对……来说 means "for someone, from someone's point of view." Place it at the start of the sentence or right after the subject, never at the end as in English "difficult for me."
对 + person + 来说 ， + assessment — for someone, something is a certain way
Subject + 对 + person + 来说 + assessment — something is a certain way for someone
对我来说，汉字很难。 Duì wǒ láishuō, hànzì hěn nán. For me, Chinese characters are difficult.
对你来说，什么最重要？ Duì nǐ láishuō, shénme zuì zhòngyào? What is most important to you?
对孩子来说，这本书太难了。 Duì háizi láishuō, zhè běn shū tài nán le. This book is too difficult for a child.
连 …… 都 / 也
"Even": 连……都/也
连……都/也 means "even": it highlights something unexpected. Place 连 right before the highlighted word, and 都 or 也 after it, before the verb. The sentence does not work without 都/也.
Subject + 连 + highlighted element + 都/也 + verb — someone does even this
连 + person + 都/也 + verb — even this person does it
连 + verb + 都 + 没有 + verb — did not even (think, look…)
他连饭都没有吃。 Tā lián fàn dōu méiyǒu chī. He did not even eat.
连孩子都知道这件事。 Lián háizi dōu zhīdào zhè jiàn shì. Even a child knows about this.
这个字连老师都不认识。 Zhè ge zì lián lǎoshī dōu bú rènshi. Even the teacher does not recognize this character.
不管 / 无论 …… 都 / 也
"No matter…, still": 不管/无论……都
不管/无论……都 means "no matter which/who/how…, still." 不管 must be followed by a question form: a question word, A不A, or A还是B. The second clause uses 都 or 也. 无论 sounds more literary.
不管/无论 + question word ， + 都/也 + verb — no matter what/who/how…, still
不管/无论 + A不A ， + 都 + verb — whether A or not, still
不管/无论 + A 还是 B ， + 都 + verb — whether A or B — it does not matter
不管天气怎么样，他都去跑步。 Bùguǎn tiānqì zěnmeyàng, tā dōu qù pǎobù. Whatever the weather is like, he still goes running.
不管你去不去，我都要去。 Bùguǎn nǐ qù bu qù, wǒ dōu yào qù. Whether you go or not, I will go anyway.
无论多忙，我每天都学习汉语。 Wúlùn duō máng, wǒ měi tiān dōu xuéxí Hànyǔ. No matter how busy I am, I study Chinese every day.
即使 / 就是 …… 也
"Even if…, still": 即使……也
即使……也 means "even if…, still." The first clause is hypothetical (it may or may not happen); the second has 也 before the verb. In conversation, 就是 often replaces 即使.
就是 + hypothetical situation ， + subject + 也 + verb — the same in conversational speech
即使下雨，我也去。 Jíshǐ xiàyǔ, wǒ yě qù. Even if it rains, I will go.
即使你不说，我也知道。 Jíshǐ nǐ bù shuō, wǒ yě zhīdào. Even if you do not tell me, I still know.
即使再贵，我也要买。 Jíshǐ zài guì, wǒ yě yào mǎi. No matter how expensive it is, I will buy it.
既然 …… 就
"Since that's the case…": 既然……就
既然……就 means "since…, then…". The first clause states a known fact; the second gives a conclusion, suggestion, or decision. 就 comes after the subject of the second clause.
既然 + known fact ， + (subject) + 就 + verb — since that's the case, then…
既然 + fact ， + 就 + verb + 吧 — since that's the case, let's…
既然 + fact ， + 为什么 / 怎么 + …？ — since that's the case, why…?
既然你不舒服，就在家休息吧。 Jìrán nǐ bù shūfu, jiù zài jiā xiūxi ba. Since you're not feeling well, rest at home.
既然来了，就多玩几天吧。 Jìrán lái le, jiù duō wán jǐ tiān ba. Since you're here, stay a few more days.
既然你喜欢，就买吧。 Jìrán nǐ xǐhuan, jiù mǎi ba. Since you like it, buy it.
尽管 …… 还是 / 但是
"Although…, still…": 尽管……还是
尽管 means "although, despite the fact that": it refers to an actual fact. The second clause uses 还是, 但是/可是, or 也. It is similar to 虽然, but stronger and more literary.
尽管 + fact ， + subject + 还是 + verb — although…, still did it
尽管 + fact ， + 但是/可是 + … — although…, yet…
你 + 尽管 + verb — go ahead, don't hesitate
尽管很累，他还是把工作做完了。 Jǐnguǎn hěn lèi, tā háishi bǎ gōngzuò zuò wán le. Although he was very tired, he still finished the work.
