Adverbs

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.

about the same差不多chà bu duō (almost / about the same)

Which one should I buy?

• You compare two phones in a shop. The prices, cameras and sizes are almost identical.
• this这zhè两个liǎng gècell phone手机shǒu jīabout the same差不多chà bu duō。 – "These two phones are about the same."

about the same差不多chà bu duō as an adjective: about the same

• A with / and跟gēn B about the same差不多chà bu duō / A and / with和hé B about the same差不多chà bu duō = A and B are about the same: I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnI / me我wǒolder brother哥哥gē gēabout the same差不多chà bu duōhigh高gāo.
• Alone after the subject, it can mean "nearly the same" or "nearly done": school assignment作业zuò yè写得xiě déabout the same差不多chà bu duō(completed / change)了le.

I我wǒand跟gēnmy我wǒolder brother哥哥gē geabout equally差不多chà bu duōtall高gāo。

about the same差不多chà bu duō as an adverb: almost, about

• Before a number or time: about the same差不多chà bu duō十点shí diǎn(completed / change)了le。 – "It's almost ten." about the same差不多chà bu duō五十个wǔ shí gèperson人rén – "about fifty people".
• Before all / both都dōu / all所有suǒ yǒu: to study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们menabout the same差不多chà bu duōall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le。 – "Almost all the classmates have come."

the classmates同学们tóng xué menalmost差不多chà bu duōall都dōucome来lái了le。

Two jobs, two positions

• Before a number or verb phrase it means "almost": about the same差不多chà bu duō三点sān diǎn. After the things compared it means "similar": price价格jià géabout the same差不多chà bu duō.
• It does not mean "nearly happened (but didn't)"; that is erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér: I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto arrive late迟到chí dào.

about the same差不多chà bu duō就行了jiù xíng le: good enough

• about the same差不多chà bu duō就行了jiù xíng le。 – "That's good enough." A relaxed attitude to small details.
• he / him他tāto be / is是shì(measure word)个gè"about the same差不多chà bu duōteacher先生xiān shēng"。 – said of someone who never bothers to be exact.

close enough差不多chà bu duōthen就jiùOK行xíng了le。

Recap

• A with / and跟gēn B about the same差不多chà bu duō = about the same; about the same差不多chà bu duō + number / all / both都dōu = almost, about.
• about the same差不多chà bu duō就行了jiù xíng le = good enough. "Nearly happened" is erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér.

Practise this pattern step by step.

apparently看来kàn lái (it seems / in one's view)

Dark clouds over the hills

• The sky turns grey and the wind picks up while you are hiking.
• apparently看来kàn láiwant / will / need要yàoto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ mento return回去huí qù(suggestion)吧ba。 – "It looks like it's going to rain; let's head back."

apparently看来kàn lái，… = judging from this

• apparently看来kàn lái draws a conclusion from what you have noticed: "it seems, it looks as if".
• It usually starts the sentence, sometimes with a comma: apparently看来kàn lái，he / him他tātoday今天jīn tiānimprobable不会bú huìto come来lái(completed / change)了le.

it seems看来kàn lái，he他tātoday今天jīn tiānwon't不会bú huìcome来lái了le。

Evidence first, then apparently看来kàn lái

• he / him他tāto / arrive到dàonow现在xiàn zàistill / also还háinot / haven't没méivariant of 回回huínews消息xiāo xī，apparently看来kàn láito be / is是shìdegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng。 – "He still hasn't replied – he must be busy."
• you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wénprogress进步jìn bùso much这么zhè merapid快kuài，apparently看来kàn láievery day每天měi tiānall / both都dōuat / in在zàito practice练习liàn xí。 – "Your Chinese is improving so fast; you must practise every day."

he他tāstill还háihasn't没méireplied回huí，it seems看来kàn láivery很hěnbusy忙máng。

A conclusion, not a look

• apparently看来kàn lái reasons from evidence; for how something looks, use seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái: he / him他tāseemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái很累hěn lèi – "He looks tired."
• Put apparently看来kàn lái before the conclusion, not after it: apparently看来kàn lái他病tā bìng(completed / change)了le, not 他病tā bìng(completed / change)了leapparently看来kàn lái.

in my opinion在我看来zài wǒ kàn lái = in my view

• in my opinion在我看来zài wǒ kàn lái，this这个zhè gemeans办法bàn fǎnot so good不太好bù tài hǎo。 – "In my view, this approach isn't very good."
• at / in在zài…apparently看来kàn lái gives someone's opinion; apparently看来kàn lái alone draws a conclusion from facts.

in在zàimy我wǒview看来kàn lái，this这个zhè gemethod办法bàn fǎnot very不太bú tàigood好hǎo。

Recap

• apparently看来kàn lái，… = it seems / it looks as if, a conclusion drawn from evidence.
• seemingly看起来kàn qǐ lái = appearance; at / in在zài…apparently看来kàn lái = in someone's view.

Practise this pattern step by step.

just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo (just right / exactly)

Perfect timing

• You are about to phone your friend when your phone rings – it's her.
• you你nǐto emerge (from a…来得lái dejust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo，I / me我wǒ正想zhèng xiǎngto / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà。 – "You've come at just the right moment; I was just about to call you."

just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo = just right

• As a description: large and small大小dà xiǎojust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo。 – "The size is just right." (concept of) time时间shí jiānjust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo – "The timing is perfect."
• After a (degree marker)得de complement: you你nǐto emerge (from a…来得lái dejust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo – "You came at the right time."

this这zhèpair of双shuāngshoes鞋xiésize大小dà xiǎojust right正好zhèng hǎo。

just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo + Verb = happen to

• I / me我wǒjust (in time)正好zhèng hǎoalso也yěwant / will / need要yàoto go去qùsupermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市chāo shì，in the same place一起yì qǐto walk走zǒu(suggestion)吧ba。 – "I happen to be going to the supermarket too; let's go together."
• It points to a lucky coincidence that fits the situation.

I我wǒhappen to正好zhèng hǎoalso也yěbe going to要yàogo to去qùthe supermarket超市chāo shì。

Exactly an amount

• Before a number, just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo = exactly: just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo一百块yì bǎi kuài. For "about", use left and right左右zuǒ yòu or about the same差不多chà bu duō: 一百块yì bǎi kuàileft and right左右zuǒ yòu.
• Do not confuse it with in the middle of正在zhèng zài (in the middle of doing): I / me我wǒin the middle of正在zhèng zàito have a meal吃饭chī fàn, not I / me我wǒjust (in time)正好zhèng hǎoto have a meal吃饭chī fàn for "I'm eating".

just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo versus just刚好gāng hǎo and in the middle of正在zhèng zài

• just刚好gāng hǎo is almost the same as just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo: just刚好gāng hǎo十点shí diǎn.
• just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo can also open a sentence to stress the lucky timing: just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo，he / him他tāalso也yěat / in在zàithere那儿nà ér – "As it happened, he was there too."

in total一共yí gòngexactly正好zhèng hǎoone hundred一百yì bǎiyuan块kuài。

Recap

• just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo = just right (large and small大小dà xiǎojust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo), happen to (I / me我wǒjust (in time)正好zhèng hǎoalso也yěto go去qù), exactly (just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo一百块yì bǎi kuài).
• just刚好gāng hǎo is a close synonym; "about" is left and right左右zuǒ yòu, and "in the middle of doing" is in the middle of正在zhèng zài.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo (have no choice but to)

The last bus has gone

• You leave a party at midnight and the last bus left ten minutes ago. Taxis are all taken.
• not have / haven't没有méi yǒuwar chariot (archaic)车chē(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ mento have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoto walk走zǒuto return home回家huí jiā。 – "There's no transport left, so we have no choice but to walk home."

Obstacle，Subject + to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo + Verb

• to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo = "have no choice but to, can only": the action is the only option left.
• The reason comes first; to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo goes after the subject of the result: I / me我wǒto have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo….

fall下xiàheavy rain大雨dà yǔ了le，the match比赛bǐ sàihad to只好zhǐ hǎobe cancelled取消qǔ xiāo。

Accepting a second-best choice

• store商店shāng diànto close a door关门guān mén(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒto have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎotomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。 – "The shop was closed, so I'll have to come back tomorrow."
• he / him他tāimprobable不会bú huìto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn，to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoevery day每天měi tiānvariant of 吃吃chīinstant noodles方便面fāng biàn miàn。 – "He can't cook, so he has to eat instant noodles every day."

the shop商店shāng diànclosed关门guān mén了le，I我wǒhad to只好zhǐ hǎotomorrow明天míng tiānagain再zàicome来lái。

Reason first, to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo after the subject

• Give the obstacle before to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo; to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo alone with no reason sounds incomplete.
• Place to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo after the subject: I / me我wǒto have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoto walk走路zǒu lù, not to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoI / me我wǒto walk走路zǒu lù in most speech.

to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo versus have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù

• have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù is stronger and a little more formal: forced by duty or pressure: 他病tā bìng(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto substitute for替tìhe / him他tāto go to class上课shàng kè.
• to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo sounds more resigned: "Oh well, I'll just have to …".

he他tāill病bìng了le，I我wǒhad to不得不bù dé bùfor替tìhim他tāteach上课shàng kè。

Recap

• Obstacle，Subject + to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo + Verb = have no choice but to.
• to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo is resigned; have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù is stronger and more formal.

Practise this pattern step by step.

again又yòu + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (emphatic negation)

It's not as if I'm your servant

• Your roommate asks you, again, to wash his dishes.
• I / me我wǒagain又yòuno不是bú shìyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的dewaiter服务员fú wù yuán！ – "I'm not your waiter, you know!" again又yòu + not不bù pushes back against an assumption.

again又yòu + not不bù / not / haven't没méi = emphatic negation

• again又yòu + not不bù/not / haven't没méi strengthens a negative to reject what someone assumes: "it's not as if …".
• It is spoken, often a little impatient or defensive.

I我wǒ(it's not as if)又yòunot不búam是shìyour你nǐ的dewaiter服务员fú wù yuán。

Giving the reason behind a reaction

• you你nǐ别怪bié guàihe / him他tā，he / him他tāagain又yòunot / haven't没méito make做zuòmistake错cuò。 – "Don't blame him – it's not like he did anything wrong."
• to be afraid怕pàwhat什么shén me？he / him他tāagain又yòuimprobable不会bú huìvariant of 吃吃chī(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ。 – "What are you afraid of? He's not going to eat you."

you你nǐdon't别biéblame怪guàihim他tā，he他tā(it's not as if)又yòudidn't没méido wrong做错zuò cuò。

Not "again"

• In again又yòunot不bù / again又yòunot / haven't没méi, again又yòu is not "again"; it adds force to the denial.
• Keep it in speech; in neutral statements, plain not不bù / not / haven't没méi is enough: he / him他tānot / haven't没méito make做zuòmistake错cuò.

again又yòu + not不bù versus variant of 并并bìng + not不bù

• variant of 并并bìngnot不bù denies a mistaken idea in a calmer, more written way: this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tívariant of 并并bìng不难bù nán.
• again又yòunot不bù is personal and emotional: I / me我wǒagain又yòuno不是bú shìunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto go去qù – "It's not that I don't want to go."

this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí(actually)并bìngnot不bùhard难nán。

Recap

• again又yòu + not不bù / not / haven't没méi = it's not as if …, rejecting an assumption (spoken, emphatic).
• Not "again" here. Calmer written denial: variant of 并并bìngnot不bù.

