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HSK 4 · Grammar
HSK 4 Grammar
Every grammar point in our free HSK 4 course, explained in plain English and shown
in real sentences with pinyin.
In short
Our HSK 4 course teaches 97 grammar points across 20 lessons, and all
97 are explained in full on this page with 115 example sentences between them. Each
point gives you the pattern, what it means, and sentences using it with pinyin and an English translation.
Nothing here is a summary or a list of names — these are the same explanations a learner sees inside the
course, free to read without an account.
97 Grammar points
115 Example sentences
20 Lessons
Lesson 1 · Building a Relationship
不仅……也/还/而且…… (Not only... but also...)
Indicates a further meaning in addition to the first clause.
他不仅足球踢得好，性格也不错。
Tā bùjǐn zúqiú tī de hǎo, xìnggé yě búcuò.
He not only plays football well, but his personality is also good.
我打算去云南玩儿，听说那边不仅很美，而且人也非常热情。
Wǒ dǎsuàn qù Yúnnán wánr, tīngshuō nàbian bùjǐn hěn měi, érqiě rén yě fēicháng rèqíng.
I plan to go to Yunnan. I heard that not only is it beautiful there, but the people are also very enthusiastic.
从来 (Always / Never)
Indicates something has always been like this from the past to present. Usually used in negative sentences (with 没 or 不).
老张这个人开会从来不迟到。
Lǎo Zhāng zhège rén kāihuì cónglái bù chídào.
Lao Zhang never arrives late for meetings.
虽然我们认识的时间不长，但我从来没这么快乐过。
Suīrán wǒmen rènshi de shíjiān bù cháng, dàn wǒ cónglái méi zhème kuàilèguo.
Although we haven't known each other long, I have never been this happy.
刚 (Just) vs. 刚才 (Just now)
刚 is an adverb indicating an action happened a short time ago (cannot be negated). 刚才 is a noun refrencing the time shortly before speaking (can be negated).
我和丈夫刚结婚的时候...
Wǒ hé zhàngfu gāng jiéhūn de shíhou...
When my husband and I just got married...
刚才你去哪儿了？
Gāngcái nǐ qù nǎr le?
Where did you go just now?
即使……也…… (Even if... still...)
Indicates a hypothetical concession or something that already exists, but the result remains unchanged.
即使晚上加班到零点，自己家里也还亮着灯。
Jíshǐ wǎnshang jiā bān dào líng diǎn, zìjǐ jiā li yě hái liàngzhe dēng.
Even if I work overtime until midnight, the light is still on in my home.
你应该多回家看看老人，即使只是跟他们吃吃饭、聊聊天，他们也会觉得很幸福。
Nǐ yīnggāi duō huí jiā kànkan lǎorén, jíshǐ zhǐshì gēn tāmen chīchīfàn, liáoliáo tiān, tāmen yě huì juéde hěn xìngfú.
You should go home often to see the elderly. Even if you just eat and chat with them, they will feel very happy.
(在)……上 (On / In terms of)
Indicates scope or aspect.
两个人共同生活，不仅需要浪漫的爱情，更需要在性格上互相吸引。
Liǎng ge rén gòngtóng shēnghuó, bùjǐn xūyào làngmàn de àiqíng, gèng xūyào zài xìnggé shang hùxiāng xīyǐn.
Living together not only requires romantic love, but more importantly mutual attraction in terms of personality.
你觉得北方和南方在饮食上有什么不同？
Nǐ juéde běifāng hé nánfāng zài yǐnshí shang yǒu shénme bùtóng?
What differences do you think exist between the North and South in terms of diet?
Lesson 2 · Friends Who Stay in Touch
正好 (zhènghǎo)
Usage A (Adj): 'Just right' (condition, time, position, etc.). Usage B (Adv): 'Just in time' or 'happen to'.
你来得正好，我的钱包不见了，借我点儿钱吧。
Nǐ lái de zhènghǎo, wǒ de qiánbāo bújiàn le, jiè wǒ diǎnr qián ba.
You came just in time; my wallet is gone, lend me some money.
我们下午要去踢足球，正好一起去吧。
Wǒmen xiàwǔ yào qù tī zúqiú, zhènghǎo yìqǐ qù ba.
