Verbs, ability & complements

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.

seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái (looks / seems)

Judging by appearance

• A cake in the bakery window has thick cream and fresh strawberries. You haven't tasted it yet.
• this这个zhè gecake蛋糕dàn gāoseemingly看起来kàn qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěnto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī。 – "This cake looks delicious."

Subject + seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái + Adjective

• seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái = "looks, seems (from what I can see)". It goes before the description, and degree / adjective linker很hěn often follows it.
• It reports an impression, not a fact you have checked.

he他tālooks看起来kàn qǐ láivery很hěntired累lèi。

Other senses: to listen to听tīng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái, variant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái, to use / with用yòng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái

• Sound: this这个zhè geplan主意zhǔ yìto listen to听tīng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láicorrect不错bù cuò。 – "That idea sounds good."
• Taste and use: this这个zhè gevegetable菜càivariant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láia little有点yǒu diǎnhot (spicy)辣là – "This dish tastes a bit spicy." this这个zhè gecell phone手机shǒu jīto use / with用yòng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěnconvenient方便fāng biàn – "This phone is easy to use."

this这个zhè geidea主意zhǔ yisounds听起来tīng qǐ láigood不错bú cuò。

An impression from the senses

• seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái gives what you see, so it does not prove the cake tastes good; tasting is variant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái.
• For a guess that is not based on looks (he seems to have left), use as if好像hǎo xiàng: he / him他tāas if好像hǎo xiàngto walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le.

seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái versus it would appear看上去kàn shàng qù and as if好像hǎo xiàng

• it would appear看上去kàn shàng qù means almost the same as seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái and is common for people's appearance: she / her她tāit would appear看上去kàn shàng qùdegree / adjective linker很hěnyoung年轻nián qīng.
• as if好像hǎo xiàng is a guess or a comparison: he / him他tāas if好像hǎo xiàngto fall ill生病shēng bìng(completed / change)了le。 – "He seems to be ill (I suspect)."

he他tāseems好像hǎo xiàngbe ill生病shēng bìng了le。

Recap

• seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái + Adj = looks …; to listen to听tīng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái = sounds …; variant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái = tastes …; to use / with用yòng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái = is … to use.
• These give a first impression from one sense. A general guess uses as if好像hǎo xiàng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to let / make让ràng / variant of 叫叫jiào / to ask请qǐng / to make使shǐ (make / let / ask someone do)

Who decides?

• You want to go out tonight, but your parents have other ideas.
• mama妈妈mā mā不让bù ràngI / me我wǒevening晚上wǎn shàngto go out出去chū qù。 – "Mum won't let me go out in the evening."

A + to let / make让ràng / variant of 叫叫jiào / to ask请qǐng + B + Verb

• A to let / make让ràng B + Verb: A lets or makes B do something. A variant of 叫叫jiào B + Verb: A tells B to do it (spoken). A to ask请qǐng B + Verb: A politely invites or asks B.
• The person B is both the object of to let / make让ràng and the doer of the next verb.

the teacher老师lǎo shīmade让ràngus我们wǒ menwrite写xiěhomework作业zuò yè。

Telling, inviting, causing

• Telling: mama妈妈mā māvariant of 叫叫jiàoI / me我wǒto go去qù买菜mǎi cài。 – "Mum told me to go and buy vegetables."
• Inviting: I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto ask请qǐngyou你nǐto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。 – "I'd like to treat you to a meal." Causing a feeling: this这个zhè genews消息xiāo xīto let / make让ràngI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。 – "This news made me very happy."

this这个zhè genews消息xiāo ximade让ràngme我wǒvery很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。

Order and negation

• Keep the order A + to let / make让ràng + B + Verb: mama妈妈mā māto let / make让ràngI / me我wǒto go去qù, not mama妈妈mā māto let / make让ràngto go去qùI / me我wǒ.
• Negate the first verb to refuse permission: 不让bù ràngI / me我wǒto go去qù = "won't let me go"; to let / make让ràngI / me我wǒnot不bùto go去qù changes the meaning to "tell me not to go".

to make使shǐ for formal causes

• to make使shǐ = "to cause, make", mainly in writing, with an abstract cause and a change of state: to move运动yùn dòng使人shǐ rénhealth健康jiàn kāng。 – "Exercise makes people healthy."
• In speech, to let / make让ràng covers most of this: to move运动yùn dòngto let / make让ràngperson人réndegree / adjective linker很hěnhealth健康jiàn kāng.

exercise运动yùn dòngmakes使shǐpeople人rénhealthy健康jiàn kāng。

Recap

• A to let / make让ràng/variant of 叫叫jiào/to ask请qǐng B + Verb: to let / make让ràng = let/make, variant of 叫叫jiào = tell (spoken), to ask请qǐng = invite/ask politely.
• to let / make让ràng + person + feeling = make someone feel; to make使shǐ is the formal written "cause". Refuse with 不让bù ràng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to pass经过jīng guò (after going through)

After three years of training

• A runner who trained every morning for three years has just won her first marathon.
• to pass经过jīng guò三年sān nián(modifier / structural particle)的deto make an effort努力nǔ lì，she / her她tāfinally终于zhōng yúto beat赢yíng(completed / change)了lecompetition (sports etc)比赛bǐ sài。 – "After three years of hard work, she finally won the race."

to pass经过jīng guò + process, result

• to pass经过jīng guò + a process (effort, discussion, time), then the result in the second clause.
• The process is usually a noun phrase: to pass经过jīng guò一年yī nián(modifier / structural particle)的deto learn学习xué xí, to pass经过jīng guòeveryone大家dà jiā(modifier / structural particle)的deto discuss讨论tǎo lùn, to pass经过jīng guòdoctor医生yī shēng(modifier / structural particle)的deinspection检查jiǎn chá.

after经过jīng guòeveryone's大家dà jiā的dediscussion讨论tǎo lùn，we我们wǒ mendecided决定jué dìnggo to去qùShanghai上海Shàng hǎi。

to pass经过jīng guò as "pass by, go through"

• It is also a plain verb of movement: I / me我wǒevery day每天měi tiānto go to work上班shàng bānall / both都dōuto pass经过jīng guòthis这个zhè gepark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuán。 – "I pass this park every day on the way to work."
• 这趟zhè tàngwar chariot (archaic)车chēto pass经过jīng guòBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "Does this train go through Beijing?"

