My father is Chinese.
Wǒ fùqin shì Zhōngguó rén.
我父亲是中国人。
I got it!—meaning “I understand”
Wǒ míngbai le.
我明白了。
We have dinner at home.
Wǒmen zài jiāli chī wǎnfàn.
我们在家里吃晚饭。
Literally: We at home eat dinner.
The basic word order of Chinese is: Who, Where, What. The basic word order of English is: Who, What, Where.
I have a headache.
Wǒ tóu téng.
我头疼。
I have a cold.
Wǒ gǎnmào le.
我感冒了。
The weather is cool.
Tiānqi hěn liángkuài.
天气很凉快 。
NOTE: Shuài 帅 refers to men who are “cool” in the sense of handsome, smart-looking, debonair.
That guy is cool.
Nàge rén hěn shuài.
那个人很帅。
That car is cool.
Nàliàng chē zhēn kù!
那辆车真酷！
NOTE: Kù 酷 comes from “cool” in English.
I am going to the airport to pick up my friend.
Wǒ dào fēijīchǎng qù jiē wǒde péngyou.
我到飞机场去接我的朋友。
I am going to the bank to pick up some money.
Wǒ dào yínháng qù qǔ qián.
我到银行去取钱。
CHAPTER ONE
Word order
(1) Basic word order
The basic word order in English is Who, What, Where, When. The basic word order in Chinese is Who, When, Where, What.
English: We ate lunch at McDonald’s at 1:00 yesterday afternoon.
Chinese: We yesterday afternoon at 1:00 at McDonald’s ate lunch.
Wǒmen zuótiān xiàwǔ yìdiǎn zhōng zài Màidāngláo chīle wǔfàn.
我们昨天下午一点钟在麦当劳 吃了午饭。
English: We saw a Chinese movie at that movie theater Saturday evening.
Chinese: We Saturday evening at that movie theater saw a Chinese movie.
Wǒmen xīngqīliù wǎnshang zài nàge diànyǐngyuàn kànle yíge Zhōngguó diànyǐng.
我们星期六晚上在那个电影院看了一个中国电影。
(2) Action and location: someone does something somewhere
English: Who, what, where, (when) Chinese: Who, (when) where, what
English: I eat dinner at home.
Chinese: I at home eat dinner.
Wǒ zài jiāli chī wǎnfàn.
我在家里吃晚饭。
English: I study in the library.
Chinese: I at the library study.
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn niànshū.
我在图书馆念书。
(3) Action and time: when somebody does something
English: Who, what, (where) when Chinese: Who, when, (where) what
The time WHEN something happens always comes before the verb.
English: I get up at 8:00.
Chinese: I at 8:00 get up.
Wǒ bādiǎn zhōng qǐchuáng.
我八点钟起床。
English: I eat breakfast at 8:30.
Chinese: I at 8:30 eat breakfast.
Wǒ bādiǎn bàn chī zǎofàn.
我八点半吃早饭。
(4) Word order for expressing WHEN something happened
The biggest, most general time words come first in Chinese:
English: day, month, year
Chinese: year, month, day
English: Saturday, October 1, 1949 (Founding of the PRC)
Chinese: 1949, October 1, Saturday
Yījiǔsìjiǔnián, shíyuè yíhào, xīngqīliù
1949年10月1日，星期六。
English: 8:00 a.m. on July 4, 1820 (America’s First Independence day)
Chinese: 1820, July 4, at 8:00 a.m.
Yībāèrlíngnián qīyuè sìhào, zǎoshang bādiǎn zhōng.
1820年7月4日，早上八点钟。
(5) Word order for duration of time: how long someone did something
The word order for expressing the length or duration of time is very different from expressing the time when an action occurred. Here, the length of time of an action can come at the end of the sentence, whereas this can NEVER happen with expressing WHEN something occurred.
I slept eight hours of sleep.
Wǒ shuìle bāge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí) de jiào.
我睡了八个钟头 (小时) 的觉。
OR, if you are stating the length of time you spent on various activities, in addition to sleeping:
I slept (for) eight hours.
In terms of my sleeping, I slept eight hours.
Wǒ shuìjiào shuìle bāge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí).
我睡觉睡了八个钟头 (小时) 。
Once you’ve established sleeping as your topic of conversation, then you can, of course, simply say, as we would in English:
I slept eight hours.
Wǒ shuìle bāge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí).
我睡了八个钟头 (小时) 。
Yesterday, I studied for five hours.
Yesterday, I studied five hours of books.
Zuótiān wǒ niànle wǔge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí) de shū.
昨天我念了五个钟头 (小时) 的书。
OR, if you’re enumerating the relative amount of time you spent doing various things yesterday:
I studied for five hours yesterday.
Yesterday as for my studying, I studied (for) five hours.
Zuótiān wǒ niànshū niànle wǔge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí).
昨天我念书念了五个钟头 (小时) 。
And once we’ve established “studying” as the topic of discussion, then we can simply say, as in English:
I studied (for) five hours.
Wǒ niànle wǔge zhōngtou (xiǎoshí).
我念了五个钟头 (小时) 。
HOWEVER, when a length of time is given in a sentence with negation, bù 不 or méi/méiyǒu 没/没有 , then the period of time comes BEFORE the verb:
English: I haven’t slept for two days.
Chinese: I for two days have not slept.
Wǒ liǎngtiān méi shuìjiào le.
我两天没睡觉了。
English: I haven’t smoked for a year.
Chinese: I for one year have not smoked.
Wǒ yìnián méi xīyān le.
我一年没吸烟了。
(6) Placement of “why” in a question
The word “why?” wèishénme 为什么, is always placed AFTER the subject of the sentence, not before as it is in English (unless the speaker is being particularly emphatic and almost indignant!):
English: Why are you studying Chinese?
Chinese: You why (for what reason) are studying Chinese?
Nǐ wèishénme xué zhōngwén?
你为什么学中文？
English: Why didn’t she come to class?
Chinese: She why (for what reason) didn’t come to class?
Tā wèishénme méi shàngkè?
她为什么没上课？
CHAPTER TWO
Time Expressions
(1) Expressing simultaneous actions
To express two simultaneous actions, as in “When . . . ” or “While . . . ,” use shíhou 时候. In English, the “when/while” clause can either begin the sentence or be placed in the subordinate clause. In English, one says either “When Chinese people eat, they use chopsticks” or “Chinese people use chopsticks when they eat.”
In Chinese, the “when/while” clause must come first:
English: She listens to music when she takes a walk. Chinese: Her walking times (she) listens to music.
Tā sànbù de shíhou tīng yīnyuè.
她散步的时候听音乐。
English: They watch TV when (while) they eat dinner. Chinese: When (while) they eat dinner, they watch TV.
Tāmen chī wǎnfàn de shíhou kàn diànshì .
他们吃晚饭的时候看电视。
HOWEVER, if by “when” you mean “after . . . ,” then “when . . . ” is translated as yǐhòu 以后:
When (after) I graduate, I’m going to China to teach English.
Wǒ bìle yè yǐhòu dào Zhōngguó qù jiāo Yīngyǔ.
我毕了业以后到中国去教英语。
That’s because 以后 and 以前 never come BEFORE what they refer to!
(2) To say “again”: zài 再 vs. yòu 又
When you say that someone will do something again in the future, use zài 再:
I will go to China again next year.
Wǒ míngnián huì zài dào Zhōngguó qù.
我明年会再到中国去。
We’re going to see that movie again tomorrow evening.
Wǒmen míngtiān wǎnshang huì zài kàn nèige diànyǐng.
我们明天晚上会再看那个电影。
When you say something happened again in the past, use yòu 又:
I went to China again last year.
Wǒ qùnián yòu dào Zhōngguó qù le.
我去年又到中国去了。
We saw that movie again last night.
Wǒmen zuótiān wǎnshang yòu kàn le nèige diànyǐng.
我们昨天晚上又看了那个电影。
HOWEVER, be aware that before certain helping verbs, such as shì 是 (am, is, are), xiǎng 想 (think), néng 能 (can/able to), yào 要 (want), yǐhòu 以后 (after), and huì 会 (can/know), you can only use yòu 又 (again, regardless of tense):
Tomorrow there’s going to be a test again.
Míngtiān yòu shì yíge kǎoshì.
明天又是一个考试。
They need to/want to see the doctor yet again this afternoon.
Tāmen jīntiān xiàwǔ yòu yào qù kàn dàifu.
他们今天下午又要去看大夫。
(3) “After”/“later”: yǐhòu 以后 vs. ránhòu 然后
When you say that someone will do something and then afterward/later will do something else in the future, or that someone generally does something and then afterward/later does something else, you can either use yǐhòu 以后 or ránhòu 然后 for “after that”/“afterward”/“later.”
HOWEVER, depending on which of the two expressions you use, the structure of the sentence will be different:
After she goes to class, she’ll go work.
Tā xià le kè yǐhòu jiù huì qù gōngzuò.
她下了课以后就会去工作。
OR:
She’s in class right now, and afterward will go work.
Tā xiànzài zhèngzài shàngkè, ránhòu tā huì qù gōngzuò.
她现在正在上课, 然后她会去工作。
You cannot use hòulái 后来, which is only used for actions in the past.
Every evening they watch TV, and after that they go to bed.
Tāmen měitiān wǎnshang kànle diànshì yǐhòu jiù shàngchuáng.
他们每天晚上看了电视以后就上床。
了 is used here because you’re really saying: “Having watched TV, they then go to bed.”
OR:
Tāmen měitiān wǎnshang kàn diànshì, ránhòu jiù shàngchuáng.
他们每天晚上看电视, 然后就上床。
了 is NOT used here because you’re saying: “They watch TV, and after that they go to bed.
HOWEVER, there is a difference between the use of yǐhòu 以后 and ránhòu 然后. Ránhòu 然后 always implies that one action logically or naturally follows the other, whereas yǐhòu 以后 can be used even with two actions that are not necessarily a logical or natural sequence. As a result, ránhòu 然后 cannot be used with a negative clause:
He’s working at a factory this year, but afterward he doesn’t plan to work there any more.
Tā jīnnián zài gōngchǎnglǐ gōngzuò, kěshì yǐhòu tā bùdǎsuan zài nèr gōngzuò le.
他今年在工厂里工作，可是以后他不打算在那儿工作 了。
The use of hòulái 后来 vs. ránhòu 然后
When you say that someone did something in the past and after that or later did something else, or that someone regularly did something in the past and after that or later did something else, use either hòulái 后来 or ránhòu 然后. Unlike yǐhòu 以后, neither can be used after the verb in the first clause, but must be placed at the beginning of the second clause.
Mr. Wang taught Chinese in college for twenty years, and after that retired.
Wáng Xiānsheng zài dàxué jiāole èrshíniánde Hànyǔ, hòulái jiù tuìxiū le.
王先生在大学教了二十年的汉语，后来就退休了。
This is BC unless you mean that it logically follows that after teaching anything for twenty years, everyone retires - by law or custom, etc.
They dated for over two years, and afterward they got married.
Tāmen tánle liǎngniánduō de lián-ài, hòulái jiù jiéhūn le.
他们谈了两年多的恋爱，后来就结婚了。
HOWEVER, just as when it’s used in the future tense, ránhòu 然后 cannot be used with a negative clause with the past tense either, since ránhòu 然后 always implies a logical sequence of events.
My father smoked for twenty years, but afterward he didn’t smoke any more.
Wǒ fùqin chōule èrshínián de yān, kěshì hòulái tā bùchōu le.
我父亲抽了二十年的烟，可是后来他不抽了。
Finally, no matter what the tense, you can always use yǐhòu 以后 after the verb in the first clause to mean “after” doing something or someone did, does, or will do something else:
After she goes to class, she’ll go to work.