We are going to play football this afternoon; it just so happens (you can) go with us.
差不多 (chàbuduō)
Usage A (Adjective): 'Similar' or 'about the same'. Usage B (Adverb): 'Almost' or 'nearly'.
这两个词的意思差不多。
Zhè liǎng ge cí de yìsi chàbuduō.
The meanings of these two words are about the same.
班里同学来了差不多一半儿。
Bān li tóngxué láile chàbuduō yíbànr.
Almost half of the classmates came.
尽管 (jǐnguǎn)
Conjunction meaning 'although'. Often used with 但是, 可是, 却, or 还是.
尽管已经毕业这么多年，我们还是经常联系的。
Jǐnguǎn yǐjīng bìyè zhème duō nián, wǒmen háishi jīngcháng liánxì de.
Although we graduated so many years ago, we still contact each other often.
却 (què)
Adverb indicating a transition or contrast ('but/yet'). Milder than 但是. Must be placed after the subject and before the verb.
这是一个新电影，我却看过。
Zhè shì yí ge xīn diànyǐng, wǒ què kànguo.
This is a new movie, yet I have seen it.
他虽然不一定让人讨厌，但是却很难跟人交朋友。
Tā suīrán bù yídìng ràng rén tǎoyàn, dànshì què hěn nán gēn rén jiāo péngyou.
Although he isn't necessarily annoying, it is yet hard for him to make friends.
而 (ér)
Conjunction used in written Chinese to connect two clauses. It can indicate a contrast ('while', 'but').
现在的房子很贵，而买房的人很多。
Xiànzài de fángzi hěn guì, ér mǎi fáng de rén hěn duō.
Houses are expensive now, yet there are many buyers.
有些人觉得……而我的理解是……
Yǒuxiē rén juéde... ér wǒ de lǐjiě shì...
Some think... while my understanding is...
Lesson 3 · Preparing for Work
挺 (tǐng)
Adverb meaning 'quite' or 'rather'. Common in spoken Chinese.
他的汉语说得挺好的。
Tā de Hànyǔ shuō de tǐng hǎo de.
He speaks Chinese quite well.
这个房子挺不错的。
Zhège fángzi tǐng búcuò de.
This house is quite nice.
本来 (běnlái)
Usage A: 'Original' or 'at first', indicating a change. Usage B: Indicates something goes without saying.
我本来不会开车，但现在开得特别好。
Wǒ běnlái bú huì kāichē, dàn xiànzài kāi de tèbié hǎo.
Originally I couldn't drive, but now I drive very well.
另外 (lìngwài)
Pronoun, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'other', 'besides', or 'in addition'.
我学的是法律，另外，收入也不错。
Wǒ xué de shì fǎlǜ, lìngwài, shōurù yě búcuò.
I studied law; besides, the income is not bad.
首先……其次…… (shǒuxiān... qícì...)
Used in written Chinese or formal speech to enumerate items: 'First... Second...'.
首先，要穿正式的衣服……其次，应聘时不要紧张。
Shǒuxiān, yào chuān zhèngshì de yīfu... qícì, yìngpìn shí búyào jǐnzhāng.
First, wear formal clothes... Second, don't be nervous during the application.
不管 (bùguǎn)
Conjunction 'no matter'. Indicates result remains same regardless of circumstances.
不管是上课、上班，还是与别人约会，准时都非常重要。
Bùguǎn shì shàngkè, shàngbān, háishi yǔ biéren yuēhuì, zhǔnshí dōu fēicháng zhòngyào.
No matter if it is class, work, or a date, punctuality is very important.
Lesson 4 · Choosing a New Direction
以为 (yǐwéi)
Used to express what the speaker thought was true, but often implies that the fact is different.
我以为新工作比以前的好，没想到还没有以前好呢。
Wǒ yǐwéi xīn gōngzuò bǐ yǐqián de hǎo, méi xiǎngdào hái méiyǒu yǐqián hǎo ne.
I thought the new job would be better than the previous one, but I didn't expect it to be not as good.
我以为今天是星期一，原来今天是星期二。
Wǒ yǐwéi jīntiān shì xīngqīyī, yuánlái jīntiān shì xīngqī'èr.
I thought today was Monday, but it turns out it's Tuesday.