I我wǒevery day每天měi tiānpass经过jīng guòthis这个zhè gepark公园gōng yuán。

A process before a result

• to pass经过jīng guò needs a process that leads somewhere; for a simple "after (a time)", use after以后yǐ hòu: to finish class下课xià kèafter以后yǐ hòu, not to pass经过jīng guòto finish class下课xià kè.
• Put to pass经过jīng guò + process first and the result second: to pass经过jīng guòinspection检查jiǎn chá，doctor医生yī shēngvariant of 说说shuōnot / haven't没méiquestion问题wèn tí.

to pass经过jīng guò versus to pass through通过tōng guò

• to pass经过jīng guò stresses going through the process: to pass经过jīng guòmany times多次duō cìexperiment试验shì yàn – "after many experiments".
• to pass through通过tōng guò stresses the means used to reach the goal: to pass through通过tōng guòfriend朋友péng yǒu，I / me我wǒto find找到zhǎo dào(completed / change)了leto work工作gōng zuò – "Through a friend, I found a job."

through通过tōng guòa friend朋友péng you，I我wǒfound找到zhǎo dào了lea job工作gōng zuò。

Recap

• to pass经过jīng guò + process, result = after going through …, …
• As a verb, to pass经过jīng guò = pass by / go through a place. For a plain "after", use after以后yǐ hòu; for "by means of", to pass through通过tōng guò.

Practise this pattern step by step.

should应该yīng gāi / should该gāi (should, ought to)

A hot day out

• Your friend is going hiking at noon in 35 degrees with one small bottle of water.
• you你nǐshould应该yīng gāi多带duō dàia bit一点yì diǎnwater水shuǐ。 – "You should take some more water."

should应该yīng gāi / should该gāi + Verb

• should应该yīng gāi + Verb = "should, ought to": advice or duty. should该gāi is the shorter, spoken form.
• Negative: not不bùshould应该yīng gāi = "shouldn't": you你nǐnot不bùshould应该yīng gāi这么晚zhè me wǎnto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào.

you你nǐnot不bùshould应该yīng gāiso这么zhè melate晚wǎngo to bed睡觉shuì jiào。

It is time to …

• should该gāi + Verb + (completed / change)了le = "it's time to …": 十二点shí èr diǎn(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒshould该gāito walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le。 – "It's twelve; I should be going."
• should该gāi + person + Verb = "it's someone's turn": should该gāiyou你nǐ(completed / change)了le – "Your turn."

twelve o'clock十二点shí èr diǎn了le，I我wǒshould该gāigo走zǒu了le。

Form and position

• should应该yīng gāi goes after the subject and before the verb: you你nǐshould应该yīng gāirest休息xiū xī, not should应该yīng gāiyou你nǐrest休息xiū xī (unless you mean "it's your turn").
• Put not不bù before should应该yīng gāi to say "shouldn't": you你nǐnot不bùshould应该yīng gāito go去qù, not you你nǐshould应该yīng gāi不去bù qù.

should应该yīng gāi for "probably"

• should应该yīng gāi can also be a confident guess: he / him他tāshould应该yīng gāialready已经yǐ jīngperfect到家dào jiā(completed / change)了le。 – "He should be home by now."
• Context tells you which one: advice to a person, or a guess about a situation.

he他tāshould应该yīng gāialready已经yǐ jīngarrive到dàohome家jiā了le。

Recap

• should应该yīng gāi / should该gāi + Verb = should; not不bùshould应该yīng gāi = shouldn't.
• should该gāi…(completed / change)了le = it's time to …; should该gāiyou你nǐ(completed / change)了le = your turn; should应该yīng gāi can also mean "probably".

Practise this pattern step by step.

difficult / hard难nán + Verb (unpleasant to …)

The canteen's new dish

• You try the canteen's new soup. It is salty and cold.
• this这个zhè ge汤太难tāng tài nánto shout喝hē(completed / change)了le！ – "This soup tastes awful!" difficult / hard难nán + a sense verb = unpleasant to …

difficult / hard难nán + sense verb

• unpalatable难吃nán chī, difficult / hard难nánto shout喝hē, ugly难看nán kàn, unpleasant to hear难听nán tīng, unpleasant smell难闻nán wén = bad-tasting (food), bad-tasting (drinks), ugly, unpleasant to hear, bad-smelling.
• They work like adjectives: degree / adjective linker很hěnugly难看nán kàn, too太tàiunpleasant to hear难听nán tīng(completed / change)了le. The opposites start with good好hǎo: to be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī, tasty (drinks)好喝hǎo hē, good-looking好看hǎo kàn, pleasant to hear好听hǎo tīng, 好闻hǎo wén.

this这zhè(measure word)首shǒusong歌gēvery很hěnunpleasant to hear难听nán tīng。

difficult / hard难nán + other verbs: hard to …

• With most other verbs, difficult / hard难nán means "difficult to": this这个zhè geletter字zìdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nánto write写xiě。 – "This character is hard to write."
• he / him他tā(modifier / structural particle)的dequestion问题wèn tí很难hěn nánto reply回答huí dá。 – "His question is hard to answer."

his他tā的dequestion问题wèn tívery很hěnhard to难nánanswer回答huí dá。

Unpleasant versus difficult

• unpalatable难吃nán chī means it tastes bad, not that it is hard to eat; ugly难看nán kàn means ugly, not hard to see.
• to feel unwell难受nán shòu is a feeling: "feel unwell, upset": I / me我wǒheadache头疼tóu téng，degree / adjective linker很hěnto feel unwell难受nán shòu.

difficult / hard难nán + Verb versus no good不好bù hǎo + Verb

• not不bùto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī is milder: "not tasty". unpalatable难吃nán chī is stronger: "awful".
• no good不好bù hǎoto write写xiě (not easy to write) is similar to 很难hěn nánto write写xiě, but softer.

this这zhè(measure word)个gedish菜càinot不bùtasty好吃hǎo chī。

Recap

• difficult / hard难nán + sense verb (unpalatable难吃nán chī, ugly难看nán kàn, unpleasant to hear难听nán tīng, unpleasant smell难闻nán wén, difficult / hard难nánto shout喝hē) = unpleasant to that sense; opposite good好hǎo + verb.
• difficult / hard难nán + other verbs = hard to do: 难写nán xiě, difficult / hard难nánto reply回答huí dá. to feel unwell难受nán shòu = feel bad.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration (did for a length of time)

How long did you wait?

