HSK 3

Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.

Adjective + extremely极了jí le (extremely)

A trip receives an enthusiastic review

• A friend asks whether you enjoyed the holiday.
• 这次zhè cìto travel旅行lǚ xíngsuper棒极了bàng jí le！ — The speaker gives a very strong positive evaluation.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Adjective + extremely极了jí le (extremely). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

this这个zhè geidea主意zhǔ yigood好hǎoextremely极了jí le。

Read examples in context

that那个nà geboy男孩nán háiannoying讨厌tǎo yànextremely极了jí le！

• In the opening example, 这次zhè cìto travel旅行lǚ xíngsuper棒极了bàng jí le！: The speaker gives a very strong positive evaluation.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• extremely极了jí le follows an appropriate descriptive word and includes (completed / change)了le as part of this frame.
• It can describe unpleasant feelings too, but not every adjective has a natural extremely极了jí le combination.

Use the distinction

• The speaker gives a very strong positive evaluation.
• extremely极了jí le follows an appropriate descriptive word and includes (completed / change)了le as part of this frame. It can describe unpleasant feelings too, but not every adjective has a natural extremely极了jí le combination.

Try it with help closed

A friend asks whether you enjoyed 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.

One possible response: 这次zhè cìto travel旅行lǚ xíngsuper棒极了bàng jí le！

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• extremely极了jí le follows an appropriate descriptive word and includes (completed / change)了le as part of this frame.
• It can describe unpleasant feelings too, but not every adjective has a natural extremely极了jí le combination.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Doubling adjectives (AA / AABB)

A room is ready for a guest

• You describe a room that has been thoroughly tidied.
• room房间fáng jiān干干净净gān gān jìng jìng(modifier / structural particle)的de。 — The repeated adjective gives a vivid description of the clean room.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Doubling adjectives (AA / AABB). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

the baby宝宝bǎo bao的deeyes眼睛yǎn jīngbig and round大大的dà dà de。

Read examples in context

I我wǒwant to想xiǎngcomfortably舒舒服服shū shū fú fú地delie躺tǎngon在zàithe sofa沙发上shā fā shàng。

• In the opening example, room房间fáng jiān干干净净gān gān jìng jìng(modifier / structural particle)的de。: The repeated adjective gives a vivid description of the clean room.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• clean干净gān jìng can become 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng, but this is a lexical pattern, not a rule for every two-character adjective.
• snow white雪白xuě bái can use snow white雪白xuě báisnow white雪白xuě bái rather than AABB. Learn attested forms.

Use the distinction

• The repeated adjective gives a vivid description of the clean room.
• clean干净gān jìng can become 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng, but this is a lexical pattern, not a rule for every two-character adjective. snow white雪白xuě bái can use snow white雪白xuě báisnow white雪白xuě bái rather than AABB. Learn attested forms.

Try it with help closed

You describe a room that has been thoroughly tidied. 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.

One possible response: room房间fáng jiān干干净净gān gān jìng jìng(modifier / structural particle)的de。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• clean干净gān jìng can become 干干净净gān gān jìng jìng, but this is a lexical pattern, not a rule for every two-character adjective.
• snow white雪白xuě bái can use snow white雪白xuě báisnow white雪白xuě bái rather than AABB. Learn attested forms.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb (making an adverb)

A teacher reads with care

• A teacher examines an essay carefully rather than rushing through it.
• teacher老师lǎo shīconscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto see看kàn(completed / change)了leI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deto write an essay作文zuò wén。 — conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地de describes how the teacher read the essay.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Adjective + (adverb -ly)地de + Verb (making an adverb). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

he他tāhappy高兴gāo xìng地desmiled笑xiào了le。

Read examples in context

the teacher老师lǎo shīcareful认真rèn zhēn地deread看kàn了lemy我的wǒ deessay作文zuò wén。

• In the opening example, teacher老师lǎo shīconscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto see看kàn(completed / change)了leI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deto write an essay作文zuò wén。: conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地de describes how the teacher read the essay.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The manner phrase comes before to see看kàn.
• Compare conscientious认真rèn zhēn(modifier / structural particle)的deteacher老师lǎo shī, where (modifier / structural particle)的de describes the teacher, and teacher老师lǎo shīto see看kàn(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn, where (degree marker)得de introduces an assessment of the reading.

Use the distinction

• conscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地de describes how the teacher read the essay.
• The manner phrase comes before to see看kàn. Compare conscientious认真rèn zhēn(modifier / structural particle)的deteacher老师lǎo shī, where (modifier / structural particle)的de describes the teacher, and teacher老师lǎo shīto see看kàn(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn, where (degree marker)得de introduces an assessment of the reading.

