zàito press按ànthis这个zhè gepush button按钮àn niǔ。 – "First put the clothes in, then press this button."

early先xiān + Verb 1，again / then再zài + Verb 2

• early先xiān … again / then再zài … = "first …, then …" for plans, suggestions and instructions.
• Both words are adverbs, so each goes before its verb, after the subject.

we我们wǒ menfirst先xiāneat吃饭chī fàn，then再zàiwatch看kàna film电影diàn yǐng吧ba。

Suggesting an order

• you你nǐearly先xiānrest休息xiū xī(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià，again / then再zài做作业zuò zuò yè。 – "Rest a bit first, then do your homework."
• With then / after然后rán hòu between them for a longer list: early先xiānto wash one's hands洗手xǐ shǒu，then / after然后rán hòuto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn，again / then再zàito have a meal吃饭chī fàn。

you你nǐfirst先xiānrest休息xiū xia bit一下yí xià，then再zàido做zuòhomework作业zuò yè。

Future plans, not past events

• again / then再zài is for steps still to come. For what already happened, use early先xiān … then / after然后rán hòu / again又yòu …: 我先wǒ xiān吃了饭chī le fàn，then / after然后rán hòuto go去qùto see看kànmovie电影diàn yǐng(completed / change)了le.
• Put early先xiān after the subject: I / me我wǒearly先xiānto walk走zǒu, not early先xiānI / me我wǒto walk走zǒu.

early先xiān…again / then再zài… versus early先xiān…then / after然后rán hòu…

• then / after然后rán hòu is a conjunction and can start the second clause on its own: early先xiānto buy tickets买票mǎi piào，then / after然后rán hòuto go in进去jìn qù。
• early先xiān…again / then再zài… stresses that the second step must wait for the first: you你nǐ先想xiān xiǎnggood好hǎo，again / then再zàito reply回答huí dá。

you你nǐfirst先xiānthink想xiǎngit through好hǎo，then再zàianswer回答huí dá。

Recap

• early先xiān A，again / then再zài B = first A, then B, for plans and instructions.
• For past sequences, use early先xiān … then / after然后rán hòu / again又yòu … with (completed / change)了le.

Practise this pattern step by step.

one side一边yī biān … one side一边yī biān … (doing two things at once)

Breakfast and the news

• Every morning your grandfather reads the paper while he drinks his tea.
• (coll.) father's father爷爷yé yéone side一边yī biānto drink tea喝茶hē cháone side一边yī biānto see看kànnewspaper报纸bào zhǐ。 – "Grandpa reads the paper while drinking tea."

one side一边yī biān + Verb 1 + one side一边yī biān + Verb 2

• Subject + one side一边yī biān A + one side一边yī biān B = do A and B at the same time. Each one side一边yī biān goes before its own verb.
• Both actions belong to the same person, and both are activities that can last: to listen to听tīng, to see看kàn, to walk走zǒu, to chat聊liáo, variant of 吃吃chī.

I我wǒwhile一边yì biānlisten to听tīngmusic音乐yīn yuè(at the same time)一边yì biāndo做zuòhomework作业zuò yè。

Shorter suffix of a noun of locality边biān…suffix of a noun of locality边biān…

• With one-syllable verbs, speakers often shorten it: we / us我们wǒ mensuffix of a noun of locality边biānto walk走zǒusuffix of a noun of locality边biānto chat聊liáo。 – "We chatted as we walked."
• It also describes the scene in a story: he / him他tāone side一边yī biānto cry哭kūone side一边yī biānvariant of 说说shuō – "He spoke while crying."

we我们wǒ menwhile边biānwalk走zǒu(at the same time)边biānchat聊liáo。

Actions, not states

• Use action verbs that can happen together; one side一边yī biānto be / is是shìstudent学生xué shēngone side一边yī biānto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī is wrong. For two roles, use already既jì…again又yòu… or also也yě.
• Keep one subject before the first one side一边yī biān: he / him他tāone side一边yī biānvariant of 吃吃chīone side一边yī biānto see看kàn, not one side一边yī biānhe / him他tāvariant of 吃吃chīone side一边yī biānto see看kàn.

one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… versus again又yòu…again又yòu…

• one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… is two actions at the same moment: one side一边yī biānto sing唱chàngone side一边yī biānto jump跳tiào.
• again又yòu…again又yòu… describes two qualities or a lively scene: again又yòuto sing唱chàngagain又yòuto jump跳tiào – "singing and dancing (all over the place)."

the children孩子们hái zi menboth又yòusing唱chàngand又yòudance跳tiào。

Recap

• one side一边yī biān A one side一边yī biān B = doing A while doing B, same person, same time.
• Short form with one-syllable verbs: suffix of a noun of locality边biānto walk走zǒusuffix of a noun of locality边biānto chat聊liáo. Use action verbs, not to be / is是shì or other states.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always老是lǎo shì (always – a complaint)

Not again!