Practise this pattern step by step.

used in 可汗可kě + Adj (emphatic)

Harbin in January

• A friend from the south asks whether Harbin in winter is really as cold as people say.
• Harbin, subprovincial city…哈尔滨hā ěr bīn(modifier / structural particle)的dewinter冬天dōng tiān可冷kě lěng(completed / change)了le！ – "Harbin winters are really cold!"

used in 可汗可kě + Adjective + (completed / change)了le

• used in 可汗可kě + Adj (+ (completed / change)了le / (and …? / softener)呢ne) = "really, so" with emphasis, in speech: good or not?可好kě hǎo(completed / change)了le, to be treasured可贵kě guì(completed / change)了le, used in 可汗可kěinteresting有意思yǒu yì si(completed / change)了le.
• It often tells someone something they may not believe or know.

this这个zhè gefilm电影diàn yǐngreally可kěinteresting有意思yǒu yì si了le。

Warnings and reminders

• used in 可汗可kě + don't别bié / want / will / need要yào: you你nǐused in 可汗可kě别忘了bié wàng le！ – "Don't you forget!" you你nǐused in 可汗可kěwant / will / need要yàoto be careful小心xiǎo xīn！ – "Do be careful!"
• The used in 可汗可kě adds urgency to the request.

you你nǐ(do)可kědon't别biéforget忘wàng了le！

Spoken emphasis

• Use used in 可汗可kě…(completed / change)了le in conversation; in writing choose very非常fēi cháng or very十分shí fēn.
• used in 可汗可kě + Adj usually needs (completed / change)了le or (and …? / softener)呢ne at the end: 可冷kě lěng(completed / change)了le, not just 可冷kě lěng.

used in 可汗可kě as "but"

• At the start of a clause, used in 可汗可kě can be short for but可是kě shì: I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto go去qù，used in 可汗可kěnot / haven't没méi(concept of) time时间shí jiān – "I'd like to go, but I don't have time."
• Before an adjective with (completed / change)了le, it is the emphatic "really".

I我wǒwant to想xiǎnggo去qù，but可kěhaven't没méitime时间shí jiān。

Recap

• used in 可汗可kě + Adj + (completed / change)了le = really …! (spoken emphasis); used in 可汗可kědon't别bié / used in 可汗可kěwant / will / need要yào = urgent warnings.
• At the start of a clause, used in 可汗可kě can mean "but".

Practise this pattern step by step.

original原来yuán lái (so it turns out / all along)

So that's why

• Your colleague hasn't touched his lunch all week. Today you find out he has a toothache.
• original原来yuán láihe / him他tā牙疼yá téng，(it's) no wonder (that...)难怪nán guàinot不bùto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。 – "So he has toothache – no wonder he isn't eating."

original原来yuán lái = so it turns out

• original原来yuán lái announces a discovery: the truth you have just found out explains something.
• It usually starts the clause: original原来yuán láito be / is是shìyou你nǐ！ – "Oh, it's you!"

so it turns out原来yuán láiit's是shìyou你nǐ！

Discovery and explanation

• I / me我wǒto think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéihe / him他tāto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī，original原来yuán láihe / him他tāto be / is是shìstudent学生xué shēng。 – "I thought he was a teacher, but it turns out he's a student."
• Often with (it's) no wonder (that...)难怪nán guài (no wonder): original原来yuán láito snow下雪xià xuě(completed / change)了le，(it's) no wonder (that...)难怪nán guàiso much这么zhè mecold冷lěng。

so it turns out原来yuán láisnow下雪xià xuě了le，no wonder难怪nán guàiso这么zhè mecold冷lěng。

Two meanings

• At the start of a clause, original原来yuán lái reveals a discovery: original原来yuán láito be / is是shìthis way / so这样zhè yàng！ – "So that's how it is!"
• Before a noun (with (modifier / structural particle)的de) or describing the past, it means "original(ly)": original原来yuán lái(modifier / structural particle)的deplan计划jì huà – "the original plan".

original原来yuán lái = originally

• he / him他tāoriginal原来yuán láito live住zhùat / in在zàiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng，afterwards后来hòu láito move (i.e. relocate…搬bānto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了leShanghai municipality…上海shàng hǎi。 – "He originally lived in Beijing; later he moved to Shanghai."
• Here original原来yuán lái contrasts the earlier situation with a later change.

he他tāoriginally原来yuán láilive住zhùin在zàiBeijing北京Běi jīng。

Recap

• original原来yuán lái，… = so it turns out (a discovery), often with (it's) no wonder (that...)难怪nán guài or after I / me我wǒto think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéi.
• original原来yuán lái + (modifier / structural particle)的de + noun / earlier situation = original, originally.

Practise this pattern step by step.

almost差点chà diǎn (almost / nearly)

That was close

• You slipped on the ice outside your building but grabbed the railing just in time.
• I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto fall down摔倒shuāi dǎo。 – "I nearly fell." It almost happened, but didn't.

almost差点chà diǎn(non-syllabic diminutive…儿ér) + Verb = nearly happened

• almost差点chà diǎn(non-syllabic diminutive…儿ér) + Verb = something almost happened but did not: erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto arrive late迟到chí dào, erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le.
• It goes before the verb, after the subject; (completed / change)了le often closes the sentence: I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le.

I我wǒnearly差点儿chà diǎnrforget忘wàng了le。

With not / haven't没méi: the tricky part

• For something unwanted, erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér and erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méi mean the same: erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto fall down摔倒shuāi dǎo = erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méito fall down摔倒shuāi dǎo – "nearly fell (but didn't)".
• For something wanted, not / haven't没méi flips the meaning: I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méito keep up with赶上gǎn shàngtrain火车huǒ chē。 – "I nearly missed the train (but caught it)."

I我wǒnearly差点儿chà diǎnrnot没méicatch赶上gǎn shàngthe train火车huǒ chē。

Wanted or unwanted?

• Wanted result: erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto pass a university…考上kǎo shàng = almost passed (but failed); erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér没考上méi kǎo shàng = nearly failed (but passed).
• Unwanted result: erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto crash (into another car)撞车zhuàng chē and erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méito crash (into another car)撞车zhuàng chē both = nearly crashed (but didn't).

erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér versus about the same差不多chà bu duō

• erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér = "nearly happened": he / him他tāerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto cry哭kū(completed / change)了le – "He nearly cried."
• about the same差不多chà bu duō = "about, almost (in amount)": about the same差不多chà bu duō十点shí diǎn(completed / change)了le. They are not interchangeable.

he他tānearly差点儿chà diǎnrcry哭kū了le。

Recap

• erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér + Verb = nearly (but didn't).
• Unwanted events: with or without not / haven't没méi, same meaning. Wanted events: erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méi = nearly failed but succeeded.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always从来cóng lái + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (never)

Not once in his life

• Your grandfather is eighty and proud of one thing about his health.
• (coll.) father's father爷爷yé yénever从来不cóng lái bùto smoke (a cigarette…抽烟chōu yān。 – "Grandpa has never smoked."

always从来cóng lái + not不bù = never (habit or rule)

• never从来不cóng lái bù + Verb = never, as a habit or personal rule: he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bùto drink (alcohol)喝酒hē jiǔ, I / me我wǒnever从来不cóng lái bùto arrive late迟到chí dào.
• always从来cóng lái goes before not不bù, after the subject.

he他tāever从来cóng láinot不bùdrink喝hēalcohol酒jiǔ。

always从来cóng lái + not / haven't没méi(to have / there is有yǒu) + Verb + (experienced)过guo = never once

• always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi(to have / there is有yǒu) + Verb + (experienced)过guo = has never done (an experience): I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi去过qù guòTibet西藏xī zàng。 – "I've never been to Tibet."
• (experienced)过guo highlights experience in these models; not / haven't没méi itself does not require (experienced)过guo after every predicate.

I我wǒever从来cóng láinot没méigo去qù(experience)过guoTibet西藏Xī zàng。

not不bù or not / haven't没méi, and keep (experienced)过guo

• Habit or choice → never从来不cóng lái bù; past experience → always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi + V + (experienced)过guo.
• Use (experienced)过guo to highlight experience in this model. It is not required after every always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi; the predicate and intended meaning determine the complete phrase.

Adjectives and always从来cóng láiall / both都dōu

• With adjectives: he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bùto worry着急zháo jí。 – "He's never in a hurry."
• always从来cóng láiall / both都dōu for "always" is rare in positive sentences; for "always" use all along一直yì zhí or always总是zǒng shì: he / him他tāall along一直yì zhídegree / adjective linker很hěnto make an effort努力nǔ lì.

he他tāever从来cóng láinot不bùanxious着急zháo jí。

Recap

• never从来不cóng lái bù + Verb/Adj = never (habit, rule, character).
• always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi + Verb + (experienced)过guo = have never (experience). For "always", use all along一直yì zhí / always总是zǒng shì.

Practise this pattern step by step.

outcome结果jié guǒ (as a result / in the end)

So much for the picnic

• You prepared sandwiches all morning for a picnic. At noon it started to pour.
• we / us我们wǒ menpreparation准备zhǔn bèi(completed / change)了le一上午yī shàng wǔ，outcome结果jié guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。 – "We spent the whole morning preparing, and in the end it rained."

…，outcome结果jié guǒ … = as a result, in the end

• outcome结果jié guǒ introduces what finally happened, often a surprise or a disappointment.
• It starts the second clause: he / him他tānot / haven't没méivariant of 复习复习fù xí，outcome结果jié guǒ没考méi kǎogood好hǎo.

he他tādidn't没méirevise复习fù xí，as a result结果jié guǒdidn't没méido the exam考kǎowell好hǎo。

Cause and outcome

• he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiān睡得shuì dédegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn，outcome结果jié guǒtoday今天jīn tiānto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 – "He went to bed late yesterday, and as a result he was late today."
• The outcome can be good: 我试wǒ shì(completed / change)了le(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià，outcome结果jié guǒreally真的zhēn desuccess成功chéng gōng(completed / change)了le。 – "I gave it a try, and it actually worked."