• Your friend was very late for lunch, and now she asks how long you waited.
• I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí！ – "I waited for you for an hour!"

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration

• Subject + Verb + (completed / change)了le + duration = did it for that long (finished): I / me我wǒto sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le八个bā gèhour小时xiǎo shí, 他学tā xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián.
• The duration comes after the verb, as in English "slept eight hours", never before it.

I我wǒsleep睡shuì了leeight八个bā gèhours小时xiǎo shí。

With an object: two patterns

• Duration before the object noun: 他学tā xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén。 – "He studied Chinese for three years."
• Or repeat the verb: 他学tā xuéto hit (the mark)中zhōngliterature文学wén xué(completed / change)了le三年sān nián。 A person object (you你nǐ, he / him他tā) goes before the duration: I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí.

he他tāstudy学xuéChinese中文Zhōng wénstudy学xué了lethree years三年sān nián。

Where the duration goes

• Duration after the verb: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián, not I / me我wǒ两年liǎng nián学了xué le.
• With a noun object, do not put the duration last: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng niánChinese language中文zhōng wén or 我学wǒ xuéto hit (the mark)中zhōngliterature文学wén xué(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián, not 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了leChinese language中文zhōng wén两年liǎng nián.

Finished, or still going?

• Verb + (completed / change)了le + duration with no final (completed / change)了le reports a finished period: I / me我wǒat / in在zàiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngto live住zhù(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián – "I lived in Beijing for two years (then left)."
• Adding a final (completed / change)了le says it is still going on; that pattern is the next lesson.

I我wǒin在zàiBeijing北京Běi jīnglive住zhù了letwo years两年liǎng nián。

Recap

• Verb + (completed / change)了le + duration = did it for that long: to wait for等děng(completed / change)了le一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí.
• With an object: 学了xué le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén or 学中xué zhōngliterature文学wén xué(completed / change)了le三年sān nián; a pronoun object comes before the duration: to wait for等děng(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration + (completed / change)了le (have been …-ing)

Still waiting

• Your friend phones to ask where you are. You are still in the café where you have been since two o'clock.
• I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí(completed / change)了le！ – "I've been waiting for you for two hours (and I'm still here)!"

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration + (completed / change)了le

• The final (completed / change)了le says the period lasts up to now and may continue: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén(completed / change)了le – "I've been studying Chinese for three years."
• Without it, the period is over: 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén – "I studied Chinese for three years."

I我wǒstudy学xué了lethree years三年sān niánChinese中文Zhōng wén了le。

How long so far

• he / him他tāat / in在zàihere这儿zhè érto work工作gōng zuò(completed / change)了le十年shí nián(completed / change)了le。 – "He has worked here for ten years (and still does)."
• Asking: you你nǐ学中xué zhōngliterature文学wén xué(completed / change)了le多长时间duō zhǎng shí jiān(completed / change)了le？ – "How long have you been learning Chinese?"

he他tāat在zàihere这儿zhèrwork工作gōng zuò了leten years十年shí nián了le。

One (completed / change)了le or two

• Two (completed / change)了le = still going: to live住zhù(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián(completed / change)了le (I still live here). One (completed / change)了le = finished: to live住zhù(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián (I moved away).
• The duration still goes after the verb: 学了xué le三年sān nián(completed / change)了le, not 三年sān niánto learn学xué(completed / change)了le(completed / change)了le.

With already已经yǐ jīng

• already已经yǐ jīng often comes in front to stress the length: I / me我wǒalready已经yǐ jīngto wait for等děng(completed / change)了le一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí(completed / change)了le。 – "I've already been waiting an hour."
• The meaning of the two (completed / change)了le does not change; already已经yǐ jīng just adds emphasis.

I我wǒalready已经yǐ jīngwait等děng了leone一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí了le。

Recap

• Verb + (completed / change)了le + duration + (completed / change)了le = have been doing it for that long, up to now.
• One (completed / change)了le = a finished period; two (completed / change)了le = still going. already已经yǐ jīng adds emphasis.

Practise this pattern step by step.

not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ + Verb (no way to / can't)

The shop is closed

• Your friend asks you to buy a cake on the way home, but every bakery has closed for the holiday.
• store商店shāng diànall / both都dōuto close a door关门guān mén(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎto buy买mǎicake蛋糕dàn gāo。 – "The shops are all shut; there's no way I can buy a cake."

Subject + not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ + Verb

• not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ + Verb = "there's no way to …, can't (because the situation does not allow it)".
• It goes before the verb phrase: I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎto help帮bāngyou你nǐ, he / him他tānot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎto come来lái.

sorry对不起duì bu qǐ，I我wǒhave no way to没办法méi bàn fǎhelp帮bāngyou你nǐ。

On its own: "nothing can be done"

• As a short reply: A: to rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le，competition (sports etc)比赛bǐ sàito cancel取消qǔ xiāo(completed / change)了le。 B: not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ。 – "Oh well, nothing we can do."
• With erhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér for emphasis: I / me我wǒerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn érmeans办法bàn fǎall / both都dōunot have / haven't没有méi yǒu。 – "I'm completely out of ideas."

I我wǒa bit一点儿yì diǎnrway办法bàn fǎ(at all)都dōuhave not没有méi yǒu。

Circumstances, not skill

• not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ means the situation blocks you; for a skill you lack, use improbable不会bú huì: I / me我wǒimprobable不会bú huìswimming游泳yóu yǒng.
• Keep not / haven't没méi (not not不bù): not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ, not not不bùmeans办法bàn fǎ.

not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ versus cannot不能bù néng

• cannot不能bù néng is the general "can't / not allowed": here这里zhè lǐcannot不能bù néngto smoke (a cigarette…抽烟chōu yān – "You can't smoke here."
• not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ suggests you have tried or thought about it and found no way: I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎconnection联系lián xìhe / him他tā – "I have no way of contacting him."