尽管下着雨，他还是来了。 Jǐnguǎn xià zhe yǔ, tā háishi lái le. Despite the rain, he still came.
尽管我解释了很多次，他还是不明白。 Jǐnguǎn wǒ jiěshì le hěn duō cì, tā háishi bù míngbai. Although I've explained it many times, he still doesn't understand.
不是 A ， 而是 B
"Not A, but B": 不是……而是
不是 A，而是 B means "not A, but B": we reject one thing and state the correct one. English "but" here is 而是, not 但是. In conversation, people often simply say 不是A，是B.
Subject + 不是 + A ， 而是 + B — not A, but B
不是 + 不 + verb ， 而是 + reason — it's not that… don't…, it's just that…
他不是老师，而是医生。 Tā bú shì lǎoshī, ér shì yīshēng. He's not a teacher, but a doctor.
问题不是钱，而是时间。 Wèntí bú shì qián, ér shì shíjiān. The issue isn't money, but time.
我不是不想去，而是没有时间。 Wǒ bú shì bù xiǎng qù, ér shì méiyǒu shíjiān. It's not that I don't want to go — I just don't have time.
不是 A 就是 B
"Either A or B": 不是……就是
不是 A 就是 B means "either A or B; if not A, then B". It lists two possibilities, with no third option: 他不是睡觉就是玩游戏 — "he's either sleeping or playing games".
Subject + 不是 + A + 就是 + B — either A or B
不是 + at place A ， 就是 + at place B — either here or there
他每天不是工作就是学习。 Tā měi tiān bú shì gōngzuò jiùshì xuéxí. Every day, he's either working or studying.
周末他不是睡觉，就是玩游戏。 Zhōumò tā bú shì shuìjiào, jiùshì wán yóuxì. On weekends, he's either sleeping or playing games.
这几天不是下雨就是刮风。 Zhè jǐ tiān bú shì xiàyǔ jiùshì guā fēng. These past few days, it's been either raining or windy.
只好 / 不得不 + V
"Have no choice, have to": 只好 and 不得不
只好 means "have no choice but to…": there is no other option. 不得不 means "be forced to, have to": it sounds stronger. Both come after the subject, before the verb.
Reason ， + subject + 只好 + verb — have no choice but to do
Subject + 不得不 + verb — be forced to do
没有公交车了，我们只好打车。 Méiyǒu gōngjiāochē le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo dǎchē. There were no more buses, so we had to take a taxi.
下雨了，我们只好在家看电视。 Xiàyǔ le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo zài jiā kàn diànshì. It started raining, so we had to stay home and watch TV.
商店关门了，他只好明天再来。 Shāngdiàn guān mén le, tā zhǐhǎo míngtiān zài lái. The shop is closed, so he'll have to come back tomorrow.
几乎 / 差不多
"Almost": 几乎 and 差不多
几乎 and 差不多 mean "almost." 几乎 only comes before a verb or adjective. 差不多 can also be a predicate: "almost the same," "almost ready," or mean "approximately" before a number.
我几乎每天都喝咖啡。 Wǒ jīhū měi tiān dōu hē kāfēi. I drink coffee almost every day.
这两个字几乎一样。 Zhè liǎng ge zì jīhū yíyàng. These two characters are almost the same.
他几乎不吃肉。 Tā jīhū bù chī ròu. He hardly eats meat.
恐怕 + assumption
"I'm afraid… / probably": 恐怕
恐怕 means "I'm afraid…; probably, perhaps": it introduces an unwelcome or uncertain prediction. It is not the verb "be afraid" (that is 怕). It goes at the start of a sentence or after the subject.
恐怕 + clause — I'm afraid…
Subject + 恐怕 + verb — someone probably…
恐怕要下雨了。 Kǒngpà yào xiàyǔ le. I'm afraid it's about to rain.
他恐怕不会来了。 Tā kǒngpà bú huì lái le. He probably won't be coming after all.
恐怕我今天去不了。 Kǒngpà wǒ jīntiān qù bu liǎo. I'm afraid I can't make it today.
到底 / 究竟 + question
"Really, on earth" in questions: 到底 and 究竟
到底/究竟 in questions means "really, on earth, after all": it presses for a clear answer. Use a question word (什么, 谁, 为什么) or A不A, but not 吗. 究竟 sounds more formal.
Subject + 到底 + question word / A不A ？ — who/what/… on earth?
到底 + 谁 / 什么 + verb ？ — who really…?
verb + 到底 — (do) to the end
你到底去不去？ Nǐ dàodǐ qù bu qù? So are you going or not?
