基本句型

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.

连 … 都 / 也 (even)

A child understands the explanation

• A speaker says a child understands a simple explanation.
• 连小孩都懂。 — The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 连 … 都 / 也 (even). 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.

even连liánchild小孩xiǎo háieven都dōuunderstand懂dǒng。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 连小孩都懂。: The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too.
• This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.

Use the distinction

• The child is presented as a surprisingly unlikely person to understand.
• The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too. This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.

Try it with help closed

A speaker says a child understands a simple explanation. 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: 连小孩都懂。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The speaker implies that more expected cases should understand too.
• This is a rhetorical expectation, not proof about every other person's actual understanding.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Question Word + 都 (every)

A question word can have a universal reading

• Anyone in the class knows the answer.
• 谁都知道。 — 谁 with 都 includes everyone in the relevant group.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is Question Word + 都 (every). 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.

here这儿zhèranything什么shén meall都dōuhave有yǒu。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 谁都知道。: 谁 with 都 includes everyone in the relevant group.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 谁都不知道 instead denies anyone knowing.
• The polarity changes the result, and the relevant group still comes from context.

Use the distinction

• 谁 with 都 includes everyone in the relevant group.
• 谁都不知道 instead denies anyone knowing. The polarity changes the result, and the relevant group still comes from context.

Try it with help closed

Anyone in the class knows the answer. 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: 谁都知道。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 谁都不知道 instead denies anyone knowing.
• The polarity changes the result, and the relevant group still comes from context.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

A 是 B 的 N 倍 (N times)

Separate a multiple from an increase

• Last year's count was ten and this year's is twenty.
• 今年的数量是去年的两倍。 — The new total is twice the old total.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is A 是 B 的 N 倍 (N times). 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 year今年jīn niánis是shìlast year去年qù nián的detwo两liǎngtimes倍bèi。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 今年的数量是去年的两倍。: The new total is twice the old total.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• Two times the total is a one-times increase, or a hundred percent increase.
• Do not read 是两倍 as adding two extra old totals.

Use the distinction

• The new total is twice the old total.
• Two times the total is a one-times increase, or a hundred percent increase. Do not read 是两倍 as adding two extra old totals.

Try it with help closed

Last year's count was ten and this year's is twenty. 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: 今年的数量是去年的两倍。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Two times the total is a one-times increase, or a hundred percent increase.
• Do not read 是两倍 as adding two extra old totals.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

一点 + 也 / 都 + 不 (not at all)

An emphatic denial differs from a small amount

• You deny being tired at all.
• 我一点都不累。 — 一点都不 makes the negative emphatic: not tired in the slightest.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 一点 + 也 / 都 + 不 (not at all). 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wǒa bit一点yì diǎneven都dōunot不bùtired累lèi。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 我一点都不累。: 一点都不 makes the negative emphatic: not tired in the slightest.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 一点也不累 can express the same denial.
• The sentence is still a speaker's claim, which may involve exaggeration rather than measurement.

Use the distinction

• 一点都不 makes the negative emphatic: not tired in the slightest.
• 一点也不累 can express the same denial. The sentence is still a speaker's claim, which may involve exaggeration rather than measurement.

Try it with help closed

You deny being tired at all. 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: 我一点都不累。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 一点也不累 can express the same denial.
• The sentence is still a speaker's claim, which may involve exaggeration rather than measurement.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

不知道 + embedded choice + 好 (unsure what is best)

Look for the actual verb and its choice

• Several products are available, and you cannot choose which to buy.
• 我不知道买哪个好。 — The speaker is unsure which purchase would be best.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 不知道 + embedded choice + 好 (unsure what is best). 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wǒnot不bùknow知道zhī dàobuy买mǎiwhich哪个nǎ gebest好hǎo。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 我不知道买哪个好。: The speaker is unsure which purchase would be best.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The question word can appear after the verb, as in 买哪个.
• A formula that always puts the question word before the verb gives the wrong order for this example.

Use the distinction

• The speaker is unsure which purchase would be best.
• The question word can appear after the verb, as in 买哪个. A formula that always puts the question word before the verb gives the wrong order for this example.

Try it with help closed

Several products are available, and you cannot choose which to buy. 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: 我不知道买哪个好。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The question word can appear after the verb, as in 买哪个.
• A formula that always puts the question word before the verb gives the wrong order for this example.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

对 … 来说 (for / as far as … is concerned)

A viewpoint limits an evaluation

• Health matters most to you personally.
• 对我来说，健康最重要。 — The importance judgment is framed from the speaker's perspective.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 对 … 来说 (for / as far as … is concerned). 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.

for对duìme我wǒas for来说lái shuō，health健康jiàn kāngmost最zuìimportant重要zhòng yào。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 对我来说，健康最重要。: The importance judgment is framed from the speaker's perspective.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• Other people may prioritise differently.
• 一般来说 is a separate fixed expression meaning generally speaking, not a named person's viewpoint.

Use the distinction

• The importance judgment is framed from the speaker's perspective.
• Other people may prioritise differently. 一般来说 is a separate fixed expression meaning generally speaking, not a named person's viewpoint.

Try it with help closed

Health matters most to you personally. 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: 对我来说，健康最重要。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• Other people may prioritise differently.
• 一般来说 is a separate fixed expression meaning generally speaking, not a named person's viewpoint.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.