Try it with help closed

A teacher examines an essay carefully rather than rushing through it. 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.

One possible response: teacher老师lǎo shīconscientious认真rèn zhēn(adverb -ly)地deto see看kàn(completed / change)了leI / me我wǒ(modifier / structural particle)的deto write an essay作文zuò wén。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The manner phrase comes before to see看kàn.
• Compare conscientious认真rèn zhēn(modifier / structural particle)的deteacher老师lǎo shī, where (modifier / structural particle)的de describes the teacher, and teacher老师lǎo shīto see看kàn(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn, where (degree marker)得de introduces an assessment of the reading.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective (so …)

A coat's price surprises a buyer

• You look at a coat's price and find it much higher than expected.
• 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúhow / why怎么zěn meso much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì？ — The buyer reacts to the surprisingly high price.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is so much这么zhè me / like that那么nà me + Adjective (so …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

today今天jīn tiānhow come怎么zěn meso这么zhè mecold冷lěng？

Read examples in context

you你nǐso那么nà meclever聪明cōng mingsurely，一定yí dìngcan能néngguess it猜到cāi dào。

• In the opening example, 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúhow / why怎么zěn meso much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì？: The buyer reacts to the surprisingly high price.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• so much这么zhè me often points to a degree currently in focus.
• like that那么nà me can refer to a degree already mentioned; the distinction is not a literal distance measurement for every use.

Use the distinction

• The buyer reacts to the surprisingly high price.
• so much这么zhè me often points to a degree currently in focus. like that那么nà me can refer to a degree already mentioned; the distinction is not a literal distance measurement for every use.

Try it with help closed

You look at a coat's price and find it much higher than expected. 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.

One possible response: 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúhow / why怎么zěn meso much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì？

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• so much这么zhè me often points to a degree currently in focus.
• like that那么nà me can refer to a degree already mentioned; the distinction is not a literal distance measurement for every use.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

A with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (the same as)

Compare the size of two homes

• Two homes have the same size, but their colours and locations differ.
• 你家nǐ jiāwith / and跟gēn我家wǒ jiāsame一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà。 — The comparison asserts equality of size.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is A with / and跟gēn / and / with和hé B same一样yī yàng (the same as). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

your home你家nǐ jiāas跟gēnmy home我家wǒ jiāthe same一样yí yàngbig大dà。

Read examples in context

Beijing北京Běi jīng的deweather天气tiān qìand和héShanghai上海Shàng hǎinot不bùthe same一样yí yàng。

• In the opening example, 你家nǐ jiāwith / and跟gēn我家wǒ jiāsame一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà。: The comparison asserts equality of size.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• same一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà names the compared property.
• It does not claim that the homes are identical in every feature. with / and跟gēn and and / with和hé both work in this comparison.

Use the distinction

• The comparison asserts equality of size.
• same一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà names the compared property. It does not claim that the homes are identical in every feature. with / and跟gēn and and / with和hé both work in this comparison.

Try it with help closed

Two homes have the same size, but their colours and locations differ. 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.

One possible response: 你家nǐ jiāwith / and跟gēn我家wǒ jiāsame一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• same一样yī yàngsee 大夫大dà names the compared property.
• It does not claim that the homes are identical in every feature. with / and跟gēn and and / with和hé both work in this comparison.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

again又yòu … again又yòu … (both … and …)

A product has a benefit and a drawback

• A phone is expensive, but useful and attractive.
• this这zhè部手机bù shǒu jīagain又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng。 — The speaker combines two qualities of the same phone.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is again又yòu … again又yòu … (both … and …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

this这个zhè gehouse房子fáng ziboth又yòubig大dàand又yòubright亮liàng。

Read examples in context

here这里zhè lǐ的decoffee咖啡kā fēiboth又yòuexpensive贵guìand又yòubad-tasting难喝nán hē。

• In the opening example, this这zhè部手机bù shǒu jīagain又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng。: The speaker combines two qualities of the same phone.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• again又yòu…again又yòu… often groups similarly valued qualities, but mixed evaluations such as again又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng are possible.
• It can also link actions, as in again又yòuto sing唱chàngagain又yòuto jump跳tiào; use one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… when ongoing simultaneity is the focus.