Tā xià le kè yǐhòu jiù huì qù gōngzuò.
她下了课以后就会去工作。
Every evening after they watch TV, they go to bed.
Tāmen měitiān wǎnshang kànle diànshì yǐhòu jiù shàngchuáng.
他们每天晚上看了电视以后就上床。
After she went to class, she went to work.
Tā xiàle kè yǐhòu jiù qù gōngzuò le.
她下了课以后就去工作了。
Every evening after they watched TV, they went to bed.
Tāmen měitiān wǎnshang kànle diànshì yǐhòu jiù shàngchuáng le.
他们每天晚上看了电视以后就上床了。
In NONE of the four examples above would you use ránhòu 然后 using the same sentence structure.
After eating dinner, they want to go see a movie.
Chīle wǎnfàn yǐhòu, tāmen jiù yào qù kàn diànyǐng .
吃了晚饭以后，他们就要去看电影。
(4) “Last week, this week, next week” and “last month, this month, next month” follow the same pattern, with shàng 上 indicating “last . . . ,” zhè/zhèi 这 indicating “this . . .,” and xià 下 indicating “next . . .”
last week (month)
shàng(ge) xīngqī (yuè)
上 (个) 星期 (月)
this week (month)
zhèige xīngqī (yuè)
这个星期 (月)
next week (month)
xià(ge) xīngqī (yuè)
下 (个) 星期 (月)
HOWEVER, days (tiān 天) and years (nián 年), the smallest and largest of the general time words, are expressed similarly to each other but differently from weeks and months:
yesterday (last year)
zuótiān (qùnián)
昨天 (去年)
today (this year)
jīntiān (jīnnián)
今天 (今年)
tomorrow (next year)
míngtiān (míngnián)
明天 (明年)
CHAPTER THREE
Nouns
(1) Plurals in Chinese
Every noun in Chinese is both singular and plural:
书 shū book or books
狗 gǒu dog or dogs
人 rén person or people
HOWEVER, there are a limited number of nouns referring to people that can take the suffix men 们 to clarify that they are plural. This very short list includes the following:
friends péngyoumen 朋友们
children háizimen 孩子们
students xuéshengmen 学生们
(2) When counting things, measure words must always be used between the number and the noun
one person yíge rén 一个人
two cats liǎngzhī māo 两只猫
three books sānběn shū 三本书
Measure words must also be used between “this” or “that” and a noun:
this cat zhèizhī māo 这只猫
that book nèiběn shū 那本书
(3) This and that
This book zhèi (zhè) běn shū 这本书
That book nèi (nà) běn shū 那本书
These books zhèixie (zhèxie) shū 这些书
Those books nèixiē (nàxie) shū 那些书
These four books zhèi (zhè) sìběn shū 这四本书
Those four books nèi (nà) sìběn shū 那四本书
(4) Nouns for nationalities and languages
Correct usage for “China,” Zhōngguó 中国, and “Chinese language,” zhōngwén 中文:
Chinese = Zhōngguó 中国, when “Chinese” is an adjective that precedes a noun
Chinese = Zhōngguó rén 中国人, when “Chinese” refers to Chinese person/people
Chinese = Zhōngwén 中文 or Hànyǔ 汉语, when “Chinese” refers to the language
I have a Chinese pen.
Wǒ yǒu Zhōngguó bǐ.
我有中国笔。
My wife is Chinese.
Wǒ tàitai shì Zhōngguó rén.
我太太是中国人。
My wife teaches Chinese.
Wǒ tàitai jiāo Zhōngwén (Hànyǔ).
我太太教中文 (汉语) 。
The same rules apply for all nationalities and languages.
(5) All (of some noun): dōu 都 vs. suǒyǒude 所有的
The word dōu 都 (both/all) always follows the noun to which it refers; dōu 都 can NEVER precede a noun!
If you use suǒyǒude 所有的 for emphasis, it comes before the noun to which it refers; but you still need to put dōu 都 after that noun:
All children like candy.
Háizi dōu xǐhuān táng.
孩子都喜欢糖。
OR, for emphasis:
Suǒyǒude háizi dōu xǐhuān táng.
所有的孩子都喜欢糖。
I like all (or both) those children.
Nèixie háizi wǒ dōu xǐhuān.
那些孩子我都喜欢。
OR, for emphasis:
Suǒyǒude nèixie háizi wǒ dōu xǐhuān.
所有的那些孩子我都喜欢。
(6) How to express the indefinites
Everyone, everything, everywhere, no one, nothing, nowhere:
Everything’s delicious.
Shénme dōu hǎochī.
什么都好吃。
Everywhere is noisy.
Nǎr (shénme dìfang) dōu hěn chǎo.
哪儿 (什么地方) 都很吵。
Nothing is delicious.
Shénme dōu bù hǎochī.
什么都不好吃。
Nowhere is quiet.
Nǎr (shénme dìfang) dōu bù ānjìng.
哪儿 (什么地方) 都不安静。
Whatever, whoever, wherever:
I’ll have (drink) whatever you’re having.
Nǐ hē shénme, wǒ jiù hē shénme.
你喝什么，我就喝什么。
Literally: You drink what(ever), I’ll (then) drink what(ever).
Whoever you like, I’ll like.
Nǐ xǐhuān shéi, wǒ jiù xǐhuān shéi.
你喜欢谁，我就喜欢谁。
Literally: You like who(ever), I’ll (then) like who(ever).
I’ll go wherever you go.
Nǐ dào nǎr qù, wǒ jiù dào nǎr qù.
你到哪儿去，我就到哪儿去。
Literally: You go where (wherever), I’ll (then) go where (wherever).
(7) How to express not even one bit of something
I don’t have any .
Wǒ yìdiǎn(r) yě (or dōu) méiyǒu.
我一点儿 . . . . . . 也 (都) 没有。
I don’t want any .
Wǒ yìdiǎn(r) yě (dōu) búyào.
我一点儿 . . . 也 (都) 不要。
I don’t have any money (at all).
Wǒ yìdiǎn(r) qián yě (dōu) méiyǒu.
我一点 (儿) 钱也 (都) 没有。
I don’t want any beer (at all).
Wǒ yìdiǎn(r) píjiǔ yě (dōu) búyào.
我一点 (儿) 啤酒也 (都) 不要。
HOWEVER, for things that you can quantify/count, as in “I don’t even have one ,” use wǒ yíge 我一个 (or appropriate measure word) yě (dōu) méiyǒu 也 (都) 没有:
I don’t even have one friend.
Wǒ yíge péngyou yě méiyǒu.
我一个朋友也没有。
I don’t even want one .
Wǒ yíge (or appropriate measure word) yě (dōu) búyào.
我一个 . . . 也 (都) 不要。
I don’t even want one hamburger.
Wǒ yíge hànbǎobāo yě búyào.
我一个汉堡包也不要。
I don’t even have one dollar.
Wǒ yíkuài qián yě (dōu) méiyǒu.
我一块钱也 (都) 没有。
I don’t even want one Japanese book.
Wǒ yìběn Rìwén shū yě (or dōu) búyào.
我一本日文 书也 (都) 不要。
(8) Location words
Relative location words come after the place or object, not before, as in English:
on the table
zhuōzi shàng(tou)
桌子上 (头)
Literally: table on/table top
in the store
shāngdiàn lǐ(tou)
商店里 (头)
Literally: store(’s) inside
BUT, never use lǐ(tou) 里 (头) after the name of a country or city:
Her home is in China.
Tā jiā zài Zhōngguó.
她家在中国。
CHAPTER FOUR
VERBS
(1) Past tense
For action verbs, from eating and sleeping to walking, running, or even studying: add le 了:
I went.
Wǒ qù le.
我去了。
I ate.
Wǒ chīfàn le.
我吃饭了。
I slept.
Wǒ shuìjiào le.
我睡觉了。
Non-action verbs (feelings) are no different from present tense; don’t add le 了.
Non-action verbs of thought, feeling, and emotion, and verbs of knowing and informing include everything from “like” and “love” to “think,” “feel,” “understand,” “know,” “ask,” “tell,” etc.:
I liked him.
Wǒ xǐhuān tā.
我喜欢他。
Ten years ago I liked white clothing.
Wǒ shíniánqián xǐhuān báisède yīfu.
我十年前喜欢白色的衣服。
I loved her.
Wǒ ài tā.
我爱她。
I wanted to buy it.
Wǒ yào mǎi.
我要买。
Non-action verbs used to express asking or telling are exceptions to this rule IF they have a simple direct object:
I asked her something.
Wǒ wèn le tā yíjiàn shì.
我问了她一件事。
BUT:
Yesterday I asked her if she wanted to go shopping with me today.
Zuótiān wǒ wèn tā xiǎng bùxiǎng jīntiān hé wǒ yìqǐ qù mǎi dōngxi.
昨天我问她想不想今天和我一起去买东西。
(2) Present tense
For the plain present tense, use the dictionary form of the verb:
She reads/is reading a book.
Tā kànshū.
她看书。
He watches/is watching TV.
Tā kàn diànshì.
他看电视。
To emphasize doing something right now, either put zài 在 in front of the verb:
She is reading a book (right now).
Tā zài kànshū.
她在看书。
OR: Put ne 呢 after the verb:
Tā kànshū ne.
她看书呢。
OR: Put zài 在 in front of the verb and ne 呢 after it:
Tā zài kànshū ne.
她在看书呢。
OR: Put zhe 着after the verb:
Tā kànzhe shū.
她看着书。
OR: Put zhe 着 after the verb and ne 呢 after it:
Tā kànzhe shū ne.
她看着书呢。
(3) Future tense
The present tense of ALL verbs can be used to express future tense as well:
I drink coffee every day.
Wǒ měitiān hē kāfēi.
我每天喝咖啡。
I will drink coffee tomorrow.
Wǒ míngtiān hē kāfēi.
我明天喝咖啡。
BUT, to emphasize future tense, put either yào 要 or huì 会 in front of the verb. Yào 要 implies “want to” and therefore “will”; huì 会 implies “able to” and therefore “will”:
They will go to China next year [in the sense that they want to and therefore will].
Tāmen míngnián yào dào Zhōngguó qù.
他们明年要到中国去。
They will go to China next year [in the sense that they have the money, the time, etc. to able to go, and so “will go”].
Tāmen míngnián huì dào Zhōngguó qù.
他们明年会到中国去。
(4) The word “it” is usually implied by the verb
Unlike in English, the word “it” is rarely used in Chinese but is implied by the verb:
I saw it.
Wǒ kànjiàn le.
我看见了。
I bought it.
Wǒ mǎi le.
我买了。
You cannot use “it,” tā 它, to refer to the date or time: It’s Friday (today).
Jīntiān shì xīngqīwǔ.
今天是星期五。
(NOTE: in Chinese, the word “today” is needed.)
It’s the first of June (today).
Jīntiān shì liùyùe yíhào.
今天是六月一号。
You cannot use tā 它 to refer to the weather:
It’s raining.
Xiàyǔ le.
下雨了。
You cannot use tā 它 in sentences like “It’s mine” or “It’s his.” Instead use “this” zhè 这 or “that” nà 那：
It’s mine.
Zhè (nà) shì wǒde.
这(那)是我的。
You cannot use tā 它 when referring to an abstract thing or event:
It’s a good idea.
Nà shì yíge hǎo zhǔyi.
那是一个好主意。
It doesn’t matter.
Méiyǒu guānxi.
没有关系。
It’s very hard to talk with him.
Hěn nán gēn tā duìhuà.
很难跟他对话。
This is equally true when “it” is used as a direct object to refer to abstract things:
Maybe he has been reformed, but I doubt it.