你到底想说什么？ Nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng shuō shénme? What exactly are you trying to say?
你到底怎么了？ Nǐ dàodǐ zěnme le? What's the matter with you, anyway?
甚至 + (连) …… 都 / 也
"Even, to the point of": 甚至
甚至 means "even, to the point of": it adds the most unexpected or extreme example. It goes before a verb or the highlighted word; when highlighting a person or thing, put 都/也 after it.
他很忙，甚至周末也要工作。 Tā hěn máng, shènzhì zhōumò yě yào gōngzuò. He is very busy; he even has to work on weekends.
他太累了，甚至忘了吃饭。 Tā tài lèi le, shènzhì wàng le chī fàn. He was so tired that he even forgot to eat.
他生气了，甚至不跟我说话。 Tā shēngqì le, shènzhì bù gēn wǒ shuōhuà. He is angry and won't even talk to me.
……， 并且 ……
"And also, moreover": 并且
并且 means "and, also, moreover": it adds another action or quality. It connects verbs, adjectives and clauses, but not nouns — use 和 between those.
Verb 1 ， 并且 + verb 2 — did one thing and also another
Adjective 1 ， 并且 + adjective 2 — has one quality and another as well
不但 …… ， 并且 …… — not only…, but also…
他会说汉语，并且说得很好。 Tā huì shuō Hànyǔ, bìngqiě shuō de hěn hǎo. He speaks Chinese, and speaks it very well.
这个房间很大，并且很安静。 Zhè ge fángjiān hěn dà, bìngqiě hěn ānjìng. This room is large and also quiet.
这家饭馆的菜很好吃，并且不贵。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn de cài hěn hǎochī, bìngqiě bú guì. The food at this restaurant is delicious and also inexpensive.
……， 否则 ……
"Otherwise, or else": 否则
否则 means "otherwise, or else": the first clause gives advice or a condition, and the second says what will happen if it is not followed. 会 or 就 often follows. It sounds slightly more formal than English "or else".
快走吧，否则要迟到了。 Kuài zǒu ba, fǒuzé yào chídào le. Let's walk faster, or we'll be late.
天很冷，多穿衣服，否则会感冒的。 Tiān hěn lěng, duō chuān yīfu, fǒuzé huì gǎnmào de. It's cold; dress warmly, or you'll catch a cold.
我们得快一点，否则就来不及了。 Wǒmen děi kuài yìdiǎn, fǒuzé jiù láibují le. We need to hurry, or we won't make it in time.
由于 …… ，(所以 / 因此) ……
"Due to, thanks to": 由于
由于 means "due to, thanks to, because": it introduces a reason. It is a more literary version of 因为. The 由于 clause usually comes first; the second clause can include 所以 or 因此. 由于 can be followed by a whole clause or just a noun.
由于 + reason ， + result — because of this, … happened
由于 + noun + 的 + 帮助/努力 ， …… — thanks to someone's help
由于天气不好，飞机晚点了。 Yóuyú tiānqì bù hǎo, fēijī wǎndiǎn le. The plane is delayed due to bad weather.
由于工作忙，他很少回家。 Yóuyú gōngzuò máng, tā hěn shǎo huí jiā. Because he is busy with work, he rarely goes home.
由于路上堵车，所以我迟到了。 Yóuyú lù shang dǔchē, suǒyǐ wǒ chídào le. I was late because of a traffic jam.
……， 因此 / 于是 ……
"Therefore" and "and then": 因此 and 于是
因此 means "therefore, as a result": a logical conclusion, more literary than 所以. 于是 means "and then, so": in a story, one event leads to the next action. Both introduce the second clause.
Reason ， 因此 + result — …, therefore…
Event ， 于是 + (subject) + action + 了 — …, and then (someone) did…
他经常锻炼，因此很少生病。 Tā jīngcháng duànliàn, yīncǐ hěn shǎo shēngbìng. He exercises often, so he rarely gets sick.
他每天练习，因此汉语提高得很快。 Tā měi tiān liànxí, yīncǐ Hànyǔ tígāo de hěn kuài. He practices every day, so his Chinese is improving quickly.
这里交通很方便，因此房子很贵。 Zhèli jiāotōng hěn fāngbiàn, yīncǐ fángzi hěn guì. Transportation is convenient here, so housing is expensive.
V + 起来
"Looks, started, remembered": verb + 起来
After a verb, 起来 does not just mean "up". 看起来/听起来 mean "looks, sounds"; 笑起来/哭起来 mean "started"; 想起来 means "remembered". The object goes between 起 and 来: 下起雨来.