Use the distinction

• The speaker combines two qualities of the same phone.
• again又yòu…again又yòu… often groups similarly valued qualities, but mixed evaluations such as again又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng are possible. It can also link actions, as in again又yòuto sing唱chàngagain又yòuto jump跳tiào; use one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… when ongoing simultaneity is the focus.

Try it with help closed

A phone is expensive, but useful and attractive. 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.

One possible response: this这zhè部手机bù shǒu jīagain又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• again又yòu…again又yòu… often groups similarly valued qualities, but mixed evaluations such as again又yòuexpensive贵guìagain又yòugood好hǎoto use / with用yòng are possible.
• It can also link actions, as in again又yòuto sing唱chàngagain又yòuto jump跳tiào; use one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… when ongoing simultaneity is the focus.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Subject + fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adjective (fairly, rather)

Choose a relatively easy question

• Compared with the other questions, this one seems fairly easy.
• this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí比较简单bǐ jiào jiǎn dān。 — fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào gives a relative or qualified evaluation of simplicity.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Subject + fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào + Adjective (fairly, rather). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tífairly比较bǐ jiàosimple简单jiǎn dān。

Read examples in context

I我wǒrather比较bǐ jiàoprefer喜欢xǐ huantaking坐zuòthe subway地铁dì tiě。

• In the opening example, this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí比较简单bǐ jiào jiǎn dān。: fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào gives a relative or qualified evaluation of simplicity.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào can imply a comparison without naming its standard.
• degree / adjective linker很hěn with an adjective can simply make a natural predicate, not always a strong very; do not build a fixed intensity ranking from the English translations.

Use the distinction

• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào gives a relative or qualified evaluation of simplicity.
• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào can imply a comparison without naming its standard. degree / adjective linker很hěn with an adjective can simply make a natural predicate, not always a strong very; do not build a fixed intensity ranking from the English translations.

Try it with help closed

Compared with the other questions, this one seems fairly easy. 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.

One possible response: this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí比较简单bǐ jiào jiǎn dān。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• fairly / rather比较bǐ jiào can imply a comparison without naming its standard.
• degree / adjective linker很hěn with an adjective can simply make a natural predicate, not always a strong very; do not build a fixed intensity ranking from the English translations.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

many多duō + Adjective + (exclamation)啊a! (how …!)

Admire a friend's skill

• A child solves a difficult puzzle quickly and you praise the achievement.
• you你nǐdaughter女儿nǚ érmany多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a！ — many多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a expresses admiration rather than asking for a measurement.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is many多duō + Adjective + (exclamation)啊a! (how …!). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

your你nǐdaughter女儿nǚ érhow多duōclever聪明cōng ming啊a！

Read examples in context

on your own一个人yí ge rénhow多duōnice好hǎo！

• In the opening example, you你nǐdaughter女儿nǚ érmany多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a！: many多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a expresses admiration rather than asking for a measurement.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• (exclamation)啊a is common in this exclamation, not compulsory in every exclamatory use of many多duō.
• 多好duō hǎo！ is possible. Compare you你nǐmany多duōsee 大夫大dà？, which genuinely asks about age.

Use the distinction

• many多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a expresses admiration rather than asking for a measurement.
• (exclamation)啊a is common in this exclamation, not compulsory in every exclamatory use of many多duō. 多好duō hǎo！ is possible. Compare you你nǐmany多duōsee 大夫大dà？, which genuinely asks about age.

Try it with help closed

A child solves a difficult puzzle quickly and you praise the achievement. 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.

One possible response: you你nǐdaughter女儿nǚ érmany多duōintelligent聪明cōng míng(exclamation)啊a！

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• (exclamation)啊a is common in this exclamation, not compulsory in every exclamatory use of many多duō.
• 多好duō hǎo！ is possible. Compare you你nǐmany多duōsee 大夫大dà？, which genuinely asks about age.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Adjective + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun (describing a noun)

Ask for the cold drink

• Two drinks are available, one cold and one hot.
• 我要wǒ yàocold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de。 — cold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de selects the cold one from the understood drinks.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Adjective + (modifier / structural particle)的de + Noun (describing a noun). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

beautiful漂亮piào liang的degirl女孩儿nǚ háir

Read examples in context

you你nǐwant要yàocold冷lěng的deor还是hái shìhot热rè的de？

• In the opening example, 我要wǒ yàocold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de。: cold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de selects the cold one from the understood drinks.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The understood noun can be omitted after (modifier / structural particle)的de.
• Descriptive modifiers often use (modifier / structural particle)的de, but established compounds such as important重要zhòng yàoquestion问题wèn tí or fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiānfruit水果shuǐ guǒ show that syllable count alone does not impose an absolute rule.