原来 (yuánlái)
Usage A (Adj): Original, unaltered. Usage B (Adv): Indicates discovery of a formerly unknown situation.
按原来的计划应该是两周，但是我们可以提前完成。
Àn yuánlái de jìhuà yīnggāi shì liǎng zhōu, dànshì wǒmen kěyǐ tíqián wánchéng.
According to the original plan, it should be two weeks, but we can finish ahead of schedule.
我还在以为是谁帮我打扫房间呢，原来是你啊！
Wǒ hái zài yǐwéi shì shéi bāng wǒ dǎsǎo fángjiān ne, yuánlái shì nǐ a!
I was wondering who cleaned my room; it turns out it was you!
并 (bìng)
Used before a negative word (不/没) to reinforce the negation/tone.
我本来以为做生意很简单，后来才发现其实并不容易。
Wǒ běnlái yǐwéi zuò shēngyi hěn jiǎndān, hòulái cái fāxiàn qíshí bìng bù róngyì.
I originally thought doing business was simple, but later discovered it's actually not easy.
实际上，很多东西并不像广告上说的那么好。
Shíjìshang, hěn duō dōngxi bìng bú xiàng guǎnggào shang shuō de nàme hǎo.
In fact, many things are not as good as the advertisements say.
按照 (ànzhào)
Preposition meaning 'according to'.
我们今年的工作都已经按照计划完成了。
Wǒmen jīnnián de gōngzuò dōu yǐjīng ànzhào jìhuà wánchéng le.
Our work this year has all been completed according to plan.
请按照要求填写表格。
Qǐng ànzhào yāoqiú tiánxiě biǎogé.
Please fill in the form according to the requirements.
甚至 (shènzhì)
Adverb emphasizing a prominent or extreme example ('even').
很多时候，我们不得不去做一些自己不愿意做甚至是非常不喜欢的工作。
Hěn duō shíhou, wǒmen bùdébù qù zuò yìxiē zìjǐ bú yuànyì zuò shènzhì shì fēicháng bù xǐhuan de gōngzuò.
Often, we have to do work we are unwilling or even strictly dislike doing.
Lesson 5 · Choosing Things for a Home
肯定 (kěndìng)
Usage A (Adv): 'Certainly' or 'definitely'. Usage B (Adj): 'Definite' or 'sure'.
质量肯定不“打折”。
Zhìliàng kěndìng bù dǎ zhé.
The quality is definitely not discounted.
不能肯定的事，最好不要说。
Bù néng kěndìng de shì, zuìhǎo búyào shuō.
Things that are not certain are best left unsaid.
再说 (zàishuō)
Usage A (Conj): 'Besides', 'moreover'. Usage B (Verb): To put something off.
今天买的东西太多了。再说，这个月已经花了五千多了。
Jīntiān mǎi de dōngxi tài duō le. Zàishuō, zhège yuè yǐjīng huā le wǔqiān duō le.
We bought too much today. Besides, we spent over 5000 this month.
实际 (shíjì)
Noun (reality) or Adjective (practical). 实际上 (Actually) indicates a transition.
广告说得很好，实际上没那么好。
Guǎnggào shuō de hěn hǎo, shíjìshang méi nàme hǎo.
The ad speaks well of it, but in fact, it's not that good.
对……来说 (duì... lái shuō)
'As for...' or 'From the perspective of...'.
对我来说，衣服的样子流行不流行并不是很重要。
Duì wǒ lái shuō, yīfu de yàngzi liúxíng bu liúxíng bìng bú shì hěn zhòngyào.
As for me, whether the clothes are popular or not isn't very important.
尤其 (yóuqí)
Adverb meaning 'especially' or 'particularly'.
年轻人尤其喜欢在网上买东西。
Niánqīng rén yóuqí xǐhuan zài wǎngshàng mǎi dōngxi.
Young people especially like shopping online.
Lesson 6 · Everyday Choices and Care
一分钱一分货 (Idiom)
Literally 'one cent price, one cent goods'. Means 'You get what you pay for'.
这种电视虽然贵，但是一分钱一分货，质量非常好。
Zhè zhǒng diànshì suīrán guì, dànshì yī fēn qián yī fēn huò, zhìliàng fēicháng hǎo.