I我wǒtry试shì了leonce一下yí xià，in the end结果jié guǒreally真的zhēn desucceed成功chéng gōng了le。

Past outcomes, not plans

• outcome结果jié guǒ reports what actually happened, so it does not fit plans: if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ menthen / just就jiùnot不bùto go去qù, not if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，outcome结果jié guǒwe / us我们wǒ men不去bù qù.
• It starts the result clause: …，outcome结果jié guǒhe / him他tāto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le, not …，he / him他tāoutcome结果jié guǒto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le in most speech.

outcome结果jié guǒ as a noun

• to take an exam考试kǎo shì(modifier / structural particle)的deoutcome结果jié guǒ(after a verb, indicates…出来chū lái(completed / change)了le。 – "The exam results are out." Here outcome结果jié guǒ is a noun: result, outcome.
• outcome结果jié guǒhow about怎么样zěn me yàng？ – "How did it turn out?"

exam考试kǎo shì的deresults结果jié guǒcome out出来chū lai了le。

Recap

• …，outcome结果jié guǒ … = as a result / in the end, what actually happened (often unexpected).
• As a noun, outcome结果jié guǒ = result. Plans and general causes use so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ.

Practise this pattern step by step.

enough (sufficient)够gòu (enough / sufficient)

Is there enough food?

• You invited eight friends, but only cooked for four.
• vegetable菜càinot enough不够bù gòu(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒagain / then再zàito make做zuò两个liǎng gè(suggestion)吧ba。 – "There isn't enough food; I'll make two more dishes."

Noun + enough (sufficient)够gòu / not enough不够bù gòu

• enough (sufficient)够gòu = enough; it works like a verb or adjective: 钱够qián gòu(completed / change)了le, (concept of) time时间shí jiānnot enough不够bù gòu, person人rén够不够gòu bù gòu？
• enough (sufficient)够gòu can take a noun object: we / us我们wǒ menenough (sufficient)够gòuperson人rén(completed / change)了le – "We have enough people."

time时间shí jiānnot不búenough够gòu了le。

enough (sufficient)够gòu + Verb: enough to …

• coin钱qián够买gòu mǎi一张yī zhāngticket票piào。 – "The money is enough to buy one ticket."
• With not不bù: these这些zhè xiēcooked rice饭fànnot enough不够bù gòuvariant of 吃吃chī。 – "This rice isn't enough (to eat)."

this这些zhè xiēfood饭fànnot不búenough够gòueat吃chī。

Position

• enough (sufficient)够gòu normally follows the thing that is enough: 钱够qián gòu(completed / change)了le, (concept of) time时间shí jiānnot enough不够bù gòu.
• "Enough to do" puts the verb after enough (sufficient)够gòu: 够吃gòu chī, adequate够用gòu yòng, not 吃够chī gòu (that means "have had one's fill").

enough (sufficient)够gòu + Adj, enough足够zú gòu

• enough (sufficient)够gòu + Adj = "quite, really": this这个zhè geroom房间fáng jiānenough (sufficient)够gòusee 大夫大dà – "This room is big enough." 你够nǐ gòu(used to describe sb or sth…厉害lì hài！ – "You're really something!"
• enough足够zú gòu is more formal: we / us我们wǒ mento have / there is有yǒuenough足够zú gòu(modifier / structural particle)的de(concept of) time时间shí jiān – "We have sufficient time."

we我们wǒ menhave有yǒusufficient足够zú gòu的detime时间shí jiān。

Recap

• X + enough (sufficient)够gòu / not enough不够bù gòu = X is (not) enough; enough (sufficient)够gòu + Verb = enough to: 够吃gòu chī, adequate够用gòu yòng.
• enough (sufficient)够gòu + Adj = adj enough; enough足够zú gòu((modifier / structural particle)的de) is formal "sufficient".

Practise this pattern step by step.

even甚至shèn zhì (even / to the point that)

Too busy to eat

• Your sister has started a new job and works from morning till night.
• she / her她tābusy忙máng(degree marker)得deeven甚至shèn zhìnot / haven't没méi(concept of) time时间shí jiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。 – "She's so busy she doesn't even have time to eat."

even甚至shèn zhì + extreme point

• even甚至shèn zhì = "even, so much that": it introduces the most extreme or surprising item.
• It goes before the part it highlights: even甚至shèn zhìnot / haven't没méi(concept of) time时间shí jiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn, even甚至shèn zhìto link连liánhe / him他tāalso也yěto come来lái(completed / change)了le.

he他tāstudy学xué得devery很hěnhard认真rèn zhēn，even甚至shèn zhìat weekends周末zhōu mòalso也yěstudy学习xué xí。

Building up a list

• this这zhè首歌shǒu gēadult大人dà rénto like喜欢xǐ huan，child孩子hái zito like喜欢xǐ huan，even甚至shèn zhìold man or woman老人lǎo rénalso也yěto like喜欢xǐ huan。 – "Adults like this song, children like it, even old people like it."
• With to link连lián…all / both都dōu/also也yě: he / him他tāeven甚至shèn zhìto link连liánoneself自己zì jǐ(modifier / structural particle)的dename (of a person or thing)名字míng zìall / both都dōu写错xiě cuò(completed / change)了le。 – "He even wrote his own name wrong."

he他tāeven甚至shèn zhìeven连liánhis own自己zì jǐ的dename名字míng zi(even)都dōuwrote wrong写错xiě cuò了le。

Last and strongest

• Put the even甚至shèn zhì item last, as the strongest point; even甚至shèn zhì does not introduce an ordinary item.
• even甚至shèn zhì is more formal than to link连lián…all / both都dōu alone; the two often appear together.

even甚至shèn zhì versus to link连lián…all / both都dōu

• to link连lián…all / both都dōu marks the surprising item: to link连liánchild小孩xiǎo háiall / both都dōuto know知道zhī dào – "Even children know."
• even甚至shèn zhì can also join clauses and raise the stakes: he / him他tānot不bùto speak说话shuō huà，even甚至shèn zhì不看bù kànI / me我wǒ – "He won't speak, he won't even look at me."

even连liánchildren小孩xiǎo hái(even)都dōuknow知道zhī dào。

Recap

• even甚至shèn zhì + extreme item = even, so much that; usually the last, strongest point.
• Often with to link连lián…all / both都dōu/also也yě; it can also join clauses.

Practise this pattern step by step.

or / still还是hái shì + Verb (had better)

Traffic jam ahead

• You are about to drive to the airport, but the radio says the motorway is blocked.
• we / us我们wǒ menor / still还是hái shì坐地铁zuò dì tiě(suggestion)吧ba。 – "We'd better take the subway."

or / still还是hái shì + Verb (+ (suggestion)吧ba) = had better

• or / still还是hái shì + Verb = "had better, it would be better to": a suggestion after weighing options.
• (suggestion)吧ba at the end makes it a gentle suggestion: or / still还是hái shì早点儿zǎo diǎn érto walk走zǒu(suggestion)吧ba.

too太tàilate晚wǎn了le，you你nǐhad better还是hái shigo home回家huí jiā吧ba。

After thinking it over

• want / think / miss想xiǎng(completed / change)了lewant / think / miss想xiǎng，I / me我wǒor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù(completed / change)了le。 – "I thought it over, and I've decided not to go after all."
• or / still还是hái shì shows you considered other options and came back to this one.

think想xiǎng了leit over想xiang，I我wǒafter all还是hái shinot不búgo去qù了le。

Suggestion, not a question

• In a question, or / still还是hái shì = "or": you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shìI / me我wǒto go去qù？ Here it is a statement or suggestion, so no question mark.
• or / still还是hái shì + not不bù…(completed / change)了le reverses a plan: I / me我wǒor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù(completed / change)了le – "I'm not going after all."

or / still还是hái shì versus best最好zuì hǎo

• best最好zuì hǎo gives direct advice: you你nǐbest最好zuì hǎo早点儿zǎo diǎn érto go去qù – "You'd best go early."
• or / still还是hái shì sounds like a decision after considering options: or / still还是hái shì早点儿zǎo diǎn érto go去qù(suggestion)吧ba – "Let's go early after all."

you你nǐhad best最好zuì hǎoearly早zǎoa bit点儿diǎnrgo去qù。

Recap

• or / still还是hái shì + Verb (+ (suggestion)吧ba) = had better / after all, a choice made after weighing options.
• Not the question or / still还是hái shì ("or"); best最好zuì hǎo gives more direct advice.

Practise this pattern step by step.

best最好zuì hǎo (had best / it's best to)

Advice from the doctor

• You have a bad cold and ask the doctor what to do.
• you你nǐbest最好zuì hǎo多喝水duō hē shuǐ，早点儿zǎo diǎn érto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。 – "You'd best drink plenty of water and go to bed early."

best最好zuì hǎo + Verb = had best

• best最好zuì hǎo + Verb = "it's best to, you'd better": friendly but clear advice.
• It goes after the subject: you你nǐbest最好zuì hǎo…; the negative is best最好zuì hǎodon't别bié / best最好zuì hǎodon't不要bú yào.

you你nǐhad best最好zuì hǎonot别biédrink喝hēcoffee咖啡kā fēi。

Planning and warnings

• to go去qùBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngbest最好zuì hǎoto sit坐zuòhigh speed rail高铁gāo tiě。 – "The best way to get to Beijing is by high-speed train."
• best最好zuì hǎoto shift to an earlier date提前tí qiánto book tickets订票dìng piào，not so不然bù rán买不到mǎi bú dào。 – "It's best to book in advance, or you won't get a ticket."

best最好zuì hǎoin advance提前tí qiánbook tickets订票dìng piào，otherwise不然bù ráncan't get them买不到mǎi bu dào。

Negative: best最好zuì hǎodon't别bié

• "You'd better not" = best最好zuì hǎodon't别bié / best最好zuì hǎodon't不要bú yào: best最好zuì hǎo别去bié qù, not not不bùbest最好zuì hǎoto go去qù.
• best最好zuì hǎo + Verb gives advice; best最好zuì hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的de + noun means "the best": best最好zuì hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的defriend朋友péng yǒu.

best最好zuì hǎo versus should应该yīng gāi

• should应该yīng gāi states what is right or expected: you你nǐshould应该yīng gāito apologize道歉dào qiàn – "You should apologise."
• best最好zuì hǎo suggests the wisest option: you你nǐbest最好zuì hǎoearly先xiānto apologize道歉dào qiàn – "You'd best apologise first."

you你nǐshould应该yīng gāiapologise道歉dào qiàn。

Recap

• best最好zuì hǎo + Verb = it's best to / you'd better; negative best最好zuì hǎodon't别bié / don't不要bú yào.
• best最好zuì hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的de + noun = the best ….; should应该yīng gāi = should (duty).

