HSK 6 Grammar

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.

Verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + Adj (a pointed note)

Easy for you to say

• Your flatmate says moving all the furniture will be easy, but he has no plans to help.
• you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàoeasy容易róng yì，who谁shéito come来láito move (i.e. relocate…搬bān(and …? / softener)呢ne？ — "That's easy for you to say — who's going to do the lifting?"

Verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + Adj

• V (degree marker)得deto invert倒dào + Adj comments on how someone does or says something, with a pointed contrast: the claim is fine, but reality is different.
• Typical: variant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàolight轻松qīng sōng, want / think / miss想xiǎng(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàobeautiful美měi, variant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得de倒好dào hǎoto listen to听tīng.

you你nǐthink想xiǎng得de(how nice)倒dàonicely美měi。

Irony, and sincere surprise

• Ironic: he / him他tāwant / think / miss想xiǎng(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàobeautiful美měi，to think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xíalso也yěcan / be able to能néngto check考kǎofull marks满分mǎn fēn。 — "Dream on — he thinks he can get full marks without revising."
• Sincere: this这zhèchild孩子hái zi画得huà déto invert倒dàocorrect不错bù cuò。 — "This child actually draws rather well." to invert倒dào marks that it is better than expected.

this这zhèchild孩子hái zidraws画huà得deactually倒dàoquite well不错bú cuò。

to invert倒dào sits after (degree marker)得de

• Order: verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + adjective: variant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàoeasy容易róng yì, not variant of 说说shuōto invert倒dào(degree marker)得deeasy容易róng yì.
• Not every to invert倒dào sentence is sarcastic; tone and context decide whether it is a jab or a pleasant surprise.

Versus a plain (degree marker)得de complement

• you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěneasy容易róng yì just describes the manner.
• you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàoeasy容易róng yì implies "but it isn't really": the contrast with reality is the point.

you你nǐsay说shuō得de(how)倒dàoeasily轻松qīng sōng。

Recap

• V (degree marker)得deto invert倒dào + Adj = it sounds / looks … (but reality differs), or "actually rather …".
• Order V + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + Adj; tone decides irony or sincere surprise.

Practise this pattern step by step.

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + Adj (a formal “very”)

A formal report

• A news report describes how residents feel about the new park.
• resident居民jū mín(plural)们mento / towards / correct对duìnew新xīnpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuándegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì。 — "Residents are very satisfied with the new park."

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + Adj / feeling verb

• degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì = "very, quite", a more formal or literary degree / adjective linker很hěn: degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìhappy高兴gāo xìng, degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì, degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìanxious担心dān xīn.
• It goes before two-syllable adjectives or feeling verbs.

hearing听到tīng dàothis这个zhè genews消息xiāo xi，he他tāwas very很是hěn shìpleased高兴gāo xìng。

Writing and storytelling

• old man or woman老人lǎo rén一个yí gè人住rén zhù，child孩子hái zi(plural)们mendegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìanxious担心dān xīn。 — "The old man lives alone, and his children are very worried."
• It gives a measured, slightly old-fashioned tone suited to narratives and reports.

the children孩子们hái zi menare very很是hěn shìworried担心dān xīn。

Two-syllable words, written tone

• degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì prefers two-syllable predicates: degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì, not degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìgood好hǎo.
• In conversation, plain degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng sounds more natural.

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì versus to be / is是shì for emphasis

• degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì = very (degree). Do not confuse it with to be / is是shì for emphasis: he / him他tāto be / is是shìdegree / adjective linker很hěnbusy忙máng — "He really is busy (I admit)."
• Here degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì is one unit before the adjective.

he他tā(really)是shìvery很hěnbusy忙máng。

Recap

• degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + two-syllable Adj / feeling verb = very (formal, literary).
• Spoken Chinese prefers degree / adjective linker很hěn / very非常fēi cháng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

fully足足zú zú + Amount (a full / as much as)

A whole three hours

• The queue for the new museum exhibition was much longer than you expected.
• we / us我们wǒ menfully足足zú zúa row排pái(completed / change)了le三个sān gèhour小时xiǎo shí(modifier / structural particle)的desquadron队duì。 — "We queued for a full three hours."

fully足足zú zú + amount = a full, fully

• fully足足zú zú + number + measure word stresses that the amount is large, at least that much: fully足足zú zú三个sān gèhour小时xiǎo shí, fully足足zú zú十公斤shí gōng jīn.
• It goes before the verb or directly before the amount.

this这个zhè gesuitcase箱子xiāng zia full足足zú zúhas有yǒutwenty二十èr shíkilos公斤gōng jīn。

Emphasising size, time or weight

• he / him他tāfully足足zú zúthan / compared to比bǐI / me我wǒhigh高gāo(completed / change)了le一个头yí gè tóu。 — "He's a full head taller than me."
• this这zhè顿饭dùn fànfully足足zú zúflower花huā(completed / change)了le五百块wǔ bǎi kuài。 — "This meal cost a whole 500 yuan."

this这顿zhè dùnmeal饭fàna full足足zú zúcost花huā了lefive hundred五百wǔ bǎiyuan块kuài。

Large amounts only

• fully足足zú zú stresses a large amount; for "only" a small amount use only then / not until才cái / only只zhǐ: only then / not until才cái五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng.
• It needs a number: fully足足zú zú三天sān tiān, not just fully足足zú zúdegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ.

fully足足zú zú versus whole整整zhěng zhěng

• whole整整zhěng zhěng also means "a whole, exactly": whole整整zhěng zhěng一天yī tiān — "a whole day". It stresses completeness.
• fully足足zú zú stresses that the amount is large, even more than expected.

he他tāa whole整整zhěng zhěngday一天yì tiāndidn't没méieat吃chīanything东西dōng xi。

Recap

• fully足足zú zú + amount = a full / as much as (a large amount, stressed).
• Small amounts use only then / not until才cái / only只zhǐ; whole整整zhěng zhěng = a whole, exactly.

Practise this pattern step by step.

repeatedly一再yī zài + Verb (again and again)

Told him again and again

• Your brother kept forgetting his keys even though everyone reminded him.
• mama妈妈mā mārepeatedly一再yī zàito remind提醒tí xǐnghe / him他tā，he / him他tāor / still还是hái shìto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le。 — "Mum reminded him again and again, but he still forgot."

repeatedly一再yī zài + verb = repeatedly, time and again

• repeatedly一再yī zài means an action was repeated several times, often with insistence: 一再强调yī zài qiáng diào, repeatedly一再yī zàito request要求yāo qiú, repeatedly一再yī zàito postpone推迟tuī chí.
• It goes before the verb.

the teacher老师lǎo shīrepeatedly一再yí zàistressed强调qiáng diàosafety安全ān quán。

Delays and insistence

• meeting会议huì yìrepeatedly一再yī zàito postpone推迟tuī chí。 — "The meeting was postponed again and again."
• he / him他tā一再表示yī zài biǎo shì(express) thanks感谢gǎn xiè。 — "He thanked us repeatedly."

the meeting会议huì yìrepeatedly一再yí zàipostponed推迟tuī chí。

Past repetitions, formal tone

• repeatedly一再yī zài mostly reports actions already repeated; for advice about the future, over and over again再三zài sān often fits better: to ask请qǐngyou你nǐover and over again再三zài sānto think over考虑kǎo lǜ.
• It sounds formal; in chat, good好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì is more natural: I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(completed / change)了legood好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì.

repeatedly一再yī zài versus over and over again再三zài sān and repeatedly屡次lǚ cì

• over and over again再三zài sān = again and again, often for thinking or asking: over and over again再三zài sānto think over考虑kǎo lǜ, over and over again再三zài sānto request请求qǐng qiú.
• repeatedly屡次lǚ cì is more written: "on many occasions": repeatedly屡次lǚ cìto win an award获奖huò jiǎng.

he他tāagain and again再三zài sānconsidered考虑kǎo lǜ。

Recap

• repeatedly一再yī zài + verb = repeatedly, time and again (often insistent, formal).
• over and over again再三zài sān for thinking / asking; repeatedly屡次lǚ cì written; good好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì in chat.