Use the distinction

• cold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de selects the cold one from the understood drinks.
• The understood noun can be omitted after (modifier / structural particle)的de. Descriptive modifiers often use (modifier / structural particle)的de, but established compounds such as important重要zhòng yàoquestion问题wèn tí or fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiānfruit水果shuǐ guǒ show that syllable count alone does not impose an absolute rule.

Try it with help closed

Two drinks are available, one cold and one hot. 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.

One possible response: 我要wǒ yàocold冷lěng(modifier / structural particle)的de。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The understood noun can be omitted after (modifier / structural particle)的de.
• Descriptive modifiers often use (modifier / structural particle)的de, but established compounds such as important重要zhòng yàoquestion问题wèn tí or fresh (experience, food etc)新鲜xīn xiānfruit水果shuǐ guǒ show that syllable count alone does not impose an absolute rule.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

more and more越来越yuè lái yuè (more and more)

Follow a change through the season

• The weather becomes progressively colder as winter approaches.
• weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng(completed / change)了le。 — more and more越来越yuè lái yuè describes increasing cold over time.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is more and more越来越yuè lái yuè (more and more). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng了le。

Read examples in context

I我wǒmore and more越来越yuè lái yuèlike喜欢xǐ huanChinese中文Zhōng wén了le。

• In the opening example, weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng(completed / change)了le。: more and more越来越yuè lái yuè describes increasing cold over time.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The same form can describe a decrease in a measured quantity: price价格jià gé越来越低yuè lái yuè dī means prices are getting lower.
• It marks change in the following property, not an increase in every numerical value.

Use the distinction

• more and more越来越yuè lái yuè describes increasing cold over time.
• The same form can describe a decrease in a measured quantity: price价格jià gé越来越低yuè lái yuè dī means prices are getting lower. It marks change in the following property, not an increase in every numerical value.

Try it with help closed

The weather becomes progressively colder as winter approaches. 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.

One possible response: weather天气tiān qìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuècold冷lěng(completed / change)了le。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The same form can describe a decrease in a measured quantity: price价格jià gé越来越低yuè lái yuè dī means prices are getting lower.
• It marks change in the following property, not an increase in every numerical value.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.

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

A familiar problem happens again

• A classmate arrives late today after being late previously.
• you你nǐagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 — again又yòu marks today's lateness as a recurrence.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is again又yòu + Verb + (completed / change)了le (again, in the past). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

you你nǐagain又yòulate迟到chí dào了le。

Read examples in context

again又yòurain下雨xià yǔ了le！

• In the opening example, you你nǐagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。: again又yòu marks today's lateness as a recurrence.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了le, but again又yòu is not confined to past events.
• tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我wǒagain又yòunot不bùto know知道zhī dào uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.

Use the distinction

• again又yòu marks today's lateness as a recurrence.
• This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了le, but again又yòu is not confined to past events. tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我wǒagain又yòunot不bùto know知道zhī dào uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.

Try it with help closed

A classmate arrives late today after being late previously. 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.

One possible response: you你nǐagain又yòuto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了le, but again又yòu is not confined to past events.
• tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī(completed / change)了le anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我wǒagain又yòunot不bùto know知道zhī dào uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

all along一直yì zhí (all along, continuously)

Waiting lasts through a time span

• You wait throughout the morning for news.
• I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děngyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denews消息xiāo xī。 — all along一直yì zhí describes the continuing wait across that span.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is all along一直yì zhí (all along, continuously). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

I我wǒall along一直yì zhívery很hěnlike喜欢xǐ huanyou你nǐ。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děngyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denews消息xiāo xī。: all along一直yì zhí describes the continuing wait across that span.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• all along一直yì zhí also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直yì zhí往前走wǎng qián zǒu.
• It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíto like喜欢xǐ huanmusic音乐yīn yuè describes a lasting preference.

Use the distinction

• all along一直yì zhí describes the continuing wait across that span.
• all along一直yì zhí also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直yì zhí往前走wǎng qián zǒu. It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíto like喜欢xǐ huanmusic音乐yīn yuè describes a lasting preference.

Try it with help closed

You wait throughout the morning for news. 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.