I我wǒhave no way to没办法méi bàn fǎcontact联系lián xìhim他tā。

Recap

• not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ + Verb = there's no way to …, the situation does not allow it.
• Alone, not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ = "nothing can be done". A missing skill is improbable不会bú huì; a rule is cannot不能bù néng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Verb reduplication (do a bit / give it a try)

Can I try it on?

• You see a jacket you like in a shop and want to try it before deciding.
• I / me我wǒcan / may可以kě yǐ试试shì shì这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fú(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "Can I try on this jacket?" Doubling the verb makes it light and casual.

One-syllable verbs: VV, Vone / a一yīV

• V + V or V + one / a一yī + V = do it a little, give it a try: to take a look at看看kàn kàn / to have a look看一看kàn yī kàn, 尝尝cháng cháng / 尝一尝cháng yī cháng.
• The second syllable is said lightly. The effect is softer and friendlier than the bare verb.

you你nǐtaste尝cháng(a bit)一yitaste尝changthis这个zhè gedish菜cài。

Two-syllable verbs: ABAB

• A two-syllable verb doubles as a whole: rest休息xiū xī → rest休息xiū xīrest休息xiū xī, to introduce (sb to sb)介绍jiè shào → to introduce (sb to sb)介绍jiè shàoto introduce (sb to sb)介绍jiè shào, to discuss讨论tǎo lùn → to discuss讨论tǎo lùnto discuss讨论tǎo lùn.
• we / us我们wǒ mento discuss讨论tǎo lùnto discuss讨论tǎo lùnthis这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí(suggestion)吧ba。 – "Let's talk this over a bit."

you你nǐtired累lèi了le，rest休息xiū xirest休息xiū xi吧ba。

Verbs ABAB, adjectives AABB

• Two-syllable verbs repeat as ABAB (rest休息xiū xīrest休息xiū xī), not AABB (to rest休xiūrest休息xiū xībreath息xī); AABB is for adjectives (干干净净gān gān jìng jìng).
• Doubling adds "a bit", so do not add a duration as well: to take a look at看看kàn kàn, or to see看kàna moment一会儿yī huì er, not to take a look at看看kàn kàna moment一会儿yī huì er.

Past tense: V(completed / change)了leV

• For a short completed action, put (completed / change)了le in the middle: he / him他tāto see看kàn(completed / change)了leto see看kànwatch (timepiece)表biǎo，then / just就jiùto walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le。 – "He glanced at his watch and left."
• Two-syllable verbs rarely take (completed / change)了le inside; use the plain verb + (completed / change)了le + (used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià: we / us我们wǒ mento discuss讨论tǎo lùn(completed / change)了le(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià.

he他tālook看kàn了lelook看kanwatch表biǎo，then就jiùleave走zǒu了le。

Recap

• VV / Vone / a一yīV (to take a look at看看kàn kàn, to have a look看一看kàn yī kàn) and ABAB (rest休息xiū xīrest休息xiū xī) = do a bit, give it a try; softer and casual.
• Completed: V(completed / change)了leV (to see看kàn(completed / change)了leto see看kàn). Adjectives double as AABB, verbs as ABAB.

Practise this pattern step by step.

degree / adjective linker很hěn + Verb (feeling verbs with degree / adjective linker很hěn)

How much do you like it?

• A new friend asks whether you like Chinese food. You really do.
• I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto like喜欢xǐ huanvariant of 吃吃chīChina中国zhōng guóvegetable菜cài。 – "I really like Chinese food."

degree / adjective linker很hěn + feeling verb

• Verbs of feeling and wanting take degree words just like adjectives: degree / adjective linker很hěnto like喜欢xǐ huan, 很想hěn xiǎng, degree / adjective linker很hěnanxious担心dān xīn, degree / adjective linker很hěnto hope希望xī wàng, degree / adjective linker很hěnto love爱ài.
• degree / adjective linker很hěn goes right before the verb: I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnhomesick想家xiǎng jiā – "I miss home very much."

I我wǒvery much很hěnmiss想xiǎnghome家jiā。

Other degree words work too

• I / me我wǒvery非常fēi chánganxious担心dān xīnhe / him他tā。 – "I'm extremely worried about him."
• we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōudegree / adjective linker很hěnto hope希望xī wàngyou你nǐcan / be able to能néngto come来lái。 – "We all very much hope you can come."

we我们wǒ menall都dōuvery much很hěnhope希望xī wàngyou你nǐcan能néngcome来lái。

Feeling verbs only

• Ordinary action verbs do not take degree / adjective linker很hěn: degree / adjective linker很hěnvariant of 吃吃chī, degree / adjective linker很hěnto run跑pǎo, degree / adjective linker很hěnto go去qù are wrong. Say variant of 吃吃chī(degree marker)得de很多hěn duō, to run跑pǎo(degree marker)得de很快hěn kuài.
• Put degree / adjective linker很hěn before the verb, not the object: degree / adjective linker很hěnto like喜欢xǐ huanthis这zhè本书běn shū, not to like喜欢xǐ huandegree / adjective linker很hěnthis这zhè本书běn shū.

很想hěn xiǎng + Verb = really want to

• want / think / miss想xiǎng + another verb means "want to"; 很想hěn xiǎng strengthens it: I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnwant / think / miss想xiǎngto go去qùto take a look at看看kàn kàn。 – "I'd really like to go and have a look."
• 很会hěn huì + Verb = "be good at": he / him他tā很会hěn huìto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn – "He's a great cook."

he他tāvery很hěngood at会huìcooking做饭zuò fàn。

Recap

• degree / adjective linker很hěn + feeling verb (to like喜欢xǐ huan, want / think / miss想xiǎng, anxious担心dān xīn, to hope希望xī wàng, to love爱ài) = like / want / worry … very much.
• Action verbs do not take degree / adjective linker很hěn; use a (degree marker)得de complement instead. 很会hěn huì = good at.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Direction complement to come来lái / to go去qù (toward / away)

Come in, go out

• A friend knocks at your door; later your little brother runs off to play outside.
• 请进来qǐng jìn lái！ – "Please come in!" he / him他tāto go out出去chū qù(completed / change)了le。 – "He's gone out." to come来lái is towards the speaker, to go去qù is away.