Yěxǔ tā gǎiguò zìxīn le, dànshi wǒ hěn huáiyí.
也许他改过自新了，但是我很怀疑。
You cannot use tā 它 when stating who someone is, in sentences like “It’s me” or “It’s Mary”:
It’s me.
Shì wǒ.
是我。
You cannot use tā 它 when “it” is used in English to refer to human beings, like a child:
This is a rite of passage that every child has to go through as it grows up.
Zhè shì měi yíge háizi zài chéngzhǎng guòchéng zhōng bìxū jīngguò de.
这是每一个孩子在成长过程中必须经过的。
If you use “it” as a direct object referring to a place, you cannot use tā 它. Instead use zhèlǐ 这里 or nàlǐ 那里：
I like it here.
Wǒ xǐhuān zhèlǐ.
我喜欢这里。
There are only two cases where “it” in English can be translated as tā 它 in Chinese:
(a) Tā 它 can be used to refer to animals
There is a cat over there. It has black fur.
Nàbiān yǒu yìzhī māo. Tā yǒu hēisède máo.
那边有一只猫。它有黑色的毛。
(b) Tā 它 can be used for direct objects with the bǎ 把 pattern
“Where is my book?” “I put it on the table.”
“Wǒde shū zai nǎlǐ?” “Wǒ bǎ tā fàngzài zhuōzi shàng le.”
“我的书在哪里?” “我把它放在桌子上了。”
When the bǎ 把 pattern is not used, however, you cannot use tā 它 to refer to the direct object:
a room without furniture in it
yíge méiyǒu jiāju de fángjiān
一个没有家具的房间
(5) Helping verbs (prepositions in English)
(a) Gěi 给, meaning “to give,” also functions as a helping verb Gei 给 can mean “to do something for someone”:
I cooked dinner for my friends.
Wǒ gěi wǒde péngyou zuò le wǎnfàn.
我给我的朋友做了晚饭。
Gěi 给 is used in communication (phone calls, letters, etc.) to indicate the person to whom the communication is sent:
I phoned (to) my mother.
Wǒ gěi wǒ mǔqin dǎ le diànhuà.
我给我母亲打了电话。
I wrote a letter to my mother.
Wǒ gěi wǒ mǔqin xiě le yìfēng xìn.
我给我母亲写了一封信。
BUT, as the main verb, gěi 给 simply means “to give”:
I give my little sister money.
Wǒ gěi wǒ mèimei qián.
我给我妹妹钱。
(b) Gēn 跟 by itself means “to follow,” but as a helping verb, besides meaning “and” (see p. 73), most frequently gēn 跟 means “with” to speak with/to someone
gēn . . . shuōhuà
跟 . . . 说话
to chat with someone
gēn . . . tántán
跟 . . . 谈谈
to discuss with someone
gēn . . . tǎolùn
跟 . . . 讨论
OR:
gēn . . . shāngliang
跟 . . . 商量
to argue with someone
gēn . . . zhēnglùn
跟 . . . 争论
to quarrel with someone
gēn . . . chǎojià
跟 . . . 吵架
to have connections with someone
gēn . . . yǒu guānxi
跟 . . . 有关系
BUT:
to be angry with someone
shēng (someone) de qì
生 . . . 的气
I’m angry with my friend.
Wǒ shēng wǒ péngyou de qì.
我生我朋友的气。
I agree with you.
Wǒ tóngyì nǐde yìjian.
我同意你的意见。
Wǒ tóngyì!
我同意。
AND: Gēn 跟 is used in many expressions where there is NO preposition in English:
to marry someone
gēn . . . jiéhūn
跟 . . . 结婚
Who is she marrying?
Tā gēn shéi jiéhūn?
她跟谁结婚?
Literally: With whom is she marrying?
to divorce someone
gēn . . . líhūn
跟 . . . 离婚
She divorced him last year.
Tā qùnián gēn tā líhūn le.
她去年跟他离婚了。
Literally: She with him divorced . . .
to greet someone
gēn . . . dǎ zhāohu
跟 . . . 打招呼
That old gentleman just greeted me.
Nèiwèi lǎo xiānsheng gānggāng gēn wǒ dǎle zhāohu.
那位老先生刚刚跟我打了招呼。
(c) Duì 对 as a verb by itself means “to face.” Therefore, as a helping verb, it has the idea of “vis-à-vis” or “concerning/in regard to.” It can be translated as “toward,” “to,” “in,” “as far as,” “about,” etc.
My parents are nice to me.
Wǒ(de) fùmǔ duì wǒ hěn hǎo.
我(的)父母对我很好。
She’s very considerate of (“toward”) her roommate.
Tā duì tāde tóngwū hěn tǐtiē.
她对她的同屋很体贴。
I’m very curious about (“concerning”) her roommate.
Wǒ duì tāde tóngwū hěn hàoqí.
我对她的同屋很好奇。
I am interested in (“in regard to”) sports.
Wǒ duì yùndòng gǎn (yǒu) xìngqu.
我对运动感(有)兴趣。
That career is appropriate for you.
Nèige zhíyè duì nǐ hěn héshì.
那个职业对你很合适。
Learning Chinese is beneficial for (“to”) you.
Xué Hànyǔ duì nǐ yǒu hǎochù.
学汉语对你有好处。
As far as I’m concerned, that movie is boring.
Duì wǒ lái shuō, nàge diànyǐng méiyìsi.
对我来说，那个电影没意思。
(d) Yòng 用 by itself is a verb meaning “to use.” But as a helping verb, yòng 用 has the idea of “using. . . . ” It can be translated as “with” in the sense of “using something.”
Chinese people eat with chopsticks.
Zhōngguó rén yòng kuàizi chīfàn.
中国人用筷子吃饭。
The teacher wrote the characters with a brush.
Lǎoshī yòng máobǐ xiě le nàxie zì.
老师用毛笔写了那些字。
BUT, yòng 用 can also be used to mean “in” when it has to do with speaking “in” (using) a certain language or paying “in” a certain currency:
She told him in Chinese.
Tā yòng Hànyǔ gàosu tā.
她用汉语告诉他。
He paid in RMB.
Tā yòng rénmínbì fù le qián.
他用人民币付了钱。
(e) Use wèi 为 to express “for (someone or something’s sake)”
My parents sacrificed a lot for me.
Wǒ fùmǔ wèi wǒ zuòchū le hěn dàde xīshēng.
我父母为我做出了很大的牺牲。
My parents were proud of their son.
Wǒ fùmǔ wèi tāmen de érzi gǎndào jiāoào.
我父母为他们的儿子感到骄傲。
We celebrated my mother’s birthday (for her sake).
Wǒmen wèi māma qìngzhù le tāde shēngrì.
我们为妈妈庆祝了她的生日。
I was concerned for my Mom (for her health, etc.).
Wǒ wèi wǒ māma dānxīn le.
我为我妈妈担心了。
(f) Use tì 替 to express “for” in the sense of “substituting for”; “in place of”
Mrs. Li taught for Mrs. Wang.
Lǐ tàitai tì Wáng tàitai jiāoshū le.
李太太替王太太教书了。
My daughter cooked for me last night.
Wǒde nǚer zuótiān wǎnshang tì wǒ zuòfàn le.
我的女儿昨天晚上替我做饭了。
(g) Use different translations of the preposition “for,” depending on the meaning To express “for” as in “for the sake of,” use wèi 为:
I cooked for Mom (in the sense of “for her sake”/”for her benefit”).
Wǒ wèi Māma zuò le fàn.
我为妈妈做了饭。
To express “for” as in “giving someone the favor of . . . ,” use gěi 给: I cooked for Mom.
Wǒ gěi Māma zuò le fàn .
我给妈妈做了饭。
To express “for” as in meaning “in place of” or “instead of,” use tì 替:
I cooked for Mom (substituting for her as our regular cook).
Wǒ tì Māma zuò le fàn
我替妈妈做了饭。
(6) Going, coming, returning To say “to go to someplace,” use dào qù, 到 . . . 去:
I am going to China.
Wǒ dào Zhōngguó qù.
我到中国去。
To say “to return to someplace,” use huídào qù, 回到 . . . 去:
I am returning home.
Wǒ huídào jiālǐ qù.
我回到家里去。
(7) The bǎ 把 pattern with verbs
The bǎ 把 pattern is used with verbs that are more than one syllable (i.e., verbs with a complement attached) to put the direct object in front of the verb:
She reads the newspaper every day.
Tā měitiān kàn bàozhǐ.
她每天看报纸。
BUT:
She put the newspaper on the table.
Tā bǎ bàozhǐ fàngzài zhuōzi shang.
她把报纸放在桌子上。
She picked up the chopsticks.
Tā bǎ kuàizi náqǐlái le.
她把筷子拿起来了。
Please open the door.
Qǐng bǎ mén dǎkāi.
请把门打开。
HOWEVER, the bǎ 把 pattern is also used with a verb that is a single syllable IF the direct object is some specific thing and not some general item:
He ate THE food.
Tā bǎ fàn chī le.
他把饭吃了。
BUT:
He ate (some) food.
Tā chīfàn le.
他吃饭了。
I gave those children THE candy.
Wǒ bǎ táng gěile nèixie háizi.
我把糖给了那些孩子。
I gave the children (some) candy.
Wǒ gěile nèixie háizi táng.
我给了那些孩子糖。
(8) The shì . . . de 是 . . . 的 pattern for past tense actions
Use the shì . . . de 是 . . . 的 pattern to emphasize when, how, or where something happened IN THE PAST, or who did it:
I came yesterday (not today).
Wǒ shì zuótiān lái de.
我是昨天来的。
I came by boat (not by plane).
Wǒ shì zuò chuán lái de.
我是坐船来的。
I was born in Beijing.
Wǒ shì zài Běijīng chūshēng de.
我是在北京出生的。
It was I who did it (not someone else).
Nà shì wǒ zuò de.
那是我做的。
(9) The different ways to express passive voice (“was . . . by . . .”)
The Chinese do not use passive voice anywhere near as frequently as we do in English. Below are some occasions when you will, however, hear the passive voice.
With bèi 被：
That child was scolded by his father.
Nàge háizi bèi tā bàba mà le yídùn.
那个孩子被他爸爸骂了一顿。
Ràng 让，like bèi 被, is generally used with inanimate objects as the subject:
The candy was eaten by the child.
Táng ràng háizi (gěi) chī le.
糖让孩子 (给) 吃了。
CHAPTER FIVE
Adjectives
(1) Adjectives: general rules
Never use shì 是 before adjectives!
He is tall.
Tā hěn gāo
他很高。
BUT;
He is a student.
Tā shì xuésheng.
他是学生。
(noun = noun)
We generally put hěn 很 (very) in front of all monosyllabic adjectives, even when we don’t mean “very ,” although it isn’t absolutely necessary:
We’re busy.
Wǒmen hěn máng.
我们很忙。
Some Americans are fat
Yǒude Měiguó rén hěn pàng.
有的美国人很胖。
EXCEPTIONS: è 饿 (hungry), kě 渴 (thirsty), bìng 病 (sick), which all take le 了after them rather than hěn 很 in front of them:
We’re hungry.
Wǒmen è le.
我们饿了。
They’re thirsty.
Tāmen kě le.
他们渴了。
She’s ill.
Tā bìng le.
她病了。
When adjectives come before a noun and are more than one syllable, including a single-syllable adjective with hěn 很, there is always a de 的 between the adjective and the noun:
very good students
hěn hǎo de xuésheng
很好的学生
pretty women
piàoliang de nǚde
漂亮的女的
handsome men
yīngjùn de nánde
英俊的男的
BUT:
good person/people
hǎo rén
好人
(2) How to translate “bad” depends on the meaning of “bad”
Use huài 坏, “bad,” for people only, much like the word “evil” in English:
That man, bin-Laden, is really bad.