Practise this pattern step by step.

have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù (have no choice but to)

No other option

• Your friend has a high fever on the morning of an important exam.
• he / him他tāto have a high temperature…发烧fā shāo(completed / change)了le，have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto request leave of absence请假qǐng jià。 – "He has a fever, so he has no choice but to ask for leave."

Subject + have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù + Verb

• have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù = "have no choice but to, be forced to": outside pressure makes the action necessary.
• It sits after the subject, before the verb: I / me我wǒhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto admit承认chéng rèn, we / us我们wǒ menhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto change改gǎiplan计划jì huà.

I我wǒhave to不得不bù dé bùadmit承认chéng rèn，he他tāsays说shuō得deright对duì。

Rules, money, health

• because因为yīn wèinot / haven't没méicoin钱qián，he / him他tāhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto sell off卖掉mài diào(completed / change)了lewar chariot (archaic)车chē。 – "Because he had no money, he had to sell his car."
• airplane飞机fēi jī(of trains etc) late晚点wǎn diǎn(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ menhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùat / in在zàiairport机场jī chǎngto live住zhùone / a一yīevening晚wǎn。 – "The flight was delayed, so we had to spend a night at the airport."

the flight飞机fēi jīdelayed晚点wǎn diǎn了le，we我们wǒ menhad to不得不bù dé bùat在zàithe airport机场jī chǎngstay住zhùone night一晚yì wǎn。

Not "must not"

• have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù is a double negative that means "must": "cannot not do". It never means "mustn't".
• "Mustn't" is cannot不能bù néng or not不bùcan / may可以kě yǐ: here这里zhè lǐcannot不能bù néngto pull up (stop one's…停车tíng chē.

have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù versus to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo and to have to必须bì xū

• to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo is resigned and casual: 没车méi chē(completed / change)了le，to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoto walk走zǒuto return回去huí qù.
• to have to必须bì xū states a requirement: you你nǐto have to必须bì xūband带dàipassport护照hù zhào. have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù stresses being forced by the situation.

you你nǐmust必须bì xūbring带dàiyour passport护照hù zhào。

Recap

• have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù + Verb = have no choice but to, forced by circumstances.
• It means "must", never "mustn't" (cannot不能bù néng). to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo = resigned; to have to必须bì xū = a requirement.

Practise this pattern step by step.

finally到底dào dǐ (on earth / after all)

Are you coming or not?

• Your friend has changed his answer three times about tonight's dinner.
• you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐto come来láinot不bùto come来lái？ – "Are you coming or not, for goodness' sake?"

finally到底dào dǐ in questions = on earth

• finally到底dào dǐ adds impatience or insistence to a question: "on earth, exactly".
• It goes before the question part: finally到底dào dǐto go去qùwhere哪儿nǎr？ finally到底dào dǐto be / is是shìwho谁shéi？ finally到底dào dǐhow / why怎么zěn me(completed / change)了le？

you你nǐon earth到底dào dǐwant想xiǎngsay说shuōwhat什么shén me？

Question words and A-not-A, not (yes/no ?)吗ma

• this这zhèfinally到底dào dǐto be / is是shìwhat's the matter?怎么回事zěn me huí shì？ – "What on earth is going on?"
• he / him他tāfinally到底dào dǐto agree同意tóng yìnot不bùto agree同意tóng yì？ – "Does he agree or not?" finally到底dào dǐ needs a question word or an A-not-A form.

this这zhèon earth到底dào dǐis是shìhow怎么zěn mematter回事huí shì？

No (yes/no ?)吗ma with finally到底dào dǐ

• Do not combine finally到底dào dǐ with (yes/no ?)吗ma: you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐ去不去qù bù qù？, not you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐto go去qù(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• Put finally到底dào dǐ before the question part, after the subject: you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐat / in在zàiwhere哪儿nǎr？

finally到底dào dǐ in statements: after all, in the end

• he / him他tāfinally到底dào dǐto be / is是shì(measure word)个gèchild孩子hái zi，别太bié tàito get angry生气shēng qì。 – "He is, after all, just a child; don't be too angry."
• we / us我们wǒ mento wait for等děng(completed / change)了ledegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ，he / him他tāfinally到底dào dǐor / still还是hái shìto come来lái(completed / change)了le。 – "We waited a long time, and in the end he did come."

he他tāafter all到底dào dǐis是shìa个gechild孩子hái zi。

Recap

• finally到底dào dǐ + question (QW or A-not-A) = on earth / exactly; never with (yes/no ?)吗ma.
• In statements: finally到底dào dǐto be / is是shì… = after all; finally到底dào dǐor / still还是hái shì = in the end.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng (exactly / on earth)

The question everyone asks

• A news report on a mysterious light in the sky ends with one question.
• that那nàto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto be / is是shìwhat什么shén me？ – "What exactly was it?"

to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng = exactly, on earth (more formal)

• to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng works like finally到底dào dǐ in questions, but sounds more serious and written.
• It needs a question word or A-not-A: to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngwhy?为什么wèi shén me？ to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng去不去qù bù qù？

the problem问题wèn tíexactly究竟jiū jìnglies在zàiwhere哪儿nǎr？

In reports and discussions

• accident事故shì gù(modifier / structural particle)的decause原因yuán yīnto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto be / is是shìwhat什么shén me？ – "What exactly caused the accident?"
• we / us我们wǒ mento go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngshould应该yīng gāihow / why怎么zěn meto make做zuò？ – "What exactly should we do?"

the accident's事故shì gù的decause原因yuán yīnexactly究竟jiū jìngis是shìwhat什么shén me？

Same rules as finally到底dào dǐ

• No (yes/no ?)吗ma: you你nǐto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto agree同意tóng yìnot不bùto agree同意tóng yì？, not you你nǐto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto agree同意tóng yì(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• Put to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng after the topic and before the question part: cause原因yuán yīnto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto be / is是shìwhat什么shén me？

to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng versus finally到底dào dǐ

• In questions they are interchangeable; to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng is more formal and calmer.
• finally到底dào dǐ has extra uses in statements (finally到底dào dǐor / still还是hái shìto come来lái(completed / change)了le – "in the end he came"); to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng rarely does.

he他tāin the end到底dào dǐstill还是hái shicome来lái了le。

Recap

• to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng + question = exactly / on earth, more formal than finally到底dào dǐ.
• It needs a question word or A-not-A, never (yes/no ?)吗ma; finally到底dào dǐ also works in statements.

Practise this pattern step by step.

just now刚gāng + Verb (just did)

Just landed

• Your mum calls as you walk out of the arrivals hall.
• 我刚wǒ gāngdown下xiàairplane飞机fēi jī，a moment一会儿yī huì erto / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà。 – "I've just got off the plane; I'll call you in a bit."

just now刚gāng + Verb = have just done

• just now刚gāng + Verb = something happened a short time ago: 刚到gāng dào, just now刚gāngvariant of 吃吃chīto finish完wán, just now刚gāngto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng.
• It sits right before the verb; the sentence usually has no (completed / change)了le: 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dào.

I我wǒjust刚gāngget up起床qǐ chuáng。

just now刚gāng + Verb + duration: only recently

• he / him他tājust now刚gāngto come来láiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng两个liǎng gèmoon月yuè。 – "He's only been in Beijing for two months."
• "Recent" depends on the speaker: two months can be just now刚gāng for a new arrival.

he他tājust刚gāngcome来láiBeijing北京Běi jīngtwo months两个月liǎng gè yuè。

Position and (completed / change)了le

• just now刚gāng never starts the sentence: 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dào, not just now刚gāngI / me我wǒto / arrive到dào. (just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái can start it.)
• A just now刚gāng sentence usually needs no (completed / change)了le: he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu already says it has happened.

just now刚gāng…then / just就jiù…: as soon as

• 我刚wǒ gāngto / arrive到dàohome家jiā，then / just就jiùto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。 – "I'd only just got home when it started to rain."
• The second event follows immediately after the first.

I我wǒjust刚gāngarrive到dàohome家jiā，then就jiùrain下雨xià yǔ了le。

Recap

• just now刚gāng + Verb = have just; just now刚gāng + Verb + duration = only recently. Aspectual (completed / change)了le is possible when the sentence needs it.
• just now刚gāng…then / just就jiù… = no sooner … than. just now刚gāng never starts the sentence.

Practise this pattern step by step.

one / a一yī + MW + one / a一yī + MW (one by one)

Step by step

• Your coach tells you not to rush learning a new dance.
• 别着急bié zháo jí，一步yī bù一步yī bù地学dì xué。 – "Don't rush; learn it step by step."

one / a一yī + MW + one / a一yī + MW ((adverb -ly)地de) + Verb

• 一个yí gè一个yí gè, 一天yī tiān一天yī tiān, 一步yī bù一步yī bù = one by one, day by day, step by step.
• Before a verb it often takes (adverb -ly)地de: 一个yí gè一个yí gè(adverb -ly)地deinspection检查jiǎn chá – "check them one by one".

please请qǐngone一个yí gèby one一个yí gè地decome in进来jìn lai。

Gradual change

• child孩子hái zi一天yī tiān一天yī tiān(adverb -ly)地deto grow up长大zhǎng dà(completed / change)了le。 – "The child grew up day by day."
• question问题wèn tíwant / will / need要yào一个yí gè一个yí gè(adverb -ly)地deto solve解决jiě jué。 – "The problems have to be solved one at a time."

the child孩子hái ziday一天yì tiānby day一天yì tiān地degrow up长大zhǎng dà了le。

Same measure word twice

• Use the same measure word in both halves: 一本yī běn一本yī běn, not 一本yī běn一个yí gè.
• Put the phrase before the verb: 一个yí gè一个yí gè地问dì wèn, not to ask问wèn一个yí gè一个yí gè.

Describing a scene

• Before a noun, it can describe many items in a row: 一座yī zuò一座yī zuò(modifier / structural particle)的dehigh building高楼gāo lóu – "tall building after tall building".
• Then it takes (modifier / structural particle)的de, not (adverb -ly)地de.

by the road路边lù biānare是shìone一座yí zuòafter another一座yí zuò的detall buildings高楼gāo lóu。

Recap

• one / a一yī + MW + one / a一yī + MW + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb = one by one, step by step.
• Same MW twice; before a verb take (adverb -ly)地de, before a noun take (modifier / structural particle)的de.