Verb + to come来lái / to go去qù

• to come来lái = movement towards the speaker; to go去qù = movement away from the speaker.
• Combine with direction verbs: to come in进来jìn lái/to go in进去jìn qù, (after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái/to go out出去chū qù, to come up上来shàng lái/to go up上去shàng qù, to come down下来xià lái/to go down下去xià qù, to return回来huí lái/to return回去huí qù, see 过来过来guò lái/(verb suffix)过去guò qù.

you你nǐquickly快kuàicome down下来xià lai吧ba！

A place goes before to come来lái / to go去qù

• Verb + place + to come来lái/to go去qù: he / him他tāto return home回家huí jiāto go去qù(completed / change)了le。 – "He has gone back home." fast-forward (media player)快进kuài jìnclassroom教室jiào shìto come来lái！ – "Come into the classroom, quick!"
• A thing you carry can come after: he / him他tāto bring带来dài lái(completed / change)了leone / a一yī本书běn shū / he / him他tāband带dài(completed / change)了leone / a一yī本书běn shūto come来lái.

he他tāreturn回huíhome家jiā(away)去qù了le。

The speaker decides to come来lái or to go去qù

• Choose by where the speaker is: you are upstairs → to come up上来shàng lái (come up); you are downstairs → to go up上去shàng qù (go up).
• A place word never comes after to come来lái/to go去qù: to go forward进jìnclassroom教室jiào shìto come来lái, not to come in进来jìn láiclassroom教室jiào shì.

to bring拿来ná lái, band带dàito go去qù, 送来sòng lái

• Bringing and taking work the same way: to ask请qǐng(把: marks the object)把bǎbook书shūto bring拿来ná lái。 – "Please bring the book (here)."
• I / me我wǒto / for / give给gěihe / him他tāto send送sòngto go去qù(completed / change)了lesome一些yī xiēfruit水果shuǐ guǒ。 – "I took some fruit over to him."

please请qǐng把bǎthe book书shūbring拿ná(here)来lái。

Recap

• Verb + to come来lái = towards the speaker; Verb + to go去qù = away from the speaker.
• A place goes before to come来lái/to go去qù (to return home回家huí jiāto go去qù, to go forward进jìnclassroom教室jiào shìto come来lái); to bring拿来ná lái/band带dàito go去qù work the same way.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Potential complement (degree marker)得de / not不bù (can / can't do it)

Can you understand him?

• Your teacher speaks quickly at the start of a new course, and your friend wonders if you follow.
• teacher老师lǎo shīvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得de太快tài kuài，I / me我wǒunable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng。 – "The teacher talks too fast; I can't understand."

Verb + (degree marker)得de / not不bù + result

• Verb + (degree marker)得de + result = can (manage to) do it; Verb + not不bù + result = can't: to understand (by hearing)听得懂tīng de dǒng / unable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng, can see看得见kàn dé jiàn / cannot see看不见kàn bú jiàn.
• It says whether the result is possible, not whether you are allowed.

I我wǒlisten听tīng(can)得deunderstand懂dǒngChinese中文Zhōng wén。

Common pairs

• cannot see看不见kàn bú jiàn (can't see), 买不到mǎi bú dào (can't get hold of), 吃不完chī bù wán (can't finish eating), to have enough time来得及lái de jí (there's still time).
• so much这么zhè me多菜duō cài，we / us我们wǒ men吃不完chī bù wán。 – "This much food – we can't finish it."

so这么zhè memuch多duōfood菜cài，we我们wǒ meneat吃chī(cannot)不bufinish完wán。

Where not不bù goes

• not不bù goes between the verb and the result: unable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng, not not不bùto understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒng.
• Ask with both forms: you你nǐto understand (by hearing)听得懂tīng de dǒngunable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng？ or you你nǐto understand (by hearing)听得懂tīng de dǒng(yes/no ?)吗ma？

unable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng versus not / haven't没méito understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒng

• unable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng = can't understand (it is beyond me): he / him他tā(modifier / structural particle)的deShanghai municipality…上海shàng hǎiold variant of 话话huàI / me我wǒunable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒng.
• not / haven't没méito understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒng = didn't understand (this time): I'm sorry对不起duì bù qǐ，I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒng，to ask请qǐngto say again再说zài shuōone time (all the way…一遍yī biàn。

sorry对不起duì bu qǐ，I我wǒdid not没méiunderstand听懂tīng dǒng。

Recap

• Verb + (degree marker)得de + result = can; Verb + not不bù + result = can't (can see看得见kàn dé jiàn / cannot see看不见kàn bú jiàn).
• not不bù sits between verb and result. not / haven't没méi + verb + result = it did not happen this time.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Verb + to go down下去xià qù (keep …-ing)

Don't stop now

• You are halfway through a story and your listener is hooked.
• variant of 说说shuōto go down下去xià qù，afterwards后来hòu láihow about怎么样zěn me yàng(completed / change)了le？ – "Keep going – what happened next?"