Bin-Laden nàge rén zhēn huài.
Bin-Laden 那个人真坏。
When combined with le 了，huài 坏 is used only with things, in which case it means “to go bad/spoiled/rotten”; “become wrecked/ruined”; “become useless; break down”:
My car has broken down.
Wǒde chēzi huàile.
我的车子坏了。
The bananas are spoiled.
Xiāngjiāo huài le.
香蕉坏了。
When something is “bad/not good,” use bùhǎo 不好:
That movie is bad.
Nàge diànyǐng bùhǎo.
那个电影不好。
When talking about pain or illness, use lìhai 厉害, “bad” in the sense of “severe/serious”:
I have a bad headache.
Wǒde tóu téng de hěn lìhai.
我的头疼得很厉害。
That person has a bad cold.
Nàge rén gǎnmào de hěn lìhai.
那个人感冒得很厉害。
(3) Use búcuò 不错, “not bad,” when you mean “quite good”
Today’s weather isn’t bad, is it?
Jīntiān de tiānqi búcuò, duì búduì?
今天的天气不错，对不对？
(4) Different ways to say “nice”
“Nice” is a very imprecise word in English. When referring to people, if by “nice” you mean “friendly,” use héqi 和气, as in:
That person is very nice.
Nàge rén hěn héqi.
那个人很和气。
When by “nice” you mean “kind” or “good,” use shànliáng 善良.
That young boy is very nice (kind). He wouldn’t even think of hurting a small bug.
Nàge xiǎo nánhái hěn shànliáng, lián yíge xiǎo chóngzi yě bùkěn shānghài.
那个小男孩很善良，连一个小虫子也不肯伤害。
“Nice” when referring to the weather or something abstract, like “nice job,” is simply hǎo 好 (good), as in:
Today’s weather is really nice.
Jīntiān de tiānqi zhēn hǎo.
今天的天气真好。
You did a nice job (You did that thing well).
Nàjian shì nǐ zuòde hěn hǎo.
那件事你做得很好。
How do you say, “Have a NICE day”? You DON’T! Of course a person will do their best to have a nice day, but how it turns out, the Chinese feel, is largely beyond their control.
When taking leave of someone, in place of “Have a nice day,” simply say Zàijiàn 再见, “goodbye.” For “Have a nice weekend,” you can simply say “See you Monday,” Xīngqīyī jiàn 星期一见.
These days you will hear Chinese people say something like “Hope you have a good time” to wish people an enjoyable weekend, as well as a good vacation, etc.:
Zhù nǐ zhōumò wánde yúkuài.
祝你周末玩得愉快。
You may even hear
Zhù nǐ yǒu yígè hǎode zhōumò.
祝你有一个好的周末。
Literally: I wish you a good weekend.
(5) Different ways to say “pretty” or “beautiful,” depending on the subject
Hǎokàn 好看 means “good-looking” or “attractive.” It technically can only refer to people and animals, but can be used for clothing.
Piàoliang 漂亮 means “pretty” or “attractive” for women only and not men; it can also be used to describe animals as well as written characters.
Měilì 美丽 means “beautiful” and, like piàoliang 漂亮, can only refer to women and not men; it can, however, be used to describe scenery.
“Pretty” or “beautiful” for paintings, scenery, music, etc. is simply měi 美 , as in:
The scenery in Guilin is beautiful.
Guìlín de fēngjǐng hěn měi.
桂林的风景很美。
“Pretty” when referring to music is also hǎotīng 好听, of course, and not hǎokàn 好看, since you’re listening to it, not looking at it!
(6) Comparisons: A bǐ 比 B
Positive comparisons: How to say something or someone is more ___ than something or someone else, as in smaller, cheaper, faster, etc.:
A “compared to” B is ____
A bǐ 比 B [adjective] or [verb clause]
Japan is smaller than China.
Rìběn bǐ Zhōngguó xiǎo.
日本比中国小。
Literally: Japan compared to China is small.
Planes are faster than trains, but are more expensive than trains.
Fēijī bǐ huǒchē kuài, kěshi bǐ huǒchē guì.
飞机比火车快，可是比火车贵。
Literally: Planes compared to trains are fast, but compared to trains are expensive.
It is incorrect to substitute bǐjiào 比较 for bǐ 比 in these cases; bǐjiào 比 较 means “relatively,” not “compared to . . . ”:
That chair is relatively expensive. How about buying this chair?
Nèi bǎ yǐzi bǐjiào guì, nǐ mǎi zhèi bǎ yǐzi ba.
那把椅子比较贵，你买这把椅子吧。
much more or much less . . .
A 比 B + adjective + 多了/得多
To indicate degree of comparison, i.e. “much more . . . ” or “a little more . . . ,” add de duō 得多 or duō le 多了 after the adjective or verb clause for “much more. . . .”
NOTE: hěn 很 CANNOT be used in comparisons!
Cars are much faster than bicycles.
Qìchē bǐ zìxíngchē kuài de duō (or kuài duō le).
汽车比自行车快得多 (快多了) 。
Add yìdiǎn(r) 一点/一点儿 after the adjective or verb clause to express “a little more . . . ”:
a little more . . . ; a little less . . . A bǐ 比 B + adjective + yidian(r)
The U.S. is a little bigger than China.
Měiguó bǐ Zhōngguó dà yìdiǎn(r).
美国比中国大一点 (儿) 。
Note: Bǐ 比 cannot be used in sentences with yíyàng 一样 (same) or with bùyíyàng 不一样 (not the same). Instead, use gēn 跟 or hé 和.
After all, in English we don’t say, “Some Japanese customs compared to some Chinese customs are/aren’t the same,” but rather, “Some Japanese customs AND some Chinese customs are/aren’t the same”:
Some Japanese customs are the same as (some) Chinese customs.
Yǒude Rìběn fēngsú xíguàn gēn Zhōngguó de fēngsú xíguàn yíyàng.
有的日本风俗习惯跟中国的风俗习惯一样。
Literally: Some Japanese customs and (some) Chinese customs are the same.
Some Japanese customs aren’t the same as (some) Chinese customs.
Yǒude Rìběn fēngsú xíguàn gēn Zhōngguó de fēngsú xíguàn bù yíyàng.
有的日本风俗习惯跟中国的风俗习惯不一样。
Literally: Some Japanese customs and (some) Chinese customs aren’t the same.
(7) Negative comparisons: A is not as [adjective] as B
To express “A doesn’t have B’s _____ ” (can be a positive or negative attribute), use A méiyǒu 没有 B (nàme 那么) ______ :
I’m not as good-looking as you are.
Wǒ méiyǒu nǐ (nàme) hǎokàn.
我没有你 (那么) 好看。
You’re not as fat as I am.
Nǐ méiyǒu wǒ (nàme) pàng.
你没有我 (那么) 胖。
To express “A can’t compare to B’s” (always refers to a positive attribute and is a bit more formal), use A bùrú 不如 B (nàme 那么):
I’m not as smart as you.
Wǒ bùrú nǐ cōngmíng.
我不如你聪明。
CHAPTER SIX
Various uses of the particle le 了
(1) Le 了 is used after action verbs in the past tense
Only with a simple verb-object compound, such as kànshū 看书 or chīfàn 吃饭, can you put a le 了either after the verb or after the direct object:
She read a book.
Tā kàn le shū. OR Tā kánshū le.
她看了书。OR 她看书了。
She ate (a meal).
Tā chīle fàn. OR Tā chīfàn le.
她吃了饭。OR 她吃饭了。
BUT, if you put the le 了 right after the verb and before the direct object, it implies someone has just done something in the immediate past (“has/have just read a book”; “has/have just eaten a meal”).
If you put the le了 after the direct object, it implies someone did something in the not so immediate past (“read a book or did read a book”; “ate a meal or did eat a meal”).
There are two simple verb-object compounds, however, where the le 了 tends to always come after the direct object, namely shuìjiào 睡觉 and sànbù 散步.
These are verbs that tend to only take one particular direct object. You can eat (吃) many different things and you can read/look at (看) various things, but sleep 睡 can only take 觉 as a direct object, for example:
She fell asleep./She slept.
Tā shuìjiào le.
她睡觉了。
If the direct object is not a simple generic one, like fàn 饭 or shū 书, but more specific and therefore longer, such as Zhōngguó fàn 中国饭 or hěn duō Zhōngwén shū 很多中文书, then le了 always comes right after the verb and before the direct object, regardless of when in the past it occurred.
I ate Chinese food.
Wǒ chī le Zhōngguó fàn.
我吃了中国饭。
My friend read a lot of Chinese books.
Wǒde péngyou kàn le hěn duō Zhōngwén shū.
我的朋友看了很多中文书。
However, if there is a sequence of action verbs, where you want to say that after doing one thing, someone did something else, then the le 了 directly follows the first action verb but for the final verb in the sequence the le 了comes after the direct object and at the end of the sentence.
After eating (having eaten) dinner, I fell asleep.
Wǒ chīle wǎnfàn jiù shuìjiào le.
我吃了晚饭就睡觉了。
If it’s a sequence of events in the present or future tense, where you’re saying that having done one thing someone does or will do another, then the le 了 comes after the first verb in the sequence and there is no le了 at the end of the sentence.
After eating (having eaten) dinner, I study.
Wǒ chīle wǎnfàn jiù niànshū .
我吃了晚饭就念书。
After eating (having eaten) dinner, I’ll go see a movie.
Wǒ chīle wǎnfàn jiù huì qù kàn diànyǐng.
我吃了晚饭就会去看电影。
If you list a number of things you did, then the le 了comes after the action verb and before the direct object for every verb except the last one, for which the le 了 comes at the end, after the direct object.
Yesterday I ate dinner, studied, watched TV, and then went to sleep.
Wǒ zuótiān chīle wǎnfàn, niànle shū, kànle diànshì jiù shuìjiào le.
我昨天吃了晚饭，念了书，看了电视就睡觉了。
WHEN le 了 is placed BOTH after the verb AND at the end of the sentence, then the implication is that the action occurred in the past and is still going on.
He has read two books (and is still continuing to read).
Tā kàn le liǎngběn shū le.
他看了两本书了。
I have studied Chinese for two years (and am still studying it).
Wǒ xuéle liángnián de Zhōngwén le.
我学了两年的中文了。
NOTE the difference between “did” something and “have done” something, le 了 vs. guò 过:
Last year she went to China.
Tā qùnián qùle Zhōngguó.
她去年去了中国。
BUT:
She’s been to China, so she has eaten real Chinese food.
Tā qùguò Zhōngguó , suǒyǐ tā chīguò zhēnzhèngde Zhōngguó cài.
她去过中国，所以她吃过真正的中国菜。
(2) Le 了is used after adjectives to express “change of status,” i.e. “became . . . ”
She’s gotten fat.
Tā pàng le.
她胖了。
She’s hungry (now).
Tā è le.
她饿了。
(3) Le 了 is used after verbs to express “imminent action,” i.e., something just about to happen
We’re leaving (now).
Wǒmen zǒu le.
我们走了。
We’re about to eat.
Wǒmen yào chīfàn le!
我们要吃饭了！
(4) Le 了 is used with verbs or adjectives in the negative to express “not any more”
He doesn’t drink alcohol any more.
Tā bù hē jiǔ le.
他不喝酒了。
She isn’t fat any more.
Tā búpàng le.
她不胖了。
CHAPTER SEVEN
Various Uses of the Particle de: de 的 vs. de 得 vs. de 地
The character you choose for the particle de in Chinese depends on the usage.