Practise this pattern step by step.

original本来běn lái (originally / at first)

Change of plan

• You were going to spend the holiday in Yunnan, but then your cousin invited you to Hainan.
• I / me我wǒoriginal本来běn láiwant / think / miss想xiǎngto go去qùYunnan province in…云南yún nán，afterwards后来hòu láito go去qù(completed / change)了leHainan Province, in the…海南hǎi nán。 – "I originally wanted to go to Yunnan, but in the end I went to Hainan."

original本来běn lái = originally, at first

• original本来běn lái describes the original plan or situation, usually before something changed.
• It goes after the subject (or at the start): he / him他tāoriginal本来běn láito be / is是shìdoctor医生yī shēng，afterwards后来hòu láiat or in the very same...当dāng(completed / change)了leauthor作家zuò jiā.

he他tāoriginally本来běn láiwas是shìa doctor医生yī shēng，later后来hòu láibecame当dāng了lea writer作家zuò jiā。

Plans that changed

• I / me我wǒoriginal本来běn láiunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto come来lái，but可是kě shìfriend朋友péng yǒudefinitely一定yí dìngwant / will / need要yàoI / me我wǒto come来lái。 – "I didn't really want to come, but my friend insisted."
• original本来běn lái often pairs with afterwards后来hòu lái, but可是kě shì or but但是dàn shì to show the change.

I我wǒoriginally本来běn láinot不bùwant to想xiǎngcome来lái。

The second meaning: of course

• original本来běn láithen / just就jiù = "should have been obvious, naturally": student学生xué shēngoriginal本来běn láithen / just就jiùshould应该yīng gāito learn学习xué xí – "Students are, of course, supposed to study."
• This original本来běn lái has no change of plan; it means the thing was always true.

original本来běn lái versus original原来yuán lái

• Both can mean "originally": original本来běn lái / original原来yuán lái(modifier / structural particle)的deplan计划jì huà.
• Only original原来yuán lái announces a discovery: original原来yuán láito be / is是shìyou你nǐ！ – "Oh, it's you!" original本来běn lái cannot do this.

so it turns out原来yuán láiit's是shìyou你nǐ！

Recap

• original本来běn lái = originally, before a change (often with afterwards后来hòu lái / but可是kě shì).
• original本来běn láithen / just就jiù = naturally, of course. Only original原来yuán lái can mean "so it turns out".

Practise this pattern step by step.

then / just就jiù (only / just – small quantity)

Just ten yuan

• Your friend asks to borrow money for lunch, but your wallet is almost empty.
• I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto have / there is有yǒu十块钱shí kuài qián。 – "I've only got ten yuan." Here then / just就jiù means "only, just".

then / just就jiù + number / noun = only

• then / just就jiù + amount = "only that much": then / just就jiù十块钱shí kuài qián, then / just就jiù两个liǎng gèperson人rén, then / just就jiùfirst一次yī cì.
• then / just就jiù + person = "only (that person)": then / just就jiùhe / him他tā一个yí gè人来rén lái(completed / change)了le – "Only he came."

only就jiùhe他tāalone一个人yí gè réncame来lái了le。

Spoken "only"

• I / me我wǒthen / just就jiù去过qù guòfirst一次yī cì。 – "I've only been once."
• then / just就jiùso much这么zhè memany多duō(completed / change)了le？ – "Is that all?" then / just就jiù often sounds casual and immediate.

I我wǒonly就jiùgo去qù(experience)过guoonce一次yí cì。

Which then / just就jiù?

• Before a number or a person, then / just就jiù means "only". Between a time/condition and a verb it means "then / as early as": 六点liù diǎnthen / just就jiùto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng(completed / change)了le.
• Stress helps in speech: then / just就jiù is said with emphasis when it means "only".

then / just就jiù versus only只zhǐ and only then / not until才cái

• only只zhǐ is the neutral "only": I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu十块钱shí kuài qián.
• only then / not until才cái + number = only, with surprise that it is so little: he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十岁shí suì. then / just就jiù is casual and matter-of-fact.

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

Recap

• then / just就jiù + number / person = only, just (casual): then / just就jiù十块shí kuài, then / just就jiùhe / him他tā一个yí gèperson人rén.
• only只zhǐ = neutral only; only then / not until才cái = surprisingly few. Time + then / just就jiù + verb is a different then / just就jiù (early).

Practise this pattern step by step.

ten million千万qiān wàn (be sure to / whatever you do)

Before you leave

• Your friend is flying abroad tomorrow, and you remember how forgetful she is.
• you你nǐten million千万qiān wàn别忘了bié wàng leband带dàipassport护照hù zhào！ – "Whatever you do, don't forget your passport!"

ten million千万qiān wàn + don't别bié / don't不要bú yào / want / will / need要yào

• ten million千万qiān wàn + don't别bié / don't不要bú yào = "whatever you do, don't …": a strong warning.
• ten million千万qiān wànwant / will / need要yào = "be sure to": ten million千万qiān wànwant / will / need要yàoto be careful小心xiǎo xīn.

whatever you do千万qiān wànbe sure to要yàobe careful小心xiǎo xīn！

Advice to someone else

• 这件zhè jiànmatter事shìten million千万qiān wàndon't不要bú yàoto tell告诉gào sùother people别人bié rén。 – "Whatever you do, don't tell anyone about this."
• on the road路上lù shàngten million千万qiān wàn注意安全zhù yì ān quán。 – "Do be careful on the road."

this matter这件事zhè jiàn shìwhatever you do千万qiān wàndon't不要bú yàotell告诉gào suothers别人bié rén。

Requests, not statements

• Use ten million千万qiān wàn in advice or requests to someone, not to describe facts: he / him他tāten million千万qiān wànnot / haven't没méito come来lái is wrong.
• ten million千万qiān wàn goes before don't别bié / don't不要bú yào / want / will / need要yào, after the subject if there is one: you你nǐ千万别qiān wàn bié….

ten million千万qiān wàn versus definitely一定yí dìng

• definitely一定yí dìngwant / will / need要yào = must, definitely: you你nǐdefinitely一定yí dìngwant / will / need要yàoto come来lái – "You must come."
• ten million千万qiān wàn is more urgent and mostly warns against something going wrong.

you你nǐdefinitely一定yí dìngmust要yàocome来lái。

Recap

• 千万别qiān wàn bié / ten million千万qiān wàndon't不要bú yào = whatever you do, don't; ten million千万qiān wànwant / will / need要yào = be sure to.
• For requests and advice only; definitely一定yí dìngwant / will / need要yào = must.

Practise this pattern step by step.

fear恐怕kǒng pà (I'm afraid / probably)

Running late

• You are stuck in traffic and the train leaves in ten minutes.
• fear恐怕kǒng pàthere's not enough time (to…来不及lái bù jí(completed / change)了le。 – "I'm afraid we won't make it."

fear恐怕kǒng pà + guess = I'm afraid, probably

• fear恐怕kǒng pà introduces a guess, usually about something unwelcome: "I'm afraid …, probably …".
• It can start the sentence or follow the subject: fear恐怕kǒng pàhe / him他tāimprobable不会bú huìto come来lái(completed / change)了le / he / him他tāfear恐怕kǒng pàimprobable不会bú huìto come来lái(completed / change)了le.

he他tāI'm afraid恐怕kǒng pàwon't不会bú huìcome来lái了le。

Softening bad news

• 这件zhè jiànmatter事shìfear恐怕kǒng pàslightly有点儿yǒu diǎn érdifficult / hard难nán。 – "I'm afraid this may be a bit difficult."
• tomorrow明天míng tiānfear恐怕kǒng pàwant / will / need要yàoto rain下雨xià yǔ。 – "It'll probably rain tomorrow, I'm afraid."

tomorrow明天míng tiānprobably恐怕kǒng pàwill要yàorain下雨xià yǔ。

A guess, not fear

• fear恐怕kǒng pà is a cautious prediction, not "be scared of": "I'm scared of dogs" is 我怕wǒ pàdog狗gǒu, not I / me我wǒfear恐怕kǒng pàdog狗gǒu.
• It usually goes with unwelcome news; for a neutral guess, maybe / possible可能kě néng is better: he / him他tāmaybe / possible可能kě néngto be at home在家zài jiā.

fear恐怕kǒng pà versus maybe / possible可能kě néng

• maybe / possible可能kě néng = maybe, neutral: he / him他tāmaybe / possible可能kě néngto come来lái, also也yěmaybe / possible可能kě néngnot不bùto come来lái.
• fear恐怕kǒng pà = probably, with regret: he / him他tāfear恐怕kǒng pàto come来lái(as a resultative verb…不了bù liǎo(completed / change)了le – "I'm afraid he can't come."

he他tāmaybe可能kě néngbe at在zàihome家jiā。

Recap

• fear恐怕kǒng pà + guess = I'm afraid / probably, softening bad news.
• Not "be afraid of" (to be afraid怕pà); neutral guesses use maybe / possible可能kě néng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

unexpectedly竟然jìng rán (actually / unexpectedly)

He actually did it

• Your quiet classmate, who never speaks in class, won the speech contest.
• he / him他tāunexpectedly竟然jìng rán(degree marker)得de(completed / change)了le第一名dì yì míng！ – "He actually won first place!"

Subject + unexpectedly竟然jìng rán + Verb

• unexpectedly竟然jìng rán = "unexpectedly, to my surprise": the event goes against what the speaker expected.
• It sits after the subject, before the verb: he / him他tāunexpectedly竟然jìng ránto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le, she / her她tāunexpectedly竟然jìng ránnot / haven't没méito come来lái.

he他tāactually竟然jìng ránforget忘wàng了lemy我wǒ的debirthday生日shēng rì。

Good or bad surprises

• Bad: so much这么zhè mesimple简单jiǎn dān(modifier / structural particle)的detopic题tí，I / me我wǒunexpectedly竟然jìng ránto make an error做错zuò cuò(completed / change)了le。 – "I actually got such an easy question wrong."
• Good: 六岁liù suì(modifier / structural particle)的dechild孩子hái ziunexpectedly竟然jìng ráncan / will会huìvariant of 说说shuō三种sān zhǒnglanguage语言yǔ yán。 – "A six-year-old who can speak three languages!"

such这么zhè meeasy简单jiǎn dān的dequestion题tí，I我wǒactually竟然jìng rángot wrong做错zuò cuò了le。

Only for surprises

• Use unexpectedly竟然jìng rán only when the outcome is unexpected; for a plain fact, leave it out.
• It is an adverb: he / him他tāunexpectedly竟然jìng ránto come来lái(completed / change)了le, not unexpectedly竟然jìng rán他来tā lái(completed / change)了le in most speech.

unexpectedly竟然jìng rán versus unexpectedly居然jū rán and really果然guǒ rán

• unexpectedly居然jū rán means the same and is common in speech: he / him他tāunexpectedly居然jū ránnot / haven't没méito come来lái！
• really果然guǒ rán is the opposite: "just as expected": weather forecast天气预报tiān qì yù bàovariant of 说说shuōto rain下雨xià yǔ，really果然guǒ ránto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le.

weather天气tiān qìforecast预报yù bàosaid说shuōrain下雨xià yǔ，sure enough果然guǒ ránit rained下雨xià yǔ了le。

Recap

• unexpectedly竟然jìng rán / unexpectedly居然jū rán + Verb = unexpectedly, actually (to my surprise).
• really果然guǒ rán = just as expected, the opposite.