• Your roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink, and it is the third time this week.
• 你老nǐ lǎoto be / is是shìnot不bùto wash the dishes洗碗xǐ wǎn！ – "You never wash the dishes!" (literally "you always don't wash them"). always老是lǎo shì complains.

Subject + always老是lǎo shì + Verb

• always老是lǎo shì = "always, keep on (doing)" with annoyance. It goes before the verb, like always总是zǒng shì.
• It is spoken and emotional; you usually would not use it in a formal report.

he他tākeeps老是lǎo shìbeing late迟到chí dào。

Complaints and worries

• I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的decomputer电脑diàn nǎoalways老是lǎo shìvariant of 出 (classifier…出chūquestion问题wèn tí。 – "My computer keeps having problems."
• It can describe yourself: I / me我wǒprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto forget忘记wàng jì带伞dài sǎn。 – "I keep forgetting to bring an umbrella."

my我wǒ的decomputer电脑diàn nǎokeeps老是lǎo shìhaving出chūproblems问题wèn tí。

Tone and position

• Use always老是lǎo shì for something irritating or worrying; for a neutral habit (he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shì七点qī diǎnto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng) choose always总是zǒng shì.
• always老是lǎo shì goes before the verb (or before not不bù / not / haven't没méi): 你老nǐ lǎoto be / is是shìnot不bùto listen to听tīng, not you你nǐnot不bùprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto listen to听tīng.

always老是lǎo shì versus always总是zǒng shì

• always总是zǒng shì reports a pattern: he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shì坐地铁zuò dì tiěto go to work上班shàng bān。 – "He always takes the subway to work."
• always老是lǎo shì adds a complaint: he / him他tāprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto sit坐zuòto give right of way to…错车cuò chē。 – "He keeps getting on the wrong train."

he他tākeeps老是lǎo shìtake坐zuòthe wrong错cuòtrain车chē。

Recap

• always老是lǎo shì + Verb = keeps doing, always, with annoyance or worry.
• Spoken and emotional. For a neutral habit, use always总是zǒng shì.

Practise this pattern step by step.

only then / not until才cái + Number (only – a small amount)

Only ten years old

• A boy at the piano competition plays better than adults, and everyone is surprised by his age.
• he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十岁shí suì，piano钢琴gāng qín就弹jiù dàn(degree marker)得deso much这么zhè megood好hǎo！ – "He's only ten, and he already plays the piano this well!"

only then / not until才cái + Number

• only then / not until才cái + number (+ measure word) = "only": the speaker finds the amount small. only then / not until才cái五块wǔ kuàicoin钱qián, only then / not until才cái两个liǎng gèperson人rén.
• Before a verb with a number, only then / not until才cái goes before the verb: I / me我wǒonly then / not until才cáito shout喝hē(completed / change)了le一杯yī bēi – "I've only had one glass."

this这zhè(measure word)件jiànclothes衣服yī fuonly才cáififty五十wǔ shíyuan块kuài。

Small amounts, early times

• I / me我wǒtalent and learning才学cái xué(completed / change)了le三个sān gèmoon月yuèChinese language中文zhōng wén。 – "I've only studied Chinese for three months."
• With a clock time it means "it's only …": now现在xiàn zàionly then / not until才cái七点qī diǎn，again / then再zàito sleep睡shuìa moment一会儿yī huì er(suggestion)吧ba。 – "It's only seven; sleep a little longer."

now现在xiàn zàionly才cáiseven o'clock七点qī diǎn，a little more再zàisleep睡shuìa while一会儿yí huìr吧ba。

Which only then / not until才cái is it?

• only then / not until才cái before the number = "only that much": only then / not until才cái九点jiǔ diǎn – "it's only nine".
• only then / not until才cái after the time, before the verb = "not until": 九点jiǔ diǎnonly then / not until才cáito get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng – "didn't get up until nine". Same word, different position.

only then / not until才cái versus only只zhǐ

• only只zhǐ limits an amount neutrally: I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu十块钱shí kuài qián.
• only then / not until才cái adds the speaker's surprise that the amount is small: he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十岁shí suì – "He's only ten (so young!)."