(1) The uses of de 的
To separate two nouns, including to indicate possession, use 的:
my book
wǒ de shū
我的书
economic problems
jīngjì de wèntí
经济的问题
To separate adjectives from nouns when the adjective is put before the noun, use 的:
a very large family (or very large families)
hěn dà de jiātíng
很大的家庭
pretty girls
piàoliang de gūniáng
漂亮的姑娘
To put a descriptive phrase in front of a noun in “that” and “who” clauses (i.e. “the thing that . . . ” or “the person who . . . ”), use de 的:
the book that I bought yesterday
Wǒ zuótiān mǎide shū
我昨天买的书
the people who bought that book
Mǎi nèiběn shū de rén
买那本书的人
(2) The uses of de 得
Use de 得 after verbs to indicate HOW something is done (well or poorly, quickly or slowly, etc.):
My older brother drives too fast!
Wǒ gēge kāichē kāide tài kuài.
我哥哥开车开得太快。
You speak English very well.
Nǐ shuō Yīngyǔ shuōde hěn hǎo.
你说英语说得很好。
Use de 得 after adjectives to mean “so . . . that . . .”:
I was so happy that I started to jump (for joy).
Wǒ gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái le.
我高兴得跳起来了。
My older sister was so sad she started to cry.
Wǒ jiějie nánguò de kū qǐlái le.
我姐姐难过得哭起来了。
(3) The uses of de 地
Use de 地 between an adjective and a verb, to say “quickly,” “slowly,” “badly,” etc.:
They are speaking (chatting) happily.
Tāmen gāoxìng de liáotiān (tántan).
他们高兴地聊天 (谈谈) 。
You ought to eat slowly.
Nǐ yīnggāi mànman de chīfàn.
你应该慢慢地吃饭。
CHAPTER EIGHT
Conjunctions: and, or
(1) Different ways to say “and” depend on usage
Used to connect nouns, “and” can be hé 和 or gēn 跟:
You and I are good friends.
Nǐ hé wǒ shì hǎo péngyou.
你和我是好朋友。
My friend and I went to China.
Wǒde péngyou gēn wǒ dào Zhōngguó qùle.
我的朋友跟我到中国去了。
HOWEVER, with a string of nouns, instead of a word for “and,” simply place a special Chinese comma between the nouns:
Tofu, jiaozi, and spring rolls are all Chinese food.
Dòufu, jiǎozi, chūnjuǎn dōu shì Zhōngguó cài.
豆腐、饺子、春卷都是中国菜。
Used to connect verbs or adjectives, “and” is yě 也:
Today I went to class and studied.
Wǒ jīntiān shàng le kè yě niàn le shū.
我今天上了课也念了书。
She’s tall and slender.
Tā hěn gāo yě hěn miáotiao.
她很高也很苗条。
(2) How to say “or” in Chinese
To use “or” in a statement: choose between the formal, huòshi 或是, and the informal huòzhě 或者:
Every morning I drink tea or coffee
Wǒ měitiān zǎoshàng hē chá huòshì (huòzhě) hē kāfēi.
我每天早上喝茶或是 (或者) 喝咖啡。
To use “either . . . or . . . ,” choose between the more emphatic and the less formal:
either . . . or . . . (more emphatic)
huòshi . . . huòshi . . .
或是 . . . 或是 . . .
OR:
either . . . or . . . (less formal)
huòzhě . . . huòzhě . . .
或者 . . . 或者 . . .
Every morning I either drink tea or coffee.
Wǒ měitiān zǎoshàng huòshì (huòzhe) hē chá huòshì (huòzhě) hē kāfēi.
我每天早上或是 (或者) 喝茶或是 (或者) 喝咖啡。
To use “or” in a question, use háishì 还是:
In the morning do you drink tea or (do you drink) coffee?
Nǐ zǎoshàng hē chá háishì (hē) kāfēi?
你早上喝茶还是 (喝) 咖啡？
CHAPTER NINE
Subordinate Clauses
(1) Connecting sentences with “who”/”that”
There are no connecting words for “who” or “that” in Chinese, so whatever clause modifies a noun comes before it, not afterward. There is no preceding “who” or “that” as in English:
English: The house that Jack built is big.
Chinese: The Jack-built house is big.
Jack gàide fángzi hěn dà.
Jack盖的房子很大。
English: The meal that my Chinese friend cooked was delicious.
Chinese: My Chinese friend(’s) cooked meal was delicious.
Wǒde Zhōngguó péngyou zuòde fàn hěn hǎochī.
我的中国朋友做的饭很好吃。
English: Students who study Chinese are the smartest students.
Chinese: Studying Chinese students are the smartest students.
Xué Zhōngwén de xuésheng shì zuì cōngmíngde xuésheng.
学中文的学生是最聪明的学生。
(2) In Chinese, “if . . . then . . .” is expressed in three levels of formality
Most formal: rúguǒ . . . jiù . . . 如果 . . . 就 . . .
Less formal: yàoshi . . . jiù . . . 要是 . . . 就 . . .
Least formal: . . . de huà, jiù . . . . . . 的话，就 . . .
The IF clause ALWAYS comes first, and the second clause needs a jiù 就.
Moreover, the subject in the second clause must come BEFORE jiù 就:
English: If you go, then I’ll go.
Chinese: If you go, I’ll (then) go.
Rúguǒ nǐ qù, wǒ jiù qù.
如果你去，我就去。
OR:
Yàoshi nǐ qù, wǒ jiù qù.
要是你去，我就去。
OR:
Nǐ qù de huà, wǒ jiù qù.
你去的话，我就去。
For emphasis, you can combine rúguǒ . . . jiù . . . 如果 . . . 就 . . . with . . . de huà 的话:
If you (should) go, then I’ll go.
Rúguǒ nǐ qù de huà, wǒ jiù qù.
如果你去的话，我就去。
OR:
Yàoshi nǐ qù de huà, wǒ jiù qù.
要是你去的话，我就去。
BUT, when the subject is the same in both clauses, there is no need to repeat the subject:
If you’re sick, (then) don’t go.
Yàoshi (rúguǒ) nǐ bìngle, jiù búyòng qù.
要是 (如果) 你病了，就不用去。
(3) “As soon as . . . (then) . . .” = yī . . . jiù . . . 一 . . . 就 . . .
Yī 一 plus a verb, meaning “as soon as,” must always be followed by jiù 就:
As soon as he saw her, he (then) fell in love with her.
Tā yí kànjian tā, jiù àishang tā le.
他一看见她就爱上她了。
Note: jiù 就 in the second clause can NEVER be put in FRONT of a noun:
As soon as I return home, (then) I do my homework.
Yì huíjiā, wǒ jiù zuò gōngkè.
一回家，我就做功课。
(4) “Even . . . (also) . . . ” = lián . . . , yě/dōu . . . 连 . . . , 也/都 . . .
The lián 连 (even) clause always comes first in Chinese and must be followed by yě 也 (also):
Even my best friend doesn’t know.
Lián wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyou yě (dōu) bù zhīdao.
连我最好的朋友也 (都) 不知道。
More formally, “even . . . (also) . . . ” = shènzhì . . . yě/dōu . . . 甚至 . . . 也/都 . . . :
Even Chinese people can’t write every Chinese character.
Shènzhì Zhōngguó rén yě (dōu) búhuì xiě suǒyǒude Hànzì.
甚至中国人也 (都) 不会写所有的汉字。
(5) “Because . . . , so . . .” = yīnwei . . . , suǒyǐ . . . 因为. . . , 所以 . . .
In any sentence that begins with yīnwei 因为, the second clause must start with suǒyǐ 所以, even though in English we don’t generally put “so” or “therefore” in the second clause):
Because I’m tired, (so) I’m going to bed.
Yīnwei wǒ lèile, suǒyǐ wǒ yào shàngchuáng.
因为我累了，所以我要上床。
(6) “It doesn’t matter . . .” = wúlùn . . . dōu . . . 无论 . . . 都 . . .
It doesn’t matter who comes, he (still) won’t see them.
Wúlùn shéi lái, tā dōu bújiàn.
无论谁来，他都不见。
It doesn’t matter what it is, I (still) don’t want to eat it.
Wúlùn shì shénme, wǒ dōu bùxiǎng chī.
无论是什么，我都不想吃。
To say “it doesn’t matter whether . . . ” when there are two alternatives, use wúlùn (two alternatives) dōu . . . :
It doesn’t matter whether you want to go or not, you (still) must go.
Wúlùn nǐ xiǎng qù bùxiǎng qù, nǐ dōu děi qù.
无论你想去不想去，你都得去。
(7) “Besides . . . ” = chúle . . . yǐwài 除了 . . . 以外
“Besides” in the sense of “with the exception of . . . ”:
Chúle . . . yǐwài, dōu . . .
除了 . . . 以外，都 . . .
Besides Mr. Li, everyone can speak English.
Chúle Lǐ Xiānsheng yǐwài, dàjiā dōu huì shuō Yīngyǔ.
除了李先生以外，大家都会说英语。
“Besides” in the sense of “in addition to . . . ”:
Chúle . . . yǐwài, hái . . .
除了 . . . 以外，还 . . .
Besides Chinese, I can also speak Japanese.
Chúle Hànyǔ yǐwài, wǒ hái huì shuō Rìyǔ.
除了汉语以外，我还会说日语。
CHAPTER TEN
How to Express the Verb “Can” in Chinese (A Huge Can of Worms!)
How to translate “can” depends on its meaning.
To express “can”/“know how to,” use huì 会:
I can/know how to speak Chinese.
Wǒ huì shuō Hànyǔ.
我会说汉语。
I can/know how to play the piano.
Wǒ huì tán gāngqín.
我会弹钢琴。
To express “can”/”able to” (physically), use néng 能:
I’m very strong and can do mountain climbing.
Wǒ hěn zhuàng, wǒ néng páshān.
我很壮，我能爬山。
I have a heart condition and can’t run.
Wǒ yǒu xīnzàngbìng, bùnéng pǎo.
我有心脏病，不能跑。
THEREFORE:
My little brother is eight months old. He can’t speak.
Wǒ xiǎo dìdi bāge yuè, búhuì shuōhuà.
我小弟弟八个月，不会说话。
BUT:
My little sister is a deaf mute. She can’t speak.
Wǒ mèimei shì lóngyǎ rén, tā bù néng shuōhuà.
我妹妹是聋哑人，她不能说话。
To express “can”/“may”/”are permitted to,” use kěyǐ 可以:
We can/may/are permitted to speak Chinese in Chinese class; we may not speak English.
Zài shàng Hànyǔ kè shí, wǒmen kěyǐ shuō Hànyǔ, bùkěyǐ shuō Yīngyǔ.
在上汉语课时，我们可以说汉语，不可以说英语。
Use resultative endings to express “can” and “can’t.” There are many verbs in Chinese that do not use huì 会 or néng 能 to express the ability to do something.
Rather, according to what type of verb they are, many of them take a special resultative ending to express the idea of “can”/“able to.”