One possible response: I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děngyou你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的denews消息xiāo xī。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• all along一直yì zhí also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直yì zhí往前走wǎng qián zǒu.
• It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíto like喜欢xǐ huanmusic音乐yīn yuè describes a lasting preference.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always总是zǒng shì (always — a habit)

A classmate is usually late

• A classmate arrives late often enough for you to describe it as a habit.
• he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìto arrive late迟到chí dào。 — always总是zǒng shì generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is always总是zǒng shì (always — a habit). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

he他tāalways总是zǒng shìlate迟到chí dào。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìto arrive late迟到chí dào。: always总是zǒng shì generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• always总是zǒng shì can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral.
• Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很hěn, but he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìbusy忙máng is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.

Use the distinction

• always总是zǒng shì generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.
• always总是zǒng shì can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral. Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很hěn, but he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìbusy忙máng is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.

Try it with help closed

A classmate arrives late often enough for you to describe it as a habit. 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.

One possible response: he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìto arrive late迟到chí dào。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• always总是zǒng shì can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral.
• Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很hěn, but he / him他tāalways总是zǒng shìbusy忙máng is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

finally终于zhōng yú (finally, at last)

A long wait finally ends

• After waiting for a friend, you see the friend arrive.
• you你nǐfinally终于zhōng yúto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le！ — finally终于zhōng yú presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is finally终于zhōng yú (finally, at last). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

you你nǐfinally终于zhōng yúarrived到dào了le！

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, you你nǐfinally终于zhōng yúto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le！: finally终于zhōng yú presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他tāfinally终于zhōng yúor / still还是hái shìto be defeated失败shī bài(completed / change)了le can mark an eventual failure.
• (completed / change)了le often occurs with completed events, but finally终于zhōng yúclear明白míng bái(completed / change)了le and finally终于zhōng yúto be capable of能够néng gòuindependent独立dú lìto work工作gōng zuò show different predicate shapes.

Use the distinction

• finally终于zhōng yú presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.
• Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他tāfinally终于zhōng yúor / still还是hái shìto be defeated失败shī bài(completed / change)了le can mark an eventual failure. (completed / change)了le often occurs with completed events, but finally终于zhōng yúclear明白míng bái(completed / change)了le and finally终于zhōng yúto be capable of能够néng gòuindependent独立dú lìto work工作gōng zuò show different predicate shapes.

Try it with help closed

After waiting for a friend, you see the friend arrive. 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.

One possible response: you你nǐfinally终于zhōng yúto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le！

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他tāfinally终于zhōng yúor / still还是hái shìto be defeated失败shī bài(completed / change)了le can mark an eventual failure.
• (completed / change)了le often occurs with completed events, but finally终于zhōng yúclear明白míng bái(completed / change)了le and finally终于zhōng yúto be capable of能够néng gòuindependent独立dú lìto work工作gōng zuò show different predicate shapes.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

almost几乎jī hū (nearly, almost)

Check an almost-full group

• Most of a class have phones, but a few do not.
• almost几乎jī hū每个měi gèperson人rénall / both都dōuto have / there is有yǒucell phone手机shǒu jī。 — almost几乎jī hū makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is almost几乎jī hū (nearly, almost). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

almost几乎jī hūeveryone每个人měi ge rénall都dōuhas有yǒua phone手机shǒu jī。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, almost几乎jī hū每个měi gèperson人rénall / both都dōuto have / there is有yǒucell phone手机shǒu jī。: almost几乎jī hū makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• almost几乎jī hū can also precede an event without all / both都dōu or a negative, as in I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le.
• Keep the scope clear: almost几乎jī hūall / both都dōuto know知道zhī dào is almost all know, while almost几乎jī hūnot不bùto know知道zhī dào is hardly know.

Use the distinction

• almost几乎jī hū makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.
• almost几乎jī hū can also precede an event without all / both都dōu or a negative, as in I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le. Keep the scope clear: almost几乎jī hūall / both都dōuto know知道zhī dào is almost all know, while almost几乎jī hūnot不bùto know知道zhī dào is hardly know.

Try it with help closed

Most of a class have phones, but a few do not. 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.

One possible response: almost几乎jī hū每个měi gèperson人rénall / both都dōuto have / there is有yǒucell phone手机shǒu jī。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• almost几乎jī hū can also precede an event without all / both都dōu or a negative, as in I / me我wǒalmost几乎jī hūto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le.
• Keep the scope clear: almost几乎jī hūall / both都dōuto know知道zhī dào is almost all know, while almost几乎jī hūnot不bùto know知道zhī dào is hardly know.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

only只zhǐ (only)

State the limit of a family's size

• You have one older brother and no other older brothers.
• I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu一个yí gèolder brother哥哥gē gē。 — only只zhǐ limits the number of older brothers to one.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is only只zhǐ (only). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

I我wǒonly只zhǐhave有yǒuone一个yí geolder brother哥哥gē ge。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu一个yí gèolder brother哥哥gē gē。: only只zhǐ limits the number of older brothers to one.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• In this frame only只zhǐ precedes to have / there is有yǒu, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context.
• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuhe / him他tāto know知道zhī dào means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只zhǐ always limits the verb's action alone.