Verb + to go down下去xià qù

• Verb + to go down下去xià qù = keep on doing, continue from now into the future: variant of 说说shuōto go down下去xià qù, to read out读dúto go down下去xià qù, to live住zhùto go down下去xià qù.
• It is often used with to continue继续jì xù, want / will / need要yào, want / think / miss想xiǎng or can / be able to能néng: I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngat / in在zàihere这儿zhè érto live住zhùto go down下去xià qù.

please请qǐngcontinue继续jì xùspeak说shuō(keep on)下去xià qu。

Perseverance

• to learn学xuéChinese language中文zhōng wénnot不bùeasy容易róng yì，but但是dàn shìyou你nǐwant / will / need要yàoto press on坚持下去jiān chí xià qù。 – "Learning Chinese isn't easy, but you must keep going."
• this way / so这样zhè yàngto go down下去xià qùwon't do不行bù xíng。 – "It can't go on like this." this way / so这样zhè yàngto go down下去xià qù = if things continue this way.

like this这样zhè yàng(go on)下去xià qunot不bùOK行xíng。

Continuing, not going down

• In this pattern to go down下去xià qù means "continue", not physical movement down: to read out读dúto go down下去xià qù = keep reading.
• With not不bù for "can't go on": I / me我wǒto listen to听tīngnot不bùto go down下去xià qù(completed / change)了le – "I can't bear to listen any more."

to go down下去xià qù versus (after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái

• to go down下去xià qù continues something already going: to sing唱chàngto go down下去xià qù – "keep singing".
• (after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái starts something new: 唱起来chàng qǐ lái – "start singing": everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōu唱起来chàng qǐ lái(completed / change)了le。

everyone大家dà jiāall都dōusing唱chàng(start)起来qǐ lai了le。

Recap

• Verb + to go down下去xià qù = keep on doing it, carry on (variant of 说说shuōto go down下去xià qù, to press on坚持下去jiān chí xià qù).
• this way / so这样zhè yàngto go down下去xià qù = if this continues; to listen to听tīngnot不bùto go down下去xià qù = can't bear to go on. (after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái = start.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Result complements good好hǎo / to finish完wán / mistake错cuò (how it turned out)

Finished or not?

• Your mum asks about your homework before you go out to play.
• school assignment作业zuò yèI / me我wǒto make做zuòto finish完wán(completed / change)了le！ – "I've finished my homework!" to finish完wán tells the result of the action: it is finished.

Verb + result complement

• Verb + good好hǎo / to finish完wán / mistake错cuò tells how the action ended: 做好zuò hǎo (done properly), variant of 吃吃chīto finish完wán (eaten up), 写错xiě cuò (written wrongly).
• (completed / change)了le normally follows the result: I / me我wǒto write写xiěto finish完wán(completed / change)了le, he / him他tāto see看kànmistake错cuò(completed / change)了le.

I我wǒwrite写xiěwrongly错cuò了leone一个yí gècharacter字zì。

Ready, finished, wrong

• good好hǎo = done and ready: cooked rice饭fàn做好zuò hǎo(completed / change)了le，rapid快kuàito come来láivariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba！ – "Dinner's ready, come and eat!"
• to finish完wán = finished, nothing left: this这zhè本书běn shūI / me我wǒto see看kànto finish完wán(completed / change)了le. mistake错cuò = wrong: I'm sorry对不起duì bù qǐ，I / me我wǒto err打错dǎ cuòtelephone电话diàn huà(completed / change)了le。

dinner饭fànmake做zuòready好hǎo了le，quickly快kuàicome来láieat吃chī吧ba！

Negate with not / haven't没méi, keep the pair together

• Negate with not / haven't没méi and drop (completed / change)了le: I / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito make做zuòto finish完wán, not I / me我wǒnot不bùto make做zuòto finish完wán(completed / change)了le.
• Nothing comes between the verb and its result: 做完作业zuò wán zuò yè, not 做作业zuò zuò yèto finish完wán.

to make做zuòto finish完wán versus 做好zuò hǎo

• to make做zuòto finish完wán = finished, the job is over (maybe not well done).
• 做好zuò hǎo = done properly, ready to use: you你nǐpreparation准备zhǔn bèi好了吗hǎo le ma？ – "Are you ready?"

you你nǐprepare准备zhǔn bèiready好hǎo了le吗ma？

Recap

• Verb + good好hǎo / to finish完wán / mistake错cuò (+ (completed / change)了le) = done properly / finished / done wrongly.
• Negative: not / haven't没méi + Verb + result (still / also还háinot / haven't没méito make做zuòto finish完wán). The result follows the verb directly.

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.

seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái (looks / seems)

0301.1 Complete: “You look very happy today.” you你nǐtoday今天jīn tiān…………degree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。

0301.2 Your friend describes a plan on the phone. You say: “That sounds interesting.” Which fits?

• A. to listen to听tīng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěninteresting有意思yǒu yì si。
• B. to use / with用yòng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěninteresting有意思yǒu yì si。
• C. seemingly看起来kàn qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěninteresting有意思yǒu yì si。
• D. variant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěninteresting有意思yǒu yì si。

0301.3 Match each sense verb to its meaning.

• 1. seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái
• 2. to listen to听tīng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái
• 3. variant of 吃吃chī(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái
• 4. to use / with用yòng(after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái

• A. tastes

• B. sounds

• C. is … to use

• D. looks

0301.4 Build: “This cake looks delicious.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěn / to be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī。 / this这个zhè gecake蛋糕dàn gāo / seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái

0301.5 A cake in the bakery window has thick cream and fresh strawberries. You haven't tasted it yet. 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.

to let / make让ràng / variant of 叫叫jiào / to ask请qǐng / to make使shǐ (make / let / ask someone do)

0302.1 Complete: “My dad doesn't let me play games.” (coll.) father爸爸bà bànot不bù…………I / me我wǒ玩游戏wán yóu xì。

0302.2 You invite your teacher to dinner. Which verb is most polite? I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎng__teacher老师lǎo shīto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。

• A. variant of 叫叫jiào
• B. to make使shǐ
• C. to let / make让ràng
• D. to ask请qǐng

0302.3 Build: “This news made me very happy.”

Arrange all chunks: to let / make让ràng / I / me我wǒ / degree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。 / this这个zhè genews消息xiāo xī

0302.4 mama妈妈mā mā不让bù ràngI / me我wǒto go去qù and mama妈妈mā māto let / make让ràngI / me我wǒnot不bùto go去qù mean exactly the same.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0302.5 You want to go out tonight, but your parents have other ideas. 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.

to pass经过jīng guò (after going through)

0303.1 Complete: “After a check-up, the doctor said it was nothing serious.” …………inspection检查jiǎn chá，doctor医生yī shēngvariant of 说说shuōnothing没什么méi shén mesee 大夫大dàquestion问题wèn tí。