Below is a list of the most commonly used of these types of verbs:
Verbs of Senses: -jiàn 见 or -dào 到
can see
kàndejiàn or kàndedào
看得见 or 看得到
can’t see
kànbujiàn or kànbudào
看不见 or 看不到
can hear
tīngdejiàn or tīngdedào
听得见 or 听得到
can’t hear
tīngbujiàn or tīngbudào
听不见 or 听不到
can smell
wéndejiàn or wéndedào
闻得见 or 闻得到
can’t smell
wénbujiàn or wénbudào
闻不见 or 闻不到
BUT:
can taste
chángdedào
尝得到
can’t taste
chángbudào
尝不到
AND:
can touch/feel
mōdedào
摸得到
can’t touch/feel
mōbudào
摸不到
To express “can or can’t understand by ———— ing,” use -dǒng -懂:
can understand (by reading)
kàndedǒng
看得懂
can’t understand
kànbudǒng
看不懂
can understand (by listening)
tīngdedǒng
听得懂
can’t understand
tīngbudǒng
听不懂
To express “——— clearly,” use -qīngchu 清楚:
can see clearly
kàndeqīngchu
看得清楚
can’t see clearly
kànbuqīngchu
看不清楚
can hear clearly
tīngdeqīngchu
听得清楚
can’t hear clearly
tīngbuqīngchu
听不清楚
To express successful completion of an action, use -zháo 着 or -dào 到:
can find
zhǎodezháo or zhǎodedào
找得着 or 找得到
can’t find
zhǎobuzháo or zhǎobudào
找不着 or 找不到
can buy
mǎidezháo or mǎidedào
买得着 or 买得到
can’t buy (because not available)
mǎibuzháo or mǎibudào
买不着 or 买不到
To express the ability to do something physical, use -liǎo 了:
can carry
nádeliǎo
拿得了
can’t carry
nábuliǎo
拿不了
can say (physically able to say)
shuōdeliǎo
说得了
can’t say
shuōbuliǎo
说不了
To express “can afford to,” use -qǐ 起:
can afford to buy
mǎideqǐ
买得起
can’t afford to buy
mǎibuqǐ
买不起
can afford to pay
fùdeqǐ
付得起
can’t afford to pay
fùbuqǐ
付不起
can afford to face someone (figuratively)
duìdeqǐ
对得起
can’t afford to face someone (because you’ve done something shameful)
duìbuqǐ
对不起
To express “can ——— up,” use -qǐlái 起来:
can pick up
nádeqǐlái
拿得起来
can’t pick up
nábuqǐlái
拿不起来
can pull up
lādeqǐlái
拉得起来
can’t pull up
lābuqǐlái
拉不起来
can stand up
zhàndeqǐlái
站得起来
can’t stand up
zhànbuqǐlái
站不起来
To express “can ———— out,” use -chūlái 出来:
can take out
nádechūlái
拿得出来
can’t take out
nábuchūlái
拿不出来
can speak out
shuōdechūlái
说得出来
can’t speak out
shuōbuchūlái
说不出来
To express “keep/remain ———— in,” use -zhù 住:
can hold on to
nádezhù
拿得住
can’t hold on to
nábuzhù
拿不住
can keep standing
zhàndezhù
站得住
can’t keep standing; can’t stay in business
zhànbuzhù
站不住
To express “can finish doing something,” use -wán 完:
can finish doing something
zuòdewán
做得完
can finish speaking/saying something
shuōdewán
说得完
To negate all these, replace de 得 with bu 不, as in previous examples.
To express “to____up (stairs),” use shànglái 上来 or shàngqu 上去:
to walk up(stairs) [to where the speaker currently is]
zǒushàng(lóu)lái
走上 (楼) 来
to walk up(stairs) [away from where the speaker is]
zǒushàng(lóu)qù
走上 (楼) 去
to run up(stairs) [to where the speaker is]
pǎoshàng(lóu)lái
跑上 (楼) 来
to run up(stairs) [away from where the speaker is]
pǎoshàng (lóu) qù
跑上 (楼) 去
To express “to———— down(stairs),” use xiàlái 下来 or xiàqu下去:
to walk down(stairs) [to where the speaker is]
zǒuxià (lóu) lái
走下 (楼) 来
to walk down(stairs) [away from the speaker]
zǒuxià (lóu) qù
走下 (楼) 去
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Word-Choice Issues with Certain Important Verbs
(1) “To be a . . . (profession, friend, etc.)”: differences between shì 是, dāng 当, and zuò 做
Shì 是 is simply the verb “to be”:
She is a doctor.
Tā shì yīsheng.
她是医生。
They are my friends.
Tāmen shì wǒde péngyou.
他们是我的朋友。
Dāng 当 is “to be” in the sense of “to serve as,” and is always followed by a certain profession or official position:
She is a doctor at that hospital.
Tā zài nàge yīyuàn dāng yīsheng.
她在那个医院当医生。
He is (serving as) the head of the English Department:
Ta dāng Yīngyǔxì de xìzhǔrèn.
他当英语系的系主任。
Zuò 做 as “to be” is less formal than dāng 当 and is broader in meaning. It can refer to being something other than the holder of a profession or office, such as “to be a parent” or “to be a brother/sister”:
Anyone who is an older brother or sister ought to take of their younger siblings.
Zuò gēge jiějie de yīnggāi zhàogu dìdi mèimei.
做哥哥姐姐的应该照顾弟弟妹妹。
(2) “To know”: zhīdao 知道 vs. rènshi 认 识 vs. huì 会
To say “to know a fact” or “to know of someone,” use zhīdao 知道:
I know (that) she’s Chinese.
Wǒ zhīdao tā shì Zhōngguó rén.
我知道她是中国人。
I know of (have heard of) her.
Wǒ zhīdao tā.
我知道她。
When you mean “to know a person, place, or Chinese character” or “to meet someone,” use rènshi 认识：
I know that professor.
Wǒ rènshi nèige jiàoshòu.
我认识那个教授。
I know that character.
Wǒ rènshi nàge zì.
我认识那个字。
SO:
I know of that professor, but I don’t know him personally.
Wǒ zhīdao nèige jiàoshou, dànshi wǒ búrènshi tā.
我知道那个教授，但是我不认识他。
I know that painting.
Wǒ zhīdao nàzhāng huà.
我知道那张画。
To say “know how to do something,” use huì 会:
My wife really knows how to cook.
Wǒ tàitai zhēn huì zuòfàn.
我太太真会做饭。
I know how to write some Chinese characters.
Wǒ huì xiě yīxie Hànzì.
我会写一些汉字。
(3) The difference between “to like” xǐhuān 喜欢 and “would like to” xiǎng 想
Do you like to watch movies?
Nǐ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng ma?
你喜欢看电影吗？
Would you like to watch a movie?
Nǐ xiǎng kàn diànyǐng ma?
你想看电影吗？
THEREFORE:
I would like to look at that thing. [said to salesperson]
Wǒ xiǎng kànkan nàge dōngxi.
我想看看那个东西。
You would never say to a salesperson:
I would like to buy this.
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhèige
我想买这个 。
(4) The difference between “to think that. . . ,” xiǎng 想, and “to feel . . . ,” juéde 觉 得
Xiǎng 想 and juéde 觉得 can be used interchangeably IF by “feel” you mean “feel that . . . ”:
Do you think that movie is good?
Nǐ xiǎng nàge diànyǐng hǎo ma?
你想那个电影好吗？
Do you feel that that movie is good?
Nǐ juéde nàge diànyǐng hǎo ma?
你觉得那个电影好吗？
BUT:
What do you feel like doing?
Nǐ xiǎng zuò shénme?
你想做什么？
How do you feel? Do you feel poorly?
Nǐ juéde zěnme yàng? Nǐ juéde bùshūfu ma?
你觉得怎么样？你觉得不舒服吗？
I feel like taking a walk.
Wǒ xiǎng sànbù.
我想散步。
(5) “To want/would like (to do something)”: xiǎng 想 vs. yào 要 vs. xiǎngyào 想要
When you say you want something, whether a concrete object like a car or something abstract like friendship, you cannot use xiǎng 想. When the word “want” is followed by a noun, you must use either yào 要 or xiǎngyào 想要.
I’d like a bottle of beer.
Wǒ yào yìpíng píjiǔ.
我要一瓶啤酒。
OR:
Wǒ xiǎngyào yìpíng píjiǔ.
我想要一瓶啤酒。
She wants a handsome boyfriend.
Tā yào yíge yīngjùnde nánpéngyou.
她要一个英俊的男朋友。
OR:
Tā xiǎngyào yíge yīngjùnde nánpéngyou.
她想要一个英俊的男朋友。
BUT, when you want or would like to do something, i.e., when the word “want” is followed by a verb, you may use xiǎng 想 as a softer, more polite way to say yào 要:
I’d like to drink a bottle of beer.
Wǒ xiǎng hē yìpíng píjiǔ.
我想喝一瓶啤酒。
She’d like to find a handsome boyfriend.
Tā xiǎng zhǎo yíge yīngjùnde nánpéngyou.
她想找一个英俊的男朋友。
ALSO, be aware that when you use yào 要 to tell someone you want something, it is tantamount to a direct command.
You may say to a waiter:
I want (a) broccoli beef.
Wǒ yào yíge jièlán niúròu.
我要一个芥兰牛肉 。
BUT it would soften your wishes and be more polite to say:
I would like (a) broccoli beef.
Wǒ xiǎngyào yíge jièlán niúròu.
我想要一个芥兰牛肉 。
(6) Rude vs. refined: yào 要 vs. xiǎngyào 想要
RUDE:
What do you want to drink?
Nǐ yào hē shénme?
你要喝什么？
I want (to drink) some tea.
Wǒ yào hē chá.
我要喝茶。
REFINED:
What would you like to drink?
Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?
你想喝什么？
I’d like some tea, please.
Wǒ xiǎng hē (yì) diǎn chá.
我想喝点茶 。
NOTE: This is wrong on THREE counts, because xiǎng 想 cannot be directly followed by a noun when it means “would like to”; because yīxiē 一些 means “some” of a group of things; and finally because qǐng 请 is never used at the end of a sentence, but always before a verb.
(7) “I don’t think that . . . ”: don’t even THINK about using bùxiǎng 不想！
In English, we say: “I don’t think (that) he’s coming tonight” or “I don’t think (that) what he said is right.”
But in Chinese, you cannot say “I don’t think that . . . ,” because, to the Chinese way of thinking, how can you have an opinion if you don’t think?!
I don’t think (that) he’s coming tonight.
Wǒ xiǎng tā jīntiān wǎnshang búhuì lái.
我想他今天晚上不会来。
I don’t think (that) what he said is right.
Wǒ xiǎng tā shuōde búduì.
我想他说得不对 。
BUT, we do use bùxiǎng 不想 WHEN we mean that we don’t feel like doing something or don’t intend to do something.
I don’t feel like going/don’t intend to go.
Wǒ bùxiǎng qù.
我不想去。
I don’t feel like eating it.
Wǒ bùxiǎng chī
我不想吃。
(8) “To want someone to be . . .”:
xiǎngyào 想要 vs. xīwang 希望 vs. bìxū 必 须
When saying you want someone to be a certain way, only if that person is someone over whom you have control, generally your children, you can use xiǎngyào 想要 to mean “want”:
I want my son to be (become) an engineer.
Wǒ xiǎngyào wǒde érzi chéngwéi yíge gōngchéngshī.
我想要我的儿子成为一个工程师 。
BUT if you want any adult, including a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend, to be a certain way, you can only say that you “hope,” xīwang 希望, they will be that way:
I want my (ideal) boyfriend to be a good Christian.
Wǒ xīwàng wǒde nánpéngyou shì yíge hǎo Jīdūtú.
我希望我的男朋友是一个好基督徒 。
To change your wish for how you’d like someone to be into a firm requirement, then use bìxū 必须 (must):
My (ideal) boyfriend must be a good Christian.
Wǒde nánpéngyou bìxū shì yíge hǎo Jīdūtú.
我的男朋友必须是一个好基督徒 。
(9) How to translate “to ask” depends on the meaning of “ask”: wèn 问 vs. qǐng 请 vs. jiào 叫
To “ask” (a question) or “inquire,” use wèn 问：
I asked him whether you were coming or not.
Wǒ wèn tā nǐ lái bùlái.