I我wǒonly只zhǐhave有yǒuten十shíyuan块kuàimoney钱qián。

Recap

• only then / not until才cái + number = only, and less than expected: only then / not until才cái十岁shí suì, only then / not until才cái五块wǔ kuàicoin钱qián.
• only then / not until才cái + number = only; time + only then / not until才cái + verb = not until. only只zhǐ is the neutral "only".

Practise this pattern step by step.

only then / not until才cái vs then / just就jiù (late vs early)

Same time, different reactions

• The meeting starts at nine. Li arrived at 8:30; Wang strolled in at 9:30.
• 小李xiǎo lǐ八点半bā diǎn bànthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le，小王xiǎo wáng九点半jiǔ diǎn bànonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào。 – "Li was there as early as 8:30; Wang didn't arrive until 9:30."

Time + then / just就jiù + Verb + (completed / change)了le versus Time + only then / not until才cái + Verb

• then / just就jiù = earlier, sooner or easier than expected; the sentence usually has (completed / change)了le: he / him他tā六点liù diǎnthen / just就jiùto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng(completed / change)了le.
• only then / not until才cái = later or harder than expected: he / him他tā九点jiǔ diǎnonly then / not until才cáito get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng is the short model used here. Other contexts can also include (completed / change)了le.

he他tāsix o'clock六点liù diǎnalready就jiùget up起床qǐ chuáng了le。

It depends on the expectation

• A child getting up at seven for school: he / him他tā七点qī diǎnthen / just就jiùto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng(completed / change)了le if you expected eight.
• The same seven o'clock for a farmer who usually rises at five: he / him他tā七点qī diǎnonly then / not until才cáito get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng。

he他tānine o'clock九点jiǔ diǎnnot until才cáiget up起床qǐ chuáng。

The (completed / change)了le rule

• then / just就jiù sentences about the past normally take (completed / change)了le: he / him他tā八点bā diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le.
• Use he / him他tā十点shí diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào as the simple late-arrival model. This is not a ban on (completed / change)了le in every sentence containing only then / not until才cái.

With amounts and effort too

• then / just就jiù = little effort needed: he / him他tāto see看kàn(completed / change)了leone time (all the way…一遍yī biànthen / just就jiùto understand懂dǒng(completed / change)了le。 – "He understood after reading it once."
• only then / not until才cái = a lot of effort needed: I / me我wǒto see看kàn(completed / change)了le三遍sān biànonly then / not until才cáito understand懂dǒng。 – "I only understood after reading it three times."

I我wǒread看kàn了lethree times三遍sān biànonly then才cáiunderstand懂dǒng。

Recap

• then / just就jiù can present an event as early, quick or easy; only then / not until才cái as late, slow or hard. Aspect marking depends on the complete sentence.
• The choice depends on the speaker's expectation, not on the clock alone.

Practise this pattern step by step.

just now刚gāng vs just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái (just now: adverb vs time-word)

You only just missed her

• You knock on your friend's door; her roommate says she left a few minutes ago.
• she / her她tājust now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáito go out出去chū qù(completed / change)了le。 – "She went out a moment ago." just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái is a time word for "just now".

just now刚gāng is an adverb, just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái is a time word

• just now刚gāng + Verb = "have just (done)"; it goes right before the verb: 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dào – "I've just arrived."
• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái = "a moment ago"; like yesterday昨天zuó tiān, it can start the sentence: just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáiyou你nǐto go去qùwhere哪儿nǎr(completed / change)了le？

I我wǒjust刚gāngarrive到dàohome家jiā。

How recent is "just"?