0303.2 Which word fits? “After class, let's play basketball.” to finish class下课xià kè____，we / us我们wǒ mento go去qù打篮球dǎ lán qiú(suggestion)吧ba。

• A. finally终于zhōng yú
• B. to pass经过jīng guò
• C. to pass through通过tōng guò
• D. after以后yǐ hòu

0303.3 Build: “I pass this park every day.”

Arrange all chunks: every day每天měi tiān / to pass经过jīng guò / this这个zhè gepark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuán。 / I / me我wǒ

0303.4 to pass through通过tōng guòfriend朋友péng yǒu，I / me我wǒto find找到zhǎo dào(completed / change)了leto work工作gōng zuò stresses the means (a friend) rather than a long process.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0303.5 A runner who trained every morning for three years has just won her first marathon. 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.

should应该yīng gāi / should该gāi (should, ought to)

0304.1 Advise: “You should see a doctor.” you你nǐ…………to go去qùto see看kàndoctor医生yī shēng。

0304.2 What does should该gāiyou你nǐ(completed / change)了le mean?

• A. It's your turn.
• B. You should be careful.
• C. You've arrived.
• D. You're probably right.

0304.3 Build: “It's twelve; I should be going.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / to walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le。 / 十二点shí èr diǎn(completed / change)了le / 我该wǒ gāi

0304.4 In he / him他tāshould应该yīng gāialready已经yǐ jīngperfect到家dào jiā(completed / change)了le, should应该yīng gāi is advice to him.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0304.5 Your friend is going hiking at noon in 35 degrees with one small bottle of water. 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.

difficult / hard难nán + Verb (unpleasant to …)

0305.1 Complete: “This colour is ugly.” this这个zhè gecolor颜色yán sèdegree / adjective linker很hěn…………。

0305.2 Match each word to its meaning.

• 1. unpalatable难吃nán chī
• 2. unpleasant to hear难听nán tīng
• 3. 难写nán xiě
• 4. to feel unwell难受nán shòu

• A. sounds unpleasant

• B. hard to write

• C. feel unwell

• D. tastes bad

0305.3 Which is the mildest way to say the food is not good?

• A. not不bùto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī。
• B. too太tàiunpalatable难吃nán chī(completed / change)了le。
• C. unpalatable难吃nán chīextremely极了jí le。
• D. degree / adjective linker很hěnunpalatable难吃nán chī。

0305.4 Build: “His question is hard to answer.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěn / to reply回答huí dá。 / he / him他tā(modifier / structural particle)的dequestion问题wèn tí / difficult / hard难nán

0305.5 You try the canteen's new soup. It is salty and cold. 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.

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration (did for a length of time)

0306.1 Complete: “I slept for ten hours yesterday.” I / me我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiānto sleep睡shuì…………十个shí gèhour小时xiǎo shí。

0306.2 Which says “She studied piano for five years.”?

• A. 她学tā xuépiano钢琴gāng qín五年wǔ nián(completed / change)了leto learn学xué。
• B. 她学tā xué(completed / change)了lepiano钢琴gāng qín五年wǔ nián。
• C. she / her她tā五年wǔ nián学了xué lepiano钢琴gāng qín。
• D. 她学tā xué(completed / change)了le五年wǔ niánpiano钢琴gāng qín。

0306.3 Build: “I waited for you for an hour.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒ / to wait for等děng(completed / change)了le / 一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí。 / you你nǐ

0306.4 I / me我wǒat / in在zàiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngto live住zhù(completed / change)了le两年liǎng nián can describe a stay that has ended.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0306.5 Your friend was very late for lunch, and now she asks how long you waited. 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.

Verb + (completed / change)了le + Duration + (completed / change)了le (have been …-ing)

0307.1 You still live here: “I've lived here for five years.” I / me我wǒat / in在zàihere这儿zhè érto live住zhù(completed / change)了le五年wǔ nián…………。

0307.2 Which sentence means the person still works at the bank?

• A. he / him他tā三年sān niánat / in在zàibank银行yín hángto work工作gōng zuò。
• B. he / him他tāat / in在zàibank银行yín hángto work工作gōng zuò(completed / change)了le三年sān nián(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tāat / in在zàibank银行yín háng三年sān niánto work工作gōng zuò(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tāat / in在zàibank银行yín hángto work工作gōng zuò(completed / change)了le三年sān nián。

0307.3 Build: “I've already been waiting for an hour.”

Arrange all chunks: to wait for等děng(completed / change)了le / 一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shí(completed / change)了le。 / already已经yǐ jīng / I / me我wǒ

0307.4 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén and 我学wǒ xué(completed / change)了le三年sān niánChinese language中文zhōng wén(completed / change)了le mean exactly the same.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0307.5 Your friend phones to ask where you are. You are still in the café where you have been since two o'clock. 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.

not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ + Verb (no way to / can't)

0308.1 Complete: “The phone has no signal; I can't call you.” cell phone手机shǒu jīnot have / haven't没有méi yǒusignal信号xìn hào，I / me我wǒ…………to / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà。

0308.2 Which says “I can't swim (I never learned).”?

• A. I / me我wǒswimming游泳yóu yǒngnot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ。
• B. I / me我wǒnot不bùmeans办法bàn fǎswimming游泳yóu yǒng。
• C. I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎswimming游泳yóu yǒng。
• D. I / me我wǒimprobable不会bú huìswimming游泳yóu yǒng。

0308.3 Build: “Sorry, there's no way I can help you.”

Arrange all chunks: ，I / me我wǒ / not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ / I'm sorry对不起duì bù qǐ / to help帮bāngyou你nǐ。

0308.4 not / haven't没méimeans办法bàn fǎ can be a complete reply meaning “nothing can be done”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0308.5 Your friend asks you to buy a cake on the way home, but every bakery has closed for the holiday. 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.