我问他你来不来。
To “ask/invite” (someone to do something), use qǐng 请：
I asked/invited her to eat dinner with me.
Wǒ qǐng tā gēn wǒ chī wǎnfàn.
我请她跟我吃晚饭。
To “ask/tell” (somebody to do something), use jiào 叫:
I asked my little sister to phone me.
Wǒ jiào wǒ mèimei gěi wǒ dǎ diànhua.
我叫我妹妹给我打电话。
NOTE: jiào 叫 is only used in regard to people who are younger or in a lower social position than the person asking or telling them to do something. It therefore cannot be used to ask or tell a parent, teacher, boss, or official to do something. In those cases, qǐng 请 would be used.
I asked my mother to call (phone) me.
Wǒ qǐng wǒ māma gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
我请我妈妈给我打电话。
(10) How to translate “to tell” depends on the meaning of “tell”: shuō 说 vs. jiǎng 讲 vs. jiào 叫 vs. gàosu 告诉 vs. ràng 让
To “tell,” in the sense of to “say” something to someone, use shuō 说：
She told me she loved me.
Tā duì wǒ shuō tā ài wǒ.
她对我说她爱我。
To “tell” (a story), use jiǎng 讲：
She told a strange story.
Tā jiǎng le yíge hěn qíguàide gùshi.
她讲了一个很奇怪的故事。
To “tell” (someone to do something), use jiào 叫:
She told me to call her.
Tā jiào wǒ gěi tā dǎ diànhuà.
她叫我给她打电话。
To “tell”/“inform” (someone about something), use gàosu 告诉：
My Mom told me my dog died:
Wǒ māma gàosu wǒ wǒde gǒu sǐle.
我妈妈告诉我我的狗死了。
To “tell”/“have”/”make” (someone do something), use ràng 让：
My Mom told me/made me/had me study.
Wǒ māma ràng wǒ niànshū.
我妈妈让我念书。
(11) “To look like” and “to seem like”: xiàng 像 and hǎoxiàng 好像
Use xiàng 像 to say “to look like . . . ” in the sense of “to resemble . . . ” :
She looks like her mother.
Tā xiàng tā mǔqin.
她像她母亲。
Use hǎoxiàng 好像 to say “to look like . . .” in the sense of “to seem like”; “to appear that . . .”:
It looks like/seems like it’s going to rain.
Hǎoxiàng huì xiàyǔ.
好像会下雨。
(12) “Receive”: know the difference between the two characters pronounced shou in Chinese (shōu 收, shòu 受), both of which mean “receive” Shōudào 收到 means to receive something concrete:
to receive a letter
shōudào yìfēng xìn
收到一封信
to receive a present
shōudào yífèn lǐwù
收到一份礼物
Shòudào 受到 means to “receive” something abstract, such as an influence, protection, etc. It is always used in passive voice:
to receive protection (be protected)
shòudào bǎohù
受到保护
to receive influence (be influenced)
shòudào yǐngxiǎng
受到影响
(13) “Afraid”: know the difference between “to be afraid,” hàipà 害怕, “to be afraid of . . . ,” pà 怕, and “to be afraid that . . . ,” kǒngpà 恐怕
Don’t be afraid!
Bié hàipa!
别害怕！
I’m afraid of snakes.
Wǒ pà shé.
我怕蛇。
I’m afraid that she’s afraid of snakes.
Kǒngpà tā pà shé.
恐怕她怕蛇。
(14) “Worry”: the subtle differences between dānxīn 担心, cāoxīn 操心, fāchóu 发愁, and zhāojí 着急
Dānxīn 担心 and fāchóu 发愁 are interchangeable in meaning “to worry about . . . ,” but dānxīn 担心 is more formal and conveys a deeper sense of concern than fāchóu 发愁, which is just used in the spoken language:
You don’t need to be worried about this matter.
Nǐ búyào wèi zhèijian shì dānxīn.
你不要为这件事担心。
OR:
Nǐ búyào wèi zhèijian shì fāchóu.
你不要为这件事发愁。
Cāoxīn 操心 conveys a really deep sense of worry, but is used colloquially and only refers to worry over one’s loved ones, etc., and never over things like national or international affairs/problems:
Parents are always deeply worried about their children.
Fùmǔ zǒngshì wèi háizi cāoxīn.
父母总是为孩子操心。
NOTE: Children, even adult children, cannot be said to cāoxīn fùmǔ 操心父母.
Zhāojí 着急 is to worry in the sense of “to feel anxious about” or “nervous about” something. It implies that the worry is outwardly apparent from a person’s expression:
Your car’s broken down? Don’t worry, I’ll help you fix it.
Nǐ de chēzi huài le ma? Bié zhāojí, wǒ bāng nǐ xiūlǐ.
你的车子坏了吗？别着急，我帮你修理。
(15) “To help”: bāng 帮, bāngzhù 帮助, and bāngmáng 帮忙
As verbs, bāng 帮 and bāngzhù 帮助 are interchangeable:
Please help me move.
Qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ bānjiā.
请你帮我搬家。
OR:
Qǐng nǐ bāngzhù wǒ bānjiā.
请你帮助我搬家。
BUT, bāngzhù can also be a noun:
He gave me a lot of help.
Tā gěi le wǒ hěn duō bāngzhù.
他给了我很多帮助。
Here is the difference between bāngzhù 帮助 and bāngmáng 帮忙:
Bāngzhù 帮助 is a compound verb. Bāngmáng 帮忙 is a verb-object compound and literally means “help (with a) favor.” Therefore, the word order is different depending on which you use:
Please help me.
Qǐng nǐ bāngzhù wǒ.
请你帮助我 。
OR:
Qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ máng.
请你帮我忙。
Bāngzhù 帮助 can also be a noun, but bāngmáng 帮忙 is only a verb:
He gave me a lot of help.
Tā gěi le wǒ hěn duō bāngzhù.
他给了我很多帮助。
(16) “To take”: ná 拿 vs. dài 带 vs. zuò 坐 vs. xuǎn 选 vs. pāizhào 拍照
To say “take something away, to grab something,” use ná 拿 :
I took a cookie.
Wǒ ná le yíkuài bǐnggān.
我拿了一块饼干。
To say “take something or someone to somewhere,” use dài 带：
Don’t forget to take your passport!
Bié wàngle dài nǐde hùzhào!
别忘了带你的护照！
I took my book to class (the classroom).
Wǒ bǎ shū dàidao jiàoshì qù le.
我把书带到教室去了。
I carried my book to class (the classroom)
Wǒ bǎ shū nádao jiàoshì qù le.
我把书拿到教室去了。
I took my Mom to class.
Wǒ bǎ wǒ māma dàidao jiàoshì qù le.
我把我妈妈带到教室去了。
To say “take a means of transportation” (trains, planes, automobiles, etc.), use zuò 坐:
I took a train to Shanghai.
Wǒ zuò huǒchē dào Shànghǎi qù le.
我坐火车到上海去了。
To say “take a course in school,” use xuǎn 选：
What courses did you take this semester?
Nǐ zhèige xuéqī xuǎn le shénme kè?
你这个学期选了什么课？
To say “take a photo,” use pāi 拍:
I take a lot of photos when I travel.
Wǒ lǚyóu de shíhou pāi hěn duō zhàopiàn.
我旅游的时候拍很多照片。
(17) “To lose”: diū 丢 vs. shīqù 失去 vs. shū 输 vs. mílù 迷路
To say “lose some concrete thing/object,” use diū 丢：
I lost my wallet.
Wǒ diū le wǒde qiánbāo.
我丢了我的钱包。
NOTE: Diū 丢 is also used in the expression “to lose face” (embarrass oneself): diūliǎn 丢脸.
His son used some crude language in front of other people. He felt really embarrassed (felt he really “lost face”).
Tāde érzi zài biérén de miànqián shuō le cūhuà, tā juéde hěn diūliǎn.
他的儿子在别人的面前说了粗话，他觉得很丢脸。
To lose something in a figurative sense, as in “to lose a friend” or “to lose an opportunity,” use shīqù 失去:
Don’t lose that opportunity to go to China.
Bié shīqù nèige dào Zhōngguó qù de jīhuì.
别失去那个到中国去的机会。
To say “lose at a game or contest” use shū 输：
Did your team lose the game?
Nǐde qiúduì shū le nàchǎng bǐsài ma?
你的球队输了那场比赛吗？
To say “lose one’s way,” i.e. “get lost,” use mílù 迷路：
Buy a map, or otherwise it’ll be easy to get lost.
Mǎi yìzhāng dìtú, yàobùrán hěn róngyì mílù.
买一张地图，要不然很容易迷路。
(18) “Produce”: the difference between shēngchǎn 生产, “to produce something concrete like coal, manufactured goods, etc.,” and chǎnshēng 产生, “to produce something abstract, some phenomenon, like dissatisfaction, unrest, etc.”
That factory produces running shoes.
Nàjiā gōngchǎng shēngchǎn qiúxié.
那家工厂生产球鞋。
Eating too much fast food has produced (the phenomenon of) obesity among Chinese children.
Chī tàiduō de kuàicān chǎnshēng le Zhōngguó háizi fāpàng de xiànxiàng.
吃太多的快餐产生了中国孩子发胖的现象。
(19) “To leave”: zǒu 走 vs. líkāi 离开 vs. liú 留
To say “leave” in the sense of to go out or depart, and when there is no direct object, use zǒu 走:
She just left.
Tā gānggāng zǒu le.
她刚刚走了。
To say “leave” when you talk of leaving a certain place, use líkāi 离开:
She left Beijing last year.
Tā qùnián líkāi le Běijīng.
她去年离开了北京。
He was 18 (years old) when he left home.
Tā shíbāsuì de shíhou líkāi le jiā.
他十八岁的时候离开了家。
To say “leave” a person or people, also use líkāi 离开:
20 years ago he left his wife and children, and went to Africa by himself.
Èrshí nián qián, tā líkāi le tāde qīzǐ hé háizi, yíge rén dào Fēizhōu qù le.
二十年前，他离开了他的妻子和孩子，一个人到非洲去 了。
To say “leave” in the sense of to leave something somewhere, use liú 留:
If you leave your backpack here, then you can go in.
Rúguǒ nǐ bǎ nǐde bēibāo liúzài zhèilǐ, nǐ jiù kéyǐ jìnqu.
如果你把你的背包留在这里，你就可以进去。
(20) “To see”: kàn 看 vs. kànjiàn/kàndào 看见/看到 vs. kànchūlái 看出来 vs. jiàn 见 vs. jiànmiàn 见面 vs. jiàndào 见到 vs. guānguāng 观光 vs. míngbái 明白
This is a perfect example of how ambiguous verbs can be in English compared with Chinese, even though English is so much more precise and rich in synonyms when it comes to nouns and adjectives!
The word kàn 看 means “to see” only in the sense of to go visit family or friends, and must be preceded by the word “go” or “come”:
I want to go home to see my parents.
Wǒ xiǎng huíjiā qù kàn wǒde fùmǔ.
我想回家去看我的父母。
To say “see” in the sense of to catch sight of someone, use kànjiàn 看见
or kàndào 看到:
Yesterday I saw a cat in the park.
Wǒ zuótiān zài gōngyuánlǐ kànjiàn le (OR kàndào le) yìzhī māo.
我昨天在公园里看见了（看到了）一只猫。
To say “see” in the sense of to perceive or discern something, use
kànchūlái 看出来：
I can see you’re interested in Chinese.
Wǒ kàndechūlái nǐ duì Hànyǔ gǎn xìngqu.
我看得出来你对汉语感兴趣。
To say “see” in the sense of to meet with someone, use jiàn 见, if speaking colloquially (informally):
He angrily said: “I want to see your manager!”