• just now刚gāng can stretch: he / him他tājust now刚gāngto come来láiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng一个月yí gè yuè。 – "He's only been in Beijing a month." It is recent from the speaker's view.
• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái is only a few minutes ago: just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáisomeone有人yǒu rénto / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà。 – "Someone called you just now."

just now刚才gāng cáithere was有yǒusomeone人rénto给gěiyou你nǐmake打dǎa phone call电话diàn huà。

Position and (completed / change)了le

• just now刚gāng never starts the sentence: 我刚wǒ gāngto have a meal吃饭chī fàn, not just now刚gāngI / me我wǒto have a meal吃饭chī fàn. just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái may come first: just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáiI / me我wǒto have a meal吃饭chī fàn(completed / change)了le.
• just now刚gāng + verb usually has no (completed / change)了le: 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dào. just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái sentences take (completed / change)了le normally: he / him他tājust now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáito walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le.

just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái can describe a past state

• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái works with adjectives and negatives: just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáidegree / adjective linker很hěnto warm up热rè，now现在xiàn zàimany好多hǎo duō(completed / change)了le。 – "It was hot just now; now it's much better."
• just now刚gāng does not: you cannot say just now刚gāngdegree / adjective linker很hěnto warm up热rè. Use just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái.

just now刚才gāng cáivery很hěnhot热rè，now现在xiàn zàibetter好hǎomuch多duō了le。

Recap

• just now刚gāng + Verb = have just done (adverb, before the verb, usually no (completed / change)了le).
• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái = a moment ago (time word, can start the sentence, works with (completed / change)了le, adjectives and not / haven't没méi).

Practise this pattern step by step.

a little有点yǒu diǎn vs a bit一点yì diǎn (a bit too… vs a little …er)

Trying on shoes

• The shoes fit badly and you want to ask for another size.
• 这双鞋zhè shuāng xiéa little有点yǒu diǎnsmall小xiǎo，有大yǒu dàa bit一点yì diǎn(modifier / structural particle)的de(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "These shoes are a bit small. Do you have a slightly bigger pair?"

a little有点yǒu diǎn + Adj before, Adj + a bit一点yì diǎn after

• a little有点yǒu diǎn(non-syllabic diminutive…儿ér) + Adj = "a bit (too) …", usually a complaint: a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì, a little有点yǒu diǎncold冷lěng.
• Adj + a bit一点yì diǎn(non-syllabic diminutive…儿ér) = "a little more …", for comparing or asking: cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn, rapid快kuàia bit一点yì diǎn.

today今天jīn tiāna bit有点yǒu diǎncold冷lěng。

Complain, then request

• Bargaining: this这个zhè gea little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì，can / be able to能néngcheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "It's a bit expensive; can you make it a little cheaper?"
• Asking for change: you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得dea little有点yǒu diǎnrapid快kuài，to ask请qǐngvariant of 说说shuōslow慢màna bit一点yì diǎn。 – "You speak a bit fast; please speak a little slower."

please请qǐngspeak说shuōslow慢màna little一点yì diǎn。

Keep them on the right side

• a little有点yǒu diǎn goes before the adjective: a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì, not expensive贵guìa little有点yǒu diǎn.
• a bit一点yì diǎn goes after the adjective: cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn, not a bit一点yì diǎncheap便宜pián yi (a bit一点yì diǎn before a noun means "a little of": a bit一点yì diǎnwater水shuǐ).

a little有点yǒu diǎn sounds negative

• a little有点yǒu diǎn + a pleasant word sounds odd: a little有点yǒu diǎnpretty漂亮piào liàng is unusual. Use 很漂亮hěn piào liàng or fairly / rather比较bǐ jiàopretty漂亮piào liàng.
• a little有点yǒu diǎn + negative adjectives is natural: 有点累yǒu diǎn lèi, a little有点yǒu diǎndifficult / hard难nán, a little有点yǒu diǎnnot不bùcomfortable舒服shū fú.

I我wǒa bit有点yǒu diǎnnot不bùwell舒服shū fu。

Recap

• a little有点yǒu diǎn + Adj = a bit too … (a complaint); Adj + a bit一点yì diǎn = a little more … (comparison or request).
• Typical pair: a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì，cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn(suggestion)吧ba.

Practise this pattern step by step.

again / then再zài vs again又yòu (again: future vs past)

Again: done or still to come?

