# SentenceCoach — guides in full Source: https://sentencecoach.com Open dataset DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23951529 ## Chinese sentence structure (https://sentencecoach.com/chinese-sentence-structure) The basic Chinese sentence is Subject + Verb + Object, like English: 我喝茶 "I drink tea". The big difference is that time and place come before the verb, not at the end: Subject + Time + Place + Verb + Object (我今天在家喝茶). Descriptions always come before what they describe, questions keep normal word order, and verbs never change form. - 1. Subject + Verb + Object: Subject + Verb + Object — The core order is the same as English, and verbs do not change for person or tense. - 2. Time and place go before the verb: Subject + Time + Place + Verb + Object — This is the most common learner error. Time words (今天, 下午三点) go right after the subject or at the very start; place phrases with 在 come after time and before the verb. - 3. How, with whom and by what: also before the verb: Subject + Time + Place + Manner/With + Verb + Object — Phrases for manner, company and means (跟朋友, 坐地铁, 用筷子) sit between the time/place and the verb. - 4. Descriptions come before nouns, with 的: Description + 的 + Noun — Adjectives, possessives and even whole clauses go before the noun they describe, joined with 的. English relative clauses ("the book that I bought") become 我买的书. - 5. Adjectives work as verbs: no 是: Subject + 很 + Adjective — Adjectives describe the subject directly, usually with 很 even when it does not mean "very". Do not add 是. - 6. Questions keep statement order: Statement + 吗？ / Question word in place — Add 吗 at the end for yes/no questions, or put the question word where the answer goes. Nothing moves to the front. - 7. Negation goes before the verb: Subject + 不/没 + (Prep phrase) + Verb — 不 or 没 go before the verb and before time-place-manner phrases that start with a preposition. - 8. Results and degree come after the verb: Verb + Complement — What English expresses with tense or adverbs often goes after the verb in Chinese: results (看完, 听懂), directions (走进来), degree with 得 (说得很快) and duration (学了两年). - 9. Topic first, then comment: Topic, + Comment — Chinese often puts the topic first and then says something about it, even if it is the object. ## HSK 2.0 levels (https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/levels) | Level | Words (cumulative) | Listening | Reading | Writing | Time | Pass | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | HSK 1 | 150 | 20 | 20 | — | ~40 min | 120 / 200 | | HSK 2 | 300 | 35 | 25 | — | ~55 min | 120 / 200 | | HSK 3 | 600 | 40 | 30 | 10 | ~90 min | 180 / 300 | | HSK 4 | 1200 | 45 | 40 | 15 | ~105 min | 180 / 300 | | HSK 5 | 2500 | 45 | 45 | 10 | ~125 min | 180 / 300 | | HSK 6 | 5000 | 50 | 50 | 1 | ~140 min | 180 / 300 | ## HSK 3.0 levels (https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0) First regular HSK 3.0 exam (Levels 1–6): 13 December 2026. Word counts: official 2025 syllabus PDF (https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf) and the MOE 2021 standard GF 0025-2021 (11,092 words in total). The Speaking column is from exam guides; it is not in the official syllabus. Word list changes: https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/new-words. | Level | 2025 exam syllabus words | 2021 standards words | Speaking | |---|---|---|---| | HSK 1 | 300 | 500 | none | | HSK 2 | 500 | 1272 | none | | HSK 3 | 1000 | 2245 | separate, about 15 min | | HSK 4 | 2000 | 3245 | separate, about 20 min | | HSK 5 | 3600 | 4316 | separate, about 23 min | | HSK 6 | 5400 | 5456 | separate, about 23 min | | HSK 7–9 | 11000 | 11092 | one exam with listening, reading, writing, translation and speaking | ## Teaching-error example analysis (https://sentencecoach.com/research/chinese-learner-mistakes) Corpus: 988 unique curated teaching error examples, AI-assisted and checker-reviewed. No real learner submissions. Deterministic first-match keyword coding of explanations; one primary topic per example. Levels are source-word HSK 2.0 levels with 2021 fallback, not learners’ proficiency. Percentages describe this teaching corpus only. Method v1.0, snapshot 2026-11-04. | Primary explanation topic | Count | Share of corpus | |---|---|---| | Word order & placement | 320 | 32.4% | | Other / uncategorised | 168 | 17.0% | | Measure words & quantities | 146 | 14.8% | | 的 / 地 / 得 & modifiers | 115 | 11.6% | | Word choice & collocations | 109 | 11.0% | | 了 / 过 / 着 & aspect | 47 | 4.8% | | 是 & adjective predicates | 43 | 4.4% | | Questions | 15 | 1.5% | | Negation | 9 | 0.9% | | Complements & verb constructions | 8 | 0.8% | | Connectors & clause patterns | 6 | 0.6% | | Comparisons | 2 | 0.2% | ## Official 2025 exam vocabulary Source: https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf. Published 2025-11, effective 2026-07. 11,000 numbered entries including 5,600 introduced at Levels 7–9. The advanced list is browsable by pinyin initial; no separate word pages are generated for it. - HSK 1: 300 new, 300 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/1 - HSK 2: 200 new, 500 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/2 - HSK 3: 500 new, 1000 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/3 - HSK 4: 1000 new, 2000 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/4 - HSK 5: 1600 new, 3600 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/5 - HSK 6: 1800 new, 5400 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/6 - HSK 7–9 (one combined exam): 5600 new, 11000 cumulative entries; https://sentencecoach.com/hsk/3-0/7-9 ## Common measure words (https://sentencecoach.com/measure-words) | Measure word | Pinyin | Used for | |---|---|---| | 个 | gè | people and most general things | | 位 | wèi | people, politely | | 只 | zhī | most animals, and one of a pair | | 条 | tiáo | long, thin things | | 张 | zhāng | flat things with a surface | | 本 | běn | books and bound volumes | | 件 | jiàn | clothes (upper body), matters and pieces of luggage | | 双 | shuāng | pairs | | 把 | bǎ | things with a handle, and chairs | | 支 | zhī | pens, songs and teams | | 辆 | liàng | vehicles | | 台 | tái | machines and appliances | | 家 | jiā | businesses and families | | 杯 | bēi | cups and glasses of a drink | | 块 | kuài | pieces, chunks, and money | | 首 | shǒu | songs and poems | | 部 | bù | films, books in a series, and phones | | 棵 | kē | trees and plants | | 座 | zuò | large, fixed structures | | 封 | fēng | letters and emails | | 次 | cì | times (how often) | ## One-to-many Simplified to Traditional character merges (https://sentencecoach.com/simplified-to-traditional) | Simplified | Traditional forms | Rule | |---|---|---| | 发 | 發 vs 髮 | 發 (fā) means "to send / develop / happen" (发生, 发现, 出发); 髮 (fà) means "hair" (头发, 理发). | | 后 | 後 vs 后 | 後 (hòu) means "behind / after / later" (以后, 后面, 后天); 后 is kept only for "empress / queen" (皇后). | | 里 | 裡 (裏) vs 里 | 裡 means "inside" (家里, 里面, 这里); 里 stays unchanged for the distance unit "li / kilometre" (公里) and place names. | | 面 | 麵 vs 面 | 麵 is used only for wheat flour, noodles and bread (面条, 面包, 牛肉面); everywhere else — "face, surface, side" (见面, 对面, 面对) — 面 stays 面. | | 干 | 乾 vs 幹 vs 干 | 乾 (gān) means "dry / clean" (干净, 饼干, 干杯); 幹 (gàn) means "to do / work" (干活, 干什么); 干 itself is kept in 若干, 干涉 and 不相干. | | 表 | 錶 vs 表 | 錶 is specifically a watch or timepiece (手表); 表 is used for "surface, form, express" (表示, 表格). | | 只 | 隻 vs 只 | 隻 (zhī) is the measure word for animals and one of a pair (一只猫); 只 (zhǐ) means "only" (只有, 只是). | | 历 | 歷 vs 曆 | 歷 means "experience / history / past" (历史, 经历); 曆 means "calendar" (日历). | | 复 | 復 vs 複 | 復 means "recover / return / repeat" (恢复); 複 means "complex / duplicate" (复杂, 复习, 复印). | ## Easily confused Chinese word pairs (https://sentencecoach.com/confusable-words) | Pair | Level | How to tell them apart | |---|---|---| | 爱 (ài) vs 喜欢 (xǐ huan) | HSK 1 | 喜欢 (xǐhuan) means "to like" and is milder than 爱, which suggests stronger feeling or love; for everyday preferences 喜欢 is often safer. | | 爸爸 (bà ba) vs 父亲 (fù qīn) | HSK 1 | 父亲 also means father but is formal and mostly written; use 爸爸 in everyday speech. | | 白天 (bái tiān) vs 一天 (yì tiān) | HSK 1 | 一天 means 'one day/a day' as a whole period; 白天 refers only to the daytime part of a day, not the whole 24 hours. | | 半天 (bàn tiān) vs 一半 (yī bàn) | HSK 1 | 一半 expresses "half" of a specific whole: it can follow a verb (吃了一半、成功了一半) or come before 的 + noun (一半的学生). 半天 is a fixed quantity meaning half a day, or informally "a long while". | | 帮 (bāng) vs 帮忙 (bāng máng) | HSK 1 | 帮忙 is separable and does not take a person object; say 帮我 or 帮我的忙, not 帮忙我. | | 北 (běi) vs 北方 (běi fāng) | HSK 1 | Use 北方 or 北边 when you mean the northern area or direction as a place; 北 alone rarely stands as a location noun, so say 在北京北边 rather than 在北京北. | | 本子 (běn zi) vs 书 (shū) | HSK 1 | 本子 specifically means a notebook or exercise book, while 书 is a general word for a book. | | 别的 (bié de) vs 其他 (qí tā) | HSK 1 | 别的 is more colloquial and common in speech; 其他 is more formal/written and can also mean "the rest." Both can modify nouns, but 其他 is often preferred in formal writing. | | 病 (bìng) vs 生病 (shēng bìng) | HSK 1 | 生病 is the common verb-object phrase 'to get sick'; 病 alone can be a noun ('illness') or a verb ('to be ill'). Say 他病了 or 他生病了. | | 病人 (bìng rén) vs 患者 (huàn zhě) | HSK 1 | 病人 is the everyday word for a sick person or patient. 患者 is more formal and mainly used in medical or written contexts. | | 不 (bù) vs 没 (méi) | HSK 1 | 不 negates general facts, habits and adjectives (不去, 不好), while 没 negates past actions and 有 (没去, 没有). | | 不用 (bù yòng) vs 不要 (bù yào) | HSK 1 | 不用 means there is no need to do something (不用买、不用谢); 不要 is a prohibition meaning "don't" (不要说话、不要动). Note that both 不用客气 and 不要客气 are used politely to put a guest at ease — the key contrast is "no need" versus "don't". | | 常 (cháng) vs 经常 (jīng cháng) | HSK 1 | 经常 is more common in everyday speech and can also express “regularly”; 常 is shorter, often pairs with monosyllabic verbs, and is frequent in 不常. Do not use 常 alone as a one-word answer—use 经常 or 常常 instead. | | 唱 (chàng) vs 唱歌 (chàng gē) | HSK 1 | 唱歌 is a verb-object phrase; when you name the song, say 唱一首歌 or 唱这首歌, not 唱歌一首歌. 唱 alone is the verb 'sing'. | | 车 (chē) vs 汽车 (qì chē) | HSK 1 | 车 is the general word for any vehicle and appears in compounds; 汽车 specifically means a motor vehicle/car, so 坐车 can mean any ride while 坐汽车 means riding in a car. | | 车站 (chē zhàn) vs 火车站 (huǒ chē zhàn) | HSK 1 | 车站 is a general word for a bus or train stop; 火车站 specifically means a train station. | | 出来 (chū lái) vs 出去 (chū qù) | HSK 1 | 出来 describes movement out toward the speaker or current place; 出去 describes movement out away from the speaker or current place. | | 打 (dǎ) vs 踢 (tī) | HSK 1 | 打 is used for hitting or for hand-based ball games such as 打球; 踢 means to kick and is used for football-type actions such as 踢足球. | | 打车 (dǎ chē) vs 坐车 (zuò chē) | HSK 1 | 坐车 is broad and can mean ride in a car, bus, or taxi; 打车 specifically means to get/hire a taxi. | | 大学 (dà xué) vs 学校 (xué xiào) | HSK 1 | 学校 is the general word for any school (primary, secondary, etc.); 大学 is specifically a university or college. | | 大学生 (dà xué shēng) vs 大学 (dà xué) | HSK 1 | 大学 is the school itself; 大学生 is a student who attends it. Compare 我姐姐在大学工作 (works at a university) with 我姐姐是大学生 (is a student). | | 得到 (dé dào) vs 获得 (huò dé) | HSK 1 | 获得 also means “obtain” but is more formal and often used with abstract things such as 奖励, 支持, or 成功; 得到 is more neutral and can also be used for concrete things. | | 地点 (dì diǎn) vs 地方 (dì fang) | HSK 1 | 地方 is the everyday word for “place, spot, room, space” (这个地方很安静, 有地方坐吗); 地点 refers to a designated location or venue for an event and does not fit patterns like 有地方/没地方. | | 的 (de) vs 得 (de) | HSK 1 | 的 marks possession (我的书); 得 follows a verb to introduce a complement (跑得快). They sound the same but are written differently. | | 第 (dì) vs 初 (chū) | HSK 1 | 第 forms ordinals with numbers (第一, 第二) for any item in a sequence; 初 is not a general ordinal prefix. It mainly appears in 初一/初二/初三 for the first three years of middle school, or for the first days of a lunar month, and in expressions like 五月初五. | | 电 (diàn) vs 店 (diàn) | HSK 1 | 店 (diàn) means “shop, store” (商店, 饭店), a different word that sounds the same; 电 is “electricity”. | | 电话 (diàn huà) vs 手机 (shǒu jī) | HSK 1 | 电话 can mean a phone or a call in general and often appears in 打电话; 手机 specifically means a mobile phone, the physical device. | | 电影院 (diàn yǐng yuàn) vs 电影 (diàn yǐng) | HSK 1 | 电影 is the film itself (看电影, 一部电影); 电影院 is the building where films are shown. | | 东西 (dōng xi) vs 事情 (shì qing) | HSK 1 | 事情 means a matter or affair; 东西 is for concrete objects or stuff, not abstract matters. | | 动 (dòng) vs 搬 (bān) | HSK 1 | 动 means move in general or move slightly; 搬 means carry or move a heavy object to another place, as in 搬家 and 搬箱子. | | 读书 (dú shū) vs 看书 (kàn shū) | HSK 1 | 看书 focuses on the physical act of looking at a book (安静地看书); 读书 is broader — it can mean reading/studying books in general, reading aloud, or attending school (在北大读书). 