Practise this pattern step by step.

each and every凡是fán shì … all / both都dōu (all / any without exception)

No exceptions

• The school rules are read out on the first day.
• each and every凡是fán shìto arrive late迟到chí dào(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēng，all / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto write写xiěto explain说明shuō míng。 — "Every student who is late, without exception, must write an explanation."

each and every凡是fán shì + category，all / both都dōu …

• each and every凡是fán shì X，all / both都dōu … = "all X, any X without exception": every member of the category is included.
• all / both都dōu is needed in the second part: each and every凡是fán shì…all / both都dōu….

all凡是fán shìwho have been to去过qù guothere那里nà li的depeople人rén，all都dōusay说shuōit's good好hǎo。

Rules and generalisations

• each and every凡是fán shìhe / him他tāto answer答应dā yìng(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì，all / both都dōucan / will会huìto accomplish做到zuò dào。 — "Whatever he promises, he always does."
• each and every凡是fán shìto have / there is有yǒuquestion问题wèn tí(modifier / structural particle)的de，请举手qǐng jǔ shǒu。 — "Anyone with questions, please raise your hand."

whatever凡是fán shìhe他tāpromises答应dā ying的dethings事shì，all都dōuwill会huìbe done做到zuò dào。

each and every凡是fán shì needs all / both都dōu

• Do not drop all / both都dōu: each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā, not each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā.
• each and every凡是fán shì introduces a category, usually with (modifier / structural particle)的de: each and every凡是fán shì…(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rén / each and every凡是fán shì…(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì.

each and every凡是fán shì versus all所有suǒ yǒu and each每měi

• all所有suǒ yǒu(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōu… = all the students.
• each and every凡是fán shì…all / both都dōu… stresses "any, without exception", often for rules and strong generalisations.

all所有suǒ yǒu的destudents学生xué shengall都dōucame来lái了le。

Recap

• each and every凡是fán shì + category ((modifier / structural particle)的de…)，all / both都dōu … = all / any … without exception.
• Needs all / both都dōu; used for rules and firm generalisations.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always (previously)向来xiàng lái (always / all along)

Always punctual

• Your colleague has never been late in ten years.
• he / him他tāalways (previously)向来xiàng láidegree / adjective linker很hěnon time准时zhǔn shí，today今天jīn tiānnot / haven't没méito come来lái，to be certain肯定kěn dìngto be occupied with sth有事yǒu shì。 — "He's always been punctual; if he hasn't come today, something must be up."

always (previously)向来xiàng lái + verb / adj = always, all along

• always (previously)向来xiàng lái describes a long-standing habit or character, from the past until now: always (previously)向来xiàng láidegree / adjective linker很hěnto economize节约jié yuē, always (previously)向来xiàng láinot不bùto drink (alcohol)喝酒hē jiǔ.
• It goes after the subject, before the predicate.

she她tāalways向来xiàng láinot不bùdrink喝hēalcohol酒jiǔ。

Character and habits

• 这家zhè jiāinn店diànalways (previously)向来xiàng láito use以yǐto serve服务fú wùgood好hǎowell-known for sth出名chū míng。 — "This shop has always been known for its good service."
• I / me我wǒalways (previously)向来xiàng láinot不bùto be convinced (that sth…相信xiāng xìnthis kind of这种zhè zhǒngto advertise广告guǎng gào。 — "I've never believed adverts like this."

this这家zhè jiāshop店diànhas always向来xiàng láifor以yǐservice服务fú wùgood好hǎobeen famous出名chū míng。

Long-term only

• always (previously)向来xiàng lái describes long-standing patterns, not one recent stretch: for "all morning", use all along一直yì zhí.
• It sounds formal; in speech always (previously)一向yí xiàng or always从来cóng lái (with negatives) are common.

always (previously)向来xiàng lái versus all along一直yì zhí and always从来cóng lái

• all along一直yì zhí = continuously over a period: today今天jīn tiānall along一直yì zhíto rain下雨xià yǔ.
• always从来cóng lái mostly with not不bù / not / haven't没méi: never从来不cóng lái bùto arrive late迟到chí dào. always (previously)向来xiàng lái works with positive and negative predicates.

today今天jīn tiānall day一直yì zhíraining下雨xià yǔ。

Recap

• always (previously)向来xiàng lái + predicate = always, all along (long-standing character or habit).
• all along一直yì zhí = continuously over a stretch; always从来cóng lái mostly with negatives.

Practise this pattern step by step.

really果然guǒ rán (sure enough / as expected)

Just as the forecast said

• The weather app warned of afternoon storms. At three o'clock, thunder rolls in.
• weather forecast天气预报tiān qì yù bàovariant of 说说shuōafternoon下午xià wǔ有雨yǒu yǔ，really果然guǒ ránto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。 — "The forecast said it would rain this afternoon, and sure enough, it did."

really果然guǒ rán + result = sure enough, as expected

• really果然guǒ rán confirms that something happened as predicted or expected.
• It goes after the subject (or at the start of the clause): he / him他tāreally果然guǒ ránto come来lái(completed / change)了le / really果然guǒ rán，他来tā lái(completed / change)了le.

he他tāsaid说shuōwould会huìcome来lái，sure enough果然guǒ ráncame来lái了le。

Predictions and reputations

• everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuvariant of 说说shuō这家zhè jiā(modifier / structural particle)的devegetable菜càito be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī，really果然guǒ ránlit. name is not in vain…名不虚传míng bù xū chuán。 — "Everyone said the food here was good, and it really lives up to its name."
• I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto know知道zhī dào他会tā huìto arrive late迟到chí dào，he / him他tāreally果然guǒ ránto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 — "I knew he'd be late, and sure enough he was."

I我wǒjust就jiùknew知道zhī dàohe他tāwould会huìbe late迟到chí dào，he他tāsure enough果然guǒ ránwas late迟到chí dào了le。

Needs an earlier expectation

• really果然guǒ rán only makes sense after a prediction, warning or reputation; without one, it sounds odd.
• For a surprise (against expectation), use unexpectedly竟然jìng rán / unexpectedly居然jū rán, the opposite of really果然guǒ rán.

really果然guǒ rán versus unexpectedly竟然jìng rán

• really果然guǒ rán = just as expected: he / him他tāreally果然guǒ ránto pass a university…考上kǎo shàng(completed / change)了le.
• unexpectedly竟然jìng rán = unexpectedly: he / him他tāunexpectedly竟然jìng rán没考上méi kǎo shàng — "Surprisingly, he didn't get in."

he他tāunexpectedly竟然jìng rándidn't没méiget in考上kǎo shàng。

Recap

• really果然guǒ rán = sure enough, as expected (after a prediction or reputation).
• Opposite: unexpectedly竟然jìng rán / unexpectedly居然jū rán (unexpectedly).