• You visited the Great Wall last year. This year you went again, and next year you want to go once more.
• I / me我wǒthis year今年jīn niánagain又yòuto go去qù(completed / change)了lethe Great Wall长城cháng chéng，next year明年míng niánstill / also还háiwant / think / miss想xiǎngagain / then再zàito go去qù。 – "I went to the Great Wall again this year, and I want to go again next year."

again又yòu for the past, again / then再zài for the future

• again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le = it happened again (already): he / him他tāagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le.
• again / then再zài + Verb = do it again (still to come), in plans, requests and suggestions: to ask请qǐngto say again再说zài shuōone time (all the way…一遍yī biàn.

please请qǐngagain再zàisay说shuōonce一遍yí biàn。

Requests and plans

• to welcome欢迎huān yíngyou你nǐnext time下次xià cìagain / then再zàito come来lái！ – "Come again next time!"
• we / us我们wǒ mentomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito discuss讨论tǎo lùn(suggestion)吧ba。 – "Let's discuss it again tomorrow." again / then再zài can also mean "then, later".

welcome欢迎huān yíngyou你nǐnext time下次xià cìagain再zàicome来lái！

Picking the right "again"

• Past repetition: again又yòu, not again / then再zài: he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le, not he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái(completed / change)了le.
• Future plan or request: again / then再zài, not again又yòu: tomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái, not tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto come来lái (unless it is a predictable repeat).

The exception: certain repeats

• again又yòu can look ahead for something sure to come round again: tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìweekend周末zhōu mò(completed / change)了le！ – "It's the weekend again tomorrow!"
• still / also还háiwant / think / miss想xiǎngagain / then再zài / 还要hái yàoagain / then再zài shows a wish to repeat: I / me我wǒstill / also还háiwant / think / miss想xiǎngagain / then再zàivariant of 吃吃chī一碗yī wǎn – "I'd like another bowl."

I我wǒstill还háiwant想xiǎngagain再zàieat吃chīa bowl一碗yì wǎn。

Recap

• again又yòu = again, already happened (again又yòu + V + (completed / change)了le). again / then再zài = again, still to come (plans, requests).
• again又yòu can look ahead only for a certain repeat (again又yòuto be / is是shìweekend周末zhōu mò(completed / change)了le).

Practise this pattern step by step.

Practice without the models

Choose a pattern, cover its teaching examples, and attempt its questions. Use the labels to find feedback in the separate key.

again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le (again, in the past)

0201.1 Complete: “My phone is broken again.” I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的decell phone手机shǒu jī…………bad坏huài(completed / change)了le。

0201.2 Which says “He came again yesterday.”?

• A. he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• B. he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• C. yesterday昨天zuó tiān他来tā lái(completed / change)了leagain又yòu。
• D. he / him他tāagain又yòuyesterday昨天zuó tiānto come来lái(completed / change)了le。

0201.3 Build: “She bought another pair of shoes.”

Arrange all chunks: 一双yī shuāngvariant of 鞋鞋xié。 / again又yòu / to buy买mǎi(completed / change)了le / she / her她tā

0201.4 tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le is correct, even though it is about tomorrow.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0201.5 Your classmate arrived late on Monday, and on Tuesday the teacher sighs when the door opens at 8:20. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

all along一直yì zhí (all along, continuously)

0202.1 Complete: “He has been busy the whole time.” he / him他tā…………degree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng。

0202.2 “She goes to the gym every Monday and Friday.” Which adverb fits best?

• A. only then / not until才cái
• B. often经常jīng cháng
• C. all along一直yì zhí
• D. again又yòu

0202.3 Build: “I have always wanted to go to China.”

Arrange all chunks: all along一直yì zhí / to go去qùChina中国zhōng guó。 / want / think / miss想xiǎng / I / me我wǒ

0202.4 In directions, all along一直yì zhíto walk走zǒu means “keep turning”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0202.5 You look out of the window at 6 p.m. The rain started in the morning and has not stopped once. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

always总是zǒng shì (always – a habit)

0203.1 Complete: “She always walks to school.” she / her她tā…………to walk走路zǒu lùto go去qùschool学校xué xiào。

0203.2 Which says “He never eats meat.”?

• A. he / him他tāall along一直yì zhívariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròu。
• B. he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìvariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròu。
• C. he / him他tāvariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròualways总是zǒng shìnot不bù。
• D. he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bùvariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròu。

0203.3 Match each sentence to what it expresses.

• 1. he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shì七点qī diǎnto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng。
• 2. 你老nǐ lǎoto be / is是shìto arrive late迟到chí dào！
• 3. (literary) to rain雨yǔall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàidown下xià。

• A. a complaint about a habit

• B. a neutral habit

• C. one continuous stretch of time

0203.4 Build: “At weekends he always goes hiking.”

Arrange all chunks: weekend周末zhōu mò / to go去qùto climb a mountain爬山pá shān。 / he / him他tā / always总是zǒng shì

0203.5 Your father starts every day the same way, whatever the weather. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

finally终于zhōng yú (finally, at last)