看书 cannot mean "attend school". | | 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) vs 抱歉 (bào qiàn) | HSK 1 | 抱歉 also means "sorry" but is a little more formal and often used as 很抱歉; 对不起 is the basic spoken apology for HSK 1. | | 二 (èr) vs 两 (liǎng) | HSK 1 | For the standalone number "two" before an ordinary measure word, use 两 (两个人); 二 is used in counting, dates, ordinals, and inside larger numbers (十二个人). | | 饭 (fàn) vs 米饭 (mǐ fàn) | HSK 1 | 米饭 specifically means cooked rice, while 饭 can also mean a meal, as in 吃饭 and 一顿饭. | | 饭馆 (fàn guǎn) vs 饭店 (fàn diàn) | HSK 1 | 饭店 can also mean 'restaurant,' and in mainland usage it often means 'hotel'; 饭馆 specifically suggests a small, simple restaurant or eatery. | | 房子 (fáng zi) vs 家 (jiā) | HSK 1 | 家 means 'home, family' and is personal and abstract (回家、我家有三个人); 房子 is the concrete building or unit you buy or rent. | | 放假 (fàng jià) vs 假期 (jià qī) | HSK 1 | 假期 is a noun meaning 'holiday period' (一个假期、假期很长); 放假 is the verb 'to be on holiday'. | | 放学 (fàng xué) vs 下课 (xià kè) | HSK 1 | 下课 means one class period has ended (下课以后我去找他); 放学 means the whole school day has finished. | | 飞 (fēi) vs 飞机 (fēi jī) | HSK 1 | 飞 is a verb meaning 'to fly'; 飞机 is the noun 'airplane'. | | 风 (fēng) vs 封 (fēng) | HSK 1 | 封 (also fēng) is a verb "to seal" and a classifier for letters: 一封信 (a letter). 风 is a noun ("wind", and "style/custom" in compounds) and is never a classifier, so do not write 一风信 for "a letter". | | 高兴 (gāo xìng) vs 开心 (kāi xīn) | HSK 1 | 开心 also means happy and is very close to 高兴; 高兴 is more common for being glad about something, while 开心 often describes a cheerful mood. | | 歌 (gē) vs 歌曲 (gē qǔ) | HSK 1 | 歌 is the everyday word for a song and is common in 唱歌、听歌、这首歌. 歌曲 is more formal and often refers to songs as a category or in written style, e.g. 流行歌曲. | | 国 (guó) vs 国家 (guó jiā) | HSK 1 | 国家 is the standalone noun for 'country' or 'state', while 国 is mostly a bound form used in compounds and country names. Say 国家很大, not 国很大. | | 汉语 (Hàn yǔ) vs 中文 (Zhōng wén) | HSK 1 | 中文 is the everyday term for Chinese, often including written Chinese or Chinese as a school subject; 汉语 is the standard term for the spoken Han language and is common in 学汉语 and 说汉语. | | 汉字 (hàn zì) vs 字 (zì) | HSK 1 | 字 means a character or word in general and can also mean handwriting (他的字很好看); 汉字 specifically refers to Chinese characters, e.g. 汉字很难 vs 这个字我不认识. | | 好看 (hǎo kàn) vs 漂亮 (piào liang) | HSK 1 | 漂亮 mostly describes people's appearance or concrete things (她很漂亮, 一件漂亮的衣服); 好看 is broader and is the normal choice for movies, books and shows (这个电影很好看). | | 好听 (hǎo tīng) vs 好看 (hǎo kàn) | HSK 1 | 好听 is for things you hear (歌, 声音, 名字); 好看 is for things you see (衣服, 电影, 人). A song is 好听, an outfit is 好看. | | 好玩儿 (hǎo wán r) vs 有趣 (yǒu qù) | HSK 1 | 好玩儿 is colloquial and used for games, trips and activities; 有趣 is more written/formal and often describes content such as books or stories (这个故事很有趣). | | 和 (hé) vs 跟 (gēn) | HSK 1 | 跟 also means 'and / with' but is more common in speech and also means 'to follow'; 和 is the neutral, general choice for joining nouns. | | 很 (hěn) vs 太 (tài) | HSK 1 | 很 is neutral "very"; 太 means "too/excessively" and often carries a negative or exclamatory tone (太好了 is an exception meaning "great"). | | 后 (hòu) vs 后来 (hòu lái) | HSK 1 | 后来 means "later on" and only refers to past events in a narrative (后来我回家了); 以后 means "after(wards)" generally and can refer to the future, often after a time word (下课以后, 三天以后). | | 后面 (hòu mian) vs 以后 (yǐ hòu) | HSK 1 | 以后 means "after" or "in the future" in time and often follows a verb or event (吃完饭以后). 后面 is mainly spatial ("behind/back"); its temporal sense is "later in a sequence/following part" (后面的问题), not the usual word for "after doing something." | | 后天 (hòu tiān) vs 大后天 (dà hòu tiān) | HSK 1 | 大后天 is three days from now, one day later than 后天; 前天 is the day before yesterday, the opposite direction. | | 回来 (huí lai) vs 回去 (huí qu) | HSK 1 | 回来 is coming back toward the speaker's location; 回去 is going back away from the speaker. | | 会 (huì) vs 能 (néng) | HSK 1 | 会 is for learned skills (我会游泳); 能 is for physical ability or possibility (今天不能去). | | 火车 (huǒ chē) vs 列车 (liè chē) | HSK 1 | 列车 is the formal/written word for a train, used in announcements and signage (开往上海的列车); 火车 is the everyday spoken word. | | 机票 (jī piào) vs 车票 (chē piào) | HSK 1 | 机票 is specifically an air ticket; 车票 is a ticket for a train, bus, etc. | | 几 (jǐ) vs 多少 (duō shao) | HSK 1 | 多少 also means "how many," but it can ask about any number and often does not need a measure word; 几 usually asks about small numbers and needs a measure word. | | 记 (jì) vs 记得 (jì de) | HSK 1 | 记得 means 'remember' as a state; 记 is the action of recording or memorizing, often followed by 下/住/在. | | 家人 (jiā rén) vs 家庭 (jiā tíng) | HSK 1 | 家人 refers to individual family members; 家庭 is the abstract unit "family/household" and is more formal (家庭生活, 一个幸福的家庭). For people, use 家人: 我的家人都很好; 我的家庭很好 is possible but less idiomatic for "my family members are well." | | 间 (jiān) vs 个 (gè) | HSK 1 | 个 is a general classifier and can also occur with 房间/卧室, but 间 specifically counts rooms and spaces and is more precise for classrooms: 一间教室 is more precise than 一个教室. | | 见 (jiàn) vs 看 (kàn) | HSK 1 | 看 is the general verb for looking at, watching and reading (看书, 看电视, 看电影); 见 is mainly meeting/seeing someone or catching sight of something/someone (见他, 明天见, 我看见他了). 我看见他了 means I caught sight of him, not necessarily that I met him. | | 叫 (jiào) vs 喊 (hǎn) | HSK 1 | 喊 also means to shout or call out and is close to 叫; 叫 is more common in everyday speech and additionally means "to be called" and "to tell someone to do something", which 喊 does not. | | 今年 (jīn nián) vs 今天 (jīn tiān) | HSK 1 | 今天 is "today" (the day), 今年 is "this year". 我今天很忙 = I'm busy today; 我今年很忙 = I'm busy this year. | | 进去 (jìn qù) vs 进来 (jìn lái) | HSK 1 | 进去 shows going in away from the speaker; 进来 shows coming in toward the speaker. | | 开 (kāi) vs 打开 (dǎ kāi) | HSK 1 | 开 and 打开 both work with doors, windows, boxes and bottles, but 打开 stresses opening something up and is the usual choice for books, bags and packages. 开 also covers turning things on (开灯, 开电视) and driving (开车), senses 打开 does not have. | | 开车 (kāi chē) vs 坐车 (zuò chē) | HSK 1 | 开车 means you are the driver; 坐车 means you ride as a passenger (坐车去机场 = take a car to the airport). 骑车 is to ride a bicycle. | | 开会 (kāi huì) vs 会议 (huì yì) | HSK 1 | 会议 is a noun ('meeting, conference'), while 开会 is a verb-object phrase. Say 召开会议 or 举行会议, not 开会一个会议. | | 看 (kàn) vs 看见 (kàn jiàn) | HSK 1 | 看 is the action of looking/watching; 看见 means the result — to actually see something, as in 我看见他了 (I saw him). | | 看病 (kàn bìng) vs 生病 (shēng bìng) | HSK 1 | 生病 means "to fall ill / be ill" (a state or event), while 看病 is the action of going to a doctor: 他生病了，所以今天去看病。 | | 考 (kǎo) vs 考试 (kǎo shì) | HSK 1 | 考试 is a noun or a verb-object word ("to sit an exam"), while 考 is the verb that can take an object naming the subject tested. | | 课本 (kè běn) vs 课文 (kè wén) | HSK 1 | 课本 is the whole textbook; 课文 is the text or passage of one lesson inside a textbook. | | 块 (kuài) vs 元 (yuán) | HSK 1 | Both can mean "yuan": 块 is colloquial/spoken, while 元 is formal or written, as in 二十元. | | 老人 (lǎo rén) vs 老年人 (lǎo nián rén) | HSK 1 | 老人 is the common everyday word; 老年人 is more formal and often used in statistics, public policy, or health contexts. | | 老师 (lǎo shī) vs 教师 (jiào shī) | HSK 1 | 教师 also means teacher but is a formal, written word for the profession; 老师 is the everyday word and the usual way to address a teacher. | | 了 (le) vs 过 (guò) | HSK 1 | 了 marks a completed action (often a specific time), while 过 marks having had the experience at some time in the past, e.g. 我去了北京 vs 我去过北京. | | 路口 (lù kǒu) vs 十字路口 (shí zì lù kǒu) | HSK 1 | 路口 is the general word for any road intersection or crossing; 十字路口 specifically means a crossroads with four directions, and is very common in traffic contexts. | | 路上 (lù shang) vs 街上 (jiē shàng) | HSK 1 | 街上 means "on/in the street" and often refers to the street area outside where people are; 路上 focuses on the route while traveling or on the road surface. | | 妈妈 (mā ma) vs 母亲 (mǔ qīn) | HSK 1 | 母亲 also means mother but is formal and used in writing or formal speech; 妈妈 is the everyday spoken word. | | 马路 (mǎ lù) vs 道路 (dào lù) | HSK 1 | 道路 is a more formal, general word for road/way, often used in writing or official contexts; 马路 is the everyday word for a city street. | ## Curated Chinese teaching error examples (https://sentencecoach.com/common-chinese-mistakes) - ✗ 我买了苹果一个。 → ✓ 我买了一个苹果。 (wǒ mǎi le yí gè píng guǒ.): The quantity phrase 一个 must come before the noun, not after it. [了, HSK 1] - ✗ 我在家是。 → ✓ 我在家。 (wǒ zài jiā.): 在 is itself the main verb 'to be at', so no extra 是 is needed: 我在家 means 'I am at home'. [在, HSK 1] - ✗ 我不有书。 → ✓ 我没有书。 (wǒ méi yǒu shū.): Possession with 有 is negated by 没, not 不. [不, HSK 1] - ✗ 不我认识他。 → ✓ 我不认识他。 (wǒ bú rèn shi tā.): 不 must come directly before the verb, not before the subject. [不, HSK 1] - ✗ 我不有车。 → ✓ 我没有车。 (wǒ méi yǒu chē.): 有 is negated with 没, never with 不. [有, HSK 1] - ✗ 他有很高。 → ✓ 他很高。 (tā hěn gāo.): 有 is not used before adjectives to mean "very"; use 很 or another adverb instead. [有, HSK 1] - ✗ 我认识他很高兴。 → ✓ 我很高兴认识他。 (wǒ hěn gāo xìng rèn shi tā.): The object 他 must follow the verb 认识; the feeling phrase comes first in this pattern. [他, HSK 1] - ✗ 我有三个书。 → ✓ 我有三本书。 (wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.): 书 has its own measure word 本, so 个 is not used with it. [个, HSK 1] - ✗ 这个房间大和干净。 → ✓ 这个房间又大又干净。 (zhè ge fáng jiān yòu dà yòu gān jìng.): 和 is not the usual way to link two predicate adjectives; use 又……又…… for 'both … and …'. [和, HSK 1] - ✗ 我们们是朋友。 → ✓ 我们是朋友。 (wǒ men shì péng you.): 我们 is already plural, so 们 cannot be added again. [我们, HSK 1] - ✗ 他是好一个人。 → ✓ 他是一个好人。 (tā shì yí gè hǎo rén.): Adjectives like 好 come before the noun, and the measure word 个 goes between 一 and the noun. [好, HSK 1] - ✗ 我有一书。 → ✓ 我有一本书。 (wǒ yǒu yì běn shū.): Numbers like 一 need a measure word (本) before a noun. [一, HSK 1] - ✗ 一人们来了。 → ✓ 一个人来了。 (yí gè rén lái le.): 一 counts single items, so it takes a measure word and a singular noun, not the plural 人们. [一, HSK 1] - ✗ 都我们是学生。 → ✓ 我们都是学生。 (wǒ men dōu shì xué sheng.): 都 must come after the subject, before the verb or adjective. [都, HSK 1] - ✗ 我们喜欢都中国菜。 → ✓ 我们都喜欢中国菜。 (wǒ men dōu xǐ huan zhōng guó cài.): 都 is an adverb and must go before the verb, not after it. [都, HSK 1] - ✗ 上桌子有一个杯子。 → ✓ 桌子上有一个杯子。 (zhuō zi shàng yǒu yí gè bēi zi.): 上 follows the noun as a position word; it does not come before the noun. [上, HSK 1] - ✗ 他来在中国。 → ✓ 他来中国。 (tā lái zhōng guó.): 来 takes a place object directly without 在; 在 is not used between 来 and its destination. [来, HSK 1] - ✗ 我很喜欢很他。 → ✓ 我很喜欢他。 (wǒ hěn xǐ huan tā.): 很 goes before the adjective or verb it modifies, not after it. [很, HSK 1] - ✗ 我去家。 → ✓ 我回家。 (wǒ huí jiā.): With 家 (home), Chinese uses 回, not 去, for going home. [去, HSK 1] - ✗ 我去中国明年。 → ✓ 我明年去中国。 (wǒ míng nián qù zhōng guó.): Time words like 明年 come before the verb, not after the place. [去, HSK 1] - ✗ 我想很累。 → ✓ 我觉得很累。 (wǒ jué de hěn lèi.): 想 does not take an adjective predicate like 很累 to describe your own state; use 觉得 for "feel". [想, HSK 1] - ✗ 我能英语。 → ✓ 我能说英语。 (wǒ néng shuō yīng yǔ.): 能 is an auxiliary verb, so it must be followed by a verb; the action verb 说 cannot be left out. [能, HSK 1] - ✗ 什么是这？ → ✓ 这是什么？ (zhè shì shén me?): In a simple "what is this" question, 什么 comes after the verb 是, not before it. [什么, HSK 1] - ✗ 你什么喜欢？ → ✓ 你喜欢什么？ (nǐ xǐ huan shén me?): 什么 is the object here, so it follows the verb 喜欢. [什么, HSK 1] - ✗ 这个很大是。 → ✓ 这个很大。 (zhè ge hěn dà.): In this neutral description, 很大 is the predicate; do not add 是 at the end. [大, HSK 1] - ✗ 我很大房子。 → ✓ 我有一个大房子。 (wǒ yǒu yí gè dà fáng zi.): The sentence has no predicate: 我 cannot be followed directly by 很大房子. Use a verb such as 有; if 很 modifies an attributive adjective, use 的 (我很大的房子 as a noun phrase). [大, HSK 1] - ✗ 猫在桌子下面下。 → ✓ 猫在桌子下面。 (māo zài zhuō zi xià miàn.): 下 already means "under/below," so it cannot be added after 下面. [下, HSK 1] - ✗ 我在里家。 → ✓ 我在家里。 (wǒ zài jiā lǐ.): 里 follows the noun (家), not before it. [里, HSK 1] - ✗ 我吃饭现在。 → ✓ 我现在吃饭。 (wǒ xiàn zài chī fàn.): Time words like 现在 come before the verb, not after it. [现在, HSK 1] - ✗ 我今年二十年。 → ✓ 我今年二十岁。 (wǒ jīn nián èr shí suì.): 年 is used for years and dates, but age is expressed with 岁. [年, HSK 1] - ✗ 我多朋友。 → ✓ 我有很多朋友。 (wǒ yǒu hěn duō péng you.): Bare 多 cannot serve as the main predicate with an object here; use 很多 to mean "many." [多, HSK 1] - ✗ 吗你是学生？ → ✓ 你是学生吗？ (nǐ shì xué sheng ma?): 吗 is a sentence-final particle, so it comes at the end of the sentence. [吗, HSK 1] - ✗ 你叫什么吗？ → ✓ 你叫什么？ (nǐ jiào shén me?): 吗 is for yes-no questions, not for questions that already have a question word like 什么. [吗, HSK 1] - ✗ 这个房子小很。 → ✓ 这个房子很小。 (zhè ge fáng zi hěn xiǎo.): Adverbs like 很 must come before the adjective, not after it. [小, HSK 1] - ✗ 我们班有二十家学生。 → ✓ 我们班有二十个学生。 (wǒ men bān yǒu èr shí gè xué sheng.): 家 counts businesses and families, not people, so people take 个. [家, HSK 1] - ✗ 你怎么去学校每天？ → ✓ 你每天怎么去学校？ (nǐ měi tiān zěn me qù xué xiào?): The frequency expression 每天 normally comes before the predicate (here before 怎么去学校), not after the object 学校. [怎么, HSK 1] - ✗ 我爱很中国菜。 → ✓ 我很爱中国菜。 (wǒ hěn ài zhōng guó cài.): Degree adverbs like 很 go before the verb 爱, not between the verb and its object. [爱, HSK 1] - ✗ 我吃饭了米饭。 → ✓ 我吃了米饭。 (wǒ chī le mǐ fàn.): 吃饭 already means "eat a meal", so the specific food goes directly after 吃, not after 吃饭. [吃, HSK 1] - ✗ 谁是这是？ → ✓ 这是谁？ (zhè shì shuí?): 谁 replaces the person being asked about, so it goes where the person would be, not before 是 with a demonstrative. [谁, HSK 1] - ✗ 你谁认识？ → ✓ 你认识谁？ (nǐ rèn shi shuí?): As the object of a verb, 谁 comes after the verb, not before it. [谁, HSK 1] - ✗ 今天的月很亮。 → ✓ 今天的月亮很亮。 (jīn tiān de yuè liang hěn liàng.): In modern spoken Chinese the moon is 月亮; 月 on its own for the moon belongs to written or poetic style and is not used in a sentence like this. [月, HSK 1] - ✗ 你有几哥哥？ → ✓ 你有几个哥哥？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ gè gē ge?): 几 must be followed by a measure word before a noun in this question pattern. [几, HSK 1] - ✗ 这首歌很听。 → ✓ 这首歌很好听。 (zhè shǒu gē hěn hǎo tīng.): To say something sounds pleasant, use the fixed adjective 好听, not 很听. [听, HSK 1] - ✗ 我听中文不懂。 → ✓ 我听不懂中文。 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng zhōng wén.): 听不懂 is a fixed verb-plus-complement phrase, so 不懂 comes right after 听. [听, HSK 1] - ✗ 我开一本书。 → ✓ 我打开一本书。 (wǒ dǎ kāi yì běn shū.): 开 does not take 书 as its object; for opening a book, use 打开. [开, HSK 1] - ✗ 我买了三个钱的面包。 → ✓ 我买了三块钱的面包。 (wǒ mǎi le sān kuài qián de miàn bāo.): Money is counted with 块 or 元, not the general measure word 个. [钱, HSK 1] - ✗ 我买了两本的书。 → ✓ 我买了两本书。 (wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.): The measure word comes directly before the noun; no 的 is used here. [本, HSK 1] - ✗ 我买东西在商店。 → ✓ 我在商店买东西。 (wǒ zài shāng diàn mǎi dōng xi.): Place phrases with 在 normally come before the verb. [东西, HSK 1] - ✗ 他买了三苹果。 → ✓ 他买了三个苹果。 (tā mǎi le sān gè píng guǒ.): A numeral before a noun normally needs a measure word, here 个. [三, HSK 1] - ✗ 我买去商店。 → ✓ 我去商店买。 (wǒ qù shāng diàn mǎi.): 买 is 'to buy' and takes the thing bought as its object; the place you go to is not its object. [买, HSK 1] - ✗ 我朋友一个。 → ✓ 我有一个朋友。 (wǒ yǒu yí gè péng you.): In Chinese the number and measure word come before the noun, not after it. [朋友, HSK 1] - ✗ 他是朋友我。 → ✓ 他是我的朋友。 (tā shì wǒ de péng you.): A possessive like 我的 comes before the noun it modifies. [朋友, HSK 1] - ✗ 我住在中国人。 → ✓ 我住在中国。 (wǒ zhù zài zhōng guó.): 住 takes a place, not a person; use 在 + place. [住, HSK 1] - ✗ 我在北京住了三个日。 → ✓ 我在北京住了三天。 (wǒ zài běi jīng zhù le sān tiān.): 日 is not used as a measure word after a number in everyday speech; use 天 to count days. [日, HSK 1] - ✗ 我喝饭。 → ✓ 我吃饭。 (wǒ chī fàn.): 喝 is only for liquids; eating solid food like rice uses 吃. [喝, HSK 1] - ✗ 我喝水一杯。 → ✓ 我喝一杯水。 (wǒ hē yì bēi shuǐ.): The quantity phrase 一杯 comes before the object 水, not after it. [喝, HSK 1] - ✗ 我坐作业。 → ✓ 我做作业。 (wǒ zuò zuò yè.): 坐 means 'sit'; for doing an activity like homework, use 做. [坐, HSK 1] - ✗ 我坐在椅子。 → ✓ 我坐在椅子上。 (wǒ zuò zài yǐ zi shàng.): With 坐在 + object, use 上 (or 里) after the object to show position. [坐, HSK 1] - ✗ 谢谢你的帮助我。 → ✓ 谢谢你的帮助。 (xiè xiè nǐ de bāng zhù.): After 的, use a noun (帮助), not a noun plus object. [谢谢, HSK 1] - ✗ 你们学校有多少学生吗？ → ✓ 你们学校有多少学生？ (nǐ men xué xiào yǒu duō shǎo xué sheng?): 多少 already makes the sentence a question, so 吗 is not added. [多少, HSK 1] ## How to use 了 (le) in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/le 了 has two main jobs. Right after a verb (verb-了) it marks an action as completed: 我买了三本书 "I bought three books". At the end of a sentence (sentence-了) it marks a change of situation: 下雨了 "It has started raining". 了 is not a past-tense marker: habits in the past take no 了, and negated completed actions use 没 without 了. Patterns: - Subject + Verb + 了 + Quantity/Object: Completed action; the object usually has a number or description. - … + 了 (end of sentence): Change of state or new situation: 我饿了, 他二十岁了. - Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration + 了: An action that has lasted until now and continues: 我学了两年了. - 没 + Verb (no 了): Negation of a completed action. Examples: - 我昨天买了三本书。 (wǒ zuó tiān mǎi le sān běn shū.) — I bought three books yesterday. - 下雨了，我们回家吧。 (xià yǔ le, wǒ men huí jiā ba.) — It's started raining, let's go home. - 他已经吃了晚饭了。 (tā yǐ jīng chī le wǎn fàn le.) — He has already had dinner. - 我学中文学了两年了。 (wǒ xué zhōng wén xué le liǎng nián le.) — I've been studying Chinese for two years. - 我昨天没去上课。 (wǒ zuó tiān méi qù shàng kè.) — I didn't go to class yesterday. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我昨天没去了上课。 → ✓ 我昨天没去上课。: 没 already says the action did not happen; do not add 了. - ✗ 我小时候常常去了公园。 → ✓ 我小时候常常去公园。: Past habits are not completed single actions, so no 了. - ✗ 我买了书。 → ✓ 我买了一本书。 / 我买书了。: Verb-了 with a bare object sounds unfinished; add a quantity or use sentence-了. FAQ: - Q: Is 了 the past tense in Chinese? A: No. 了 marks completion or a change of situation. Time words like 昨天 show the past; 了 can also appear with the future, as in 明天我下了课就去. - Q: When do I use 了 twice? A: Verb-了 plus sentence-了 shows something done so far that continues or matters now: 我已经写了三页了 "I have written three pages so far". ## How to use 过 (guo) for past experience Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/guo Verb + 过 says you have had an experience at some point, "have ever": 我去过北京 "I have been to Beijing". It is negated with 没(有) and keeps 过: 我没去过北京. Ask with 吗 or 没有: 你吃过饺子吗？ Use 过 for experiences, 了 for a specific completed action. Patterns: - Subject + Verb + 过 + Object: Has done it before (at least once). - Subject + 没(有) + Verb + 过 + Object: Has never done it; 过 stays. - Verb + 过 + Object + 吗 / 没有？: Have you ever …? - Verb + 过 + Number + 次: How many times: 我去过两次. Examples: - 我去过中国两次。 (wǒ qù guò zhōng guó liǎng cì.) — I've been to China twice. - 你吃过北京烤鸭吗？ (nǐ chī guò běi jīng kǎo yā ma?) — Have you ever eaten Peking duck? - 我从来没看过这部电影。 (wǒ cóng lái méi kàn guò zhè bù diàn yǐng.) — I've never seen this film. - 他以前学过日语。 (tā yǐ qián xué guò rì yǔ.) — He studied Japanese before. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我没去北京过。 → ✓ 我没去过北京。: 过 goes right after the verb, before the object. - ✗ 我不去过北京。 → ✓ 我没去过北京。: Experiences are negated with 没, never 不. - ✗ 我昨天去过超市买东西。 → ✓ 我昨天去超市买东西了。: A specific one-off event at a stated time uses 了, not 过. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 了 and 过? A: 我去了北京 reports that a trip happened (often you are still there or it just happened); 我去过北京 says you have the experience of having been, and are back. - Q: Can I use 过 with 已经? A: Yes, to say something has already been done: 这本书我已经看过了. ## How to use 着 (zhe) for ongoing states Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/zhe Verb + 着 describes a continuing state or the manner of an action: 门开着 "The door is open", 他笑着说 "He said with a smile". It answers "in what state?" rather than "what is happening now?"; for actions in progress use 在 or 正在: 他在看书. Patterns: - Noun + Verb + 着: A state that persists: 灯亮着, 窗户关着. - Place + Verb + 着 + Noun: Existence: 墙上挂着一幅画 "A painting hangs on the wall". - Verb1 + 着 + Verb2: Doing Verb2 while in the state of Verb1: 他坐着看电视. - 没 + Verb + 着: Negation: 门没开着. Examples: - 教室的门开着。 (jiào shì de mén kāi zhe.) — The classroom door is open. - 墙上挂着一张地图。 (qiáng shàng guà zhe yì zhāng dì tú.) — There is a map hanging on the wall. - 她笑着对我说："没关系。" (tā xiào zhe duì wǒ shuō:" méi guān xi.") — She smiled and said to me, "It doesn't matter." - 我们走着去学校吧。 (wǒ men zǒu zhe qù xué xiào ba.) — Let's walk to school. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我着吃饭。 → ✓ 我在吃饭。: 着 follows a verb; for "I am eating" use 在 before the verb. - ✗ 他正在穿着一件红衣服。 → ✓ 他穿着一件红衣服。: Wearing is a state, so 着 alone; 正在 is for actions in progress. - ✗ 墙上挂着画了。 → ✓ 墙上挂着一幅画。: Existence sentences with 着 take an indefinite object and no 了. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 着 and 在? A: 在 + verb says an action is in progress (他在穿衣服 "he is putting clothes on"); verb + 着 says a resulting state continues (他穿着红衣服 "he is wearing red"). ## The difference between 的, 地 and 得 Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/de-di-de All three are pronounced "de" but do different jobs. 的 links a description to a noun (我的书, 漂亮的衣服). 地 links a description to a verb, telling how something is done (认真地学习). 得 follows a verb or adjective to say how well or to what degree (他跑得很快). Quick test: noun after it → 的; verb after it → 地; verb before it → 得. Patterns: - Description + 的 + Noun: Possession or description: 妈妈的手机, 很好吃的菜. - Adverbial + 地 + Verb: Manner: 慢慢地走, 高兴地说. - Verb / Adjective + 得 + Complement: Degree or result: 说得很流利, 累得不想动. - Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + Complement: With an object, repeat the verb: 他说中文说得很好. Examples: - 这是我朋友的电脑。 (zhè shì wǒ péng you de diàn nǎo.) — This is my friend's computer. - 孩子们高兴地跑进了教室。 (hái zi men gāo xìng de pǎo jìn le jiào shì.) — The children ran happily into the classroom. - 她汉字写得非常漂亮。 (tā hàn zì xiě de fēi cháng piào liang.) — She writes Chinese characters beautifully. - 我今天累得一点儿也不想动。 (wǒ jīn tiān lèi de yì diǎnr yě bù xiǎng dòng.) — I'm so tired today I don't want to move at all. Common mistakes: - ✗ 他跑的很快。 → ✓ 他跑得很快。: After a verb, use 得 to describe how well it is done. - ✗ 我们认真的学习。 → ✓ 我们认真地学习。: Before a verb, use 地 to describe the manner. - ✗ 他说中文得很好。 → ✓ 他说中文说得很好。 / 他中文说得很好。: 得 must follow the verb directly; repeat the verb or move the object first. FAQ: - Q: Do native speakers mix up 的 地 得? A: In casual typing, yes, and 的 is often used for all three. In exams (HSK, IGCSE, PSLE) and formal writing, the distinction is marked. ## The 把 (bǎ) sentence explained Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/ba 把 moves a definite object in front of the verb to stress what happens to it: 我把作业写完了 "I finished the homework". The pattern is Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + something else (a result, direction, 了, or place). The verb cannot stand alone, and the object must be something specific both speakers know. Patterns: - Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Result/了: 我把门关上了. - Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + 在/到/给 + Place/Person: 请把书放在桌子上. - Subject + 没/不/别 + 把 + Object + Verb …: Negation and 别 go before 把: 别把手机忘在家里. Examples: - 请把窗户打开。 (qǐng bǎ chuāng hu dǎ kāi.) — Please open the window. - 我把钥匙放在桌子上了。 (wǒ bǎ yào shi fàng zài zhuō zi shàng le.) — I put the keys on the table. - 他把那本书借给我了。 (tā bǎ nà běn shū jiè gěi wǒ le.) — He lent me that book. - 你别把这件事告诉别人。 (nǐ bié bǎ zhè jiàn shì gào su bié rén.) — Don't tell anyone about this. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我把作业写。 → ✓ 我把作业写完了。: The verb after 把 needs something after it: a result, 了, a place or a direction. - ✗ 我把一本书看完了。 → ✓ 我把那本书看完了。: The 把 object must be specific; an indefinite "a book" does not fit. - ✗ 我把他没告诉。 → ✓ 我没把这件事告诉他。: Negation goes before 把. - ✗ 我把这个问题知道了。 → ✓ 我知道这个问题了。: Verbs that do nothing to the object (知道, 喜欢, 是, 有) cannot be used with 把. FAQ: - Q: When must I use 把? A: When the verb is followed by a place or recipient with 在, 到 or 给 and you name the object, 把 is usually required: 把书放在桌上, not 放书在桌上. ## The 被 (bèi) passive in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/bei 被 makes a passive sentence: Receiver + 被 + (Doer) + Verb + Result: 我的自行车被偷了 "My bike was stolen". Like 把, the verb needs something after it. Traditionally 被 is used for unwelcome events; neutral passives are often expressed without 被 at all. Patterns: - Receiver + 被 + Doer + Verb + Other: 他被老师批评了. - Receiver + 被 + Verb + Other: Doer can be left out: 杯子被打破了. - Receiver + 没 + 被 + …: Negation before 被: 我没被选上. Examples: - 我的手机被人偷走了。 (wǒ de shǒu jī bèi rén tōu zǒu le.) — My phone was stolen. - 他被老师叫到办公室去了。 (tā bèi lǎo shī jiào dào bàn gōng shì qù le.) — He was called to the office by the teacher. - 蛋糕被弟弟吃完了。 (dàn gāo bèi dì di chī wán le.) — The cake was eaten up by my little brother. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我被老师批评。 → ✓ 我被老师批评了。: A bare verb after 被 sounds incomplete; add 了 or a result. - ✗ 这本书被很多人喜欢。 → ✓ 这本书很受欢迎。 / 很多人喜欢这本书。: Positive, neutral states usually avoid 被. - ✗ 我被不选上。 → ✓ 我没被选上。: Negation is 没, placed before 被. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 把 and 被? A: 把 keeps the doer first (我把杯子打破了 "I broke the cup"); 被 puts the receiver first (杯子被我打破了 "The cup was broken by me"). ## The 是……的 (shì…de) construction Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/shi-de 是……的 highlights the time, place, manner or person of an action that already happened, when the event itself is known: 我是坐飞机来的 "I came by plane". 是 goes before the detail being stressed, 的 at the end (or before the object). In speech 是 can be dropped; 的 cannot. Patterns: - Subject + 是 + Time/Place/Manner + Verb + 的: 他是昨天到的. - Subject + 是 + Detail + Verb + 的 + Object: 我是在北京学的中文. - Subject + 不是 + Detail + Verb + 的: Negation: 我不是坐车来的. Examples: - 你是什么时候来新加坡的？ (nǐ shì shén me shí hou lái xīn jiā pō de?) — When did you come to Singapore? - 我是跟朋友一起去的。 (wǒ shì gēn péng you yì qǐ qù de.) — I went with a friend. - 这件衣服是在网上买的。 (zhè jiàn yī fu shì zài wǎng shàng mǎi de.) — I bought this piece of clothing online. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我是坐飞机来了。 → ✓ 我是坐飞机来的。: 是……的 ends with 的; do not add 了. - ✗ 我明天是坐火车去的。 → ✓ 我明天坐火车去。: 是……的 is only for actions that have already happened. FAQ: - Q: Why not just use 了? A: 了 reports that something happened. 是……的 assumes it happened and focuses on a detail: 你来了 "you came" vs 你是怎么来的？ "how did you come?" ## Comparisons with 比 (bǐ) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/bi A 比 comparison is A + 比 + B + Adjective: 今天比昨天热 "Today is hotter than yesterday". Do not put 很 or 非常 before the adjective; to say "much more" add 多了 or 得多 after it, and "a little more" with 一点儿. The negative is A 没有 B (那么) Adjective. Patterns: - A + 比 + B + Adjective: 他比我高. - A + 比 + B + Adjective + 多了 / 得多 / 一点儿: Degree of difference. - A + 比 + B + Adjective + Number + Measure: 他比我大两岁. - A + 没有 + B + (那么) + Adjective: A is not as … as B. - A + 跟 + B + 一样 + Adjective: A is as … as B. Examples: - 我妹妹比我高。 (wǒ mèi mei bǐ wǒ gāo.) — My younger sister is taller than me. - 这家店的菜比那家便宜多了。 (zhè jiā diàn de cài bǐ nà jiā pián yi duō le.) — This restaurant's food is much cheaper than that one's. - 他比我大三岁。 (tā bǐ wǒ dà sān suì.) — He is three years older than me. - 今天没有昨天那么冷。 (jīn tiān méi yǒu zuó tiān nà me lěng.) — Today isn't as cold as yesterday. Common mistakes: - ✗ 他比我很高。 → ✓ 他比我高。 / 他比我高多了。: 很 and 非常 are not used in 比 comparisons; use 多了 or 得多 for "much". - ✗ 今天不比昨天冷。 → ✓ 今天没有昨天冷。: To say "not as cold", use 没有; 不比 means "not colder than" and is a different, rarer statement. - ✗ 他比我两岁大。 → ✓ 他比我大两岁。: The amount of difference comes after the adjective. FAQ: - Q: Can I use 更 in a 比 sentence? A: Yes: 他比我更高 "he is even taller than me" implies both are tall. 很 and 非常 are not allowed. ## 不 (bù) vs 没 (méi): how to say "not" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/bu-vs-mei 不 negates the present, the future, habits, wishes and adjectives: 我不喝咖啡 "I don't drink coffee". 没(有) negates the past or completed actions and the verb 有: 我昨天没喝咖啡, 我没有钱. 有 is only ever negated with 没; 是 is only ever negated with 不. Patterns: - 不 + Verb / Adjective: Habits, present, future, will: 我明天不去, 今天不冷. - 没(有) + Verb: Did not / has not happened: 他没来. - 没有 + Noun: Not have: 我没有时间. - 没 + Verb + 过: Never done: 我没去过. Examples: - 我不喜欢下雨天。 (wǒ bù xǐ huan xià yǔ tiān.) — I don't like rainy days. - 他今天没来上课。 (tā jīn tiān méi lái shàng kè.) — He didn't come to class today. - 我没有中文名字。 (wǒ méi yǒu zhōng wén míng zi.) — I don't have a Chinese name. - 明天我不去学校。 (míng tiān wǒ bú qù xué xiào.) — I'm not going to school tomorrow. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我不有时间。 → ✓ 我没有时间。: 有 is always negated with 没. - ✗ 我昨天不去学校。 → ✓ 我昨天没去学校。: A past action that did not happen takes 没. - ✗ 他没是老师。 → ✓ 他不是老师。: 是 is always negated with 不. FAQ: - Q: Can 不 be used for the past? A: Yes, for past habits or refusal: 我小时候不喜欢吃菜 "As a child I didn't like vegetables"; 他昨天不来 "He refused to come yesterday". ## 再 (zài) vs 又 (yòu): "again" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/zai-vs-you Both mean "again". 又 is for repetition that has already happened: 他又迟到了 "He was late again". 再 is for repetition that has not happened yet: 请再说一遍 "Please say it again". 再 also means "then, after that": 吃完饭再走. Patterns: - 又 + Verb + 了: Happened again (past): 你又忘了. - 再 + Verb: Will / should happen again: 明天再来. - Action 1 + 再 + Action 2: First … then …: 你想好了再回答. - 又 + Adjective + 又 + Adjective: Both … and …: 又便宜又好吃. Examples: - 他今天又迟到了。 (tā jīn tiān yòu chí dào le.) — He was late again today. - 老师，请您再说一遍。 (lǎo shī, qǐng nín zài shuō yí biàn.) — Teacher, please say it once more. - 我们吃完饭再去看电影吧。 (wǒ men chī wán fàn zài qù kàn diàn yǐng ba.) — Let's go to the film after we eat. - 这家店的面条又便宜又好吃。 (zhè jiā diàn de miàn tiáo yòu pián yi yòu hǎo chī.) — The noodles here are cheap and tasty. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我昨天再去了一次。 → ✓ 我昨天又去了一次。: A repetition that already happened uses 又. - ✗ 明天你又来吧。 → ✓ 明天你再来吧。: A future repetition uses 再. - ✗ 我在说一遍。 → ✓ 我再说一遍。: 在 (at, -ing) and 再 (again) sound the same; "again" is 再. FAQ: - Q: Can 又 be used for the future? A: Only for predictable repetitions: 明天又是星期一了 "Tomorrow is Monday again". ## 就 (jiù) vs 才 (cái): sooner or later than expected Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/jiu-vs-cai With a time or amount, 就 says it is earlier, sooner or easier than expected, and usually ends with 了: 他七点就来了 "He came as early as seven". 才 says it is later or harder than expected, with no 了: 他十点才来 "He didn't come until ten". 才 can also mean "only": 我才学了一年. Patterns: - Time + 就 + Verb + 了: Earlier than expected. - Time + 才 + Verb: Later than expected; no 了. - 一 + Action 1 + 就 + Action 2: As soon as: 我一到家就睡了. - 才 + Number: Only (small amount): 他才五岁. Examples: - 电影八点开始，他七点就到了。 (diàn yǐng bā diǎn kāi shǐ, tā qī diǎn jiù dào le.) — The film started at eight, and he was there by seven. - 我等了一个小时，他才来。 (wǒ děng le yí gè xiǎo shí, tā cái lái.) — I waited an hour before he finally came. - 我一到家就给你打电话。 (wǒ yí dào jiā jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà.) — I'll call you as soon as I get home. - 他才学了半年中文，说得已经很好了。 (tā cái xué le bàn nián zhōng wén, shuō de yǐ jīng hěn hǎo le.) — He's only studied Chinese for six months, but he already speaks well. Common mistakes: - ✗ 他十点才来了。 → ✓ 他十点才来。: 才 for "only then" does not take 了. - ✗ 我一下课才去吃饭。 → ✓ 我一下课就去吃饭。: The 一……就 pattern means "as soon as"; 才 does not fit. FAQ: - Q: Does 就 always mean "then"? A: No. 就 also means "exactly" or "only": 就是他 "it's him", 我就有十块钱 "I only have ten dollars". ## 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) vs 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/yidianr-vs-youdianr 有点儿 goes before an adjective or verb and usually signals mild complaint: 今天有点儿冷 "It's a bit cold today". 一点儿 goes after an adjective for comparison or request, or before a noun for a small amount: 便宜一点儿吧 "A bit cheaper, please", 喝一点儿水. Never put 一点儿 before an adjective. Patterns: - 有点儿 + Adjective / Verb: Slightly (often negative): 我有点儿累. - Adjective + 一点儿: A bit more …, comparison or request: 快一点儿. - Verb + 一点儿 + Noun: A little of something: 吃一点儿东西. - 一点儿也/都 + 不/没: Not at all: 一点儿也不难. Examples: - 这件衣服有点儿贵。 (zhè jiàn yī fu yǒu diǎnr guì.) — This piece of clothing is a bit expensive. - 能不能便宜一点儿？ (néng bu néng pián yi yì diǎnr?) — Could it be a little cheaper? - 你说得慢一点儿，好吗？ (nǐ shuō de màn yì diǎnr, hǎo ma?) — Could you speak a bit more slowly? - 这个问题一点儿也不难。 (zhè ge wèn tí yì diǎnr yě bù nán.) — This question isn't difficult at all. Common mistakes: - ✗ 今天一点儿冷。 → ✓ 今天有点儿冷。: Before an adjective, use 有点儿. - ✗ 请你有点儿快。 → ✓ 请你快一点儿。: For a request "a bit more", put 一点儿 after the adjective. FAQ: - Q: Is 一点 the same as 一点儿? A: Yes. 一点儿 is the northern form with 儿; 一点 is common in the south, Taiwan and Singapore. ## 会 vs 能 vs 可以: "can" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/hui-neng-keyi 会 is a learned skill: 我会游泳 "I can swim". 能 is ability or possibility in a situation: 我今天不能游泳，我感冒了. 可以 is permission: 这里可以游泳吗？ "Is swimming allowed here?" 会 also predicts the future: 明天会下雨. Patterns: - 会 + Verb: Learned skill; also "will (likely)". - 能 + Verb: Able to in the circumstances; also capacity: 他能吃三碗饭. - 可以 + Verb: Allowed to; polite requests: 我可以进来吗？ - 不能 / 不可以: Not allowed: 这里不能抽烟. Examples: - 我会说一点儿中文。 (wǒ huì shuō yì diǎnr zhōng wén.) — I can speak a little Chinese. - 我明天有事，不能来。 (wǒ míng tiān yǒu shì, bù néng lái.) — I have something on tomorrow, so I can't come. - 我可以用一下你的笔吗？ (wǒ kě yǐ yòng yí xià nǐ de bǐ ma?) — May I use your pen for a moment? - 明天会下雨吗？ (míng tiān huì xià yǔ ma?) — Will it rain tomorrow? Common mistakes: - ✗ 我能说中文。（meaning "I know Chinese"） → ✓ 我会说中文。: A learned skill takes 会. - ✗ 我会进来吗？ → ✓ 我可以进来吗？: Asking permission uses 可以 (or 能). FAQ: - Q: Are 能 and 可以 interchangeable? A: Often for permission (我能/可以走了吗？). For ability, 能 is usual; for refusing permission, 不能 is more common than 不可以 in speech. ## Result complements in Chinese (看完, 听懂, 找到) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/result-complements Chinese verbs show the action (看 "look", 听 "listen", 找 "look for"), while a result complement right after the verb shows the outcome: 看完 "finish reading", 听懂 "listen and understand", 找到 "find". Without the complement, the sentence only says you tried, not that you succeeded. Patterns: - Verb + 完 (finish): 做完作业, 吃完早饭, 说完话. - Verb + 到 (reach / succeed): 找到工作, 买到票, 看到朋友. - Verb + 懂 / 清楚 / 学会: 听懂, 看清楚, 学会游泳. - Verb + 好 (complete and ready): 准备好, 写好, 穿好衣服. - 没 + Verb + Complement: Did not achieve the result: 我没听懂. Examples: - 我已经写完作业了。 (wǒ yǐ jīng xiě wán zuò yè le.) — I have already finished my homework. - 你说得太快，我没听懂。 (nǐ shuō de tài kuài, wǒ méi tīng dǒng.) — You spoke too fast; I didn't understand. - 你的手机找到了吗？ (nǐ de shǒu jī zhǎo dào le ma?) — Have you found your phone? - 晚饭做好了，快来吃吧。 (wǎn fàn zuò hǎo le, kuài lái chī ba.) — Dinner is ready; come and eat. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我看了那本书完。 → ✓ 我看完了那本书。: The result complement sticks directly to the verb; nothing can go between them. - ✗ 我找了我的钥匙，但是没找。 → ✓ 我找了我的钥匙，但是没找到。: 找 means "look for"; "find" is 找到. FAQ: - Q: Where does 了 go with a result complement? A: After the complement, before the object: 我买到了两张票, or at the end: 我买到票了. Never between the verb and its complement. ## Directional complements (进来, 出去, 起来, 下去) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/directional-complements Directional complements follow a verb to show where an action moves. 来 moves toward the speaker (走进来 "walk in toward me"); 去 moves away (走出去 "walk out away from me"). Place nouns must go before 来/去 (走进教室来, never 走进来教室). Some combinations have everyday figurative meanings, like 起来 "start doing" and 下去 "continue doing". Patterns: - Verb + 来 / 去: Toward speaker (拿来) vs away from speaker (拿去). - Verb + 上/下/进/出/回/过/起 + 来/去: 跑上楼去, 走出来, 搬回来. - Verb + Direction + Place + 来/去: Place goes before 来/去: 走进房间来. - Verb + 起来 (start to …): 笑起来 "start laughing", 冷起来 "turn cold". Examples: - 外边冷，快进屋里来吧。 (wài biān lěng, kuài jìn wū lǐ lái ba.) — It's cold outside; come inside quickly. - 他从书包里拿出一本书来。 (tā cóng shū bāo lǐ ná chū yì běn shū lái.) — He took a book out of his bag. - 听了这句话，大家都笑了起来。 (tīng le zhè jù huà, dà jiā dōu xiào le qǐ lái.) — Hearing this, everyone started laughing. - 请把那把椅子搬过来。 (qǐng bǎ nà bǎ yǐ zi bān guò lái.) — Please move that chair over here. Common mistakes: - ✗ 他走进来教室了。 → ✓ 他走进教室来了。: A place object must go between 进/出/回/上/下 and 来/去. - ✗ 我明天去回来。 → ✓ 我明天回来。 / 我明天回去。: 回来 (come back here) and 回去 (go back there) already contain the direction. FAQ: - Q: Where does a normal object (like 书) go? A: An object that is not a place can go either before or after 来/去: 拿出一本书来 or 拿出来一本书. ## Potential complements (看得见, 听不懂, 买不到) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/potential-complements Putting 得 (can) or 不 (cannot) between a verb and its result or direction says whether an outcome is achievable: 听得懂 "can understand", 听不懂 "cannot understand", 买不到 "cannot buy (sold out)". The negative form (Verb + 不 + Complement) is much more common in everyday speech than the positive. Patterns: - Verb + 得 + Result/Direction: Achievable: 看得清楚, 吃得完, 上得去. - Verb + 不 + Result/Direction: Not achievable: 看不清楚, 吃不完, 找不到. - Verb + 得 + Result + Verb + 不 + Result？: Question: 你听得懂听不懂？ / 你听得懂吗？ - Verb + 得起 / 不起: Can / cannot afford: 买得起, 买不起. Examples: - 字太小了，我看不清楚。 (zì tài xiǎo le, wǒ kàn bù qīng chu.) — The characters are too small; I can't see them clearly. - 这么多菜，我们两个人吃不完。 (zhè me duō cài, wǒ men liǎng gè rén chī bù wán.) — There's so much food; the two of us can't finish it. - 今天太晚了，恐怕买不到票了。 (jīn tiān tài wǎn le, kǒng pà mǎi bú dào piào le.) — It's too late today; I'm afraid we won't be able to get tickets. - 这件大衣太贵了，我买不起。 (zhè jiàn dà yī tài guì le, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.) — This coat is too expensive; I can't afford it. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我不能听懂他说的话。 → ✓ 我听不懂他说的话。: To say an outcome cannot be reached, use the potential complement 听不懂 rather than 不能. - ✗ 我没看不清楚。 → ✓ 我看不清楚。: The不 inside 看不清楚 already negates it; do not add 没 or 不 before the verb. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 不能吃 and 吃不了 (chībuliǎo)? A: 不能吃 means you are not allowed or shouldn't eat it (e.g. allergy); 吃不了 or 吃不完 means you cannot finish eating it because there is too much. ## How to express duration in Chinese (学了两年) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/duration In Chinese, how long an action lasts goes after the verb: 我等了半个小时 "I waited for half an hour". If the verb has an object, either repeat the verb (我学中文学了两年) or put 的 between the duration and the object (我学了两年的中文). After 没, duration goes before the verb to say how long something has NOT happened: 我三天没见他了. Patterns: - Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration: No object: 他睡了八个小时. - Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ 了): Repeat the verb: 我学中文学了一年了. - Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration + (的) + Object: Put duration before noun: 我看了两个小时(的)书. - Subject + Duration + 没 + Verb + 了: How long since: 我很久没去北京了. Examples: - 我们在机场等了两个小时。 (wǒ men zài jī chǎng děng le liǎng gè xiǎo shí.) — We waited at the airport for two hours. - 她弹钢琴弹了十年了。 (tā tán gāng qín tán le shí nián le.) — She has been playing the piano for ten years. - 我昨天晚上看了半个小时的电视。 (wǒ zuó tiān wǎn shàng kàn le bàn gè xiǎo shí de diàn shì.) — I watched half an hour of TV last night. - 我已经三天没喝咖啡了。 (wǒ yǐ jīng sān tiān méi hē kā fēi le.) — I haven't had coffee for three days. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我学了中文两年。 → ✓ 我学中文学了两年。 / 我学了两年的中文。: A normal noun object and a duration cannot both sit bare after the same verb. - ✗ 我两个小时看书了。 → ✓ 我看了两个小时的书。: How long an action lasted goes after the verb, not before it. FAQ: - Q: What about pronouns like 他 or 你? A: Pronouns go right after the verb, before the duration: 我等了他半个小时 "I waited for him for half an hour". ## 越来越 (yuèláiyuè) and 越 A 越 B: "more and more" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/yue-lai-yue 越来越 + Adjective/Mental Verb means "more and more …" over time: 天气越来越冷了 "The weather is getting colder and colder". 越 A 越 B means "the more A, the more B": 雨越下越大 "The more it rains, the heavier it gets". Because 越 already expresses degree, do not add 很, 太 or 非常 before the adjective. Patterns: - Subject + 越来越 + Adjective / Mental Verb (+ 了): 他的中文越来越好了. - Subject + 越 + Verb1 + 越 + Adj/Verb2: Same subject: 他越跑越快. - Subject1 + 越 + Verb1，Subject2 + 越 + Adj/Verb2: Two clauses: 你越着急，事情越难办. Examples: - 学中文的人越来越多了。 (xué zhōng wén de rén yuè lái yuè duō le.) — More and more people are learning Chinese. - 我越来越喜欢这座城市了。 (wǒ yuè lái yuè xǐ huan zhè zuò chéng shì le.) — I like this city more and more. - 这本书我越看越觉得有意思。 (zhè běn shū wǒ yuè kàn yuè jué de yǒu yì si.) — The more I read this book, the more interesting I find it. - 咖啡越喝越想喝。 (kā fēi yuè hē yuè xiǎng hē.) — The more coffee you drink, the more you want. Common mistakes: - ✗ 天气越来越很热。 → ✓ 天气越来越热了。: Do not use 很 or 非常 after 越来越. - ✗ 他越来越跑得快。 → ✓ 他跑得越来越快。: With a 得 complement, 越来越 goes after 得, right before the adjective. FAQ: - Q: Why is 了 often at the end of a 越来越 sentence? A: Sentence-了 marks the change of state ("has become more and more …"). ## 一……就…… (yī…jiù…): "as soon as" and "every time" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/yi-jiu 一 + Action 1 + 就 + Action 2 links two events that happen right after each other ("as soon as") or where the first always triggers the second ("every time / whenever"): 我一到家就给你打电话 "I'll call you as soon as I get home", 他一喝咖啡就睡不着 "Whenever he drinks coffee, he can't sleep". Patterns: - Subject + 一 + Verb 1 + 就 + Verb 2: Same subject: 我一下课就去食堂. - Subject 1 + 一 + Verb 1，Subject 2 + 就 + Verb 2: Two subjects: 老师一进来，大家就不说话了. - 一 + Verb + Condition，就 + Result: Habitual trigger: 我一紧张就忘了词. Examples: - 我今天晚上一下班就回家。 (wǒ jīn tiān wǎn shàng yí xià bān jiù huí jiā.) — I'll go straight home as soon as I finish work tonight. - 天一黑，街上的灯就亮了。 (tiān yì hēi, jiē shàng de dēng jiù liàng le.) — As soon as it gets dark, the streetlights come on. - 他一吃海鲜就会过敏。 (tā yì chī hǎi xiān jiù huì guò mǐn.) — Whenever he eats seafood, he gets an allergic reaction. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我一到家，才给你打电话。 → ✓ 我一到家，就给你打电话。: 一 pairs with 就 for immediate follow-up, never 才. - ✗ 一我下课就去。 → ✓ 我一下课就去。: When both clauses share the same subject, the subject goes before 一. FAQ: - Q: Does 一 change tone in 一……就……? A: Yes: before a fourth-tone syllable (一下课) it becomes second tone yí; before tones 1, 2 and 3 (一到家, 一回家) it becomes fourth tone yì. ## 虽然……但是…… (suīrán…dànshì…): "although" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/suiran-danshi In English you say either "although" or "but", never both; in Chinese they work as a pair: 虽然 + Clause 1，但是/可是 + Clause 2: 虽然今天很冷，但是他还去游泳了 "Although it is cold today, he still went swimming". Never leave out 但是/可是/还是 in the second clause. Patterns: - 虽然 + Subject + …，但是/可是 + Subject + …: Subject can go after 虽然 or before it. - Subject + 虽然 + …，但是 + (还/还是) + …: Adding 还是 ("still") makes the contrast natural. Examples: - 虽然这件衣服很贵，但是质量非常好。 (suī rán zhè jiàn yī fu hěn guì, dàn shì zhì liàng fēi cháng hǎo.) — Although this piece of clothing is expensive, the quality is very good. - 他虽然只学了一年中文，但是说得很流利。 (tā suī rán zhī xué le yì nián zhōng wén, dàn shì shuō de hěn liú lì.) — Although he has only studied Chinese for a year, he speaks fluently. - 虽然下雨了，可是我们还是去爬山了。 (suī rán xià yǔ le, kě shì wǒ men hái shì qù pá shān le.) — Although it rained, we still went hiking. Common mistakes: - ✗ 虽然我很累，我去了上课。 → ✓ 虽然我很累，但是我还是去上课了。: Chinese requires 但是, 可是 or 还是 in the second clause to complete 虽然. - ✗ 虽然他很忙，但是他来帮我。 → ✓ 虽然他很忙，但是他还是来帮我了。: When the subject of the second clause is a pronoun, 但是 always goes at the start of the clause, before the subject. FAQ: - Q: Can I drop 虽然 and only keep 但是? A: Yes. Saying 这件衣服很贵，但是质量很好 is completely natural; dropping 但是 while keeping 虽然 sounds unfinished. ## 不但……而且…… (búdàn…érqiě…): "not only… but also" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/budan-erqie 不但……而且…… means "not only … but also …". When both clauses have the same subject, put the subject before 不但: 他不但会说中文，而且还会说日语. When the two clauses have different subjects, put 不但 at the start of the first clause: 不但学生喜欢他，而且老师也很喜欢他. Patterns: - Subject + 不但 + Verb 1，而且 + (还/也) + Verb 2: Same subject: goes before 不但. - 不但 + Subject 1 + …，而且 + Subject 2 + 也 …: Different subjects: 不但 goes first. Examples: - 她不但聪明，而且工作非常认真。 (tā bú dàn cōng ming, ér qiě gōng zuò fēi cháng rèn zhēn.) — She is not only smart, but also works very conscientiously. - 这家饭馆的菜不但好吃，而且不贵。 (zhè jiā fàn guǎn de cài bú dàn hǎo chī, ér qiě bú guì.) — This restaurant's food is not only delicious, but also inexpensive. - 不但我喜欢这本书，而且我姐姐也很喜欢。 (bú dàn wǒ xǐ huan zhè běn shū, ér qiě wǒ jiě jie yě hěn xǐ huan.) — Not only do I like this book, my older sister likes it too. Common mistakes: - ✗ 不但他会做中国菜，而且他会做法国菜。 → ✓ 他不但会做中国菜，而且还会做法国菜。: With the same subject in both clauses, put the subject before 不但. - ✗ 这家店不但便宜，而且贵。 → ✓ 这家店不但便宜，而且服务也很好。: 不但……而且 connects two points in the same direction (both positive or both negative), not opposites. FAQ: - Q: Is 不仅 the same as 不但? A: Yes. 不仅……而且…… has the exact same word-order rules and is slightly more common in written Chinese. ## 除了……以外 (chúle…yǐwài): "besides" vs "except" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/chule-yiwai 除了……以外 can mean either "besides / in addition to" or "except for". The adverb in the second clause tells you which: 还 or 也 includes the item ("besides English, he also speaks Chinese"); 都 or 全 excludes it ("everyone except Xiao Wang came"). Either 除了 or 以外 can be used on its own in speech, but the second clause always needs 还/也 or 都. Patterns: - 除了 + X + (以外)，Subject + 还 / 也 + Verb: Inclusive ("in addition to X, also…"). - 除了 + X + (以外)，Subject + 都 / 全 + Verb: Exclusive ("except for X, all…"). Examples: - 除了中文以外，他还会说法语。 (chú le zhōng wén yǐ wài, tā hái huì shuō fǎ yǔ.) — Besides Chinese, he can also speak French. - 除了星期天以外，我每天都去上班。 (chú le xīng qī tiān yǐ wài, wǒ měi tiān dōu qù shàng bān.) — Except for Sundays, I go to work every day. - 除了跑步，我也很喜欢游泳。 (chú le pǎo bù, wǒ yě hěn xǐ huan yóu yǒng.) — In addition to running, I also like swimming. Common mistakes: - ✗ 除了咖啡以外，我喜欢喝茶。 → ✓ 除了咖啡以外，我还喜欢喝茶。: Add 还 or 也 in the second clause to show "in addition to". - ✗ 除了他以外，大家来了。 → ✓ 除了他以外，大家都来了。: Add 都 in the second clause to show "everyone except him". FAQ: - Q: Can I drop 以外? A: Yes, especially in speech: 除了你，大家都知道了 is very common. Never drop 还/也 or 都 in the second clause. ## 连……都 / 也 (lián…dōu/yě): "even" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/lian-dou 连 + Item + 都/也 + Verb highlights an extreme case ("even X…"): 连小孩子都知道 "Even young children know", 他忙得连午饭都没吃 "He was so busy he didn't even eat lunch". 都 is used in both positive and negative sentences; 也 is mainly used in negative sentences. Never omit 都/也. Patterns: - 连 + Subject + 都 / 也 + Verb: Even X does/doesn't: 连他都不知道. - Subject + 连 + Object + 都 / 也 + Verb: Object moved before verb: 我连一分钱也没有. - 连 + 一 + Measure + Noun + 都/也 + 不/没 + Verb: "Not even a single…": 他连一句话也没说. Examples: - 这个问题太简单了，连小学生都会做。 (zhè ge wèn tí tài jiǎn dān le, lián xiǎo xué sheng dōu huì zuò.) — This question is so easy that even primary school students can do it. - 他今天太忙了，连水都没时间喝。 (tā jīn tiān tài máng le, lián shuǐ dōu méi shí jiān hē.) — He was so busy today that he didn't even have time to drink water. - 我连他的名字都忘了。 (wǒ lián tā de míng zi dōu wàng le.) — I even forgot his name. Common mistakes: - ✗ 连我妈妈喜欢这首歌。 → ✓ 连我妈妈都喜欢这首歌。: 连 must always be paired with 都 or 也 before the verb. - ✗ 我不认识连他。 → ✓ 我连他都不认识。: 连 + the stressed item goes before the verb (and before 不/没). FAQ: - Q: Can I drop 连 and keep 都? A: In negative "not even one" sentences, yes: 我一分钱都没有 means the same as 我连一分钱都没有. ## 只要……就 (zhǐyào…jiù) vs 只有……才 (zhǐyǒu…cái) Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/zhiyao-zhiyou 只要……就 means "as long as" (sufficient condition: easy to meet, any of these is enough): 只要你努力，就能学好 "As long as you work hard, you can learn it well". 只有……才 means "only if" (necessary condition: the single hard requirement): 只有多练习，才能说得流利 "Only by practising a lot can you speak fluently". Never mix the pairs. Patterns: - 只要 + Condition，Subject + 就 + Result: As long as … then … - 只有 + Condition，Subject + 才 + Result: Only if … can … Examples: - 只要明天不下雨，我们就去公园。 (zhǐ yào míng tiān bú xià yǔ, wǒ men jiù qù gōng yuán.) — As long as it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the park. - 只有每天练习，中文才能进步得快。 (zhǐ yǒu měi tiān liàn xí, zhōng wén cái néng jìn bù de kuài.) — Only if you practise every day will your Chinese improve quickly. - 只要你喜欢，我就买给你。 (zhǐ yào nǐ xǐ huan, wǒ jiù mǎi gěi nǐ.) — As long as you like it, I'll buy it for you. Common mistakes: - ✗ 只要你努力，才能考上大学。 → ✓ 只要你努力，就能考上大学。 / 只有你努力，才能考上大学。: 只要 always pairs with 就; 只有 always pairs with 才. - ✗ 只有你不去，我就去。 → ✓ 只要你不去，我就去。: Use 只要……就 for "as long as". FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 只有 + Noun and 只 + Verb? A: 只有 goes before a noun or clause (我只有十块钱 "I only have $10"); 只 goes directly before a verb (我只喝茶 "I only drink tea"). ## Question words with 都 / 也: "every", "any" and "none" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/question-pronouns Question words (谁, 什么, 哪儿, 什么时候, 怎么) before 都 or 也 stop being questions and mean "every / any / none": 谁都知道 "everyone knows", 我什么都不想吃 "I don't want to eat anything", 他哪儿也没去 "he didn't go anywhere". The question word must move before 都/也 and before the verb. Patterns: - 谁 / 什么 / 哪儿 + 都 + Verb: Everyone / everything / everywhere: 什么都好吃. - Subject + 什么 / 谁 / 哪儿 + 都/也 + 不/没 + Verb: Nothing / nobody / nowhere: 我谁也不认识. Examples: - 这件事谁都知道。 (zhè jiàn shì shuí dōu zhī dao.) — Everyone knows about this. - 我今天不饿，什么都不想吃。 (wǒ jīn tiān bú è, shén me dōu bù xiǎng chī.) — I'm not hungry today; I don't want to eat anything. - 周末我哪儿也没去，一直在家休息。 (zhōu mò wǒ nǎr yě méi qù, yì zhí zài jiā xiū xi.) — I didn't go anywhere at the weekend; I rested at home the whole time. - 你怎么说都可以。 (nǐ zěn me shuō dōu kě yǐ.) — However you say it is fine. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我不想吃什么都。 → ✓ 我什么都不想吃。: 什么 + 都 must come before the verb (and before 不/没). - ✗ 谁知道这件事都。 → ✓ 谁都知道这件事。: 都 goes right after the question word, before the verb. FAQ: - Q: When do I use 都 vs 也? A: In positive sentences ("everyone / everything"), use 都: 什么都好. In negative sentences ("not anything / nowhere"), either 都 or 也 works: 什么都不懂 / 什么也不懂. ## 认识 (rènshi) vs 知道 (zhīdào): "to know" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/renshi-vs-zhidao 认识 means to be acquainted with a person, place or Chinese character (recognise / have met): 我认识他 "I know him", 这个字我认识 "I recognise this character". 知道 means to know a fact or piece of information: 我知道他的名字 "I know his name", 我不知道他在哪儿. Never follow 认识 with a clause. Patterns: - 认识 + Person / Place / Character: Acquaintance or recognition: 我认识王老师. - 知道 + Fact / Question clause: Information: 我知道他明天来. - 知道 + Person (have heard of): 我知道成龙，但是我不认识他 "I know of Jackie Chan, but I don't know him personally". Examples: - 很高兴认识你！ (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ!) — Nice to meet you! - 你认识去火车站的路吗？ (nǐ rèn shi qù huǒ chē zhàn de lù ma?) — Do you know (are you familiar with) the way to the train station? - 你知道今天星期几吗？ (nǐ zhī dao jīn tiān xīng qī jǐ ma?) — Do you know what day of the week it is today? - 我知道那个老师，但是不认识她。 (wǒ zhī dao nà ge lǎo shī, dàn shì bú rèn shi tā.) — I know of that teacher, but I have never met her. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我认识他住在哪儿。 → ✓ 我知道他住在哪儿。: A clause or fact always uses 知道, never 认识. - ✗ 我认识怎么去机场。 → ✓ 我知道怎么去机场。: Knowing how to get somewhere is information, so use 知道. FAQ: - Q: How do I say "know how to speak Chinese"? A: Neither 认识 nor 知道: a learned skill uses 会 (我会说中文). ## 二 (èr) vs 两 (liǎng): two ways to say "two" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/er-vs-liang Use 两 before a measure word when counting things (两个人 "two people", 两本书 "two books", 两点 "two o'clock") and before 千, 万 and 亿. Use 二 when counting in numbers (一、二、三), in ordinals (第二 "second", 二月 "February"), in phone or room numbers, and for 十二 (12) and 二十 (20). Patterns: - 两 + Measure word + Noun: 两个人, 两杯咖啡, 两年, 两岁. - 第 + 二 / 二 + 十 / 十 + 二: Ordinals and tens/teens: 第二名, 二十块, 十二月. - 两千 / 两万 (or 二百 / 两百): Large round numbers take 两 (百 accepts both, 两百 is more common in speech). Examples: - 我有两本中文书。 (wǒ yǒu liǎng běn zhōng wén shū.) — I have two Chinese books. - 现在是下午两点。 (xiàn zài shì xià wǔ liǎng diǎn.) — It's two o'clock in the afternoon now. - 我家住在二楼。 (wǒ jiā zhù zài èr lóu.) — My family lives on the second floor. - 他们班有二十二个学生。 (tā men bān yǒu èr shí èr gè xué sheng.) — There are twenty-two students in their class. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我有二个弟弟。 → ✓ 我有两个弟弟。: Before a measure word like 个, always use 两. - ✗ 今天是两月十号。 → ✓ 今天是二月十号。: Months are numbered in order, so February is 二月 (whereas "two months" is 两个月). - ✗ 他是第两名。 → ✓ 他是第二名。: Ordinals with 第 always use 二. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 二月 and 两个月? A: 二月 is "February" (month number two); 两个月 is "two months" (a duration of two months). ## 刚 (gāng) vs 刚才 (gāngcái): "just now" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/gang-vs-gangcai 刚 is an adverb ("just") that must go directly after the subject and before the verb: 他刚走 "He just left". 刚才 is a time noun ("a moment ago") that can go either before or after the subject, and can be negated with 没: 你刚才去哪儿了？ "Where did you go just now?", 我刚才没听见. Patterns: - Subject + 刚 + Verb (+ Duration): Adverb: 我刚到北京两天 "I arrived in Beijing just two days ago". - 刚才 + Subject + Verb / Subject + 刚才 + Verb: Time noun: a few minutes ago. - Subject + 刚才 + 没 + Verb: Negation uses 刚才 (刚 cannot be negated). Examples: - 他刚从图书馆回来。 (tā gāng cóng tú shū guǎn huí lái.) — He has just come back from the library. - 刚才谁给我打电话了？ (gāng cái shuí gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà le?) — Who called me just now? - 对不起，我刚才没看见你的消息。 (duì bù qǐ, wǒ gāng cái méi kàn jiàn nǐ de xiāo xi.) — Sorry, I didn't see your message a moment ago. - 我刚学中文两个月。 (wǒ gāng xué zhōng wén liǎng gè yuè.) — I only started learning Chinese two months ago. Common mistakes: - ✗ 刚我去超市了。 → ✓ 我刚去超市了。 / 刚才我去超市了。: 刚 is an adverb and must go after the subject. - ✗ 我刚没听清楚。 → ✓ 我刚才没听清楚。: 刚 cannot be followed by 不 or 没; use 刚才. FAQ: - Q: Can 刚 refer to last month or last year? A: Yes, if the speaker feels it was very recent: 他上个月刚结婚 "He just got married last month". 刚才 only ever means a few minutes ago. ## 还是 (háishì) vs 或者 (huòzhě): how to say "or" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/haishi-vs-huozhe Use 还是 in questions offering a choice ("A or B?"): 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？ and in embedded "whether A or B" clauses (我不知道他今天来还是明天来). Use 或者 in statements ("either A or B is fine"): 茶或者咖啡都可以. Notice that 还是 questions do not take 吗 at the end. Patterns: - A + 还是 + B？（no 吗）: Direct choice question: 你去还是我去？ - 不知道 / 看看 + A + 还是 + B: Embedded question. - A + 或者 + B (+ 都行 / 都可以): Declarative statement. Examples: - 你今天去还是明天去？ (nǐ jīn tiān qù hái shì míng tiān qù?) — Are you going today or tomorrow? - 周末我常在家看书或者看电影。 (zhōu mò wǒ cháng zài jiā kàn shū huò zhě kàn diàn yǐng.) — At weekends I often read or watch films at home. - 我不确定他是上海人还是北京人。 (wǒ bú què dìng tā shì shàng hǎi rén hái shì běi jīng rén.) — I'm not sure whether he is from Shanghai or Beijing. - 我们坐地铁或者打车去吧。 (wǒ men zuò dì tiě huò zhě dǎ chē qù ba.) — Let's take the metro or a taxi there. Common mistakes: - ✗ 你喜欢猫或者狗？ → ✓ 你喜欢猫还是狗？: Choice questions always use 还是, never 或者. - ✗ 你喝茶还是喝咖啡吗？ → ✓ 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？: 还是 already makes the sentence a question; do not add 吗. FAQ: - Q: What else does 还是 mean? A: Before a verb in a statement, 还是 means "still" or "had better": 外面冷，你还是穿件外套吧 "It's cold out; you'd better wear a coat". ## 以后 (yǐhòu) vs 后来 (hòulái): "after" and "later" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/yihou-vs-houlai 以后 works for both the past and the future, either after an event (下课以后 "after class") or on its own for "in the future" (我以后想当老师). 后来 is only used on its own for the past, telling what happened later in a story: 起初我不习惯，后来慢慢习惯了. Never use 后来 for the future or after a verb phrase. Patterns: - Action / Time + 以后，…: "After …" (past or future): 吃完饭以后, 两年以后. - 以后 + Subject + Verb (future): "In the future / from now on": 以后别迟到了. - Clause 1 (past)，后来 + Clause 2 (past): "Later on (in the past)": 后来他去了北京. Examples: - 毕业以后你想做什么工作？ (bì yè yǐ hòu nǐ xiǎng zuò shén me gōng zuò?) — What work do you want to do after graduating? - 我以后再也不去那家饭馆了。 (wǒ yǐ hòu zài yě bú qù nà jiā fàn guǎn le.) — I'll never go to that restaurant again in the future. - 刚开始我听不懂，后来慢慢听懂了。 (gāng kāi shǐ wǒ tīng bù dǒng, hòu lái màn màn tīng dǒng le.) — At first I couldn't understand, and later I gradually understood. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我下课后来去图书馆。 → ✓ 我下课以后去图书馆。: To say "after [something]", put 以后 after the phrase; 后来 cannot follow a phrase. - ✗ 我后来想学开车。 → ✓ 我以后想学开车。: Future plans use 以后; 后来 is strictly for past events. FAQ: - Q: What about 然后 (ránhòu)? A: 然后 means "and then (next in a sequence)": 先洗手，然后吃饭. Unlike 后来, 然后 works for both past and future steps. ## 以前 (yǐqián) vs 之前 (zhīqián): "before" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/yiqian-vs-zhiqian Both go AFTER the event or time they modify: 吃饭以前 / 吃饭之前 "before eating", not before it as in English. On its own at the start of a sentence, 以前 means "in the past / formerly" (我以前住在上海); 之前 refers back to a specific time just mentioned ("before that"). Patterns: - Event / Time + 以前 / 之前，…: "Before …": 来中国以前, 三点之前. - Duration + 以前: "… ago": 三年以前 "three years ago". - Subject + 以前 + Verb: "Used to / in the past": 他以前是老师. Examples: - 睡觉以前别喝太多咖啡。 (shuì jiào yǐ qián bié hē tài duō kā fēi.) — Don't drink too much coffee before going to bed. - 请在星期五之前把作业交给我。 (qǐng zài xīng qī wǔ zhī qián bǎ zuò yè jiāo gěi wǒ.) — Please hand in your homework to me before Friday. - 我以前不喜欢吃辣的菜。 (wǒ yǐ qián bù xǐ huan chī là de cài.) — I didn't use to like spicy food. Common mistakes: - ✗ 以前我来中国，我不会说中文。 → ✓ 我来中国以前，不会说中文。: "Before coming to China" puts 以前 at the end of the clause (来中国以前). FAQ: - Q: Are 以前 and 之前 interchangeable after a verb? A: Yes: 出门以前 and 出门之前 both mean "before going out". ## 适合 (shìhé) vs 合适 (héshì): "suitable" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/shihe-vs-heshi 适合 is a verb ("to suit / fit") that takes an object after it: 这件衣服很适合你 "This outfit suits you well". 合适 is an adjective ("suitable / appropriate") that stands at the end without an object: 这件衣服很合适, 这个时间合适吗？ Never put a person or noun object after 合适. Patterns: - A + (很) + 适合 + Person / Verb: Verb + object: 这本书适合初学者看. - A + (很 / 不) + 合适: Adjective (no object): 大小很合适. - 合适 + 的 + Noun: Modifier before noun: 找不到合适的工作. Examples: - 这个颜色非常适合你。 (zhè ge yán sè fēi cháng shì hé nǐ.) — This colour suits you very well. - 这双鞋不大不小，正合适。 (zhè shuāng xié bú dà bù xiǎo, zhèng hé shì.) — These shoes are neither too big nor too small—just right. - 我现在给他打电话合适吗？ (wǒ xiàn zài gěi tā dǎ diàn huà hé shì ma?) — Is it a good time for me to call him now? Common mistakes: - ✗ 这份工作很合适他。 → ✓ 这份工作很适合他。: When followed by an object (他), use the verb 适合, not the adjective 合适. - ✗ 这件衣服不大不小，很适合。 → ✓ 这件衣服不大不小，很合适。: At the end of a sentence with no object, use the adjective 合适. FAQ: - Q: Can 适合 take 很 before it? A: Yes. Mental and state verbs like 适合, 喜欢 and 了解 can be modified by 很 or 非常 even while taking an object. ## 认为 (rènwéi) vs 以为 (yǐwéi) vs 觉得 (juéde): "to think" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/renwei-vs-yiwei 觉得 is everyday "feel / think" for casual opinions: 我觉得今天有点儿冷. 认为 is a firmer, more formal judgment ("hold the view that"): 我认为这个方法最好. 以为 means "mistakenly thought" (the fact turned out to be the opposite): 我以为今天是星期五 "I thought today was Friday (it isn't)". Patterns: - Subject + 觉得 + Clause / Adjective: Everyday opinion or feeling. - Subject + 认为 + Clause: Considered opinion or argument. - Subject + (本来) + 以为 + Wrong assumption: Mistaken belief corrected by reality. Examples: - 我觉得这家店的饺子最好吃。 (wǒ jué de zhè jiā diàn de jiǎo zǐ zuì hǎo chī.) — I think the dumplings at this shop are the best. - 大家一致认为这个计划可行。 (dà jiā yí zhì rèn wéi zhè ge jì huà kě xíng.) — Everyone agrees that this plan is feasible. - 对不起，我以为那是我的杯子。 (duì bù qǐ, wǒ yǐ wéi nà shì wǒ de bēi zi.) — Sorry, I thought that was my cup (by mistake). Common mistakes: - ✗ 我以为学中文很有用。 → ✓ 我觉得学中文很有用。 / 我认为学中文很有用。: 以为 implies your belief was wrong; for a true opinion use 觉得 or 认为. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 觉得 and 感觉? A: 觉得 is always a verb (我觉得很累); 感觉 can be both a verb and a noun (我有一种奇怪的感觉 "I have a strange feeling"). ## 穿 (chuān) vs 戴 (dài): two ways to say "wear" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/chuan-vs-dai 穿 means to put on or wear core clothing and footwear that your body slips into: 穿衣服 (clothes), 穿裤子 (trousers), 穿鞋 (shoes), 穿袜子 (socks). 戴 means to wear accessories that sit on your head, face, neck or hands: 戴帽子 (hat), 戴眼镜 (glasses), 戴手表 (watch), 戴手套 (gloves), 戴口罩 (mask). Patterns: - 穿 + 衣服 / 衬衫 / 裙子 / 裤子 / 鞋 / 袜子: Garments and footwear. - 戴 + 帽子 / 眼镜 / 手表 / 手套 / 围巾 / 口罩: Accessories, hats, glasses and jewellery. Examples: - 今天很冷，多穿一点儿衣服吧。 (jīn tiān hěn lěng, duō chuān yì diǎnr yī fu ba.) — It's cold today; put on some more clothes. - 那个戴眼镜的人是我们老师。 (nà ge dài yǎn jìng de rén shì wǒ men lǎo shī.) — The person wearing glasses is our teacher. - 出门请戴好口罩。 (chū mén qǐng dài hǎo kǒu zhào.) — Please wear a mask when going out. Common mistakes: - ✗ 他今天穿着一顶帽子。 → ✓ 他今天戴着一顶帽子。: Hats and accessories take 戴, never 穿. - ✗ 她不喜欢穿眼镜。 → ✓ 她不喜欢戴眼镜。: Glasses take 戴. FAQ: - Q: How do I say "is wearing" vs "put on"? A: Add 着 for the state of wearing (他穿着红毛衣 "he is wearing a red jumper"); use 穿上 / 戴上 for the action of putting it on. ## 帮助 (bāngzhù) vs 帮忙 (bāngmáng): how to say "help" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/bangzhu-vs-bangmang 帮助 (and 帮) is a normal verb that can take a person right after it: 谢谢你帮助我 "Thank you for helping me". 帮忙 is a separable verb (帮 + 忙 "help with a busy matter"): 忙 is already the object, so you CANNOT put a person after 帮忙. Say 请你帮帮我 or 请你帮我一个忙, never 请你帮忙我. Patterns: - 帮(助) + Person (+ Verb): Takes an object: 他常帮我学中文. - Subject + 帮忙（no object after）: Stands alone: 谢谢你来帮忙. - 帮 + Person + 的 + 忙 / 帮 + Person + 一个忙: Split 帮 and 忙: 你能帮我一个忙吗？ Examples: - 非常感谢你这几天的帮助。 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè nǐ zhè jǐ tiān de bāng zhù.) — Thank you very much for your help over the past few days. - 你明天有空来帮忙吗？ (nǐ míng tiān yǒu kōng lái bāng máng ma?) — Are you free to come and help tomorrow? - 请问，你能帮我一个忙吗？ (qǐng wèn, nǐ néng bāng wǒ yí gè máng ma?) — Excuse me, could you do me a favour? Common mistakes: - ✗ 请你帮忙我一下。 → ✓ 请你帮我一下。 / 请你帮我一个忙。: 帮忙 is a verb-object compound (帮+忙) and cannot take another object after it. - ✗ 他常常帮忙别人。 → ✓ 他常常帮助别人。: Before a person object (别人), use 帮助 or 帮. FAQ: - Q: What other verbs work like 帮忙? A: 见面 (见他一面, not 见面他), 结婚 (跟他结婚, not 结婚他), 生气 (生他的气) and 睡觉 (睡了八个小时的觉) are all separable verb-object words. ## 见 (jiàn) vs 见面 (jiànmiàn): "meet" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/jian-vs-jianmian 见 takes the person right after it: 我明天去见一个朋友. 见面 is a separable verb (见 + 面 "see face") and cannot take an object after it: to name the person, put 跟/和 before 见面: 我明天跟一个朋友见面 "I'm meeting a friend tomorrow". Never say 见面朋友. Patterns: - 见 + Person: Takes a direct object: 我想见你. - A + 跟 / 和 + B + 见面: Person goes with 跟/和 before 见面. - 见 + 了 + 一面 / 见过面: Words can split 见 and 面: 我们见过一次面. Examples: - 我们明天下午三点在咖啡馆见面吧。 (wǒ men míng tiān xià wǔ sān diǎn zài kā fēi guǎn jiàn miàn ba.) — Let's meet at the café at three tomorrow afternoon. - 我周末要跟老同学见面。 (wǒ zhōu mò yào gēn lǎo tóng xué jiàn miàn.) — I'm meeting up with an old classmate this weekend. - 我们以前见过一次面。 (wǒ men yǐ qián jiàn guò yí cì miàn.) — We have met once before. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我今天晚上要见面我朋友。 → ✓ 我今天晚上要跟我朋友见面。 / 我今天晚上要见我朋友。: 见面 cannot take a direct object; use 跟 + person + 见面. - ✗ 我们见面过。 → ✓ 我们见过面。: 过 and 了 go between 见 and 面. FAQ: - Q: How do I say "meet someone for the first time"? A: 认识 is used for getting to know someone (我们是在北京认识的); 见面 is for meeting up in person. ## 经常 / 常常 vs 往往 (wǎngwǎng): "often" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/jingchang-vs-wangwang 经常 and 常常 simply mean "often / frequently" and work in past, present or future sentences (including wishes and commands): 我经常运动, 请常来玩. 往往 describes a regular pattern that happens under a certain condition ("tends to / more often than not"): 周末这里往往很多人. 往往 needs context (when/where) and cannot be used for future plans. Patterns: - Subject + 经常 / 常常 + Verb: High frequency (past, present or future). - 不常 / 不经常 + Verb: Negation ("not often"). - Time / Place / Condition + 往往 + Verb: Observed rule or pattern; no negation. Examples: - 我平时经常在家里做饭。 (wǒ píng shí jīng cháng zài jiā lǐ zuò fàn.) — I usually cook at home often. - 有空的时候常来我家坐坐。 (yǒu kōng de shí hou cháng lái wǒ jiā zuò zuò.) — Come and visit my home often when you are free. - 春天北京往往刮大风。 (chūn tiān běi jīng wǎng wǎng guā dà fēng.) — In spring it tends to be very windy in Beijing. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我往往去图书馆。 → ✓ 我经常去图书馆。 / 周末我往往去图书馆。: 往往 needs a stated condition, time or place; for simple "I often go", use 经常 or 常常. - ✗ 以后我往往来看你。 → ✓ 以后我常来看你。: 往往 is only for established patterns, never future intentions. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 经常 and 常常? A: They are interchangeable in almost all sentences; 经常 can also modify a noun (经常的事), while 常常 shortens to 常 in 不常 and 常去. ## 多少 (duōshao) vs 几 (jǐ): asking "how many" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/duoshao-vs-ji Use 几 when expecting a small number (usually under 10), and always put a measure word after it: 你有几个苹果？ "How many apples do you have?" Use 多少 for any number (especially larger ones or prices/phone numbers); the measure word after 多少 is optional: 你们学校有多少(个)学生？ Patterns: - 几 + Measure word + Noun？: Small count; measure word is required: 几个人, 几点, 几岁. - 多少 + (Measure word) + Noun？: Any count or price: 多少钱, 多少人. - 几 (as "a few" in statements): 我去过几次 "I have been a few times". Examples: - 你家有几口人？ (nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?) — How many people are there in your family? - 请问，这本书多少钱？ (qǐng wèn, zhè běn shū duō shǎo qián?) — Excuse me, how much is this book? - 你们班有多少个学生？ (nǐ men bān yǒu duō shǎo gè xué sheng?) — How many students are in your class? - 我在桌子上放了几本书。 (wǒ zài zhuō zi shàng fàng le jǐ běn shū.) — I put a few books on the table. Common mistakes: - ✗ 你有几书？ → ✓ 你有几本书？: 几 must always be followed by a measure word before a noun. - ✗ 你的手机号是几？ → ✓ 你的手机号是多少？: Phone numbers, room numbers and prices ask with 多少. FAQ: - Q: How do I ask someone's age? A: For children under ten, ask 你几岁了？ For adults, ask 你多大了？ (or polite 您多大年纪了？). ## 怎么 (zěnme) vs 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng): "how" vs "how about" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/zenme-vs-zenmeyang 怎么 goes BEFORE a verb to ask "how / in what way" or "why": 这个字怎么写？ "How do you write this character?", 你怎么没来？ "How come you didn't come?" 怎么样 goes at the END of a sentence (like an adjective) to ask how something is or to make a suggestion: 今天天气怎么样？ "How is the weather today?" Patterns: - Subject + 怎么 + Verb？: By what method: 你怎么去上班？ - Subject + 怎么 + 不 / 没 + Verb？: Why / how come: 你怎么不吃？ - Topic / Subject + 怎么样？: How is it? / What do you think? Examples: - 请问，去地铁站怎么走？ (qǐng wèn, qù dì tiě zhàn zěn me zǒu?) — Excuse me, how do I get to the metro station? - 你今天怎么这么高兴？ (nǐ jīn tiān zěn me zhè me gāo xìng?) — How come you are so happy today? - 你最近身体怎么样？ (nǐ zuì jìn shēn tǐ zěn me yàng?) — How has your health been lately? - 我们周末去看电影，怎么样？ (wǒ men zhōu mò qù kàn diàn yǐng, zěn me yàng?) — How about we go see a film this weekend? Common mistakes: - ✗ 今天天气怎么？ → ✓ 今天天气怎么样？: At the end of a sentence asking "how is X?", use 怎么样. - ✗ 这个菜怎么样做？ → ✓ 这个菜怎么做？: Before a verb asking "how to do X", use 怎么. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 为什么 and 怎么 for "why"? A: 为什么 asks a neutral question; 怎么 + 不/没 expresses surprise ("how come you didn't…?"). ## 快要……了 vs 就要……了: "about to" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/kuaiyao-vs-jiuyao 快要……了, 快……了, 要……了 and 就要……了 all mean "about to happen soon": 快要下雨了 "It's about to rain". The critical exam rule: if the sentence includes a specific time word (明天, 下个月, 八点), you MUST use 就要……了 (or 要……了), NEVER 快要……了 or 快……了. Patterns: - Subject + 快(要) / 就要 / 要 + Verb + 了: No time word: all four forms work. - Time + Subject + 就要 + Verb + 了: With a specific time: 就要……了 only. Examples: - 快要下雨了，我们快回家吧。 (kuài yào xià yǔ le, wǒ men kuài huí jiā ba.) — It's about to rain; let's hurry home. - 下个月我就要去北京上大学了。 (xià gè yuè wǒ jiù yào qù běi jīng shàng dà xué le.) — Next month I am going to Beijing for university. - 电影八点就要开始了。 (diàn yǐng bā diǎn jiù yào kāi shǐ le.) — The film is about to start at eight. Common mistakes: - ✗ 明天他快要回国了。 → ✓ 明天他就要回国了。: With a specific time word like 明天, use 就要……了, never 快要……了. - ✗ 火车快要开了吗？ → ✓ 火车要开了吗？: Yes/no questions with 吗 usually use 要……了吗 rather than 快要. FAQ: - Q: Why is 了 at the end of a future sentence here? A: It is sentence-了 marking an imminent change of situation ("is about to become the case"). ## 经验 (jīngyàn) vs 经历 (jīnglì): "experience" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/jingyan-vs-jingli 经验 is skill or knowledge gained from practice (uncountable "know-how"): 他很有教学经验 "He has a lot of teaching experience". 经历 is what you have lived through—either a noun for an event/adventure (一次难忘的经历 "an unforgettable experience") or a verb meaning "to go through / undergo" (经历了许多困难). Patterns: - 有 / 没有 + (Field) + 经验: Practical skill or work experience. - 一次 + Adjective + 的 + 经历: A specific life event or memory. - 经历 + (了 / 过) + Noun: Verb: live through something (经验 is never a verb in modern Chinese). Examples: - 王老师有十年的教学经验。 (wáng lǎo shī yǒu shí nián de jiào xué jīng yàn.) — Teacher Wang has ten years of teaching experience. - 那次旅行是一次很难忘的经历。 (nà cì lǚ xíng shì yí cì hěn nán wàng de jīng lì.) — That trip was an unforgettable experience. - 他们一起经历了很多困难。 (tā men yì qǐ jīng lì le hěn duō kùn nán.) — They went through many difficulties together. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我去西藏是一次很好的经验。 → ✓ 我去西藏是一次很好的经历。: A trip or life event is a 经历; 经验 means practical skill. - ✗ 他经验过很多事情。 → ✓ 他经历过很多事情。: Only 经历 can be used as a verb ("to experience / live through"). FAQ: - Q: Which one do I use on a CV / résumé? A: Work experience (the skill) is 工作经验; your work history (the jobs you held) is 工作经历. ## 参加 (cānjiā) vs 参观 (cānguān): "join" vs "visit" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/canjia-vs-canguan 参加 means to take part in an activity, meeting, exam, competition or organization: 参加比赛 "take part in a competition", 参加婚礼 "attend a wedding". 参观 means to visit and look around a place (like a museum, factory or school) as an observer: 参观博物馆 "visit a museum". Patterns: - 参加 + Activity / Exam / Meeting / Group: Participate in: 参加考试, 参加活动, 参加工作. - 参观 + Place (博物馆 / 学校 / 工厂): Tour or visit to look around. Examples: - 明天我要参加汉语水平考试。 (míng tiān wǒ yào cān jiā hàn yǔ shuǐ píng kǎo shì.) — Tomorrow I am taking the HSK exam. - 周末我们去参观了国家博物馆。 (zhōu mò wǒ men qù cān guān le guó jiā bó wù guǎn.) — At the weekend we visited the National Museum. - 欢迎大家来参观我们的学校。 (huān yíng dà jiā lái cān guān wǒ men de xué xiào.) — Welcome, everyone, to visit and tour our school. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我们昨天参加了故宫。 → ✓ 我们昨天参观了故宫。: Visiting a place to look around uses 参观; 参加 is for activities and events. - ✗ 他不想参观这次比赛。 → ✓ 他不想参加这次比赛。: Joining a competition uses 参加. FAQ: - Q: Can I use 参观 for visiting a person? A: No. 参观 is only for places and exhibitions; for visiting a person use 看 or 看望 (我去看望爷爷). ## Separable verbs in Chinese (离合词): 见面, 帮忙, 睡觉, 结婚 Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/separable-verbs Many two-character Chinese verbs are actually Verb + Object pairs (离合词 "separable verbs"): 见面 is 见 + 面 ("see face"), 帮忙 is 帮 + 忙 ("help with a busy matter"), 睡觉 is 睡 + 觉 ("sleep a sleep"). Because the second character is already an object, particles (了, 过, 着), durations and measure words go in the middle (见了面, 睡了八个小时的觉), and you can never put another object directly after the word. Patterns: - V + 了 / 过 / 着 + O: Aspect particles go in the middle: 见了面, 结过婚, 聊着天. - V + Duration / Count + (的) + O: 睡了八个小时(的)觉, 见了一次面, 洗了个澡. - 跟 / 和 / 替 / 向 + Person + V-O: A person goes before the verb with a preposition: 跟他见面, 向你道歉, 跟她结婚. - V + V + O (reduplication): Only the first character repeats: 散散步, 聊聊天, 帮帮忙. Examples: - 我昨天晚上只睡了五个小时的觉。 (wǒ zuó tiān wǎn shàng zhī shuì le wǔ gè xiǎo shí de jué.) — I only slept for five hours last night. - 下课以后我们去公园散散步吧。 (xià kè yǐ hòu wǒ men qù gōng yuán sàn sàn bù ba.) — Let's go for a walk in the park after class. - 他已经跟女朋友结婚三年了。 (tā yǐ jīng gēn nǚ péng you jié hūn sān nián le.) — He has been married to his girlfriend for three years. - 我为昨天迟到的事向大家道歉。 (wǒ wèi zuó tiān chí dào de shì xiàng dà jiā dào qiàn.) — I apologise to everyone for being late yesterday. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我要见面我的朋友。 → ✓ 我要跟我的朋友见面。: 见面 already has an object (面); put the person before it with 跟 or 和. - ✗ 他今天请假了一天。 → ✓ 他今天请了一天假。: 请假 is 请 + 假; 了 and the duration 一天 go between 请 and 假. - ✗ 她昨天生气我了。 → ✓ 她昨天生我的气了。: 生气 splits to put the person in the middle: 生 + Person + 的 + 气. FAQ: - Q: How can I tell if a two-character verb is separable? A: Check if the first character is an action and the second is a noun: 唱歌 (sing + song), 看病 (see + illness), 洗澡 (wash + bath), 跳舞 (jump + dance). If it can split in 见了一面 or 洗个澡, it is a separable verb. - Q: Why can 担心 and 关心 take an object? A: Both are ordinary verbs that take an object: 关心朋友, 担心你, 担心考试. 担心 can still split in casual speech (担什么心 "why worry"), which is why some textbooks list it as a separable verb. ## Chinese characters with multiple pronunciations (多音字): 长, 行, 得, 觉, 还, 乐 Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/polyphonic-characters Dozens of common HSK 1–4 characters have two or more pronunciations (多音字) that change with meaning or grammar: 长 is cháng for "long" (长城) and zhǎng for "grow / chief" (长大, 校长); 行 is xíng for "walk / OK" (不行) and háng for "bank / line" (银行); 觉 is jué for "feel" (觉得) and jiào for "sleep" (睡觉). Always learn the reading as part of the whole two-character word. Patterns: - 长: cháng (long) vs zhǎng (grow / head): 很长, 长江 (cháng) vs 长大, 校长, 家长 (zhǎng). - 行: xíng (walk / OK) vs háng (bank / row / profession): 旅行, 不行 (xíng) vs 银行, 行业 (háng). - 觉: jué (feel / sense) vs jiào (sleep): 觉得, 感觉 (jué) vs 睡觉, 午觉 (jiào). - 还: hái (still / also) vs huán (return something): 还有, 还是 (hái) vs 还书, 还钱 (huán). - 得: de (particle) vs dé (obtain) vs děi (must): 跑得快, 觉得 (de) vs 得到, 得分 (dé) vs 你得去 (děi). - 乐: lè (happy) vs yuè (music): 快乐, 可乐 (lè) vs 音乐, 乐器 (yuè). - 重: zhòng (heavy / important) vs chóng (again): 重要, 体重 (zhòng) vs 重新, 重复 (chóng). - 发: fā (send / happen) vs fà (hair): 发现, 出发 (fā) vs 头发, 理发 (fà). Examples: - 孩子长得很快，衣服都小了。 (hái zi cháng de hěn kuài, yī fu dōu xiǎo le.) — The child is growing fast; the clothes are all too small now. - 请问，这附近有中国银行吗？ (qǐng wèn, zhè fù jìn yǒu zhōng guó yín háng ma?) — Excuse me, is there a Bank of China nearby? - 我今天得去图书馆把书还了。 (wǒ jīn tiān de qù tú shū guǎn bǎ shū hái le.) — I have to go to the library today to return the books. - 听音乐能让人觉得很快乐。 (tīng yīn yuè néng ràng rén jué de hěn kuài lè.) — Listening to music can make people feel very happy. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我去银xíng取钱。 → ✓ 我去银行 (yínháng) 取钱。: In 银行 ("bank") and 行业 ("industry"), 行 is always pronounced háng. - ✗ 我明天去图书馆hái书。 → ✓ 我明天去图书馆还 (huán) 书。: When 还 is a verb meaning "to return / give back", it is pronounced huán. FAQ: - Q: Do pinyin keyboards require the exact reading for polyphonic characters? A: Yes, when typing a compound word: type yinhang for 银行 and shuijiao for 睡觉. Typing yinxing or shuijue may not show the word you want. ## 想 (xiǎng) vs 要 (yào): "want to" and "would like" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/xiang-vs-yao Before a verb, 想 means "would like to" (a wish or plan: 我想去中国), while 要 is stronger and more direct ("want to / going to / must": 我要去洗手间). Before a noun, 要 means "want (to buy/order)": 我要一杯咖啡; 想 + person/place means "to miss": 我很想你. Watch the negation: "don't want to" is 不想 + verb, while 不要 + verb usually means "don't!". Patterns: - Subject + 想 + Verb: Would like to (polite wish): 我想喝茶. - Subject + 要 + Verb / Noun: Direct intention or ordering: 我要一杯水, 我明天要考试. - Subject + 不想 + Verb: Do not want to: 我今天不想出门. - 不要 + Verb！: Negative command ("Don't …!"): 不要说话！ - Subject + 想 + Person / Home: Miss someone or home: 我很想家. Examples: - 我想学好中文，明年去中国留学。 (wǒ xiǎng xué hǎo zhōng wén, míng nián qù zhōng guó liú xué.) — I would like to learn Chinese well and study in China next year. - 服务员，我要一碗牛肉面。 (fú wù yuán, wǒ yào yì wǎn niú ròu miàn.) — Waiter, I would like (to order) a bowl of beef noodles. - 我今天有点儿累，不想去跑步。 (wǒ jīn tiān yǒu diǎnr lèi, bù xiǎng qù pǎo bù.) — I'm a bit tired today and don't want to go running. - 弟弟去外地上大学以后，妈妈很想他。 (dì di qù wài dì shàng dà xué yǐ hòu, mā ma hěn xiǎng tā.) — Since my younger brother went away to university, Mum has missed him a lot. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我今天不要去学校。（meaning "I don't feel like going"） → ✓ 我今天不想去学校。: To negate a wish ("don't want to"), use 不想; 不要 usually means "don't!" or a firm refusal. - ✗ 我想一杯咖啡。 → ✓ 我要一杯咖啡。 / 我想喝一杯咖啡。: When ordering a noun directly without a verb, use 要; 想 needs a verb like 喝 or 买 before an object. FAQ: - Q: Why does 不要 mean "don't!" instead of "don't want to"? A: In everyday speech, 不要 + verb is an imperative ("don't do that"). To say you don't feel like doing something, always say 不想 + verb. - Q: When does 要 mean "must" and how is it negated? A: When 要 means "need to / must" (你得/要早点睡), its negation is 不用 or 不必 ("no need to"), not 不要. ## 时间 (shíjiān) vs 时候 (shíhou): "time" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/shijian-vs-shihou 时间 is time as a measurable resource or duration ("have time", "how much time", "waste time"): 我今天没有时间. 时候 is a specific point or moment in time ("when …", "at what time"): 你什么时候来？吃饭的时候别看手机. Quick rule: if you mean "when / at the time of", use ……的时候; if you mean "free time / hours", use 时间. Patterns: - 有 / 没有 + 时间: Have / don't have free time: 你周末有时间吗？ - Clause / Verb + 的时候: When … / while …: 我小的时候, 上课的时候. - 什么时候 + Verb？: When (at what point in time): 电影什么时候开始？ - 多长时间？: How long (duration): 你学了多长时间中文？ Examples: - 你明天下午有时间吗？我们一起喝咖啡吧。 (nǐ míng tiān xià wǔ yǒu shí jiān ma? wǒ men yì qǐ hē kā fēi ba.) — Do you have time tomorrow afternoon? Let's get coffee. - 开车的时候千万不要看手机。 (kāi chē de shí hou qiān wàn bú yào kàn shǒu jī.) — Never look at your phone when driving. - 坐高铁从北京到上海需要多长时间？ (zuò gāo tiě cóng běi jīng dào shàng hǎi xū yào duō cháng shí jiān?) — How much time does it take to go from Beijing to Shanghai by high-speed train? - 你是什么时候开始学汉语的？ (nǐ shì shén me shí hou kāi shǐ xué hàn yǔ de?) — When did you start learning Chinese? Common mistakes: - ✗ 我吃饭的时间喜欢听音乐。 → ✓ 我吃饭的时候喜欢听音乐。: For "when / while doing something", use ……的时候, not 时间. - ✗ 我今天很忙，没有时候。 → ✓ 我今天很忙，没有时间。: "Have no free time" is 没有时间; 时候 cannot be counted or possessed. FAQ: - Q: How do I ask "What time is it?" vs "When are you coming?" A: Ask clock time with 几点 (现在几点？) and general "when" with 什么时候 (你什么时候来？). ## 看 (kàn) vs 看见 (kànjiàn): "look" vs "see" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/kan-vs-kanjian 看 is the intentional action of looking, watching or reading: 看书 "read a book", 看电视 "watch TV", 你看！ "Look!". 看见 adds the result complement 见 to show that the image actually reached your eyes ("catch sight of / see"): 我看见他了 "I saw him", 我没看见你的钥匙 "I didn't see your keys". The same rule separates 听 (listen) from 听见 (hear) and 找 (look for) from 找到 (find). Patterns: - 看 + 书 / 电影 / 电视 / 医生: Deliberate action: read, watch, visit. - 看见 / 看到 + Person / Thing: Result of seeing: 我在超市看见王老师了. - 没看见 / 看不见: Didn't see / cannot see: 太远了，我看不见. - 听 (listen) vs 听见 (hear): 我在听音乐 vs 你听见声音了吗？ Examples: - 我每天晚上看半个小时的中文书。 (wǒ měi tiān wǎn shàng kàn bàn gè xiǎo shí de zhōng wén shū.) — I read a Chinese book for half an hour every evening. - 你看见我的眼镜了吗？我找不到了。 (nǐ kàn jiàn wǒ de yǎn jìng le ma? wǒ zhǎo bú dào le.) — Have you seen my glasses? I can't find them. - 我刚才叫你，你没听见吗？ (wǒ gāng cái jiào nǐ, nǐ méi tīng jiàn ma?) — I just called you—didn't you hear me? - 坐得太远了，我看不见黑板上的字。 (zuò de tài yuǎn le, wǒ kàn bú jiàn hēi bǎn shàng de zì.) — I'm sitting too far away; I can't see the characters on the board. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我昨天在街上看他了。 → ✓ 我昨天在街上看见他了。: To say you spotted or saw someone in passing, use 看见 or 看到. - ✗ 我喜欢看见电影。 → ✓ 我喜欢看电影。: "Watch a movie" is a deliberate activity (看电影), not 看见. FAQ: - Q: Is there any difference between 看见 and 看到? A: In everyday speech they are interchangeable for "see / spot" (我看见/看到他了). 看到 can also take abstract objects like 看到希望 ("see hope"). ## 现在 (xiànzài) vs 正在 (zhèngzài): "now" vs "-ing" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/xianzai-vs-zhengzai 现在 is a time noun meaning "now / right now": 现在八点 "It is eight o'clock now". 正在 (or 在) is an adverb that goes directly before a verb to mark an action in progress ("is doing right now"): 他正在开会 "He is in a meeting right now". You can combine them in that order: 他现在正在开会, but never put 正在 before a noun, time or adjective. Patterns: - 现在 + Time / Adjective / Verb: Time word ("now"): 现在很冷, 你现在在哪儿？ - Subject + (现在) + 正在 / 在 + Verb (+ 呢): Action in progress: 妈妈正在做饭呢. - Subject + 没(有)在 + Verb: Not doing right now: 我没在看电视. Examples: - 现在是早上八点半，我们出发吧。 (xiàn zài shì zǎo shàng bā diǎn bàn, wǒ men chū fā ba.) — It is 8:30 a.m. now; let's set off. - 他正在洗澡呢，过一会儿再给他打电话吧。 (tā zhèng zài xǐ zǎo ne, guò yí huìr zài gěi tā dǎ diàn huà ba.) — He is taking a shower right now; call him back in a little while. - 我以前不住在北京，现在住在北京。 (wǒ yǐ qián bú zhù zài běi jīng, xiàn zài zhù zài běi jīng.) — I didn't live in Beijing before, but I live in Beijing now. Common mistakes: - ✗ 正在几点了？ → ✓ 现在几点了？: 正在 must be followed by an action verb; for the noun "now", use 现在. - ✗ 他正在很忙。 → ✓ 他现在很忙。: Adjectives like 忙 or 累 do not take 正在; use 现在. FAQ: - Q: Can I use 在 instead of 正在? A: Yes: 他在看书 and 他正在看书 both mean "He is reading". 正在 stresses "right in the middle of" the action. ## 家 (jiā) vs 房子 (fángzi): "home / family" vs "house" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/jia-vs-fangzi 家 means "home" or "family": 我回家 "I'm going home", 我家有四口人 "There are four people in my family". 房子 is the physical building or apartment that you buy, rent or decorate: 这套房子很贵 "This apartment/house is expensive". Meanwhile, a single room inside a home or hotel is 房间 (or 屋子), never 房子. Patterns: - 回家 / 在家 / 去你家: Home as a place (no 里 needed after 在 or 回). - 我家 + People: Family: 我家在北京, 我家有三口人. - 买 / 租 + 一套房子: Physical house or apartment building. - 一个房间: A room inside a house or hotel: 打扫房间. Examples: - 周末我喜欢待在家里看书。 (zhōu mò wǒ xǐ huan dài zài jiā lǐ kàn shū.) — At weekends I like staying at home to read. - 他们在市中心租了一套两居室的房子。 (tā men zài shì zhōng xīn zū le yí tào liǎng jū shì de fáng zi.) — They rented a two-bedroom apartment in the city centre. - 你的房间太乱了，快收拾一下吧。 (nǐ de fáng jiān tài luàn le, kuài shōu shi yí xià ba.) — Your room is too messy; tidy it up quickly. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我下班以后回房子。 → ✓ 我下班以后回家。: "Go home" is always 回家, not 回房子. - ✗ 这个房子里有一张床和一张桌子。（meaning "this bedroom"） → ✓ 这个房间里有一张床和一张桌子。: A room inside a home is 房间; 房子 refers to the whole house or flat. FAQ: - Q: What is the measure word for 家, 房子 and 房间? A: A house or apartment is 一套房子 or 一栋房子; a room is 一个房间 (or 一间屋子); 家 as a business/shop/restaurant is 一家饭馆 or 一家公司. ## 高兴 (gāoxìng) vs 开心 (kāixīn) vs 快乐 (kuàilè): "happy" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/gaoxing-vs-kaixin 高兴 and 开心 both describe how someone feels right now ("glad, happy, having fun"): 认识你很高兴, 今天玩得很开心. 快乐 is more formal and is used for lasting well-being or in set greetings ("Happy birthday / holidays"): 生日快乐, 节日快乐, 新年快乐. You do not wish someone 生日高兴. Patterns: - 很高兴 + Verb (认识你 / 见到你): Polite gladness at a specific event. - 玩得 / 聊得 + 很开心 (or 很高兴): Having a good time in daily conversation. - Noun + 快乐！（生日快乐 / 新年快乐）: Set holiday and birthday wishes. Examples: - 认识你我非常高兴。 (rèn shi nǐ wǒ fēi cháng gāo xìng.) — I am very glad to meet you. - 孩子们在公园里玩得很开心。 (hái zi men zài gōng yuán lǐ wán de hěn kāi xīn.) — The children had a great time playing in the park. - 祝你生日快乐，天天开心！ (zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, tiān tiān kāi xīn!) — Wishing you a happy birthday and happiness every day! Common mistakes: - ✗ 祝你生日高兴！ → ✓ 祝你生日快乐！: Holiday and birthday greetings always use 快乐, never 高兴. - ✗ 他今天不快乐，因为考试没考好。 → ✓ 他今天不高兴 / 不开心，因为考试没考好。: For a temporary bad mood over a specific event, use 不高兴 or 不开心. FAQ: - Q: Can 高兴 be used before a noun? A: Rarely; use 快乐 for lasting states before nouns (快乐的童年 "a happy childhood") and 高兴/开心 in predicates (他很高兴). ## 了解 (liǎojiě) vs 理解 (lǐjiě) vs 明白 (míngbai): "understand" in Chinese Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/liaojie-vs-lijie 了解 means to know well or find out information about a person, place or situation: 我很了解他 "I know him inside out", 了解中国文化 "learn about Chinese culture". 理解 means to comprehend a deep meaning or empathize with someone's feelings/position: 我理解你的心情 "I understand how you feel". 明白 is everyday "get it / clear" for instructions or explanations: 你明白我的意思吗？ Patterns: - 了解 + Person / Situation / Culture: Know thoroughly or investigate: 我不太了解这件事. - 理解 + Person / Feelings / Concept: Empathize with or grasp: 互相理解, 理解父母. - 听明白 / 看明白 / 明白意思: Follow an explanation: 我明白了. Examples: - 我们认识十年了，我非常了解他的性格。 (wǒ men rèn shi shí nián le, wǒ fēi cháng liǎo jiě tā de xìng gé.) — We have known each other for ten years; I know his personality very well. - 父母和孩子之间应该多沟通、互相理解。 (fù mǔ hé hái zi zhī jiān yīng gāi duō gōu tōng, hù xiāng lǐ jiě.) — Parents and children should communicate more and understand each other. - 老师讲得很清楚，大家都听明白了。 (lǎo shī jiǎng de hěn qīng chu, dà jiā dōu tīng míng bai le.) — The teacher explained it clearly, and everyone understood. Common mistakes: - ✗ 我想理解一下这个城市的历史。 → ✓ 我想了解一下这个城市的历史。: Finding out or learning about facts/history uses 了解, not 理解. - ✗ 老师说的话我没了解。 → ✓ 老师说的话我没听懂 / 没明白。: For following spoken words or a sentence, use 听懂 or 明白, not 了解. FAQ: - Q: What is the difference between 认识 and 了解? A: 认识 is being acquainted with or recognizing someone (我认识他 "I know who he is"); 了解 is knowing their character or situation in depth (我认识他，但是不了解他). ## 对 (duì) vs 对于 (duìyú) vs 关于 (guānyú): "to, toward, about" Source: https://sentencecoach.com/grammar/dui-vs-duiyu 对 and 对于 both point to the target of an attitude or effect (对身体好 "good for health", 对历史感兴趣 "interested in history"). Wherever 对于 works, 对 also works—but only 对 can mark the person you speak or act toward (对我笑, 对他说). 关于 means "about / concerning" a topic and usually modifies a noun (关于中国的书) or sits at the very start of a sentence (关于这个问题，……). Patterns: - Subject + 对 + Person + Verb (说 / 笑 / 好): Directed at a person (cannot use 对于 or 关于). - 对 / 对于 + Object，Subject + Attitude/Opinion: Regarding a target: 对于这件事，大家看法不同. - 关于 + Topic + 的 + Noun: About a topic: 一本关于人工智能的书. Examples: - 每天运动对身体健康很有帮助。 (měi tiān yùn dòng duì shēn tǐ jiàn kāng hěn yǒu bāng zhù.) — Exercising every day is very helpful for physical health. - 她笑着对我说："欢迎来我们学校！" (tā xiào zhe duì wǒ shuō:" huān yíng lái wǒ men xué xiào!") — She smiled and said to me, "Welcome to our school!" - 我借了一本关于中国历史的小说。 (wǒ jiè le yì běn guān yú zhōng guó lì shǐ de xiǎo shuō.) — I borrowed a novel about Chinese history. - 对于这个计划，你有什么看法？ (duì yú zhè ge jì huà, nǐ yǒu shén me kàn fǎ?) — Regarding this plan, what is your view? Common mistakes: - ✗ 他对于我笑了笑。 → ✓ 他对我笑了笑。: When pointing to the recipient of an action like 笑 or 说, only 对 can be used, not 对于. - ✗ 我对这件事还不清楚，我想买一本对它的书。 → ✓ 我对这件事还不清楚，我想买一本关于它的书。: To modify a noun as "a book/film about X", use 关于 X 的 Noun. FAQ: - Q: Can 关于 go after the subject? A: Usually no: put 关于 at the very beginning of the sentence (关于明天的会议，我通知大家一下), whereas 对/对于 can go either before or after the subject.