Practise this pattern step by step.

don't tell me ...难道nán dào (rhetorical: don't tell me …?)

You can't be serious

• Your friend asks whether today's class is cancelled. The whole school knows it isn't.
• don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùto know知道zhī dào(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "Don't tell me you don't know?"

don't tell me ...难道nán dào … ((yes/no ?)吗ma)？ = rhetorical question

• don't tell me ...难道nán dào … (yes/no ?)吗ma？ asks a question that expects the opposite answer: "Surely not … ?"
• A negative question expects "yes": don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùrope累lèi(yes/no ?)吗ma？ = "Surely you're tired."

surely难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bútired累lèi吗ma？

Surprise or reproach

• don't tell me ...难道nán dàohe / him他tāto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le？ – "Can he really have forgotten?"
• so much这么zhè meimportant重要zhòng yào(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì，don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùshould应该yīng gāi先问xiān wènI / me我wǒ(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "Shouldn't you have asked me first about something so important?"

can it be难道nán dàohe他tāforget忘wàng了le？

The answer is built in

• don't tell me ...难道nán dào does not ask for information; the speaker already believes the answer. Use it to challenge, not to ask.
• don't tell me ...难道nán dào sits at the start or after the subject: you你nǐdon't tell me ...难道nán dàonot不bùto know知道zhī dào(yes/no ?)吗ma？ is also correct.

Versus a normal question

• you你nǐto know知道zhī dào(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – a real question: "Do you know?"
• don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùto know知道zhī dào(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "You must know!" (and the speaker is surprised or annoyed).

you你nǐknow知道zhī dào吗ma？

Recap

• don't tell me ...难道nán dào … (yes/no ?)吗ma？ = surely not … ? / don't tell me …, a rhetorical challenge.
• A negative don't tell me ...难道nán dào question means the positive: don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùrope累lèi(yes/no ?)吗ma = you must be tired.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

A three-step plan

• You are explaining to a new colleague how to set up their work account.
• you你nǐearly先xiānto fill or stuff填tiánthis这zhè张表zhāng biǎo，again / then再zàito go去qùpersonnel office人事部rén shì bù，then / after然后rán hòuneck领lǐngcomputer电脑diàn nǎo。 – "First fill in this form, then go to HR, and after that collect your computer."

early先xiān A，again / then再zài B (，then / after然后rán hòu C)

• early先xiān…again / then再zài… orders steps that are still to come: plans, instructions, suggestions.
• Add then / after然后rán hòu or final最后zuì hòu for longer sequences: early先xiān…again / then再zài…then / after然后rán hòu…final最后zuì hòu….

we我们wǒ menfirst先xiānhave a look看看kàn kan，then再zàidecide决定jué dìng。

early先xiān…to say again再说zài shuō: deal with it later

• early先xiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn，else别的bié dematter事shìafter以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。 – "Let's eat first; we can talk about the rest later."
• to say again再说zài shuō here postpones a decision until the first step is done.

first先xiāneat吃饭chī fàn，other别的bié dethings事shìlater以后yǐ hòudeal with再说zài shuō。

Future steps only

• For a past sequence, use early先xiān…then / after然后rán hòu… with (completed / change)了le: I / me我wǒearly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.
• early先xiān and again / then再zài are adverbs: each comes after the subject, before its verb: I / me我wǒearly先xiānto walk走zǒu，you你nǐagain / then再zàito walk走zǒu.

again / then再zài = only then

• again / then再zài can mean "not until (the first step is done)": to wait for等děng(literary) to rain雨yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了leagain / then再zàito walk走zǒu。 – "Wait until the rain stops before you leave."
• to wait for等děng…again / then再zài… is a very common pattern for "wait until … then …".

wait until等děngthe rain雨yǔstop停tíng了lethen再zàileave走zǒu。

Recap

• early先xiān A，again / then再zài B = first A, then B, for future steps; extend with then / after然后rán hòu / final最后zuì hòu.
• early先xiān…to say again再说zài shuō = deal with it later; to wait for等děng…again / then再zài… = wait until … then. Past sequences use early先xiān…then / after然后rán hòu… + (completed / change)了le.

Practise this pattern step by step.

also也yěall / both都dōu (also all of them)

They came too

• Your class went to the museum; you find out the class next door all went as well.
• they他们tā menalso也yěall / both都dōuto go去qù(completed / change)了lemuseum博物馆bó wù guǎn。 – "They all went to the museum too."

Subject + also也yě + all / both都dōu + Verb

• also也yěall / both都dōu = "also all": also也yě adds this group to another, all / both都dōu says every member of the group did it.
• The order is fixed: also也yě before all / both都dōu.

we我们wǒ menalso也yěall都dōuare是shìstudents学生xué sheng。

Adding another group

• I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的defriend朋友péng yǒuto like喜欢xǐ huanthis这zhè首歌shǒu gē，I / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的defather and mother父母fù mǔalso也yěall / both都dōuto like喜欢xǐ huan。 – "My friends like this song, and my parents both like it too."
• With negatives: they他们tā menalso也yěall / both都dōunot不bùto know知道zhī dào。 – "They don't know either (none of them)."

they他们tā menalso也yěall都dōunot不bùknow知道zhī dào。

also也yě first, then all / both都dōu

• Say also也yěall / both都dōu, never all / both都dōualso也yě: we / us我们wǒ menalso也yěall / both都dōuto go去qù, not we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōualso也yěto go去qù.
• Both adverbs come after the subject and before the verb or not不bù / not / haven't没méi.

also也yě, all / both都dōu and also也yěall / both都dōu

• we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōuto go去qù = all of us are going. we / us我们wǒ menalso也yěto go去qù = we are going too.
• we / us我们wǒ menalso也yěall / both都dōuto go去qù。 = we are all going too: another group, and every one of us.

we我们wǒ menalso也yěall都dōugo去qù。

Recap

• also也yěall / both都dōu + Verb = also all (another group, every member).
• Order: also也yě before all / both都dōu, both before the verb or negative.

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.

about the same差不多chà bu duō (almost / about the same)

0201.1 Complete: “It's almost twelve o'clock.” …………十二点shí èr diǎn(completed / change)了le。

0201.2 Which says “I almost missed the train (but caught it)”?

• A. I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēntrain火车huǒ chēabout the same差不多chà bu duō。
• B. I / me我wǒto keep up with赶上gǎn shàngtrain火车huǒ chēabout the same差不多chà bu duō。
• C. I / me我wǒabout the same差不多chà bu duōnot / haven't没méito keep up with赶上gǎn shàngtrain火车huǒ chē。
• D. I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méito keep up with赶上gǎn shàngtrain火车huǒ chē。

0201.3 Match each sentence to its meaning.

• 1. this这zhè两件liǎng jiànclothes衣服yī fúabout the same差不多chà bu duō。
• 2. about the same差不多chà bu duō八点bā diǎn(completed / change)了le。
• 3. about the same差不多chà bu duō就行了jiù xíng le。

• A. The two items are about the same.

• B. That's good enough.

• C. It's almost eight.

0201.4 Build: “I'm about as tall as my older brother.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒolder brother哥哥gē gē / about the same差不多chà bu duō / I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēn / high高gāo。

0201.5 You compare two phones in a shop. The prices, cameras and sizes are almost identical. 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.

apparently看来kàn lái (it seems / in one's view)

0202.1 The restaurant is empty at seven: “It looks like the food here isn't very good.” …………here这儿zhè ér(modifier / structural particle)的devegetable菜càinot不bùtoo太tàito be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī。

0202.2 Which says “She looks very young”?

• A. she / her她tāseemingly看起来kàn qǐ láidegree / adjective linker很hěnyoung年轻nián qīng。
• B. at / in在zàishe / her她tāapparently看来kàn láidegree / adjective linker很hěnyoung年轻nián qīng。
• C. apparently看来kàn láishe / her她tādegree / adjective linker很hěnyoung年轻nián qīng。
• D. she / her她tādegree / adjective linker很hěnyoung年轻nián qīngapparently看来kàn lái。

0202.3 Build: “In my view, this approach isn't very good.”

Arrange all chunks: this这个zhè gemeans办法bàn fǎ / in my opinion在我看来zài wǒ kàn lái / ， / not so good不太好bù tài hǎo。

0202.4 apparently看来kàn lái usually comes after the conclusion it introduces.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0202.5 The sky turns grey and the wind picks up while you are hiking. 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 (in time)正好zhèng hǎo (just right / exactly)

0203.1 Complete: “I happen to have an umbrella; let's share it.” I / me我wǒ…………band带dài(completed / change)了ledamask silk伞sǎn，in the same place一起yì qǐto use / with用yòng(suggestion)吧ba。

0203.2 What does altogether一共yī gòngjust (in time)正好zhèng hǎo五十块wǔ shí kuài mean?

• A. nearly fifty yuan
• B. about fifty yuan altogether
• C. exactly fifty yuan altogether
• D. more than fifty yuan

0203.3 Build: “You've come at just the right moment.”

Arrange all chunks: just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo。 / to emerge (from a…来得lái de / you你nǐ

0203.4 just (in time)正好zhèng hǎo and in the middle of正在zhèng zài both mean “in the middle of doing”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0203.5 You are about to phone your friend when your phone rings – it's her. 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 have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo (have no choice but to)

0204.1 Complete: “The lift is broken, so we have to take the stairs.” elevator电梯diàn tībad坏huài(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ men…………to walk走zǒustair楼梯lóu tī。

0204.2 Which sentence is natural?

• A. I / me我wǒtomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来láito have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo。
• B. store商店shāng diànto close a door关门guān mén(completed / change)了le，to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoI / me我wǒagain / then再zàito come来láitomorrow明天míng tiān。
• C. to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎoI / me我wǒtomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。
• D. store商店shāng diànto close a door关门guān mén(completed / change)了le，I / me我wǒto have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎotomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。

0204.3 Build: “He can't cook, so he has to eat instant noodles.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo / he / him他tāimprobable不会bú huìto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn / variant of 吃吃chīinstant noodles方便面fāng biàn miàn。

0204.4 have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù sounds stronger than to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0204.5 You leave a party at midnight and the last bus left ten minutes ago. Taxis are all taken. 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又yòu + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (emphatic negation)

0205.1 What does again又yòu add in I / me我wǒagain又yòuno不是bú shìchild小孩子xiǎo hái zi！?

• A. emphasis rejecting an assumption
• B. a time in the past
• C. again
• D. both … and

0205.2 Complete: “Don't blame her – it's not like she was late.” 别怪bié guàishe / her她tā，she / her她tā…………not / haven't没méito arrive late迟到chí dào。

0205.3 Build: “He's not going to eat you.”

Arrange all chunks: again又yòu / variant of 吃吃chī(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ。 / improbable不会bú huì / he / him他tā

0205.4 variant of 并并bìngnot不bù is calmer and more written than again又yòunot不bù.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0205.5 Your roommate asks you, again, to wash his dishes. 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.

used in 可汗可kě + Adj (emphatic)

0206.1 Complete: “That restaurant is really expensive!” that那nàhome家jiārestaurant饭馆fàn guǎn…………expensive贵guì(completed / change)了le！

0206.2 What does you你nǐused in 可汗可kědon't别biéto arrive late迟到chí dào！ mean?

• A. You can't be late.
• B. Whatever you do, don't be late!
• C. You may be late.
• D. You were late again.