0204.1 Complete: “After a week of rain, the sun has finally come out.” down下xià(completed / change)了le一个yí gèweek星期xīng qī(modifier / structural particle)的de(literary) to rain雨yǔ，sun太阳tài yáng…………(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái(completed / change)了le。

0204.2 “First we went to the museum, and lastly we went shopping.” Which word fills the gap? we / us我们wǒ menearly先xiānto go去qù(completed / change)了lemuseum博物馆bó wù guǎn，____to go去qùto buy买mǎithing东西dōng xī。

• A. again又yòu
• B. finally终于zhōng yú
• C. all along一直yì zhí
• D. final最后zuì hòu

0204.3 Build: “I finally found my keys.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的dekey钥匙yào shi。 / finally终于zhōng yú / I / me我wǒ / to find找到zhǎo dào(completed / change)了le

0204.4 finally终于zhōng yú can only introduce good news.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0204.5 The train was delayed and you have been waiting on the platform since six. At eight it pulls in. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

almost几乎jī hū (nearly, almost)

0205.1 Complete: “She goes to the library almost every day.” she / her她tā…………every day每天měi tiānall / both都dōuto go去qùlibrary图书馆tú shū guǎn。

0205.2 Which says “We have almost all been there.”?

• A. we / us我们wǒ men去过qù guòalmost几乎jī hūall / both都dōu。
• B. we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōualmost几乎jī hū去过qù guò。
• C. we / us我们wǒ menalmost几乎jī hūall / both都dōu去过qù guò。
• D. almost几乎jī hūwe / us我们wǒ men去过qù guòall / both都dōu。

0205.3 I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūnot / haven't没méito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào means “I hardly slept at all.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0205.4 Build: “Almost all the students came.”

Arrange all chunks: all / both都dōu / almost几乎jī hū / all所有suǒ yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēng / to come来lái(completed / change)了le。

0205.5 You ran for the bus and reached the stop just as the doors closed. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

only只zhǐ (only)

0206.1 Complete: “I only drink green tea.” I / me我wǒ…………to shout喝hēgreen tea绿茶lǜ chá。

0206.2 Which says “Only Xiao Wang came.”?

• A. 只小王zhǐ xiǎo wángto come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• B. 小王xiǎo wángonly只zhǐto come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• C. 小王来xiǎo wáng lái(completed / change)了leonly只zhǐ。
• D. only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu小王来xiǎo wáng lái(completed / change)了le。

0206.3 Build: “Yesterday I only slept five hours.”

Arrange all chunks: yesterday昨天zuó tiān / only只zhǐ / to sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le五个wǔ gèhour小时xiǎo shí。 / I / me我wǒ

0206.4 I / me我wǒto shout喝hē(completed / change)了leonly只zhǐ一杯yī bēicoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0206.5 At a noodle shop your friend orders three dishes. You are not hungry. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb + (completed / change)了le (how long you haven't …)

0207.1 Complete: “I haven't phoned home for a week.” I / me我wǒ一个yí gèweek星期xīng qīnot / haven't没méito / for / give给gěihome家里jiā lǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà…………。

0207.2 Which says “He hasn't slept for two days.”?

• A. he / him他tānot / haven't没méi两天liǎng tiānto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。
• B. he / him他tānot / haven't没méito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào两天liǎng tiān(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tāto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào两天liǎng tiānnot / haven't没méi(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tā两天liǎng tiānnot / haven't没méito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào(completed / change)了le。

0207.3 Build: “We haven't seen each other for ages!”

Arrange all chunks: we / us我们wǒ men / quite a while好久hǎo jiǔ / (completed / change)了le！ / not / haven't没méito appear见jiàn

0207.4 In 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng niánChinese language中文zhōng wén, the duration comes after the verb because the sentence is positive.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0207.5 Your friend is on a vegetable diet and is starting to miss dumplings. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Time + only then / not until才cái (not until – lateness)

0208.1 Complete: “The film didn't start until nine.” movie电影diàn yǐng九点jiǔ diǎn…………to start开始kāi shǐ。

0208.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十一点shí yì diǎnto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。
• B. he / him他tā十一点shí yì diǎnto sleep睡shuìonly then / not until才cáito feel觉jué(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tā十一点shí yì diǎnonly then / not until才cáito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。
• D. he / him他tā十一点shí yì diǎnto go to bed睡觉shuì jiàoonly then / not until才cái。