Although this TV is expensive, you get what you pay for; the quality is excellent.
竟然 (jìngrán)
Adverb indicating surprise or unexpectedness. Structure: Subject + 竟然 + Verb/Adj.
这么简单的问题他竟然没回答上来。
Zhème jiǎndān de wèntí tā jìngrán méi huídá shànglái.
Surprisingly, he couldn't answer such a simple question.
回家以后，我才发现，竟然忘了去商场的超市买果汁！
Huíjiā yǐhòu, wǒ cái fāxiàn, jìngrán wàng le qù shāngchǎng de chāoshì mǎi guǒzhī!
After getting home, I realized I unexpectedly forgot to buy juice!
倍 (bèi)
Expresses multiplication. 'A is two times B' or 'A is one time more than B' both mean A = 2B.
今天的价格是昨天的两倍。
Jīntiān de jiàgé shì zuótiān de liǎng bèi.
Today's price is double yesterday's.
值得 (zhídé)
Verb 'to be worth'. Often followed by a verb or clause: 值得 + Verb.
这本小说写得很好，值得看。
Zhè běn xiǎoshuō xiě de hěn hǎo, zhídé kàn.
This novel is well written; it's worth reading.
其中 (qízhōng)
Noun 'among them' or 'in which'. Refers to a subset of a group.
我们班有20个学生，其中一半是女生。
Wǒmen bān yǒu 20 ge xuéshēng, qízhōng yíbàn shì nǚshēng.
Our class has 20 students; among them, half are girls.
在……下 (zài... xià)
'Under...' or 'In...'. Indicates a condition or situation.
在一般情况下，你花的钱越多，买的东西也就越好。
Zài yībān qíngkuàng xià, nǐ huā de qián yuè duō, mǎi de dōngxi yě jiù yuè hǎo.
Under normal circumstances, the more you spend, the better the goods.
Lesson 7 · Taking Care of Your Health
估计 (gūjì)
Verb 'to estimate' or 'to reckon'. Implies judgment/prediction.
我估计他今天不来了。
Wǒ gūjì tā jīntiān bù lái le.
I estimate he won't come today.
严重 (yánzhòng)
Adjective 'serious' or 'critical'. Describes illness or problems.
他的病很严重，必须住院。
Tā de bìng hěn yánzhòng, bìxū zhùyuàn.
His illness is very serious; he must be hospitalized.
来不及 (láibují)
Verb phrase 'there's not enough time'. Structure: Subject + 来不及 + Verb.
快点儿，否则就来不及了。
Kuài diǎnr, fǒuzé jiù láibují le.
Hurry up, otherwise it will be too late.
Reduplication of Separable Verbs (AAB)
Verb-Object words reduplicate as AAB (e.g. 散散步) to indicate briefness.
吃完饭，我们出去散散步吧。
Chī wán fàn, wǒmen chūqù sànsanbù ba.
After eating, let's go for a walk.
要是 (yàoshi)
Conjunction 'if', colloquial for 如果. Often used with 就.
要是你没时间，就别去了。
Yàoshi nǐ méi shíjiān, jiù bié qù le.
If you don't have time, don't go.
Lesson 8 · Choosing the Journey
使 (shǐ)
Verb 'to make' or 'to cause', similar to 让 but more formal and written. Structure: A 使 B + Adj/Verb.
伤心难过的时候吃块儿巧克力，能使人的心情变得愉快。
Shāngxīn nánguò de shíhou chī kuàir qiǎokèlì, néng shǐ rén de xīnqíng biàn de yúkuài.
Eating a piece of chocolate when sad can make one's mood become happy.
只要 (zhǐyào)
Conjunction 'as long as'. Introduces a necessary condition. Structure: 只要 + Condition, (Subject) + 就 + Result.
只要这次好好儿准备，一定能把比赛踢好。
Zhǐyào zhè cì hǎohāor zhǔnbèi, yídìng néng bǎ bǐsài tī hǎo.
As long as you prepare well this time, you definitely can play the match well.
可不是 (kěbúshì)
Adverb expressing strong agreement. 'Exactly!', 'That's just the way it is'.
A: 遇到堵车，心情也“堵”。 B: 可不是！
A: Yùdào dǔchē, xīnqíng yě “dǔ”. B: Kěbúshì!