Practise this pattern step by step.

it seems似乎sì hū (it seems / as if)

Something seems off

• Your usually cheerful colleague is quiet in the meeting and avoids eye contact.
• he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto have / there is有yǒuwhat什么shén mea load on one's mind心事xīn shì。 — "He seems to have something on his mind."

it seems似乎sì hū + guess = it seems, apparently

• it seems似乎sì hū gives a tentative impression or guess, a more formal as if好像hǎo xiàng: it seems似乎sì hūnot不bù太高兴tài gāo xìng, it seems似乎sì hūclear明白míng bái(completed / change)了le.
• It goes after the subject or at the start of the clause.

she她tāseems似乎sì hūnot very不太bú tàihappy高兴gāo xìng。

Writing and careful speech

• question问题wèn tíit seems似乎sì hūthan / compared to比bǐwe / us我们wǒ menwant / think / miss想xiǎng(modifier / structural particle)的demore更gèngcomplicated复杂fù zá。 — "The problem seems more complicated than we thought."
• it seems似乎sì hū…same一样yī yàng = as if: he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūwhat什么shén meall / both都dōuto know知道zhī dàosame一样yī yàng.

the problem问题wèn tíseems似乎sì hūthan比bǐwe我们wǒ menthought想xiǎng的demore更gèngcomplicated复杂fù zá。

Tentative, so not with definitely一定yí dìng

• it seems似乎sì hū is soft; do not pair it with definitely一定yí dìng / to be certain肯定kěn dìng: he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūillness病bìng(completed / change)了le, not he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto be certain肯定kěn dìngillness病bìng(completed / change)了le.
• It sounds formal; in conversation as if好像hǎo xiàng is more common.

it seems似乎sì hū versus as if好像hǎo xiàng and apparently看来kàn lái

• as if好像hǎo xiàng = it seems (spoken): he / him他tāas if好像hǎo xiàngto walk走zǒu(completed / change)了le.
• apparently看来kàn lái draws a conclusion from evidence: he / him他tānot / haven't没méito come来lái，apparently看来kàn láito be / is是shìillness病bìng(completed / change)了le.

he他tāseems to好像hǎo xiànghave left走zǒu了le。

Recap

• it seems似乎sì hū = it seems / apparently (formal, tentative); it seems似乎sì hū…same一样yī yàng = as if.
• Spoken as if好像hǎo xiàng; conclusion from evidence apparently看来kàn lái; not with definitely一定yí dìng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān (of all things / just had to)

Of all days

• You planned the class picnic for weeks. It has been sunny all month — until today.
• we / us我们wǒ menwith great difficulty好不容易hǎo bù róng yìto fix定dìng(completed / change)了lepicnic野餐yě cān(modifier / structural particle)的deday日子rì zi，(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānthat day那天nà tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ。 — "We finally fixed a date for the picnic, and of all days, it rained."

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān = of all things, just had to

• (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān marks that something happened against what was wanted or expected, often annoyingly: (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānthat day那天nà tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ.
• It can also mean "insist on (doing the opposite)": to let / make让rànghe / him他tādon't别biéto go去qù，he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānwant / will / need要yàoto go去qù.

told让rànghim他tānot to别biégo去qù，he他tāinsisted偏偏piān piānon要yàogoing去qù。

Bad luck and stubbornness

• Bad luck: I / me我wǒurgent急jí(ongoing -ing)着zheto go out出门chū mén，key钥匙yào shi(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānto try to find找zhǎonot to arrive不到bú dào(completed / change)了le。 — "I was in a hurry, and of course I couldn't find my keys."
• Stubbornness: everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto advise劝quànhe / him他tā，he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānnot不bùto listen to听tīng。 — "Everyone tried to persuade him, but he just wouldn't listen."

I我wǒin a hurry急着jí zheto go out出门chū mén，the keys钥匙yào shiof all times偏偏piān piāncouldn't find找不到zhǎo bu dào了le。

It needs a contrast

• (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān only works when the event goes against a wish or advice; for a neutral fact, leave it out.
• As an adverb it follows the subject: he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānnot不bùto listen to听tīng. Before to be / is是shì + noun it means "of all people / things": (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānto be / is是shìhe / him他tā.

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān versus unexpectedly竟然jìng rán

• unexpectedly竟然jìng rán = surprisingly (any surprise).
• (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān = contrary to what was wanted — frustrating timing or stubborn behaviour.

he他tāsurprisingly竟然jìng ráncame来lái了le。

Recap

• (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān = of all things / just had to (against a wish), or stubbornly insist on the opposite.
• Needs a contrast; unexpectedly竟然jìng rán = any surprise.

Practise this pattern step by step.

again / then再zài + Adj + also也yě (however …, still …)

However busy

• Your mother works long hours but never misses family dinner on Sundays.
• to work工作gōng zuòagain / then再zàibusy忙máng，she / her她tāalso也yěcan / will会huìto return home回家huí jiāto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。 — "However busy work gets, she still comes home for dinner."

again / then再zài + Adj，also也yě … = however …, still …

• again / then再zài + Adj，(Subject) also也yě + result = no matter how Adj it is, the result stays the same.
• again / then再zài here means "even more, however much"; also也yě is needed in the second part.

the weather天气tiān qìhowever再zàicold冷lěng，he他tāstill也yěgoes去qùrunning跑步pǎo bù。

Determination and limits

• 再贵zài guìI / me我wǒalso也yěwant / will / need要yàoto buy买mǎi。 — "However expensive it is, I'm going to buy it."
• you你nǐagain / then再zàiexplanation解释jiě shìalso也yěuseless没用méi yòng，he / him他tāimprobable不会bú huìto be convinced (that sth…相信xiāng xìn(modifier / structural particle)的de。 — "However much you explain, it won't help; he won't believe it."

you你nǐhowever much再zàiexplain解释jiě shìstill也yěno use没用méi yòng。

also也yě is required

• Do not drop also也yě: again / then再zàibusy忙mángalso也yěto come来lái, not again / then再zàibusy忙mángto come来lái.
• again / then再zài + Adj here is a condition, not "again": again / then再zàicold冷lěng = however cold.

Versus no matter what or how无论wú lùnmany多duō / not to be concerned不管bù guǎnmany多duō

• no matter what or how无论wú lùn多忙duō máng，she / her她tāall / both都dōucan / will会huìto return home回家huí jiā = the same idea, more explicit.
• again / then再zàibusy忙mángalso也yě… is shorter, very common in speech.

no matter无论wú lùnhow多duōbusy忙máng，she她tāstill都dōuwill会huìcome home回家huí jiā。

Recap

• again / then再zài + Adj / Verb，also也yě + result = however …, still ….
• also也yě is required; no matter what or how无论wú lùnmany多duō…all / both都dōu… is the longer form.

Practise this pattern step by step.

same一律yī lǜ (uniformly / without exception)

Same price for everyone

• At the museum entrance, a sign explains the ticket policy.
• ticket (for theater, cinema…门票mén piàosame一律yī lǜ二十元èr shí yuán。 — "Tickets are twenty yuan, without exception."

same一律yī lǜ + verb / predicate = uniformly, without exception

• same一律yī lǜ applies a rule to everyone or everything in the same way: same一律yī lǜfree (of charge)免费miǎn fèi, same一律yī lǜnot不bùto retreat退tuì.
• It is formal and common on signs, rules and notices.

this shop's本店běn diàngoods商品shāng pǐnall一律yí lǜ20% off八折bā zhé。

Rules and policies

• student学生xué shēngsame一律yī lǜto wear穿chuānschool uniform校服xiào fú。 — "All students must wear school uniform."
• to be overdue过期guò qī(modifier / structural particle)的deticket票piàosame一律yī lǜnot valid无效wú xiào。 — "Expired tickets are invalid without exception."

students学生xué shengall一律yí lǜwear穿chuānschool uniform校服xiào fú。

Rules, not descriptions

• same一律yī lǜ states a rule or uniform treatment; for "all" in a description, use all / both都dōu: student学生xué shēngall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le.
• It goes before the verb, after the group: student学生xué shēngsame一律yī lǜ…, not same一律yī lǜstudent学生xué shēng….

same一律yī lǜ versus all / both都dōu and whole全部quán bù

• all / both都dōu = all (neutral).
• same一律yī lǜ = all, by rule, no exceptions: (of a restaurant) to…外卖wài màisame一律yī lǜto put放fàngdoorway门口mén kǒu — "All deliveries go at the door."

deliveries外卖wài màiall一律yí lǜgo放fàngat the door门口mén kǒu。

Recap

• Group + same一律yī lǜ + predicate = uniformly, by rule, no exceptions (formal).
• Plain "all" in descriptions = all / both都dōu.