0206.3 Build: “This film is really interesting.”

Arrange all chunks: this这个zhè gemovie电影diàn yǐng / (completed / change)了le。 / used in 可汗可kě / interesting有意思yǒu yì si

0206.4 In I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto go去qù，used in 可汗可kěnot / haven't没méi(concept of) time时间shí jiān, used in 可汗可kě means “but”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0206.5 A friend from the south asks whether Harbin in winter is really as cold as people say. 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.

original原来yuán lái (so it turns out / all along)

0207.1 You hear a knock and open the door: “Oh, it's you!” …………to be / is是shìyou你nǐ！

0207.2 In original原来yuán lái(modifier / structural particle)的deplan计划jì huàto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yīto set off出发chū fā, what does original原来yuán lái mean?

• A. original
• B. so it turns out
• C. no wonder
• D. suddenly

0207.3 Build: “So it snowed – no wonder it's so cold.”

Arrange all chunks: original原来yuán láito snow下雪xià xuě(completed / change)了le / (it's) no wonder (that...)难怪nán guài / ， / so much这么zhè mecold冷lěng。

0207.4 I / me我wǒto think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéihe / him他tāto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī，original原来yuán láihe / him他tāto be / is是shìstudent学生xué shēng means he turned out to be a student.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0207.5 Your colleague hasn't touched his lunch all week. Today you find out he has a toothache. 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差点chà diǎn (almost / nearly)

0208.1 Complete: “I nearly forgot your birthday!” I / me我wǒ…………to forget忘wàng(completed / change)了leyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的debirthday生日shēng rì！

0208.2 What does he / him他tāerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér没考上méi kǎo shànguniversity大学dà xué mean?

• A. He didn't try.
• B. He nearly passed but failed.
• C. He nearly failed but got in.
• D. He passed easily.

0208.3 I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érto fall down摔倒shuāi dǎo and I / me我wǒerhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn érnot / haven't没méito fall down摔倒shuāi dǎo mean the same.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0208.4 Build: “I nearly missed the train.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒ / erhua variant of 差点差点儿chà diǎn ér / train火车huǒ chē。 / not / haven't没méito keep up with赶上gǎn shàng

0208.5 You slipped on the ice outside your building but grabbed the railing just in time. 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从来cóng lái + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (never)

0209.1 Complete: “I've never eaten durian.” I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méivariant of 吃吃chī…………durian fruit榴莲liú lián。

0209.2 Which says “She never eats meat” (a personal rule)?

• A. she / her她tāalways从来cóng lái没吃肉méi chī ròu(completed / change)了le。
• B. she / her她tāalways从来cóng lái没吃过méi chī guòmeat肉ròu。
• C. she / her她tānever从来不cóng lái bùvariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròu。
• D. she / her她tānot不bùalways从来cóng láivariant of 吃吃chīmeat肉ròu。

0209.3 Build: “He never drinks alcohol.”

Arrange all chunks: not不bùto shout喝hē / he / him他tā / always从来cóng lái / wine (esp. rice wine)酒jiǔ。

0209.4 always从来cóng lái is the usual word for “always” in positive sentences.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0209.5 Your grandfather is eighty and proud of one thing about his health. 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.

outcome结果jié guǒ (as a result / in the end)

0210.1 Complete: “I didn't bring an umbrella, and in the end I got soaked.” I / me我wǒ没带méi dàidamask silk伞sǎn，…………(passive: by)被bèi雨淋yǔ línmoist湿shī(completed / change)了le。

0210.2 In competition (sports etc)比赛bǐ sài(modifier / structural particle)的deoutcome结果jié guǒto be / is是shìtwo二èrthan / compared to比bǐone / a一yī, what is outcome结果jié guǒ?

• A. a noun meaning “result”
• B. an adverb meaning “finally”
• C. a verb meaning “finish”
• D. a conjunction meaning “so”

0210.3 Build: “He went to bed late, and as a result he was late today.”

Arrange all chunks: he / him他tāto sleep睡shuì(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn / outcome结果jié guǒ / today今天jīn tiānto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 / ，

0210.4 outcome结果jié guǒ is used for a result that has actually happened.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0210.5 You prepared sandwiches all morning for a picnic. At noon it started to pour. 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.

enough (sufficient)够gòu (enough / sufficient)

0211.1 Complete: “Is there enough money?” coin钱qián…………not enough不够bù gòu？

0211.2 Which says “This water isn't enough to drink”?

• A. these这些zhè xiēwater水shuǐnot enough不够bù gòuto shout喝hē。
• B. these这些zhè xiēwater水shuǐnot不bù喝够hē gòu。
• C. these这些zhè xiē水喝shuǐ hēnot enough不够bù gòu。
• D. these这些zhè xiē水够shuǐ gòunot不bùto shout喝hē。

0211.3 Build: “The money is enough to buy one ticket.”

Arrange all chunks: coin钱qián / to buy买mǎi一张yī zhāngticket票piào。 / enough (sufficient)够gòu

0211.4 enough足够zú gòu is more formal than enough (sufficient)够gòu.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0211.5 You invited eight friends, but only cooked for four. 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.

even甚至shèn zhì (even / to the point that)

0212.1 Complete: “He works so hard he even works at weekends.” he / him他tāto work工作gōng zuòdegree / adjective linker很hěnto make an effort努力nǔ lì，…………weekend周末zhōu mòalso也yěto work工作gōng zuò。

0212.2 Where does even甚至shèn zhì fit best? A this这个zhè gearea地方dì fāng B summer夏天xià tiānto warm up热rè，C spring (season)春天chūn tiānalso也yěto warm up热rè，D winter冬天dōng tiānalso也yěnot不bùcold冷lěng。

• A. A
• B. D
• C. B
• D. C

0212.3 Build: “He even wrote his own name wrong.”

Arrange all chunks: 写错xiě cuò(completed / change)了le。 / all / both都dōu / to link连liánoneself自己zì jǐ(modifier / structural particle)的dename (of a person or thing)名字míng zì / he / him他tāeven甚至shèn zhì

0212.4 even甚至shèn zhì can join two clauses, as in he / him他tānot不bùto speak说话shuō huà，even甚至shèn zhì不看bù kànI / me我wǒ.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0212.5 Your sister has started a new job and works from morning till night. 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.

or / still还是hái shì + Verb (had better)

0213.1 Suggest: “It's raining; we'd better stay home.” to rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ men…………to be at home在家zài jiā(suggestion)吧ba。

0213.2 In which sentence does or / still还是hái shì mean “had better”?

• A. we / us我们wǒ menor / still还是hái shìto take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē(suggestion)吧ba。
• B. you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù？
• C. he / him他tāto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shīor / still还是hái shìstudent学生xué shēng？
• D. you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？

0213.3 Build: “I thought it over, and I'm not going after all.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒor / still还是hái shì / 不去bù qù(completed / change)了le。 / want / think / miss想xiǎng(completed / change)了lewant / think / miss想xiǎng / ，

0213.4 or / still还是hái shì here suggests the speaker considered other options.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0213.5 You are about to drive to the airport, but the radio says the motorway is blocked. 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.

best最好zuì hǎo (had best / it's best to)

0214.1 Advise: “You'd best bring a coat.” you你nǐ…………band带dài一件yī jiàncoat外套wài tào。

0214.2 Which says “You'd better not drive tonight”?

• A. you你nǐnot不bùbest最好zuì hǎotonight今晚jīn wǎnto drive a car开车kāi chē。
• B. you你nǐtonight今晚jīn wǎnbest最好zuì hǎodon't别biéto drive a car开车kāi chē。
• C. you你nǐbest最好zuì hǎodon't别biétonight今晚jīn wǎnto drive a car开车kāi chē。
• D. you你nǐtonight今晚jīn wǎnto drive a car开车kāi chēbest最好zuì hǎodon't别bié。

0214.3 Build: “It's best to book in advance.”

Arrange all chunks: to book tickets订票dìng piào。 / to shift to an earlier date提前tí qián / best最好zuì hǎo

0214.4 In he / him他tāto be / is是shìI / me我wǒbest最好zuì hǎo(modifier / structural particle)的defriend朋友péng yǒu, best最好zuì hǎo means “had better”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0214.5 You have a bad cold and ask the doctor what to 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.

have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù (have no choice but to)

0215.1 Complete: “The shop closed, so we had to find another one.” store商店shāng diànto close a door关门guān mén(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ men…………to go去qùto try to find找zhǎoelse别的bié deinn店diàn。

0215.2 What does I / me我wǒhave no choice or option…不得不bù dé bùto walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le mean?

• A. I can't leave.
• B. I have to leave now.
• C. I don't want to leave.
• D. I mustn't leave.