Use the distinction

• only只zhǐ limits the number of older brothers to one.
• In this frame only只zhǐ precedes to have / there is有yǒu, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context. only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuhe / him他tāto know知道zhī dào means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只zhǐ always limits the verb's action alone.

Try it with help closed

You have one older brother and no other older brothers. 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.

One possible response: I / me我wǒonly have ...只有zhǐ yǒu一个yí gèolder brother哥哥gē gē。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• In this frame only只zhǐ precedes to have / there is有yǒu, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context.
• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuhe / him他tāto know知道zhī dào means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只zhǐ always limits the verb's action alone.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

Friends meet after a long gap

• Two friends have not met for ten years and are now greeting each other.
• we / us我们wǒ menalready已经yǐ jīng十年shí niánnot / haven't没méito appear见jiàn(completed / change)了le。 — 十年shí nián measures the period with no meeting.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Duration + not / haven't没méi + Verb + (completed / change)了le (how long you haven't …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

we我们wǒ menalready已经yǐ jīngten years十年shí niánhaven't没méimet见jiàn了le。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, we / us我们wǒ menalready已经yǐ jīng十年shí niánnot / haven't没méito appear见jiàn(completed / change)了le。: 十年shí nián measures the period with no meeting.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• Compare we / us我们wǒ mento meet见面jiàn miànto speak谈tán(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí, where the duration follows the completed talking.
• Final (completed / change)了le marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.

Use the distinction

• 十年shí nián measures the period with no meeting.
• Compare we / us我们wǒ mento meet见面jiàn miànto speak谈tán(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí, where the duration follows the completed talking. Final (completed / change)了le marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.

Try it with help closed

Two friends have not met for ten years and are now greeting each other. 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.

One possible response: we / us我们wǒ menalready已经yǐ jīng十年shí niánnot / haven't没méito appear见jiàn(completed / change)了le。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Compare we / us我们wǒ mento meet见面jiàn miànto speak谈tán(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí, where the duration follows the completed talking.
• Final (completed / change)了le marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

Arrival feels late against a schedule

• You expected to be home by eight, but arrived at eleven.
• I / me我wǒ十一点shí yì diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dàohome家jiā。 — only then / not until才cái evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Time + only then / not until才cái (not until — lateness). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

I我wǒyesterday昨天zuó tiāneleven o'clock十一点shí yī diǎnnot until才cáigot home到家dào jiā。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, I / me我wǒ十一点shí yì diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dàohome家jiā。: only then / not until才cái evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule.
• Time+only then / not until才cái often omits (completed / change)了le in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才cái and (completed / change)了le.

Use the distinction

• only then / not until才cái evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.
• The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule. Time+only then / not until才cái often omits (completed / change)了le in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才cái and (completed / change)了le.

Try it with help closed

You expected to be home by eight, but arrived at eleven. 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.

One possible response: I / me我wǒ十一点shí yì diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dàohome家jiā。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule.
• Time+only then / not until才cái often omits (completed / change)了le in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才cái and (completed / change)了le.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

A meal has an order of actions

• Before eating, someone tells you to wash your hands.
• early先xiānto wash one's hands洗手xǐ shǒu，again / then再zàito have a meal吃饭chī fàn。 — The instruction puts washing before eating.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is early先xiān … ，again / then再zài … (first …, then …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

first先xiānwash hands洗手xǐ shǒuthen，再zàieat吃chī。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, early先xiānto wash one's hands洗手xǐ shǒu，again / then再zàito have a meal吃饭chī fàn。: The instruction puts washing before eating.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• again / then再zài links the second step; it does not require a second meal.
• The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后rán hòu can link later steps too.

Use the distinction

• The instruction puts washing before eating.
• again / then再zài links the second step; it does not require a second meal. The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后rán hòu can link later steps too.

Try it with help closed

Before eating, someone tells you to wash your hands. 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.