Practise this pattern step by step.

only无非wú fēi (nothing but / merely)

Just the usual excuses

• Your manager has heard your colleague's reasons for being late many times before.
• he / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(modifier / structural particle)的deonly无非wú fēito be / is是shìtraffic jam堵车dǔ chē、to rain下雨xià yǔthese这些zhè xiēreason理由lǐ yóu。 — "What he says is nothing but the usual excuses — traffic, rain."

only无非wú fēi (to be / is是shì) + content = nothing but, merely

• only无非wú fēi says something is no more than the ordinary items mentioned: only无非wú fēito be / is是shì, only无非wú fēiwant / think / miss想xiǎng.
• It often has a dismissive tone: "it's just …".

he他tāmerely无非wú fēiis是shìwants想xiǎngmore多duōearn赚zhuàna bit点儿diǎnrmoney钱qián。

Summing up the obvious

• everyone大家dà jiāto discuss讨论tǎo lùn(modifier / structural particle)的deonly无非wú fēito be / is是shì两个liǎng gèquestion问题wèn tí：(concept of) time时间shí jiānand / with和hécoin钱qián。 — "What everyone discussed boiled down to two issues: time and money."
• he / him他tāso much这么zhè meto make做zuò，only无非wú fēito be / is是shìwant / think / miss想xiǎngto give rise to引起yǐn qǐto take note of注意zhù yì。 — "He's doing it merely to attract attention."

he他tālike this这么zhè medoes it做zuò，merely无非wú fēiis是shìwanting想xiǎngattract引起yǐn qǐattention注意zhù yì。

Ordinary, limited content

• What follows only无非wú fēi should be ordinary or limited; it is not for surprising facts.
• It often comes with to be / is是shì or want / think / miss想xiǎng / want / will / need要yào: only无非wú fēito be / is是shì…, only无非wú fēiwant / think / miss想xiǎng….

only无非wú fēi versus merely只是zhǐ shì and but不过bú guò

• merely只是zhǐ shì / but不过bú guò = only, just (neutral).
• only无非wú fēi = nothing more than, often summarising and slightly dismissive.

this这zhèis only只是zhǐ shìa一个yí gèsmall小xiǎoproblem问题wèn tí。

Recap

• only无非wú fēi (to be / is是shì / want / think / miss想xiǎng) + ordinary content = nothing but, merely (often dismissive).
• Neutral "only" = merely只是zhǐ shì / but不过bú guò.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always (previously)一向yí xiàng (all along / consistently)

Consistently careful

• Your colleague has always double-checked every document, ever since she joined.
• she / her她tāto work做事zuò shìalways (previously)一向yí xiàngdegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn。 — "She has always been very conscientious in her work."

always (previously)一向yí xiàng + predicate = all along, consistently

• always (previously)一向yí xiàng describes a consistent habit or character from the past until now: always (previously)一向yí xiàngdegree / adjective linker很hěnon time准时zhǔn shí, always (previously)一向yí xiàng不爱bù àito speak说话shuō huà.
• It goes after the subject, before the predicate.

he他tāalways一向yí xiàngnot不búlike爱àito talk说话shuō huà。

Habits and reputations

• 这家zhè jiācompany公司gōng sīalways (previously)一向yí xiàngto attach importance to sth重视zhòng shìquality质量zhì liàng。 — "This company has always valued quality."
• I / me我wǒalways (previously)一向yí xiàngto feel / think觉得jué dehe / him他tāto be / is是shì(measure word)个gègood person好人hǎo rén。 — "I've always thought he was a good person."

this这家zhè jiācompany公司gōng sīalways一向yí xiàngvalues重视zhòng shìquality质量zhì liàng。

Habit, not a single stretch

• always (previously)一向yí xiàng describes long-term character; for one continuous stretch use all along一直yì zhí: he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děng.
• It is not "towards": that is towards向xiàng alone (向前走xiàng qián zǒu).

always (previously)一向yí xiàng versus always (previously)向来xiàng lái and all along一直yì zhí

• always (previously)一向yí xiàng and always (previously)向来xiàng lái are close synonyms; always (previously)向来xiàng lái is a little more formal.
• all along一直yì zhí = continuously, or all along with a specific stretch: (literary) to rain雨yǔall along一直yì zhídown下xià.

the rain雨yǔcontinuously一直yì zhífalls下xià。

Recap

• always (previously)一向yí xiàng + predicate = always, consistently (character or habit).
• Synonym always (previously)向来xiàng lái; one continuous stretch = all along一直yì zhí.

Practise this pattern step by step.

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu (when the time comes)

We'll decide then

• Your friend asks what you'll do if the flight is cancelled next month.
• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuto say again再说zài shuō(suggestion)吧ba。 — "Let's deal with it when the time comes."

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu = when the time comes, then

• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu refers to a future moment already mentioned or understood: the trip, the exam, the meeting.
• It usually starts its clause: when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuI / me我wǒto / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà.

when the time comes到时候dào shí houI我wǒto给gěiyou你nǐwill call打电话dǎ diàn huà。

Plans and warnings

• you你nǐnow现在xiàn zàinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xí，when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuthen / just就jiùthere's not enough time (to…来不及lái bù jí(completed / change)了le。 — "If you don't revise now, it'll be too late when the time comes."
• next week下周xià zhōuto hold a meeting开会kāi huì，when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòueveryone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto make a speech发言fā yán。 — "We have a meeting next week; everyone will have to speak then."

you你nǐnow现在xiàn zàidon't不búrevise复习fù xí，when the time comes到时候dào shí houthen就jiùtoo late来不及lái bu jí了le。

Future only

• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu points to a future moment; for a past "at that time", use that那nàtime时候shí hòu / at once当时dāng shí.
• The moment must be clear from context; when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu alone with no plan sounds vague.

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu versus at once当时dāng shí

• at once当时dāng shí = at that time (past): at once当时dāng shíI / me我wǒstill / also还hái很小hěn xiǎo.
• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu = then (future): when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuyou你nǐthen / just就jiùto know知道zhī dào(completed / change)了le — "You'll know when the time comes."

at that time当时dāng shíI我wǒstill还háivery很hěnyoung小xiǎo。

Recap

• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu = when the time comes (a known future moment); when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuto say again再说zài shuō = deal with it then.
• Past = at once当时dāng shí / that那nàtime时候shí hòu.