A: When encountering traffic jams, the mood also gets 'blocked'. B: Exactly!
因此 (yīncǐ)
Conjunction 'therefore', 'so'. Connects cause and effect. Formal.
生活的态度要自己选择，因此，遇到烦恼时，你应该想一些办法。
Shēnghuó de tàidù yào zìjǐ xuǎnzé, yīncǐ, yùdào fánnǎo shí, nǐ yīnggāi xiǎng yìxiē bànfǎ.
Attitude towards life must be chosen by yourself, therefore, when encountering troubles, you should think of some ways.
往往 (wǎngwǎng)
Adverb 'often', 'frequently'. Indicates a regularity based on past experience.
女孩子对衣服颜色的选择往往与她们的性格有关。
Nǚháizi duì yīfu yánsè de xuǎnzé wǎngwǎng yǔ tāmen de xìnggé yǒuguān.
Girls' choice of clothing color is often related to their character.
Lesson 9 · The Sun Shines Again After the Storm
难道 (nándào)
Rhetorical question 'Could it be that...?' used for emphasis.
这件事难道你不知道吗？
Zhè jiàn shì nándào nǐ bù zhīdào ma?
Could it be that you don't know this matter?
通过 (tōngguò)
Preposition 'by means of' or Verb 'to pass'.
通过写小说，他成了一名作家。
Tōngguò xiě xiǎoshuō, tā chéngle yì míng zuòjiā.
He became a writer by means of writing novels.
可是 (kěshì)
Conjunction 'but/however'.
他想当作家，可是没坚持。
Tā xiǎng dāng zuòjiā, kěshì méi jiānchí.
He wanted to be a writer, but didn't persist.
结果 (jiéguǒ)
Noun 'result' or Conjunction 'as a result/consequently'.
他不想放弃，结果成功了。
Tā bù xiǎng fàngqì, jiéguǒ chénggōng le.
He didn't want to give up, and as a result, he succeeded.
上 (shàng)
Resultative complement indicating attainment (e.g. 考上).
他终于考上了大学。
Tā zhōngyú kǎoshàng le dàxué.
He finally passed the exam for university.
Lesson 10 · Living Together
不过 (búguò)
Conjunction 'but/however'. Softer than 但是.
他很想去，不过他没有时间。
Tā hěn xiǎng qù, búguò tā méiyǒu shíjiān.
He wants to go, but doesn't have time.
确实 (quèshí)
Adverb 'indeed/truly'. Confirms a fact.
这里的景色确实不错。
Zhèlǐ de jǐngsè quèshí búcuò.
The scenery here is indeed nice.
在……看来 (zài... kànlái)
'In ...'s opinion'.
在我看来，健康比金钱更重要。
Zài wǒ kànlái, jiànkāng bǐ jīnqián gèng zhòngyào.
In my opinion, health is more important than money.
由于 (yóuyú)
Conjunction 'due to/because of'. More formal than 因为.
由于天气原因，飞机晚点了。
Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, fēijī wǎndiǎn le.
Due to weather, the flight was delayed.
比如 (bǐrú)
'For example'.
我喜欢很多运动，比如游泳。
Wǒ xǐhuan hěn duō yùndòng, bǐrú yóuyǒng.
I like many sports, for example swimming.
Lesson 11 · Learning Together
连……都/也…… (lián... dōu/yě...)
Emphasizes an extreme case. 'Even [A] is/does [B]'.
你太厉害了！连中文报纸都看得懂。
Nǐ tài lìhai le! Lián Zhōngwén bàozhǐ dōu kàn de dǒng.
You are too awesome! You can even understand Chinese newspapers.
那个汉字太难了，连老师都不会写。
Nàge Hànzì tài nán le, lián lǎoshī dōu bú huì xiě.
That Chinese character is too difficult; even the teacher can't write it.
否则 (fǒuzé)
Conjunction 'otherwise'. Predicts negative consequence.
不但要认真复习，还得注意考试的方法，否则，会做的题也没时间做了。
Búdàn yào rènzhēn fùxí, hái děi zhùyì kǎoshì de fāngfǎ, fǒuzé, huì zuò de tí yě méi shíjiān zuò le.
