Comparing similar adverbs

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.

本来 vs 原来 (originally vs it turns out)

An earlier state differs from a new discovery

• You had intended to go, while a friend's identity has just become clear.
• 我本来想去；原来是你。 — 本来 marks the earlier intention and 原来 marks the discovery in these contexts.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 本来 vs 原来 (originally vs it turns out). 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wǒoriginally本来běn láiwant想xiǎnggo去qù的de。

Read examples in context

so it turns out原来yuán láiis是shìyou你nǐ！

• In the opening example, 我本来想去；原来是你。: 本来 marks the earlier intention and 原来 marks the discovery in these contexts.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 原来 can also mean originally, and 本来 can mark an inherent fact.
• These useful examples are not mutually exclusive dictionary definitions.

Use the distinction

• 本来 marks the earlier intention and 原来 marks the discovery in these contexts.
• 原来 can also mean originally, and 本来 can mark an inherent fact. These useful examples are not mutually exclusive dictionary definitions.

Try it with help closed

You had intended to go, while a friend's identity has just become clear. 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: 我本来想去；原来是你。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 原来 can also mean originally, and 本来 can mark an inherent fact.
• These useful examples are not mutually exclusive dictionary definitions.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

常常 vs 往往 (often vs tends to)

Frequency and a tendency can overlap

• You observe that weekends tend to be busy.
• 周末往往很忙。 — 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 常常 vs 往往 (often vs tends to). 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tāoften常常cháng chángbe late迟到chí dào。

Read examples in context

weekends周末zhōu mòtend to往往wǎng wǎngvery很hěnbusy忙máng。

• In the opening example, 周末往往很忙。: 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends.
• 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.

Use the distinction

• 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
• 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends. 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.

Try it with help closed

You observe that weekends tend to be busy. 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: 周末往往很忙。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends.
• 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

刚 vs 刚才 (adverb vs time-word)

An adverb differs from a time expression

• A friend left recently, and you describe the timing.
• 他刚走；刚才他在这儿。 — 刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 刚 vs 刚才 (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tāwas在zàihere这儿zhèr。

• In the opening example, 他刚走；刚才他在这儿。: 刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences.
• 刚 is not a standalone time noun, and 了 is not universally forbidden after a 刚-modified verb.

Use the distinction

• 刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time.
• 刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences. 刚 is not a standalone time noun, and 了 is not universally forbidden after a 刚-modified verb.

Try it with help closed

A friend left recently, and you describe the timing. 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: 他刚走；刚才他在这儿。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences.
• 刚 is not a standalone time noun, and 了 is not universally forbidden after a 刚-modified verb.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.