少不了 (can't do without)
IntroducedAn essential person differs from an expected problem
- A team needs one particular member's expertise.
- this这(measure word)件matter事can't do without少不了you你。 — The speaker presents that person as indispensable to the task.
A team needs one particular member's expertise. What does 这件事少不了你。 communicate?
The speaker presents that person as indispensable to the task. 旅行少不了麻烦 instead presents trouble as expected. Context distinguishes necessity from an anticipated accompaniment.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is can't do without少不了 (can't do without). 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(measure word)件matter事can't do without少不了you你。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: We can't do without you on this: 这件事 ____ 你。
少不了 + Noun/VP = can't do without: 这件事少不了你.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, this这(measure word)件matter事can't do without少不了you你。: The speaker presents that person as indispensable to the task.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
旅行少不了麻烦 means…
少不了 = bound to have / indispensable.
Know the boundary
- to travel旅行can't do without少不了trouble麻烦 instead presents trouble as expected.
- Context distinguishes necessity from an anticipated accompaniment.
少不了 marks something as indispensable or unavoidable.
Yes — 少不了你 (can't do without you).
少不了 always refers to a person indispensable to a task.
旅行少不了麻烦 instead presents trouble as expected. Context distinguishes necessity from an anticipated accompaniment. The speaker presents that person as indispensable to the task.
Use the distinction
- The speaker presents that person as indispensable to the task.
- to travel旅行can't do without少不了trouble麻烦 instead presents trouble as expected. Context distinguishes necessity from an anticipated accompaniment.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Sentence patterns.
A team needs one particular member's expertise. 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.
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.