0208.3 Build: “He only fell asleep after taking medicine.”

Arrange all chunks: he / him他tā / only then / not until才cái / variant of 吃吃chī(completed / change)了lemedicine药yào / to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo。

0208.4 he / him他tā六点liù diǎnthen / just就jiùto return home回家huí jiā(completed / change)了le and he / him他tā六点liù diǎnonly then / not until才cáito return home回家huí jiā give opposite impressions of the same time.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0208.5 The party was supposed to end at ten. Your brother walked in at midnight. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

early先xiān … ，again / then再zài … (first …, then …)

0209.1 Complete the plan: “Let's buy tickets first, then go in.” we / us我们wǒ menearly先xiānto buy tickets买票mǎi piào，…………to go in进去jìn qù。

0209.2 Which describes what you did yesterday?

• A. early先xiānI / me我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiānto go去qùbank银行yín háng，again / then再zàito go去qùsupermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shì。
• B. I / me我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiānearly先xiānto go去qùbank银行yín háng，again / then再zàito go去qùsupermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shì(completed / change)了le。
• C. I / me我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiānagain / then再zàito go去qùbank银行yín háng，early先xiānto go去qùsupermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shì。
• D. I / me我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiānearly先xiānto go去qù(completed / change)了lebank银行yín háng，then / after然后rán hòuto go去qù(completed / change)了lesupermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shì。

0209.3 Build: “Rest a bit first, then do your homework.”

Arrange all chunks: you你nǐearly先xiān / ，again / then再zài / 做作业zuò zuò yè。 / rest休息xiū xī(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià

0209.4 early先xiānI / me我wǒto walk走zǒu is the normal way to say “I'll go first.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0209.5 A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

one side一边yī biān … one side一边yī biān … (doing two things at once)

0210.1 Complete: “She sings while she cooks.” she / her她tā…………to prepare a meal做饭zuò fànone side一边yī biānto sing a song唱歌chàng gē。

0210.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tāone side一边yī biānto have a meal吃饭chī fànone side一边yī biānto see看kàncell phone手机shǒu jī。
• B. he / him他tāone side一边yī biānto be / is是shìdoctor医生yī shēngone side一边yī biānto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī。
• C. one side一边yī biānhe / him他tāto have a meal吃饭chī fànone side一边yī biānto see看kàncell phone手机shǒu jī。
• D. he / him他tāto have a meal吃饭chī fànone side一边yī biānto see看kàncell phone手机shǒu jīone side一边yī biān。

0210.3 Build: “We chatted as we walked.”

Arrange all chunks: we / us我们wǒ men / 边聊biān liáo。 / suffix of a noun of locality边biānto walk走zǒu

0210.4 one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… and again又yòu…again又yòu… are always interchangeable.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0210.5 Every morning your grandfather reads the paper while he drinks his tea. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

always老是lǎo shì (always – a complaint)

0211.1 Complain: “You keep playing on your phone!” you你nǐ…………Taiwan pr.玩wáncell phone手机shǒu jī！

0211.2 A news report says the factory opens at eight every day. Which adverb suits the neutral report?

• A. always老是lǎo shì
• B. only then / not until才cái
• C. again又yòu
• D. always总是zǒng shì

0211.3 Build: “I keep forgetting to bring an umbrella.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒ / always老是lǎo shì / 带伞dài sǎn。 / to forget忘记wàng jì

0211.4 you你nǐnot不bùprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto listen to听tīng is the right way to say “You never listen.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0211.5 Your roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink, and it is the third time this week. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

only then / not until才cái + Number (only – a small amount)

0212.1 Complete with surprise: “This bag is only twenty yuan!” this这个zhè geto cover包bāo…………二十块èr shí kuài！

0212.2 Match each sentence to its meaning.

• 1. now现在xiàn zàionly then / not until才cái九点jiǔ diǎn。
• 2. he / him他tā九点jiǔ diǎnonly then / not until才cáito get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng。
• 3. I / me我wǒonly then / not until才cáito shout喝hē(completed / change)了le一杯yī bēi。

• A. He didn't get up until nine.

• B. It's only nine o'clock.

• C. I've only had one glass.