One possible response: early先xiānto wash one's hands洗手xǐ shǒu，again / then再zàito have a meal吃饭chī fàn。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• again / then再zài links the second step; it does not require a second meal.
• The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后rán hòu can link later steps too.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

Two activities overlap

• You listen to music while preparing a meal.
• I / me我wǒone side一边yī biānto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn，one side一边yī biānto listen to听tīngmusic音乐yīn yuè。 — The two activities overlap in time.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is one side一边yī biān … one side一边yī biān … (doing two things at once). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

I我wǒoften常常cháng chángwhile一边yì biānshowering洗澡xǐ zǎo，一边yì biānsing唱歌chàng gē。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, I / me我wǒone side一边yī biānto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn，one side一边yī biānto listen to听tīngmusic音乐yīn yuè。: The two activities overlap in time.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant.
• one side一边yī biānto laugh笑xiàoone side一边yī biānto cry哭kū can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.

Use the distinction

• The two activities overlap in time.
• This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant. one side一边yī biānto laugh笑xiàoone side一边yī biānto cry哭kū can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.

Try it with help closed

You listen to music while preparing a meal. 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.

One possible response: I / me我wǒone side一边yī biānto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn，one side一边yī biānto listen to听tīngmusic音乐yīn yuè。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant.
• one side一边yī biānto laugh笑xiàoone side一边yī biānto cry哭kū can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always老是lǎo shì (always — a complaint)

A complaint names a recurring interruption

• A friend keeps interrupting you during conversations.
• you你nǐhow / why怎么zěn mealways老是lǎo shìto interrupt打断dǎ duànI / me我wǒ？ — always老是lǎo shì presents the repeated interruption with frustration.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is always老是lǎo shì (always — a complaint). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

you你nǐwhy怎么zěn mealways老是lǎo shìlate迟到chí dào？

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, you你nǐhow / why怎么zěn mealways老是lǎo shìto interrupt打断dǎ duànI / me我wǒ？: always老是lǎo shì presents the repeated interruption with frustration.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• always老是lǎo shì often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他tāprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto help帮bāngI / me我wǒ can express appreciation in context.
• always总是zǒng shì can also be used critically.

Use the distinction

• always老是lǎo shì presents the repeated interruption with frustration.
• always老是lǎo shì often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他tāprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto help帮bāngI / me我wǒ can express appreciation in context. always总是zǒng shì can also be used critically.

Try it with help closed

A friend keeps interrupting you during conversations. 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.

One possible response: you你nǐhow / why怎么zěn mealways老是lǎo shìto interrupt打断dǎ duànI / me我wǒ？

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• always老是lǎo shì often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他tāprefix used before the…老lǎoto be / is是shìto help帮bāngI / me我wǒ can express appreciation in context.
• always总是zǒng shì can also be used critically.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

A fare seems surprisingly small

• You expected a ticket to cost more than twenty yuan.
• this这zhè张票zhāng piàoonly then / not until才cái二十块èr shí kuài。 — only then / not until才cái presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is only then / not until才cái + Number (only — a small amount). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

you你nǐonly才cáitwenty二十岁èr shí suì？

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, this这zhè张票zhāng piàoonly then / not until才cái二十块èr shí kuài。: only then / not until才cái presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint.
• 二十块èr shí kuàionly then / not until才cáienough (sufficient)够gòu instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.

Use the distinction

• only then / not until才cái presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.
• The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint. 二十块èr shí kuàionly then / not until才cáienough (sufficient)够gòu instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.

Try it with help closed

You expected a ticket to cost more than twenty yuan. 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.

One possible response: this这zhè张票zhāng piàoonly then / not until才cái二十块èr shí kuài。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint.
• 二十块èr shí kuàionly then / not until才cáienough (sufficient)够gòu instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

One clock time supports two reactions

• An early worker expects arrival at six; a late worker expects arrival at nine.
• he / him他tā八点bā diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。she / her她tā八点bā diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào。 — then / just就jiù and only then / not until才cái present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is only then / not until才cái vs then / just就jiù (late vs early). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

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

Read examples in context

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

• In the opening example, he / him他tā八点bā diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。she / her她tā八点bā diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào。: then / just就jiù and only then / not until才cái present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• Check the expected time, not only the clock number.
• (completed / change)了le is common in the completed then / just就jiù example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.

Use the distinction

• then / just就jiù and only then / not until才cái present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.
• Check the expected time, not only the clock number. (completed / change)了le is common in the completed then / just就jiù example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.

Try it with help closed

An early worker expects arrival at six; a late worker expects arrival at nine. 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.