Practise this pattern step by step.

there is no need何必hé bì (why bother / no need)

No need to go to the trouble

• Your friend is about to take a taxi across town to return a cheap pen you lent him.
• there is no need何必hé bìspecialist专门zhuān ménto run跑pǎo一趟yī tàng？next time下次xià cìto meet见面jiàn miànagain / then再zàito / for / give给gěiI / me我wǒ就行了jiù xíng le。 — "Why bother making a special trip? Just give it back next time we meet."

there is no need何必hé bì + verb ((and …? / softener)呢ne)？ = why bother, there's no need to

• there is no need何必hé bì asks a rhetorical question meaning "there's no need to …": there is no need何必hé bìto get angry生气shēng qì(and …? / softener)呢ne？
• It gently advises against something unnecessary.

why bother何必hé bìover为wèithis这zhèlittle点儿diǎnrmatter小事xiǎo shìgetting angry生气shēng qì呢ne？

Advice and comfort

• you你nǐthere is no need何必hé bìso much这么zhè mepolite客气kè qì？ — "No need to be so polite."
• since既然jì ránhe / him他tānot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huan，you你nǐagain又yòuthere is no need何必hé bìto do with difficulty勉强miǎn qiǎnghe / him他tā？ — "Since he doesn't like it, why force him?"

since既然jì ránhe他tādoesn't不bùlike it喜欢xǐ huan，you你nǐ(then)又yòuwhy何必hé bìforce勉强miǎn qiǎnghim他tā？

A rhetorical question, not a real one

• there is no need何必hé bì does not ask for a reason; it means "you don't need to". The answer is built in.
• (and …? / softener)呢ne often ends the question: there is no need何必hé bì(and …? / softener)呢ne？ — "Why bother?"

there is no need何必hé bì versus need not不必bù bì

• need not不必bù bì states it plainly: you你nǐneed not不必bù bìanxious担心dān xīn — "You needn't worry."
• there is no need何必hé bì says the same as a rhetorical question, softer and more persuasive.

you你nǐneedn't不必bú bìworry担心dān xīn。

Recap

• there is no need何必hé bì + verb ((and …? / softener)呢ne)？ = why bother / there's no need to (rhetorical advice).
• Plain statement = need not不必bù bì.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Practice without the models

Verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + Adj (a pointed note)

0101.1 Retort: “That's easy for you to say!” you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得de…………easy容易róng yì！

0101.2 Which order is correct?

• A. you你nǐ(degree marker)得devariant of 说说shuōto invert倒dàolight轻松qīng sōng。
• B. you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàolight轻松qīng sōng。
• C. you你nǐto invert倒dàovariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得delight轻松qīng sōng(degree marker)得de。
• D. you你nǐvariant of 说说shuōto invert倒dào(degree marker)得delight轻松qīng sōng。

0101.3 this这zhèchild孩子hái zi画得huà déto invert倒dàocorrect不错bù cuò can be sincere praise.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0101.4 Build: “Dream on – he thinks he can pass without revising.”

Arrange all chunks: he / him他tāwant / think / miss想xiǎng(degree marker)得de / 倒美dào měi / also也yěcan / be able to能néngto pass through通过tōng guò。 / ，to think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xí

0101.5 Your flatmate says moving all the furniture will be easy, but he has no plans to help. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + Adj (a formal “very”)

0102.1 Complete (formal): “The audience was very moved.” spectators观众guān zhòng…………to move (sb)感动gǎn dòng。

0102.2 Which is the least natural?

• A. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì。
• B. everyone大家dà jiādegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìanxious担心dān xīn。
• C. she / her她tādegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìhappy高兴gāo xìng。
• D. weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìgood好hǎo。

0102.3 Build: “His children are very worried.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì / anxious担心dān xīn。 / child孩子hái zi(plural)们men

0102.4 degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì sounds more formal than degree / adjective linker很hěn.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0102.5 A news report describes how residents feel about the new park. 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.

fully足足zú zú + Amount (a full / as much as)

0103.1 Complete: “We waited a full two hours.” we / us我们wǒ men…………to wait for等děng(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí。

0103.2 “It only took five minutes.” Which fits?

• A. fully足足zú zúonly then / not until才cái五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng。
• B. 五分钟wǔ fēn zhōngfully足足zú zú。
• C. fully足足zú zú五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng。
• D. only then / not until才cái五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng。

0103.3 Build: “This meal cost a whole 500 yuan.”

Arrange all chunks: fully足足zú zú / 五百块wǔ bǎi kuài。 / flower花huā(completed / change)了le / this这zhè顿饭dùn fàn

0103.4 whole整整zhěng zhěng一天yī tiān stresses a whole, complete day.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0103.5 The queue for the new museum exhibition was much longer than you 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.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

repeatedly一再yī zài + Verb (again and again)

0104.1 Complete: “The doctor repeatedly told him to rest.” doctor医生yī shēng…………to warn repeatedly叮嘱dīng zhǔhe / him他tāmany多duōrest休息xiū xī。

0104.2 Which sounds most natural in casual chat? “I told him several times.”

• A. I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(completed / change)了legood好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì。
• B. I / me我wǒover and over again再三zài sānhe / him他tāto tell告诉gào sù。
• C. I / me我wǒrepeatedly屡次lǚ cìto tell告诉gào sùhe / him他tā。
• D. I / me我wǒrepeatedly一再yī zàito tell告诉gào sùhe / him他tā。

0104.3 Build: “The meeting was postponed again and again.”

Arrange all chunks: repeatedly一再yī zài / to postpone推迟tuī chí。 / meeting会议huì yì

0104.4 repeatedly一再yī zài often carries a sense of insistence.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0104.5 Your brother kept forgetting his keys even though everyone reminded him. 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.

each and every凡是fán shì … all / both都dōu (all / any without exception)

0105.1 Complete: “Everyone who has been there says it's good.” each and every凡是fán shì去过qù guòthere那里nà lǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rén，…………to come to an agreement说好shuō hǎo。

0105.2 Which sentence is complete?

• A. student学生xué shēngeach and every凡是fán shìall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā。
• B. each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā。
• C. all / both都dōueach and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā。
• D. each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā。

0105.3 Build: “Whatever he promises, he does.”

Arrange all chunks: all / both都dōucan / will会huì / to accomplish做到zuò dào。 / each and every凡是fán shìhe / him他tāto answer答应dā yìng(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì / ，

0105.4 each and every凡是fán shì stresses “without exception”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0105.5 The school rules are read out on the first day. 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 (previously)向来xiàng lái (always / all along)

0106.1 Complete: “He has always been very frugal.” he / him他tā…………degree / adjective linker很hěnto economize节约jié yuē。

0106.2 “It's been raining all day.” Which fits?

• A. today今天jīn tiānalways (previously)向来xiàng lái不下雨bù xià yǔ。
• B. today今天jīn tiānalways从来cóng láito rain下雨xià yǔ。
• C. today今天jīn tiānalways (previously)向来xiàng láito rain下雨xià yǔ。
• D. today今天jīn tiānall along一直yì zhíto rain下雨xià yǔ。

0106.3 Build: “I've never believed adverts like this.”

Arrange all chunks: this kind of这种zhè zhǒngto advertise广告guǎng gào。 / always (previously)向来xiàng lái / not不bùto be convinced (that sth…相信xiāng xìn / I / me我wǒ

0106.4 always (previously)向来xiàng lái can be used with both positive and negative predicates.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0106.5 Your colleague has never been late in ten years. 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.

really果然guǒ rán (sure enough / as expected)

0107.1 Complete: “He said he'd come, and sure enough he did.” he / him他tāvariant of 说说shuōcan / will会huìto come来lái，…………to come来lái(completed / change)了le。

0107.2 “Everyone expected him to win, but surprisingly he lost.” Which word fits? everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéi他会tā huìto beat赢yíng，he / him他tā____to lose输shū(completed / change)了le。

• A. of course当然dāng rán
• B. unexpectedly竟然jìng rán
• C. really果然guǒ rán
• D. suddenly突然tū rán

0107.3 Build: “I knew he'd be late, and sure enough he was.”

Arrange all chunks: to arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。 / ， / I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto know知道zhī dào他会tā huìto arrive late迟到chí dào / he / him他tāreally果然guǒ rán

0107.4 really果然guǒ rán needs an earlier prediction or expectation.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0107.5 The weather app warned of afternoon storms. At three o'clock, thunder rolls in. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

it seems似乎sì hū (it seems / as if)

0108.1 Complete (formal): “The plan seems to have problems.” this这个zhè geplan计划jì huà…………to have / there is有yǒuquestion问题wèn tí。

0108.2 Which is unnatural?

• A. he / him他tāas if好像hǎo xiàngillness病bìng(completed / change)了le。
• B. he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto be certain肯定kěn dìngillness病bìng(completed / change)了le。
• C. apparently看来kàn lái他病tā bìng(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūillness病bìng(completed / change)了le。

0108.3 Build: “The problem seems more complicated than we thought.”

Arrange all chunks: question问题wèn tíit seems似乎sì hū / complicated复杂fù zá。 / than / compared to比bǐwe / us我们wǒ menwant / think / miss想xiǎng(modifier / structural particle)的de / more更gèng

0108.4 as if好像hǎo xiàng is more common than it seems似乎sì hū in conversation.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0108.5 Your usually cheerful colleague is quiet in the meeting and avoids eye contact. 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.