0212.3 Build: “I've only studied Chinese for three months.”

Arrange all chunks: 三个sān gèmoon月yuèChinese language中文zhōng wén。 / 学了xué le / only then / not until才cái / I / me我wǒ

0212.4 he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十岁shí suì sounds more surprised than he / him他tā十岁shí suì.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0212.5 A boy at the piano competition plays better than adults, and everyone is surprised by his age. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

only then / not until才cái vs then / just就jiù (late vs early)

0213.1 The train was due at ten but arrived at eleven. train火车huǒ chē十一点shí yì diǎn…………to / arrive到dào。

0213.2 Which reports arrival as early in the completed-event model used here?

• A. he / him他tā七点qī diǎnto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了lethen / just就jiù。
• B. he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十点shí diǎnto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tā十点shí diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tā七点qī diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。

0213.3 “I asked three times before he agreed.” Which word fits? I / me我wǒto ask问wèn(completed / change)了lethird三次sān cìhe / him他tā____to agree同意tóng yì。

• A. again又yòu
• B. only then / not until才cái
• C. then / just就jiù
• D. again / then再zài

0213.4 Build: “He got up as early as six.”

Arrange all chunks: he / him他tā / then / just就jiù / to get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng(completed / change)了le。 / 六点liù diǎn

0213.5 The meeting starts at nine. Li arrived at 8:30; Wang strolled in at 9:30. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

just now刚gāng vs just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái (just now: adverb vs time-word)

0214.1 Complete: “What did you say just now?” …………you你nǐvariant of 说说shuōwhat什么shén me？

0214.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. just now刚gāngI / me我wǒto / arrive到dàohome家jiā。
• B. I / me我wǒto / arrive到dào家刚jiā gāng。
• C. 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dàohome家jiā。
• D. just now刚gāngdegree / adjective linker很hěncold冷lěng。

0214.3 just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáidegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng is correct, but just now刚gāngdegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng is not.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0214.4 Build: “Someone called you just now.”

Arrange all chunks: just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái / to / for / give给gěiyou你nǐ / someone有人yǒu rén / to make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà。

0214.5 You knock on your friend's door; her roommate says she left a few minutes ago. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

a little有点yǒu diǎn vs a bit一点yì diǎn (a bit too… vs a little …er)

0215.1 Complain: “The soup is a bit salty.” soup汤tāng…………salted咸xián。

0215.2 Ask for change: “Could you walk a little faster?”

• A. you你nǐcan / be able to能nénga bit一点yì diǎnrapid快kuàito walk走zǒu(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• B. you你nǐcan / be able to能néngto walk走zǒua little有点yǒu diǎnrapid快kuài(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• C. you你nǐcan / be able to能néngto walk走zǒurapid快kuàia bit一点yì diǎn(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• D. you你nǐcan / be able to能nénga little有点yǒu diǎnrapid快kuàito walk走zǒu(yes/no ?)吗ma？

0215.3 Build: “It's a bit expensive; can you make it a little cheaper?”

Arrange all chunks: can / be able to能néngcheap便宜pián yi / a bit一点yì diǎn(yes/no ?)吗ma？ / this这个zhè gea little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì / ，

0215.4 she / her她tāa little有点yǒu diǎnpretty漂亮piào liàng is a natural compliment.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0215.5 The shoes fit badly and you want to ask for another size. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

again / then再zài vs again又yòu (again: future vs past)

0216.1 Ask politely: “Please try again.” to ask请qǐng…………to test试shìfirst一次yī cì。

0216.2 Fill both gaps: he / him他tālast week上个星期shàng gè xīng qī__to catch cold感冒gǎn mào(completed / change)了le，doctor医生yī shēngvariant of 说说shuōnext month下个月xià gè yuè__to come来láiinspection检查jiǎn chá。

• A. again / then再zài … again / then再zài
• B. again又yòu … again又yòu
• C. again / then再zài … again又yòu
• D. again又yòu … again / then再zài

0216.3 Build: “Come again next time!”

Arrange all chunks: next time下次xià cì / again / then再zài / to welcome欢迎huān yíngyou你nǐ / to come来lái！

0216.4 tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìFriday星期五xīng qī wǔ(completed / change)了le is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0216.5 You visited the Great Wall last year. This year you went again, and next year you want to go once more. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A fresh situation

R1. Interpret and repair. A meeting was set for eight; your friend arrived at ten. A learner says he / him他tā十点shí diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào to stress lateness. Repair the intended emphasis.

R2. Use it yourself. Report a repeated visit that already happened and arrange another visit for tomorrow.

Write your responses before opening the key. Compare meaning as well as form; a different valid answer need not copy the model.