Not only must you review seriously, but you also have to pay attention to exam methods, otherwise, you won't have time to do the questions you know.
无论 (wúlùn)
Conjunction 'no matter what/how'. Formal version of 不管. Often used with 都/也.
无论是普通杂志，还是著名小说，只要打开它们，就会发现……
Wúlùn shì pǔtōng zázhì, háishi zhùmíng xiǎoshuō, zhǐyào dǎkāi tāmen, jiù huì fāxiàn...
Whether it is ordinary magazines or famous novels, as long as you open them, you will find...
无论做什么事情，都要认真。
Wúlùn zuò shénme shìqing, dōu yào rènzhēn.
No matter what you do, you must be serious.
然而 (rán'ér)
Conjunction 'however'. Used in written Chinese to indicate a transition (stronger than 可是/但是).
然而，你不能完全相信书本上的内容，要有自己的看法和判断。
Rán'ér, nǐ bù néng wánquán xiāngxìn shūběn shang de nèiróng, yào yǒu zìjǐ de kànfǎ hé pànduàn.
However, you cannot completely believe the content in the books; you must have your own views and judgments.
同时 (tóngshí)
Conjunction 'at the same time', 'meanwhile', 'moreover'. Indicates coordinate relationship.
阅读能丰富你的知识，让你找到解决办法；同时，它还会丰富你的情感。
Yuèdú néng fēngfù nǐ de zhīshi, ràng nǐ zhǎodào jiějué bànfǎ; tóngshí, tā hái huì fēngfù nǐ de qínggǎn.
Reading can enrich your knowledge and let you find solutions; at the same time, it will also enrich your emotions.
Lesson 12 · Seeing More in Everyday Life
并且 (bìngqiě)
Conjunction 'and/furthermore'. Connects verbs or clauses.
希望及时发现问题，并且准确地找到解决问题的方法。
Xīwàng jíshí fāxiàn wèntí, bìngqiě zhǔnquè de zhǎodào jiějué wèntí de fāngfǎ.
Hope to discover problems in time and accurately find solutions.
再……也…… (zài... yě...)
'No matter how... still...'. Indicates concession.
这样穿得再久，洗的次数再多，衣服也不容易掉颜色。
Zhèyàng chuān de zài jiǔ, xǐ de cìshù zài duō, yīfu yě bù róngyì diào yánsè.
This way, no matter how long you wear it or how many times you wash it, the clothes won't fade easily.
对于 (duìyú)
Preposition 'with regard to/for'. Introduces the object of an attitude/situation.
那您认为对于老师来说，什么是最难做到的？
Nà nín rènwéi duìyú lǎoshī lái shuō, shénme shì zuì nán zuòdào de?
Then what do you think is the hardest thing for a teacher to do?
相反 (xiāngfǎn)
'Opposite' or 'On the contrary'. Indicates a transition to an opposing view.
相反，如果方法不对，可能花五倍甚至十倍的时间都不能完成任务。
Xiāngfǎn, rúguǒ fāngfǎ bú duì, kěnéng huā wǔ bèi shènzhì shí bèi de shíjiān dōu bù néng wánchéng rènwu.
On the contrary, if the method is wrong, it may take five or ten times the time to complete the task.
Lesson 13 · Stories on the Opera Stage
大概 (dàgài)
Adverb 'roughly/approximately'. Indicates estimation.
他8岁就开始上台演出，到现在大概唱了60多年了。
Tā bā suì jiù kāishǐ shàngtái yǎnchū, dào xiànzài dàgài chàng le liùshí duō nián le.
He started performing at 8, and has roughly sung for over 60 years.
偶尔 (ǒu'ěr)
Adverb 'occasionally'. Indicates low frequency.
我常常跟着电视学唱京剧，偶尔跟中国人一起唱上几句。
Wǒ chángcháng gēnzhe diànshì xué chàng Jīngjù, ǒu'ěr gēn Zhōngguó rén yìqǐ chàng shàng jǐ jù.
I often learn from TV, and occasionally sing a few lines with Chinese people.
由 (yóu)
Preposition 'by'. Introduces the agent in charge of a task.
这次活动继续由你负责。
Zhè cì huódòng jìxù yóu nǐ fùzé.