Verb reduplication (do a bit / give it a try)

0309.1 Double the verb to see看kàn to say “Let me have a look.” to let / make让ràngI / me我wǒ…………。

0309.2 Which is the correct doubled form of rest休息xiū xī?

• A. rest休息xiū xībreath息xī
• B. to rest休xiūrest休息xiū xībreath息xī
• C. rest休息xiū xīrest休息xiū xī
• D. to rest休xiūrest休息xiū xī

0309.3 Build: “He glanced at his watch and left.”

Arrange all chunks: ，then / just就jiù / to see看kàn(completed / change)了leto see看kànwatch (timepiece)表biǎo / he / him他tā / to walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le。

0309.4 you你nǐ尝尝cháng cháng sounds softer than you你nǐold variant of 尝尝cháng.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0309.5 You see a jacket you like in a shop and want to try it before deciding. 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.

degree / adjective linker很hěn + Verb (feeling verbs with degree / adjective linker很hěn)

0310.1 Complete: “I miss my mum very much.” I / me我wǒ…………want / think / miss想xiǎngI / me我wǒmama妈妈mā mā。

0310.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnto like喜欢xǐ huan(cooked) rice米饭mǐ fàn。
• B. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnvariant of 吃吃chī(cooked) rice米饭mǐ fàn。
• C. he / him他tā(cooked) rice米饭mǐ fàndegree / adjective linker很hěnto like喜欢xǐ huanvariant of 吃吃chīdegree / adjective linker很hěn。
• D. he / him他tāto like喜欢xǐ huandegree / adjective linker很hěn(cooked) rice米饭mǐ fàn。

0310.3 Build: “We all very much hope you can come.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěnto hope希望xī wàng / you你nǐ / can / be able to能néngto come来lái。 / we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōu

0310.4 he / him他tā很会hěn huìto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn means “He is very good at cooking.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0310.5 A new friend asks whether you like Chinese food. You really do. 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.

Direction complement to come来lái / to go去qù (toward / away)

0311.1 You are inside the room and call to your friend at the door: “Come in!” to go forward进jìn…………！

0311.2 You are on the ground floor talking about your friend upstairs: “He went up.” Which fits?

• A. 他来tā lái(bound form) up上shàng(completed / change)了le。
• B. he / him他tāto go up上去shàng qù(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tāto come up上来shàng lái(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tāto go去qù(bound form) up上shàng(completed / change)了le。

0311.3 Build: “Come into the classroom, quick!”

Arrange all chunks: rapid快kuài / to come来lái！ / classroom教室jiào shì / to go forward进jìn

0311.4 he / him他tāto come in进来jìn láiclassroom教室jiào shì(completed / change)了le is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0311.5 A friend knocks at your door; later your little brother runs off to play outside. 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.

Potential complement (degree marker)得de / not不bù (can / can't do it)

0312.1 The words on the board are too small: “I can't see clearly.” I / me我wǒto see看kàn…………clear清楚qīng chǔ。

0312.2 Which says “I can't understand Cantonese.”?

• A. I / me我wǒnot不bùto understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒngCantonese language广东话guǎng dōng huà。
• B. I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito understand (by hearing)听得懂tīng de dǒngCantonese language广东话guǎng dōng huà。
• C. I / me我wǒto understand (on hearing)听懂tīng dǒngnot不bùCantonese language广东话guǎng dōng huà。
• D. I / me我wǒunable to make sense of…听不懂tīng bù dǒngCantonese language广东话guǎng dōng huà。

0312.3 Match each form to its meaning.

• 1. 买不到mǎi bú dào
• 2. 吃不完chī bù wán
• 3. to have enough time来得及lái de jí
• 4. can see看得见kàn dé jiàn

• A. there's still time

• B. can't finish eating

• C. can't get hold of

• D. can see

0312.4 Build: “This much food – we can't finish it.”

Arrange all chunks: so much这么zhè me多菜duō cài / we / us我们wǒ men / ， / 吃不完chī bù wán。

0312.5 Your teacher speaks quickly at the start of a new course, and your friend wonders if you follow. 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.

Verb + to go down下去xià qù (keep …-ing)

0313.1 Encourage: “Keep reading!” to read out读dú…………！

0313.2 Everyone suddenly started laughing. Which fits? everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto laugh笑xiào____(completed / change)了le。

• A. (verb suffix)过去guò qù
• B. to go down下去xià qù
• C. to go up上去shàng qù
• D. (after a verb) indicating…起来qǐ lái

0313.3 Build: “It can't go on like this.”

Arrange all chunks: to go down下去xià qù / won't do不行bù xíng。 / this way / so这样zhè yàng

0313.4 In variant of 说说shuōto go down下去xià qù, to go down下去xià qù means the speaker walks downstairs.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0313.5 You are halfway through a story and your listener is hooked. 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.

Result complements good好hǎo / to finish完wán / mistake错cuò (how it turned out)

0314.1 Complete: “I've eaten up all the dumplings.” dumpling饺子jiǎo ziI / me我wǒall / both都dōuvariant of 吃吃chī…………(completed / change)了le。

0314.2 Which says “I haven't finished reading this book yet.”?

• A. this这zhè本书běn shūI / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito see看kànto finish完wán。
• B. this这zhè本书běn shūI / me我wǒstill / also还háito see看kàn没完méi wán。
• C. this这zhè本书běn shūI / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito see看kànto finish完wán(completed / change)了le。
• D. this这zhè本书běn shūI / me我wǒstill / also还háinot不bùto see看kànto finish完wán(completed / change)了le。

0314.3 Match each phrase to its meaning.

• 1. 做好zuò hǎo(completed / change)了le
• 2. to make做zuòto finish完wán(completed / change)了le
• 3. 写错xiě cuò(completed / change)了le

• A. written wrongly

• B. finished

• C. done and ready

0314.4 Build: “Are you ready?”

Arrange all chunks: preparation准备zhǔn bèigood好hǎo / (completed / change)了le / (yes/no ?)吗ma？ / you你nǐ

0314.5 Your mum asks about your homework before you go out to play. 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 student means I have finished the homework but writes I / me我wǒ做作业zuò zuò yèto finish完wán(completed / change)了le. Repair the result phrase.

R2. Use it yourself. Describe two years spent learning Chinese, then contrast being able to understand with not understanding on one occasion.

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