One possible response: he / him他tā八点bā diǎnthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。she / her她tā八点bā diǎnonly then / not until才cáito / arrive到dào。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Check the expected time, not only the clock number.
• (completed / change)了le is common in the completed then / just就jiù example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

Place a recent-time expression correctly

• A friend left shortly before you arrived.
• he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáihe / him他tāstill / also还háiat / in在zàihere这儿zhè ér。 — just now刚gāng modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái names the earlier time when he was here.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is just now刚gāng vs just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái (just now: adverb vs time-word). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

he他tājust刚gāngleave走zǒu。

Read examples in context

a moment ago刚才gāng cáihe他tābe at在zàihere这儿zhèr。

• In the opening example, he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáihe / him他tāstill / also还háiat / in在zàihere这儿zhè ér。: just now刚gāng modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái names the earlier time when he was here.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• just now刚gāng can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到gāng dàoschool学校xué xiàothen / just就jiùto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le.
• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái(modifier / structural particle)的detelephone电话diàn huà; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚gāng.

Use the distinction

• just now刚gāng modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái names the earlier time when he was here.
• just now刚gāng can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到gāng dàoschool学校xué xiàothen / just就jiùto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le. just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái(modifier / structural particle)的detelephone电话diàn huà; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚gāng.

Try it with help closed

A friend left shortly before you arrived. 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.

One possible response: he / him他tājust now刚gāngto walk走zǒu。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cáihe / him他tāstill / also还háiat / in在zàihere这儿zhè ér。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• just now刚gāng can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到gāng dàoschool学校xué xiàothen / just就jiùto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le.
• just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才gāng cái(modifier / structural particle)的detelephone电话diàn huà; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚gāng.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

An evaluation becomes a request

• A coat costs more than you want to pay, so you ask for a small reduction.
• 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúa little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì。cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn(suggestion)吧ba。 — a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì evaluates the price; cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn asks for a lower price.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is a little有点yǒu diǎn vs a bit一点yì diǎn (a bit too… vs a little …er). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

this这zhè(measure word)件jiànclothes衣服yī fua bit有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì。

Read examples in context

cheap便宜pián yia little一点yì diǎn吧ba！

• In the opening example, 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúa little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì。cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn(suggestion)吧ba。: a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì evaluates the price; cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn asks for a lower price.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• a little有点yǒu diǎn precedes the adjective and a bit一点yì diǎn follows it here.
• a little有点yǒu diǎn often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点yǒu diǎnhappy高兴gāo xìng; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.

Use the distinction

• a little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì evaluates the price; cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn asks for a lower price.
• a little有点yǒu diǎn precedes the adjective and a bit一点yì diǎn follows it here. a little有点yǒu diǎn often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点yǒu diǎnhappy高兴gāo xìng; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.

Try it with help closed

A coat costs more than you want to pay, so you ask for a small reduction. 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.

One possible response: 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúa little有点yǒu diǎnexpensive贵guì。cheap便宜pián yia bit一点yì diǎn(suggestion)吧ba。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• a little有点yǒu diǎn precedes the adjective and a bit一点yì diǎn follows it here.
• a little有点yǒu diǎn often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点yǒu diǎnhappy高兴gāo xìng; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

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

Distinguish a new plan from a known recurrence

• A visitor came today and plans another visit tomorrow.
• today今天jīn tiānhe / him他tāagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le，tomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。 — again又yòu marks today's recurrence; again / then再zài proposes the next visit.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is again / then再zài vs again又yòu (again: future vs past). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

he他tāagain又yòulate迟到chí dào了le。

Read examples in context

tomorrow明天míng tiānagain再zàicome来lái吧ba！

• In the opening example, today今天jīn tiānhe / him他tāagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le，tomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。: again又yòu marks today's recurrence; again / then再zài proposes the next visit.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system.
• tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再zài also links subsequent steps, as in 先看xiān kànto say again再说zài shuō.

Use the distinction

• again又yòu marks today's recurrence; again / then再zài proposes the next visit.
• This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system. tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再zài also links subsequent steps, as in 先看xiān kànto say again再说zài shuō.

Try it with help closed

A visitor came today and plans another visit tomorrow. 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.

One possible response: today今天jīn tiānhe / him他tāagain又yòuto come来lái(completed / change)了le，tomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito come来lái。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system.
• tomorrow明天míng tiānagain又yòuto be / is是shìMonday星期一xīng qī yī is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再zài also links subsequent steps, as in 先看xiān kànto say again再说zài shuō.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.