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān (of all things / just had to)

0109.1 Complete: “Everyone told him not to, but he insisted on going.” everyone大家dà jiāto let / make让rànghe / him他tādon't别biéto go去qù，he / him他tā…………want / will / need要yàoto go去qù。

0109.2 Which sentence fits (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān best?

• A. weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo，(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānwe / us我们wǒ mento go去qùto climb a mountain爬山pá shān(completed / change)了le。
• B. (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piāntoday今天jīn tiānMonday星期一xīng qī yī。
• C. we / us我们wǒ menplan计划jì huàto go去qùcoast海边hǎi biān，(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānthat day那天nà tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānto be / is是shì一个yí gèstudent学生xué shēng。

0109.3 Build: “Everyone persuaded him, but he just wouldn't listen.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān / everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto advise劝quànhe / him他tā / not不bùto listen to听tīng。

0109.4 (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān is used for any kind of surprise.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0109.5 You planned the class picnic for weeks. It has been sunny all month – until today. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

again / then再zài + Adj + also也yě (however …, still …)

0110.1 Complete: “However tired I am, I'll finish it.” 再累zài lèi，I / me我wǒ…………want / will / need要yàoto make做zuòto finish完wán。

0110.2 What does 再贵zài guìI / me我wǒalso也yěwant / will / need要yàoto buy买mǎi mean?

• A. If it's more expensive, I won't buy it.
• B. However expensive it is, I'll buy it.
• C. I'll buy it again.
• D. It's expensive again, so I'll buy it.

0110.3 Build: “However much you explain, it's no use.”

Arrange all chunks: also也yě / useless没用méi yòng。 / you你nǐagain / then再zàiexplanation解释jiě shì

0110.4 no matter what or how无论wú lùn多忙duō máng…all / both都dōu… expresses the same idea as again / then再zàibusy忙máng…also也yě….

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0110.5 Your mother works long hours but never misses family dinner on Sundays. 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.

same一律yī lǜ (uniformly / without exception)

0111.1 Complete (notice): “All goods are 20% off.” 本店běn diàncommodity商品shāng pǐn…………八折bā zhé。

0111.2 “All my classmates came to the party.” Which fits best?

• A. to study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们mensame一律yī lǜto come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• B. same一律yī lǜto study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们mento come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• C. to study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们menall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le。
• D. to study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们mento come来lái(completed / change)了lesame一律yī lǜ。

0111.3 Build: “All students must wear school uniform.”

Arrange all chunks: school uniform校服xiào fú。 / to wear穿chuān / student学生xué shēng / same一律yī lǜ

0111.4 same一律yī lǜ is common on signs and in rules.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0111.5 At the museum entrance, a sign explains the ticket policy. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

only无非wú fēi (nothing but / merely)

0112.1 Complete: “He merely wants to earn more money.” he / him他tā…………to be / is是shìwant / think / miss想xiǎngmany多duōto cheat赚zhuànerhua variant of 点点儿diǎn ércoin钱qián。

0112.2 What tone does only无非wú fēi often add?

• A. Dismissive summarising
• B. Politeness
• C. Surprise
• D. Admiration

0112.3 Build: “He's doing it merely to attract attention.”

Arrange all chunks: to give rise to引起yǐn qǐto take note of注意zhù yì。 / he / him他tāso much这么zhè meto make做zuò / only无非wú fēito be / is是shìwant / think / miss想xiǎng / ，

0112.4 merely只是zhǐ shì is more neutral than only无非wú fēi.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0112.5 Your manager has heard your colleague's reasons for being late many times before. 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 (previously)一向yí xiàng (all along / consistently)

0113.1 Complete: “He has always been very punctual.” he / him他tā…………degree / adjective linker很hěnon time准时zhǔn shí。

0113.2 “He has been waiting the whole time.” Which fits?

• A. he / him他tāalways (previously)一向yí xiàngat / in在zàito wait for等děng。
• B. he / him他tāalways (previously)一向yí xiàngto wait for等děng(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tāalways (previously)向来xiàng láiat / in在zàito wait for等děng(ongoing -ing)着zhe。
• D. he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děng。

0113.3 Build: “This company has always valued quality.”

Arrange all chunks: quality质量zhì liàng。 / always (previously)一向yí xiàng / 这家zhè jiācompany公司gōng sī / to attach importance to sth重视zhòng shì

0113.4 always (previously)一向yí xiàng and always (previously)向来xiàng lái are close synonyms.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0113.5 Your colleague has always double-checked every document, ever since she joined. 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.

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu (when the time comes)

0114.1 Complete: “Let's deal with it when the time comes.” …………to say again再说zài shuō(suggestion)吧ba。

0114.2 “At that time I was still very young.” Which fits? ____I / me我wǒstill / also还hái很小hěn xiǎo。

• A. in the future将来jiāng lái
• B. when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu
• C. at once当时dāng shí
• D. after以后yǐ hòu

0114.3 Build: “If you don't revise now, it'll be too late then.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / you你nǐnow现在xiàn zàinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xí / then / just就jiùthere's not enough time (to…来不及lái bù jí(completed / change)了le。 / when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu

0114.4 when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu refers to the future.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0114.5 Your friend asks what you'll do if the flight is cancelled next month. 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.

there is no need何必hé bì (why bother / no need)

0115.1 Complete: “Why get angry over such a small thing?” …………for为wèi这点儿zhè diǎn értrifle小事xiǎo shìto get angry生气shēng qì(and …? / softener)呢ne？

0115.2 What does there is no need何必hé bì(and …? / softener)呢ne？ mean?

• A. There's no need for that.
• B. Where is it?
• C. What do you need?
• D. Why did you do it?

0115.3 Build: “Since he doesn't like it, why force him?”

Arrange all chunks: since既然jì ránhe / him他tānot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huan / to do with difficulty勉强miǎn qiǎnghe / him他tā？ / ， / you你nǐagain又yòuthere is no need何必hé bì

0115.4 you你nǐneed not不必bù bìanxious担心dān xīn states plainly what you你nǐthere is no need何必hé bìanxious担心dān xīn(and …? / softener)呢ne suggests.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0115.5 Your friend is about to take a taxi across town to return a cheap pen you lent him. 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.

Answers and explanations

Verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + Adj (a pointed note)

0101.1 to invert倒dào

V (degree marker)得deto invert倒dào + Adj = pointed contrast.

0101.2 B. you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàolight轻松qīng sōng。

The pattern is verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + adjective: you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàolight轻松qīng sōng (“You make it sound easy”, implying it is not). to invert倒dào sits inside the complement, after (degree marker)得de and before the adjective, and (degree marker)得de appears only once.

0101.3 True.

to invert倒dào can mark that something is better than expected.

0101.4 he / him他tāwant / think / miss想xiǎng(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàobeautiful美měi，to think (i.e. to take it…以为yǐ wéinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xíalso也yěcan / be able to能néngto pass through通过tōng guò。

want / think / miss想xiǎng(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàobeautiful美měi = dream on.