Tā shēngqìde shuō: “Wǒ yào jiàn nǐde jīnglǐ!”
他生气地说:“我要见你的经理!”
To say “see” in the sense of to meet with someone when you have arranged to meet them beforehand, use gēn [someone] jiànmiàn 跟 . . . 见面：
Tomorrow evening I’m going to meet my friends at a Chinese restaurant.
Míngtiān wǎnshàng wǒ huì zài Zhōngcānguǎn gēn wǒde péngyou jiànmiàn.
明天晚上我会在中餐馆跟我的朋友见面。
To say two people haven’t “seen” each other in a while, simply use méi jiànmiàn 没见面:
We haven’t seen each other for 20 years.
Wǒmen èrshínián méi jiànmiàn le.
我们二十年没见面了。
BUT if you say one person hasn’t seen another person in a while, use
méi gēn [someone] jiànmiàn 没跟 . . . 见面 :
I haven’t seen him for 20 years.
Wǒ èrshínián méi gēn tā jiànmiàn le.
我二十年没跟他见面了。
To say “see” in the sense of to meet when you have not made arrangements beforehand to meet them, use jiàndào 见到：
Yesterday I saw (met) the new Chinese-language teacher.
Zuótiān wǒ zài xuéxiào jiàndào le xīnde Hànyǔ lǎoshī.
昨天我在学校见到了新的汉语老师。
If you only saw the new Chinese teacher from afar, but didn’t speak with him or her, use kànjiàn 看见 or kàndào 看到：
Zuótiān wǒ zài xuéxiào kànjiàn le (kàndào le) xīnde Hànyǔ lǎoshī.
昨天我在学校看见了 (看到了) 新的汉语老师。
To say “see” a place in the sense of “to visit” or “see the sights,” use guānguāng 观光：
I’ve always wanted to (go) see the Great Wall.
Wǒ yìzhí xiǎng qù Chángchéng guānguāng.
我一直想去长城观光。
To say “see” in the sense of “understand,” use míngbái 明白：
I can see what you mean.
Wǒ míngbái nǐde yìsi.
我明白你的意思。
CHAPTER TWELVE
Word-Choice Issues with Adverbs
(1) “From”: cóng 从 . . . dào 到 vs. lí 离
To say from one place to another or from one time to another, use cóng 从 . . . dào 到 :
from America to China
cóng Měiguó dào Zhōngguó
从美国到中国
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cóng shàngwǔ jiǔdiǎn zhōng dào xiàwǔ wǔdiǎn zhōng.
从上午九点钟到下午五点钟
BUT, when talking about the distance between two places, “from” is lí 离：
The movie theater isn’t far from the college.
Diànyǐngyuàn lí dàxué bùyuǎn.
电影院离大学不远。
Beijing is 8,000 miles from Chicago.
Běijīng lí Zhījiāgē yǒu bāqiān yīnglǐ.
北京离芝加哥有八千英里。
THEREFORE:
My home is close to McDonald’s.
Wǒ jiā lí Màidāngláo hěn jìn.
我家离麦当劳很近。
My home is far from McDonald’s.
Wǒ jiā lí Màidāngláo hěn yuǎn.
我家离麦当劳很远。
BUT:
I drive from home to McDonald’s.
Wǒ kāichē cóng wǒ jiā dào Màidāngláo qù.
我开车从我家到麦当劳去。
(2) The difference between the two ways to say “first”: xiān 先 and shǒuxiān 首先
To say that somebody does one thing FIRST, then does another, xiān 先 is used for “first.” Xiān 先 is used only before VERBS, and never before NOUNS:
I’ll study first, then watch TV.
Wǒ huì xiān niànshū, zài kàn diànshì.
我会先念书，再看电视。
My father says to learn Chinese well first, and only then go to China to travel.
Wǒ fùqin shuō xiān xuéhǎo Hànyǔ, zài dào Zhōngguó qù lǚyóu.
我父亲说先学好汉语，再到中国去旅游。
Shǒuxiān 首先 can be used to set up a sequence of events, too, but it can stand alone, followed by a comma and then the entire sequence, as in:
After I return home, first I do my homework, and then watch TV.
Huíjiā hòu, shǒuxiān, wǒ zuò zuòyè, zài kàn diànshì.
回家后，首先，我做作业，再看电视。
OR:
Huíjiā hòu, wǒ shǒuxiān zuò zuòyè, zài kàn diànshì.
回家后， 我首先做作业，再看电视。
Shǒuxiān 首先 is also used to say “first of all” when giving reasons for something or when giving an explanation of something:
First (of all), studying is more important than watching TV.
Shǒuxiān, niànshū bǐ kàn diànshì zhòngyào.
首先,念书比看电视重要。
First (of all), China is not as rich as the U.S.
Shǒuxiān, Zhōngguó méiyǒu Měiguó nàme fùyù.
首先,中国没有美国那么富裕。
(3) How to translate “actually” depends on usage
Qíshí 其实, “actually,” and quèshí 确实, “indeed,” are used in positive statements:
That person is actually Japanese.
Nàge rén qíshí shì Rìběn rén.
那个人其实是日本人。
That person is indeed Japanese!
Nàge rén quèshí shì Rìběn rén.
那个人确实是日本人。
Bìng bù 并不 . . . , meaning “actually NOT” (contrary to expectations or a previous argument), is therefore always used in the negative:
That person is actually NOT Japanese, he’s Chinese.
Nàge rén bìng búshì Rìběn rén, tā shì Zhōngguó rén.
那个人并不是日本人，他是中国人。
For the past tense, bìng bù . . . becomes bìng méi(yǒu) . . . for “actually didn’t”:
He stayed in Beijing for seven days, but he actually didn’t even eat one meal of Chinese food!
Tā zài Běijīng zhùle qītiān, dànshi tā bìng méi(yǒu) chī yídùn Zhōngguó fàn!
他在北京住了七天，但是他并没 (有) 吃一顿中国饭。
(4) “Although”: suírán . . . , kěshi . . . 虽然 . . . , 可是 . . . means “although . . . , but . . .”
In any sentence that begins with suírán 虽然, the second clause must start with kěshì 可是 or dànshì 但是:
Although I’m tired, (but) I don’t want to go to bed.
Suírán wǒ lèile, kěshi (dànshi) wǒ búyào shàngchuáng.
虽然我累了，可是 (但是) 我不要上床。
NOTE: Adjective + shì 是 + adjective, kěshi/dànshi 可是/但是 . . . (less formal than suírán . . . kěshi . . . 虽然 . . . , 可是 . . . and generally limited to adjectives)
Although that restaurant is expensive, (but) the food is delicious.
Nèige cānguǎn guì shì guì, kěshi (dànshi) cài hěn hǎochī.
那个餐馆贵是贵，可是 (但是) 菜很好吃。
(5) “Almost” = chàbùduō 差不多 vs. chàyìdiǎn 差一点
The word “almost” in English is almost always translated as chàbùduō差不多. Chàyìdiǎn 差一点 is only used when something unfortunate or undesirable ALMOST happened.
Chàbùduō 差不多, which means “almost” or “nearly” is often used with dōu 都:
I almost have one thousand dollars.
Wǒ chàbùduō yǒu yìqiān kuài qián.
我差不多有一千块钱。
OR:
Wǒ yǒu chàbùduō yìqiān kuài qián.
我有差不多一千块钱。
Almost all my money is in the bank.
Wǒde qián chàbùduō dōu zài yínhánglǐ.
我的钱差不多都在银行里。
Chàyìdiǎn 差一点, which means “almost” and “nearly,” only in the sense of “just about . . . [verb that describes something undesirable]”:
I almost lost one thousand dollars (but didn’t in the end lose that money).
Wǒ chàyìdiǎn diū le yìqiān kuài qián.
我差一点丢了一千块钱。
I lost almost one thousand dollars (actually lost nearly one thousand dollars).
Wǒ chàbùduō diū le yìqiān kuài qián.
我差不多丢了一千块钱。
I almost couldn’t find the bank!
Wǒ chàyìdiǎn zhǎobudào nèige yínháng!
我差一点找不到那个银行！
I was almost late.
Wǒ chàyìdiǎn wǎn le.
我差一点晚了。
(6) Cái 才：three ways to say “unless . . . ”; “only if . . . ”
. . . cái . . . ( . . 才 . . . ):
I’ll go only if you go.
Nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù.
你去，我才去。
Literally: You go, and only then will I go.
Chúfēi . . . , cái . . . = 除⾮ . . . ，才 . . .
I won’t go unless you go.
Chúfēi nǐ qù, wǒ cái qù.
除⾮你去，我才去。
Literally: Unless you go, only then will I go.
Zhǐ yǒu . . . cái néng . . . = 只有 . . . 才能 . . .
I can only go if my parents give me the money.
Zhǐ yǒu wǒ fùmǔ gěi wǒ qián, wǒ cái néng qù.
只有我父母给我钱，我才能去。
(7) “Every time”: měicì . . . de shíhou 每 次 . . . 的时候 vs. měidāng/měiféng . . . de shíhou 每当/每逢 . . . 时候
There are two ways to say “every time,” depending on usage. The first is:
měicì . . . de shíhou
每次 . . . 的时候
Every time we go to Beijing we eat roast duck.
Wǒmen měicì dào Běijīng qù de shíhou, jiù chī kǎoyā.
我们每次到北京去的时候，就吃烤鸭。
The second is:
měidāng/měiféng . . . de shíhou, . . . jiù . . .
每当/每逢 . . . 的时候， . . . 就 . . .
OR:
měidāng/měiféng . . . shí, . . . jiù . . . (formal, written way)
每当/每逢 . . . 时， . . . 就 . . .
A time word always directly follows měidāng 每当 or měiféng 每逢, and the second clause must include jiù 就:
Every time it’s the weekend, we (then) go to the park.
Měidāng/měiféng zhōumò (de shíhou), wǒmen jiù dào gōngyuán qù.
每当/每逢周末 (的时候) ，我们就到公园去。
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Letter Writing: Greetings, salutations, and forms of address
The word order of name and greeting is different in Chinese and English. This is true for greeting someone in person or in a letter:
English: Hello, Miss Zhang.
Chinese: Miss Zhang, hello. Zhāng Xiǎojie, nǐ hǎo.
张小姐，你好！
When writing to your own parents in Chinese (for most of you, this would only be when doing an assignment for class, of course!), it is not correct to address them as fùmǔ 父母, “parents,” as in “Hello, parents,” but rather as:
Dad, Mom: hello!
Bàba, Māma: nǐmen hǎo.
爸爸、 妈妈：你们好。
NOTE: In Chinese a colon is used after the person or people being addressed, rather than a comma as in English!
The phrase “It was so nice to hear from you,” so common at the beginning of a letter in English, is not used in Chinese. Instead, write:
I was so happy to receive your letter.
Hěn gāoxìng shōudào nǐde láixìn.
很高兴收到你的来信。
At the end of a letter it is incorrect to use zàijiàn 再见, because you aren’t actually “seeing” or “meeting” the person face to face.
In English, many people are fond of ending their letter with the phrase “With love, . . . ” It is incorrect grammatically to say in Chinese gēn ài 跟爱，since gēn 跟 is used only to connect two nouns. In any case, the Chinese do not end a letter with an expression using the word “love.” After all, the word “love” (ài 爱) is used MUCH, MUCH less in Chinese than in English.
It is usual, instead, to end a letter to a close friend or family member with:
Take care of yourself.
Duōduō bǎozhòng.
多多保重 。
A more formal letter simply ends with:
Wish you well
Zhù hǎo
祝好
NOTE that in both cases there is no comma after the closing words and they are followed by your name underneath.