You will continue to be in charge of this activity.
进行 (jìnxíng)
Verb 'to conduct/carry out'. Followed by a disyllabic verb (e.g. 调查, 讨论).
有人在互联网上专门进行过调查。
Yǒu rén zài hùliánwǎng shang zhuānmén jìnxíng guò diàochá.
Someone conducted a strict survey on the internet.
随着 (suízhe)
Preposition 'along with/as'. Indicates that one state changes as another changes.
随着人们对茶的认识的加深，慢慢开始把它当作解渴的饮料。
Suízhe rénmen duì chá de rènshi de jiāshēn, mànmàn kāishǐ bǎ tā dāngzuò jiěkě de yǐnliào.
As people's understanding of tea deepened, they slowly began to treat it as a beverage.
Lesson 14 · Waste Less, Care for Shared Spaces
向 (xiàng)
Preposition 'towards/to'. Indicates direction.
这辆车是向右开的。
Zhè liàng chē shì xiàng yòu kāi de.
This car is driving to the right.
既然 (jìrán) ... 就 (jiù) ...
'Since... then...'. Used to infer a result from a fact.
既然你不想扔，那就先放在这儿吧。
Jìrán nǐ bù xiǎng rēng, nà jiù xiān fàng zài zhèr ba.
Since you don't want to throw it, put it here.
够 (gòu)
Adverb/Complement 'enough'. Indicates reaching a certain degree.
箱子已经够重的了！
Xiāngzi yǐjīng gòu zhòng de le!
The suitcase is already heavy enough!
于是 (yúshì)
Conjunction 'so/therefore'. Indicates a sequential relationship.
因为各种污染，于是环境变得越来越差。
Yīnwèi gè zhǒng wūrǎn, yúshì huánjìng biàn de yuè lái yuè chà.
Because of various pollution, the environment has become worse and worse.
Lesson 15 · The Art of Guiding Children
起来 (qǐlái)
Directional complement. Start of action or estimation.
听起来很有意思。
Tīng qilai hěn yǒu yìsi.
That sounds very interesting.
弄 (nòng)
General verb 'to do/make/handle'.
把房间弄干净。
Bǎ fángjiān nòng gānjìng.
Make the room clean.
千万 (qiānwàn)
Adverb 'by all means/must'. Strong advice.
千万别迟到。
Qiānwàn bié chídào.
Be sure not to be late.
来 (lái)
Used before verb to indicate intention or invitation.
你来弹一首曲子吧。
Nǐ lái tán yì shǒu qǔzi ba.
You come and play a tune.
左右 (zuǒyòu)
'Around/approximately'. Number + 左右.
三十岁左右。
Sānshí suì zuǒyòu.
Around 30 years old.
Lesson 16 · Applying with Care
可不是 (kě bú shì)
'Exactly!'. Strong agreement.
可不是！我都快不认识了。
Kě bú shì! Wǒ dōu kuài bú rènshi le.
Exactly! I almost don't recognize it.
估计 (gūjì)
Verb 'to estimate/reckon'.
估计得一个小时。
Gūjì děi yí ge xiǎoshí.
Reckon it takes an hour.
来得及 (láidejí)
'There is still time'.
还有半个小时，来得及吃早饭。
Hái yǒu bàn ge xiǎoshí, láidejí chī zǎofàn.
There is still half an hour, enough time to eat breakfast.
随着 (suízhe)
Preposition 'along with/as'.
随着科技的发展，生活越来越方便。
Suízhe kējì de fāzhǎn, shēnghuó yuè lái yuè fāngbiàn.
As tech develops, life becomes more convenient.
到底 (dàodǐ)
Adverb 'on earth/after all'.
你到底去不去？
Nǐ dàodǐ qù bú qù?
Are you going or not after all?
Lesson 17 · Living Alongside Nature
倒 (dào)
Used as an adverb to indicate a transition, often expressing contrast or something contrary to expectations.
去长城倒是一个好主意。
Qù Chángchéng dào shì yí ge hǎo zhǔyi.
Going to the Great Wall is actually a good idea.
干 (gàn)
A verb meaning to do something or to be engaged in a certain work or activity.
以后要继续努力，我一定会好好儿干的。
Yǐhòu yào jìxù nǔlì, wǒ yídìng huì hǎohāor gàn de.