0101.5 One possible response: you你nǐvariant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàoeasy容易róng yì，who谁shéito come来láito move (i.e. relocate…搬bān(and …? / softener)呢ne？

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Order: verb + (degree marker)得de + to invert倒dào + adjective: variant of 说说shuō(degree marker)得deto invert倒dàoeasy容易róng yì, not variant of 说说shuōto invert倒dào(degree marker)得deeasy容易róng yì.
• Not every to invert倒dào sentence is sarcastic; tone and context decide whether it is a jab or a pleasant surprise.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + Adj (a formal “very”)

0102.1 degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + two-syllable feeling word.

0102.2 D. weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìgood好hǎo。

degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì prefers two-syllable predicates.

0102.3 child孩子hái zi(plural)们mendegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìanxious担心dān xīn。

Subject + degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì + feeling.

0102.4 True.

It suits writing and narration.

0102.5 One possible response: resident居民jū mín(plural)们mento / towards / correct对duìnew新xīnpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuándegree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shì prefers two-syllable predicates: degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìsatisfied满意mǎn yì, not degree / adjective linker很hěnto be / is是shìgood好hǎo.
• In conversation, plain degree / adjective linker很hěn or very非常fēi cháng sounds more natural.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

fully足足zú zú + Amount (a full / as much as)

0103.1 fully足足zú zú

fully足足zú zú stresses a large amount.

0103.2 D. only then / not until才cái五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng。

only then / not until才cái marks an amount as small (“only five minutes”). fully足足zú zú does the opposite: it stresses that an amount is large (fully足足zú zúto wait for等děng(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gèhour小时xiǎo shí), so it cannot combine with only then / not until才cái here.

0103.3 this这zhè顿饭dùn fànfully足足zú zúflower花huā(completed / change)了le五百块wǔ bǎi kuài。

fully足足zú zú + verb + amount.

0103.4 True.

True. whole整整zhěng zhěng stresses a full, complete amount (whole整整zhěng zhěng一天yī tiān “a whole day”, whole整整zhěng zhěng十年shí nián “ten full years”), often with the feeling that it is a lot.

0103.5 One possible response: we / us我们wǒ menfully足足zú zúa row排pái(completed / change)了le三个sān gèhour小时xiǎo shí(modifier / structural particle)的desquadron队duì。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• fully足足zú zú stresses a large amount; for "only" a small amount use only then / not until才cái / only只zhǐ: only then / not until才cái五分钟wǔ fēn zhōng.
• It needs a number: fully足足zú zú三天sān tiān, not just fully足足zú zúdegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

repeatedly一再yī zài + Verb (again and again)

0104.1 repeatedly一再yī zài

repeatedly一再yī zài + verb = repeatedly.

0104.2 A. I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(completed / change)了legood好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì。

good好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì is the casual choice.

0104.3 meeting会议huì yìrepeatedly一再yī zàito postpone推迟tuī chí。

Subject + repeatedly一再yī zài + verb.

0104.4 True.

True. repeatedly一再yī zài means “again and again” and usually carries insistence or emphasis: he / him他tā一再强调yī zài qiáng diàosafe安全ān quán “He stressed safety repeatedly.” It often goes with verbs like to emphasize (a statement)强调qiáng diào, to request要求yāo qiú, to express / indicate表示biǎo shì.

0104.5 One possible response: mama妈妈mā mārepeatedly一再yī zàito remind提醒tí xǐnghe / him他tā，he / him他tāor / still还是hái shìto forget忘wàng(completed / change)了le。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• repeatedly一再yī zài mostly reports actions already repeated; for advice about the future, over and over again再三zài sān often fits better: to ask请qǐngyou你nǐover and over again再三zài sānto think over考虑kǎo lǜ.
• It sounds formal; in chat, good好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì is more natural: I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(completed / change)了legood好hǎoseveral times几次jǐ cì.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

each and every凡是fán shì … all / both都dōu (all / any without exception)

0105.1 all / both都dōu

each and every凡是fán shì…all / both都dōu….

0105.2 B. each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā。

each and every凡是fán shì introduces a whole category and needs all / both都dōu before the verb: each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā “All students, without exception, must attend.” Without all / both都dōu the sentence is incomplete, and each and every凡是fán shì must come first.

0105.3 each and every凡是fán shìhe / him他tāto answer答应dā yìng(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì，all / both都dōucan / will会huìto accomplish做到zuò dào。

each and every凡是fán shì…(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì，all / both都dōu….

0105.4 True.

True. each and every凡是fán shì means “every … without exception” and is stronger than all所有suǒ yǒu. It is usually followed by all / both都dōu in the main clause.

0105.5 One possible response: each and every凡是fán shìto arrive late迟到chí dào(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēng，all / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto write写xiěto explain说明shuō míng。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Do not drop all / both都dōu: each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngall / both都dōuwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā, not each and every凡是fán shìstudent学生xué shēngwant / will / need要yàoto participate参加cān jiā.
• each and every凡是fán shì introduces a category, usually with (modifier / structural particle)的de: each and every凡是fán shì…(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rén / each and every凡是fán shì…(modifier / structural particle)的dematter事shì.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

always (previously)向来xiàng lái (always / all along)

0106.1 always (previously)向来xiàng lái

always (previously)向来xiàng lái = always (long-standing).

0106.2 D. today今天jīn tiānall along一直yì zhíto rain下雨xià yǔ。

One stretch of time takes all along一直yì zhí.

0106.3 I / me我wǒalways (previously)向来xiàng láinot不bùto be convinced (that sth…相信xiāng xìnthis kind of这种zhè zhǒngto advertise广告guǎng gào。

Subject + always (previously)向来xiàng lái + not不bù + verb.

0106.4 True.

True. always (previously)向来xiàng lái (“always, all along”) describes a long-standing habit and works with positive and negative predicates: he / him他tāalways (previously)向来xiàng láidegree / adjective linker很hěnon time准时zhǔn shí / he / him他tāalways (previously)向来xiàng láinot不bùto drink (alcohol)喝酒hē jiǔ.

0106.5 One possible response: he / him他tāalways (previously)向来xiàng láidegree / adjective linker很hěnon time准时zhǔn shí，today今天jīn tiānnot / haven't没méito come来lái，to be certain肯定kěn dìngto be occupied with sth有事yǒu shì。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• always (previously)向来xiàng lái describes long-standing patterns, not one recent stretch: for "all morning", use all along一直yì zhí.
• It sounds formal; in speech always (previously)一向yí xiàng or always从来cóng lái (with negatives) are common.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

really果然guǒ rán (sure enough / as expected)

0107.1 really果然guǒ rán

really果然guǒ rán confirms an expectation.

0107.2 B. unexpectedly竟然jìng rán

Against expectation = unexpectedly竟然jìng rán.

0107.3 I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto know知道zhī dào他会tā huìto arrive late迟到chí dào，he / him他tāreally果然guǒ ránto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。

Prediction, then really果然guǒ rán + result.

0107.4 True.

It confirms what was expected.

0107.5 One possible response: weather forecast天气预报tiān qì yù bàovariant of 说说shuōafternoon下午xià wǔ有雨yǒu yǔ，really果然guǒ ránto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• really果然guǒ rán only makes sense after a prediction, warning or reputation; without one, it sounds odd.
• For a surprise (against expectation), use unexpectedly竟然jìng rán / unexpectedly居然jū rán, the opposite of really果然guǒ rán.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

it seems似乎sì hū (it seems / as if)

0108.1 it seems似乎sì hū

it seems似乎sì hū gives a tentative impression.

0108.2 B. he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto be certain肯定kěn dìngillness病bìng(completed / change)了le。

Tentative it seems似乎sì hū does not combine with to be certain肯定kěn dìng.

0108.3 question问题wèn tíit seems似乎sì hūthan / compared to比bǐwe / us我们wǒ menwant / think / miss想xiǎng(modifier / structural particle)的demore更gèngcomplicated复杂fù zá。

Subject + it seems似乎sì hū + comparison.