0215.3 Build: “Because he had no money, he had to sell his car.”

Arrange all chunks: to sell off卖掉mài diào(completed / change)了lewar chariot (archaic)车chē。 / have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù / ，he / him他tā / because因为yīn wèinot / haven't没méicoin钱qián

0215.4 have no choice or option…不得不bù dé bù can mean “must not”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0215.5 Your friend has a high fever on the morning of an important exam. 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到底dào dǐ (on earth / after all)

0216.1 Complete: “What on earth happened?” …………to happen发生fā shēng(completed / change)了lewhat什么shén me？

0216.2 Which question is correct?

• A. finally到底dào dǐyou你nǐto like喜欢xǐ huanshe / her她tā(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• B. you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐto like喜欢xǐ huannot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huanshe / her她tā？
• C. you你nǐfinally到底dào dǐto like喜欢xǐ huanshe / her她tā(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• D. you你nǐto like喜欢xǐ huanshe / her她tāfinally到底dào dǐ(yes/no ?)吗ma？

0216.3 Build: “What on earth is going on?”

Arrange all chunks: (old) to report to one's…回事huí shì？ / finally到底dào dǐ / to be / is是shìhow / why怎么zěn me / this这zhè

0216.4 In he / him他tāfinally到底dào dǐto be / is是shì(measure word)个gèchild孩子hái zi, finally到底dào dǐ means “after all”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0216.5 Your friend has changed his answer three times about tonight's dinner. 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 go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng (exactly / on earth)

0217.1 Complete a formal question: “What exactly is the reason?” cause原因yuán yīn…………to be / is是shìwhat什么shén me？

0217.2 Which question is correct?

• A. he / him他tāto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto come来lái(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• B. he / him他tāto go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìngto come来láinot不bùto come来lái？
• C. 他来tā láito go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• D. to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng他来tā lái(yes/no ?)吗ma？

0217.3 Build: “What exactly should we do?”

Arrange all chunks: how / why怎么zěn meto make做zuò？ / should应该yīng gāi / we / us我们wǒ men / to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng

0217.4 to go to the bottom of a…究竟jiū jìng sounds more formal than finally到底dào dǐ.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0217.5 A news report on a mysterious light in the sky ends with one question. 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 + Verb (just did)

0218.1 Complete: “I've just finished eating.” I / me我wǒ…………吃完饭chī wán fàn。

0218.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le(completed / change)了le。
• B. just now刚gānghe / him他tāto walk走zǒu。
• C. he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu。
• D. he / him他tāto walk走zǒujust now刚gāng。

0218.3 Build: “I'd only just got home when it started to rain.”

Arrange all chunks: ，then / just就jiù / 我刚wǒ gāng / perfect到家dào jiā / to rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。

0218.4 he / him他tājust now刚gāngto come来láiBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīng两个liǎng gèmoon月yuè means he has only been in Beijing for two months.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0218.5 Your mum calls as you walk out of the arrivals hall. 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 / a一yī + MW + one / a一yī + MW (one by one)

0219.1 Complete: “Please come in one by one.” to ask请qǐng一个yí gè…………(adverb -ly)地deto come in进来jìn lái。

0219.2 Which phrase is correct?

• A. one / a一yīlocal本地běn dì一本yī běnto see看kàn
• B. 一本yī běnone / a一yīlocal本地běn dìto see看kàn
• C. to see看kàn一本yī běn一本yī běn
• D. 一本yī běn一个yí gè地看dì kàn

0219.3 Build: “The problems have to be solved one at a time.”

Arrange all chunks: question问题wèn tí / 一个yí gè一个yí gè(adverb -ly)地de / want / will / need要yào / to solve解决jiě jué。

0219.4 一座yī zuò一座yī zuò(modifier / structural particle)的dehigh building高楼gāo lóu uses (modifier / structural particle)的de because it comes before a noun.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0219.5 Your coach tells you not to rush learning a new dance. 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.

original本来běn lái (originally / at first)

0220.1 Complete: “I originally planned to leave on Monday.” I / me我wǒ…………to plan打算dǎ suànMonday星期一xīng qī yīto walk走zǒu。

0220.2 You open the door and find your old friend. Which fits? “____to be / is是shìyou你nǐ！”

• A. original本来běn lái
• B. original原来yuán lái
• C. afterwards后来hòu lái
• D. always从来cóng lái

0220.3 Build: “I didn't really want to come, but my friend insisted.”

Arrange all chunks: unexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto come来lái / I / me我wǒoriginal本来běn lái / ，but可是kě shì / friend朋友péng yǒudefinitely一定yí dìngwant / will / need要yàoI / me我wǒto come来lái。

0220.4 In student学生xué shēngoriginal本来běn láithen / just就jiùshould应该yīng gāito learn学习xué xí, original本来běn láithen / just就jiù means “of course, naturally”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0220.5 You were going to spend the holiday in Yunnan, but then your cousin invited you to Hainan. 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.

then / just就jiù (only / just – small quantity)

0221.1 Complete: “Only two people came.” …………两个liǎng gè人来rén lái(completed / change)了le。

0221.2 In he / him他tā六点liù diǎnthen / just就jiùto get out of bed起床qǐ chuáng(completed / change)了le, what does then / just就jiù mean?

• A. also
• B. only
• C. as early as
• D. not until

0221.3 Build: “I've only been once.”

Arrange all chunks: first一次yī cì。 / I / me我wǒ / 去过qù guò / then / just就jiù

0221.4 he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái十岁shí suì sounds more surprised than he / him他tāthen / just就jiù十岁shí suì.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0221.5 Your friend asks to borrow money for lunch, but your wallet is almost empty. 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.

ten million千万qiān wàn (be sure to / whatever you do)

0222.1 Warn: “Whatever you do, don't be late!” you你nǐ…………don't别biéto arrive late迟到chí dào！

0222.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānten million千万qiān wànnot / haven't没méito come来lái。
• B. ten million千万qiān wàn你别nǐ biéto go去qù。
• C. 你别nǐ biéten million千万qiān wànto go去qù。
• D. you你nǐten million千万qiān wànwant / will / need要yàoto take note of注意zhù yìthe body身体shēn tǐ。

0222.3 Build: “Whatever you do, don't tell anyone about this.”

Arrange all chunks: to tell告诉gào sùother people别人bié rén。 / 这件zhè jiànmatter事shì / don't不要bú yào / ten million千万qiān wàn

0222.4 ten million千万qiān wàn is mainly used to warn against something going wrong.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0222.5 Your friend is flying abroad tomorrow, and you remember how forgetful she is. 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.

fear恐怕kǒng pà (I'm afraid / probably)

0223.1 Soften the news: “I'm afraid the tickets are sold out.” …………ticket票piàoalready已经yǐ jīngto be sold out卖完mài wán(completed / change)了le。

0223.2 Which says “My little sister is scared of the dark”?

• A. fear恐怕kǒng pàyounger sister妹妹mèi mèiblack黑hēi。
• B. younger sister妹妹mèi mèifear恐怕kǒng pàblack黑hēi(completed / change)了le。
• C. younger sister妹妹mèi mèi怕黑pà hēi。
• D. younger sister妹妹mèi mèifear恐怕kǒng pàblack黑hēi。

0223.3 Build: “It'll probably rain tomorrow, I'm afraid.”

Arrange all chunks: want / will / need要yào / tomorrow明天míng tiān / to rain下雨xià yǔ。 / fear恐怕kǒng pà

0223.4 fear恐怕kǒng pà usually goes with welcome news.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0223.5 You are stuck in traffic and the train leaves in ten minutes. 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.

unexpectedly竟然jìng rán (actually / unexpectedly)

0224.1 Complete: “She actually didn't come!” she / her她tā…………not / haven't没méito come来lái！

0224.2 The forecast said it would snow, and it did. Which word fits? weather forecast天气预报tiān qì yù bàovariant of 说说shuōto snow下雪xià xuě，____to snow下雪xià xuě(completed / change)了le。

• A. suddenly突然tū rán
• B. unexpectedly居然jū rán
• C. really果然guǒ rán
• D. unexpectedly竟然jìng rán

0224.3 Build: “I actually got such an easy question wrong.”

Arrange all chunks: to make an error做错zuò cuò(completed / change)了le。 / ，I / me我wǒ / so much这么zhè mesimple简单jiǎn dān(modifier / structural particle)的detopic题tí / unexpectedly竟然jìng rán

0224.4 unexpectedly竟然jìng rán can introduce a good surprise as well as a bad one.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0224.5 Your quiet classmate, who never speaks in class, won the speech contest. 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.

don't tell me ...难道nán dào (rhetorical: don't tell me …?)

0225.1 Challenge: “Don't tell me you've never heard of him?” …………you你nǐ没听说过méi tīng shuō guòhe / him他tā(yes/no ?)吗ma？

0225.2 What does don't tell me ...难道nán dàoyou你nǐnot不bùto be hungry饿è(yes/no ?)吗ma？ suggest?

• A. The speaker is hungry.
• B. The speaker thinks you must be hungry.
• C. The speaker thinks you are not hungry.
• D. The speaker is asking for information.

0225.3 Build: “Can he really have forgotten?”

Arrange all chunks: he / him他tā / to forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le？ / don't tell me ...难道nán dào

0225.4 don't tell me ...难道nán dào is used to ask for information you don't have.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0225.5 Your friend asks whether today's class is cancelled. The whole school knows it isn't. 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 …)

0226.1 Complete: “Let's have a look first, then decide.” we / us我们wǒ menearly先xiānto take a look at看看kàn kàn，…………to decide (to do something)决定jué dìng。

0226.2 Which says “Wait until the rain stops before you leave”?

• A. again / then再zàito wait for等děng(literary) to rain雨yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了leto walk走zǒu。
• B. to wait for等děng(literary) to rain雨yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了leagain又yòuto walk走zǒu。
• C. 雨停yǔ tíng(completed / change)了leto wait for等děngagain / then再zàito walk走zǒu。
• D. to wait for等děng(literary) to rain雨yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了leagain / then再zàito walk走zǒu。

0226.3 Build: “Let's eat first; we can talk about the rest later.”

Arrange all chunks: after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。 / else别的bié dematter事shì / early先xiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn / ，

0226.4 early先xiān…again / then再zài… is the usual way to describe what you did yesterday.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0226.5 You are explaining to a new colleague how to set up their work account. 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.

also也yěall / both都dōu (also all of them)

0227.1 Complete: “We are all teachers too.” we / us我们wǒ men…………all / both都dōuto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī。

0227.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. they他们tā mento like喜欢xǐ huanalso也yěall / both都dōuto sing a song唱歌chàng gē。
• B. they他们tā menalso也yěall / both都dōuto like喜欢xǐ huanto sing a song唱歌chàng gē。
• C. also也yěthey他们tā menall / both都dōuto like喜欢xǐ huanto sing a song唱歌chàng gē。
• D. they他们tā menall / both都dōualso也yěto like喜欢xǐ huanto sing a song唱歌chàng gē。

0227.3 Build: “They don't know either (none of them).”

Arrange all chunks: not不bù / also也yěall / both都dōu / to know知道zhī dào。 / they他们tā men

0227.4 all / both都dōualso也yě and also也yěall / both都dōu are both correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0227.5 Your class went to the museum; you find out the class next door all went as well. 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 learner sees 我刚wǒ gāngto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leticket票piào and declares the (completed / change)了le impossible after just now刚gāng. What should you correct in that claim?

R2. Use it yourself. You planned to walk, but a storm left the bus as the practical option. Describe the change with original本来běn lái and to have no other option but…只好zhǐ hǎo.

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