Keep working hard, I will certainly do my best.
趟 (tàng)
A measure word indicating the number of round trips, used for actions involving coming and going.
上个月我去了一趟北京动物园。
Shàng ge yuè wǒ qù le yí tàng Běijīng Dòngwùyuán.
Last month I went to the Beijing Zoo.
为了……而…… (wèile... ér...)
A pattern used to indicate the purpose of an action.
植物会为了阳光、空气和水而竞争。
Zhíwù huì wèile yángguāng, kōngqì hé shuǐ ér jìngzhēng.
Plants compete for sunlight, air and water.
Lesson 18 · Messages that Connect Us
是否 (shìfǒu)
Written form of '是不是' (whether or not).
我不知道他是否能来。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shìfǒu néng lái.
I don't know if he can come.
受不了 (shòubuliǎo)
Cannot bear; unendurable.
这里的夏天太热了，我真受不了。
Zhèlǐ de xiàtiān tài rè le, wǒ zhēn shòubuliǎo.
The summer here is too hot, I really can't stand it.
接着 (jiēzhe)
Adverb meaning 'to follow immediately'; then.
他吃完饭接着工作。
Tā chī wán fàn jiēzhe gōngzuò.
He continued working after eating.
除此以外 (chúcǐyǐwài)
In addition to this; besides this.
除了英语，他还学过法语，除此以外，他什么外语也没学过。
Chúle Yīngyǔ, tā hái xuéguo Fǎyǔ, chúcǐyǐwài, tā shénme wàiyǔ yě méi xuéguo.
Besides English, he learned French. Apart from this, he hasn't learned any other foreign languages.
把……叫作…… (bǎ... jiàozuò...)
To call ... as ...
人们把地球叫作“地球村”。
Rénmen bǎ dìqiú jiàozuò 'dìqiúcūn'.
People call the Earth a 'global village'.
Lesson 19 · The Taste of Everyday Life
上 (shàng)
Used after a verb as a complement of direction or possibility.
看来今天吃不上羊肉饺子了。
Kànlái jīntiān chī bu shàng yángròu jiǎozi le.
It seems we can't eat mutton dumplings today.
出来 (chūlái)
Complement of direction indicating emergence or identification.
我看出来你跳得这么好。
Wǒ kàn chūlai nǐ tiào de zhème hǎo.
I can see that you dance so well.
总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō)
Generally speaking.
总的来说，这套房子他很满意。
Zǒng de lái shuō, zhè tào fángzi tā hěn mǎnyì.
Generally speaking, he is very satisfied with this house.
在于 (zàiyú)
To lie in; to consist in.
生命在于运动。
Shēngmìng zàiyú yùndòng.
Life lies in motion.
Lesson 20 · Travel Brings New Views
V+着+V+着 (V+zhe+V+zhe)
Indicating another action occurs while the first one is going on, or one action leads to a result.
别开着开着没油了。
Bié kāizhe kāizhe méi yóu le.
Don't run out of gas while driving.
一……就…… (yī...jiù...)
As soon as; once.
等女儿一回来我就告诉她这个好消息。
Děng nǚ'ér yì huílai wǒ jiù gàosu tā zhège hǎo xiāoxi.
I'll tell our daughter the good news as soon as she comes back.
究竟 (jiūjìng)
Adverb used in questions for emphasis (exactly/actually).
究竟哪个季节去丽江旅游比较好呢？
Jiūjìng nǎge jìjié qù Lìjiāng lǚyóu bǐjiào hǎo ne?
Which season is actually better for traveling to Lijiang?
起来 (qǐlái)
Complement of direction indicating an upward movement or the start and continuation of an action.
上海话听起来就像外语一样。
Shànghǎi huà tīng qilai jiù xiàng wàiyǔ yíyàng.
Shanghainese sounds like a foreign language.
V + 起 (V + qǐ)
Introduces the thing that an action involves (e.g., 说起, 谈起).
说起吃的东西，给我印象最深的是湖南菜。
Shuōqǐ chī de dōngxi, gěi wǒ yìnxiàng zuì shēn de shì Húnán cài.
Speaking of food, what impressed me most was Hunan cuisine.
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