Grammar

只好···就

As long as… then (conjunction)

example：只要我學中文學得好，就我x要拿A。

要是···就

If…then (conjunction)

example：你要是不睡覺，明天就會非常累。

誰的比賽？A跟B的

A跟B compete

example：你跟我比賽

於是

def: as a result
used when context is known

example：兩個月一前他的貓死了。於是他大哭(da4ku1 - cry loudly, v.)了。

誰能做？A請B做

A請B做 - A asking B to play a specific role

example：他們就請我做裁判

居然

Used as an adverb

example：雖然他睡過頭(shui4guo4 tou2 - to oversleep, v phrase)了，他最後居然到學校上課。

被

S + 被 (+ doer) +v + (Obj/complement)
Expresses passive voice （被+V）

example：Example: my hw is stolen - 功課被偷

一定得···才行

must … for things to work out (phrase, expresses moral)
得 is dei3 here

example：一定得謙虛才行

請 vs 問

請 = invitation, request
問 = question, ask

example: 我們去喝咖啡吧，我請你。

我問他一個問題。

一會兒+就V了

a while later, V was done

example: 一會兒功課就完了。

才 + #

only NUMBER amount

example: 坐公車到學校才20隔分鐘需要。

A心想

她在心想：thought internally

example: 兔子在山上先到了，心想，我有空，我睡一覺吧。

reduplication of monosyllabic adjectives

example: 我的頭眉毛是直直的、細細的。

等到最後一分鐘才

deng3dao4 zui4ho4 yi4fen1zhong1 cai2 + V - wait until the last minute to V (phrase)

example：我等到最後一分鐘才做中文功課！

再+Adj

zai4+adj - even further than + adj

example：再好不過(couldn’t be better) - even further than good is impossible to have experienced

就v.s.才

TIME + jiu4 + VERB + 了 - shows earliness

example: 昨天我晚上八點半就睡覺了。- I went to bed as early as 8:30pm

TIME + cai2 + VERB - shows lateness

example: 我凌晨三點才睡覺。- I went to be d as late as 3am.

剛+V

Gang1 + V = just did V

example: 我剛起床了

S + gang1 + adj =

example: 天剛清: the sky just cleared

剛才 + 了

gang1cai2 + V = just now V (within 10 minutes of the present)

example: 我剛才告訴他了！：I just told her!

gang1cai2 + de + N = just now de Noun

example: 剛才的事情讓我很緊張。: the event that just happened made me nervous

是···的

S + shi…de is used to provide specific details about a PAST event, WITHOUT indicating time duration. You can use it to answer questions such as how, where, and when. You CANNOT use it to answer questions such as why and how long.

example: 這是我的好朋友。她叫陳世傑···
- 我們是在亨特大學的中文課認識的。: we met at hunter college chinese class
- 我們是去年的夏天認識的。: we met last summer

BOTH of these phrases provide greater detail on the way we met but do not describe time duration.

NOTE: the S before the 是 has to be the SUBJECT OF THE PHRASE within the 是…的 structure

地：M + di4 + VP

The character 地 does not only signify the noun floor.

It can also be used as de, which links modifiers to verb phrases. Basically a -ly ending of modifiers to specify how a verb phrase is done.

example: 我很快地做功課：I quickly did my homework

有一點VS一點

To describe adj:

有一點+ADJ
ADJ+一點

To describe quantity

有一點+N=small amount of N

一點···也/都also can be used as not even a little bit [adj]

我覺得這個小考一點也不難

從來沒/從來不

從來沒+V+過
從來不 = shows habit

連···都

連+N+都/也+V = even a little bit [N] can [V]

我討厭坐飛機，連一分鐘都/也不想做（飛機）。

了 rules

indicates change of state.

example: 今天是我的生日，我十八歲了。

indicates a completed action

example: 我做功課了。

de: 的，得，地

的：

indicates possession

example: 這是我的襯衫

得：

Post modifier:

ADJ+得不得了

jue2de:

覺得

V+得+manner of doing V

做得很快

Comparison + 得多

我比他高得多

dei3: must

我得帶我的電腦

地：

The character 地 does not only signify the noun floor.

It can also be used as de, which links modifiers to verb phrases. Basically a -ly ending of modifiers to specify how a verb phrase is done.

example: 我很快地做功課：I quickly did my homework

到+PW+···

to + PLACE + go/come from/return

example: 我到學校來

把construction

used when putting specific emphasis on how a noun is being manipulated

example: 請把門關上 (guan1shang4 - to close, v)
example: 請把門打開 (da3kai1 - to open, v)

一定

一定+会+VO：n definitely will do VO

example：過春節的時候中國人一定會吃魚。

can also be used with 得 to express MUST

如果你出國，你一定就得帶護照

多久？

很多久沒有VO了？How long have you not VO ?

我TIME沒有VO了 I have not VO for TIME long

其中

其中 + MW + N = one of N

Example: 其中一個上中文課的學生生病了 = one of the Chinese students is sick

無所謂

Topic + adj in question form (+ S) + 無所謂···

比較/最重要的是···(adj in question form)

NOTE: adj in question form = Adj不adj

Example: 館子乾淨不乾淨我無所謂，比較重要的是菜好吃不好吃