0108.4 True.

True. Both mean “seem”, but it seems似乎sì hū is more formal and written. In everyday speech as if好像hǎo xiàng is far more common: he / him他tāas if好像hǎo xiàngnot不bù太高兴tài gāo xìng.

0108.5 One possible response: he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto have / there is有yǒuwhat什么shén mea load on one's mind心事xīn shì。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• it seems似乎sì hū is soft; do not pair it with definitely一定yí dìng / to be certain肯定kěn dìng: he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūillness病bìng(completed / change)了le, not he / him他tāit seems似乎sì hūto be certain肯定kěn dìngillness病bìng(completed / change)了le.
• It sounds formal; in conversation as if好像hǎo xiàng is more common.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān (of all things / just had to)

0109.1 (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān = stubbornly does the opposite.

0109.2 C. we / us我们wǒ menplan计划jì huàto go去qùcoast海边hǎi biān，(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānthat day那天nà tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。

(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān needs an event against a wish.

0109.3 everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto advise劝quànhe / him他tā，he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānnot不bùto listen to听tīng。

Subject + (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān + negative.

0109.4 False.

It stresses going against a wish; unexpectedly竟然jìng rán covers any surprise.

0109.5 One possible response: we / us我们wǒ menwith great difficulty好不容易hǎo bù róng yìto fix定dìng(completed / change)了lepicnic野餐yě cān(modifier / structural particle)的deday日子rì zi，(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānthat day那天nà tiānto rain下雨xià yǔ。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piān only works when the event goes against a wish or advice; for a neutral fact, leave it out.
• As an adverb it follows the subject: he / him他tā(indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānnot不bùto listen to听tīng. Before to be / is是shì + noun it means "of all people / things": (indicates that sth turns…偏偏piān piānto be / is是shìhe / him他tā.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

again / then再zài + Adj + also也yě (however …, still …)

0110.1 also也yě

again / then再zài + Adj，also也yě….

0110.2 B. However expensive it is, I'll buy it.

again / then再zài + adjective + also也yě means “no matter how …”: 再贵zài guìI / me我wǒalso也yěwant / will / need要yàoto buy买mǎi “However expensive it is, I'll still buy it.” Here again / then再zài does not mean “again”.

0110.3 you你nǐagain / then再zàiexplanation解释jiě shìalso也yěuseless没用méi yòng。

again / then再zài + verb，also也yě + result.

0110.4 True.

again / then再zài…also也yě… is the shorter form.

0110.5 One possible response: to work工作gōng zuòagain / then再zàibusy忙máng，she / her她tāalso也yěcan / will会huìto return home回家huí jiāto have a meal吃饭chī fàn。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Do not drop also也yě: again / then再zàibusy忙mángalso也yěto come来lái, not again / then再zàibusy忙mángto come来lái.
• again / then再zài + Adj here is a condition, not "again": again / then再zàicold冷lěng = however cold.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

same一律yī lǜ (uniformly / without exception)

0111.1 same一律yī lǜ

same一律yī lǜ applies a rule uniformly.

0111.2 C. to study at the same school同学tóng xué(plural)们menall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le。

A description takes all / both都dōu; same一律yī lǜ states a rule.

0111.3 student学生xué shēngsame一律yī lǜto wear穿chuānschool uniform校服xiào fú。

Group + same一律yī lǜ + verb.

0111.4 True.

It is formal and rule-like.

0111.5 One possible response: ticket (for theater, cinema…门票mén piàosame一律yī lǜ二十元èr shí yuán。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• same一律yī lǜ states a rule or uniform treatment; for "all" in a description, use all / both都dōu: student学生xué shēngall / both都dōuto come来lái(completed / change)了le.
• It goes before the verb, after the group: student学生xué shēngsame一律yī lǜ…, not same一律yī lǜstudent学生xué shēng….
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

only无非wú fēi (nothing but / merely)

0112.1 only无非wú fēi

only无非wú fēito be / is是shì = nothing but.

0112.2 A. Dismissive summarising

It reduces something to the ordinary.

0112.3 he / him他tāso much这么zhè meto make做zuò，only无非wú fēito be / is是shìwant / think / miss想xiǎngto give rise to引起yǐn qǐto take note of注意zhù yì。

Action，only无非wú fēito be / is是shìwant / think / miss想xiǎng + purpose.

0112.4 True.

only无非wú fēi often sounds dismissive.

0112.5 One possible response: he / him他tāvariant of 说说shuō(modifier / structural particle)的deonly无非wú fēito be / is是shìtraffic jam堵车dǔ chē、to rain下雨xià yǔthese这些zhè xiēreason理由lǐ yóu。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• What follows only无非wú fēi should be ordinary or limited; it is not for surprising facts.
• It often comes with to be / is是shì or want / think / miss想xiǎng / want / will / need要yào: only无非wú fēito be / is是shì…, only无非wú fēiwant / think / miss想xiǎng….
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

always (previously)一向yí xiàng (all along / consistently)

0113.1 always (previously)一向yí xiàng

always (previously)一向yí xiàng = consistently.

0113.2 D. he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děng。

A single stretch takes all along一直yì zhí.

0113.3 这家zhè jiācompany公司gōng sīalways (previously)一向yí xiàngto attach importance to sth重视zhòng shìquality质量zhì liàng。

Subject + always (previously)一向yí xiàng + verb.

0113.4 True.

always (previously)向来xiàng lái is a little more formal.

0113.5 One possible response: she / her她tāto work做事zuò shìalways (previously)一向yí xiàngdegree / adjective linker很hěnconscientious认真rèn zhēn。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• always (previously)一向yí xiàng describes long-term character; for one continuous stretch use all along一直yì zhí: he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíat / in在zàito wait for等děng.
• It is not "towards": that is towards向xiàng alone (向前走xiàng qián zǒu).
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu (when the time comes)

0114.1 when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu

when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuto say again再说zài shuō = deal with it then.

0114.2 C. at once当时dāng shí

at once当时dāng shí refers to a particular moment in the past (“at that time”). when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu looks forward to a future moment (“when the time comes”), and after以后yǐ hòu / in the future将来jiāng lái also point to the future.

0114.3 you你nǐnow现在xiàn zàinot不bùvariant of 复习复习fù xí，when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuthen / just就jiùthere's not enough time (to…来不及lái bù jí(completed / change)了le。

Condition, then when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu + consequence.

0114.4 True.

It points to a future moment already known.

0114.5 One possible response: when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòuto say again再说zài shuō(suggestion)吧ba。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu points to a future moment; for a past "at that time", use that那nàtime时候shí hòu / at once当时dāng shí.
• The moment must be clear from context; when the moment comes到时候dào shí hòu alone with no plan sounds vague.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.

there is no need何必hé bì (why bother / no need)

0115.1 there is no need何必hé bì

there is no need何必hé bì = why bother (rhetorical).

0115.2 A. There's no need for that.

It is rhetorical advice, not a request for a reason.

0115.3 since既然jì ránhe / him他tānot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huan，you你nǐagain又yòuthere is no need何必hé bìto do with difficulty勉强miǎn qiǎnghe / him他tā？

Reason, then there is no need何必hé bì + verb.

0115.4 True.

need not不必bù bì is the plain statement.

0115.5 One possible response: there is no need何必hé bìspecialist专门zhuān ménto run跑pǎo一趟yī tàng？next time下次xià cìto meet见面jiàn miànagain / then再zàito / for / give给gěiI / me我wǒ就行了jiù xíng le。

Check meaning and form:

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• there is no need何必hé bì does not ask for a reason; it means "you don't need to". The answer is built in.
• (and …? / softener)呢ne often ends the question: there is no need何必hé bì(and …? / softener)呢ne？ – "Why bother?"
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.