这个菜看起来很好吃。 Zhè ge cài kàn qǐlai hěn hǎochī. This dish looks delicious.
这个办法听起来不错。 Zhè ge bànfǎ tīng qǐlai bú cuò. This approach sounds good.
V + 下去 / V + 下来
"Continue" and "write down, stop": 下去 and 下来
V下去 means "keep going": 说下去, 坚持下去. V下来 means "record, retain" (写下来, 记下来), "stop, settle down" (停下来, 安静下来), or "hold out until now" (坚持下来了).
verb + 下去 — keep doing something
verb + 不 + 下去 — cannot keep going
把 + object + 写/记 + 下来 — write down, remember
停 / 安静 + 下来 — stop, settle down
请你说下去。 Qǐng nǐ shuō xiàqu. Please go on.
不管多难，我都要学下去。 Bùguǎn duō nán, wǒ dōu yào xué xiàqu. No matter how hard it is, I will keep studying.
我们一定要坚持下去。 Wǒmen yídìng yào jiānchí xiàqu. We must keep holding on.
V + 出来
"Notice, recognize, think of": verb + 出来
出来 after a verb means "out," or figuratively, making something hidden apparent: 看出来 — "notice, tell by looking," 听出来 — "recognize by sound," 想出来 — "think of," 做不出来 — "cannot solve."
我看出来了，你不高兴。 Wǒ kàn chūlai le, nǐ bù gāoxìng. I can tell you're upset.
你能看出来他是哪国人吗？ Nǐ néng kàn chūlai tā shì nǎ guó rén ma? Can you tell what country he's from by looking?
我一听就听出来是你。 Wǒ yì tīng jiù tīng chūlai shì nǐ. I recognized your voice right away.
难道 …… 吗 ？
"Really? Surely…?": 难道……吗
难道……吗 means "really…? / surely…?" It is not a genuine question: the speaker is surprised or believes the opposite. 难道你不知道吗？ means "surely you know!" Put 难道 at the beginning or after the subject, with 吗 at the end.
你难道忘了吗？ Nǐ nándào wàng le ma? Have you really forgotten?
难道这是我的错吗？ Nándào zhè shì wǒ de cuò ma? Is that really my fault?
不是 …… 吗 ？
"Isn't it…? Surely…": 不是……吗
不是……吗？ means "isn't it…? / surely…!": the speaker is certain and is reminding someone or expressing surprise. 你不是说不来吗？ — "didn't you say you weren't coming?" Usually, no answer is expected.
"This makes me happy": 让 and 使 as causes of feelings
A 让/使 B + feeling or action — "A makes B feel…, causes B to…": 这个消息让我很高兴 — "this news makes me happy". 让 is conversational; 使 is formal.
Cause + 让 + person + (很) + feeling — something makes someone feel a certain way
Cause + 使 + person + verb / adjective — something makes someone a certain way (formal)
别 + 让 + person + feeling — don't make someone (worry…)
这个消息让我很高兴。 Zhè ge xiāoxi ràng wǒ hěn gāoxìng. This news makes me very happy.
这件事让我很难过。 Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ hěn nánguò. This made me very upset.
别让妈妈担心。 Bié ràng māma dānxīn. Don't make Mom worry.
O + 让 / 叫 + agent + V + result
"Was done by someone" in conversation: 让 and 叫 instead of 被
In conversation, 让 or 叫 often replaces 被: 我的手机让弟弟弄坏了 — "my phone was broken by my younger brother". After 让/叫, you must name who did it; the verb must be followed by a result or 了.
Object + 让/叫 + agent + verb + result + 了 — an object was (broken, eaten…) by someone
Object + 让 + 人 + verb + 走 + 了 — someone took it / led it away
Object + 让 + 谁 + verb + 了 ？ — who did it?
我的手机让弟弟弄坏了。 Wǒ de shǒujī ràng dìdi nòng huài le. My phone was broken by my younger brother.
蛋糕叫孩子吃完了。 Dàngāo jiào háizi chī wán le. The cake was eaten up by the children.
饺子都让他们吃光了。 Jiǎozi dōu ràng tāmen chī guāng le. They ate every last dumpling.
拿 + example + 来说
"Take…, for example": 拿……来说
拿……来说 means "take…, for example": it introduces an example of something already stated. First comes the general point, then 拿 + example + 来说 and a detail. Do not confuse it with 对……来说 — "for someone".
General point ， 拿 + example + 来说 ， + detail — …, take X, for example: …
拿 + 我 + 来说 ， …… — take me, for example: …
拿我来说，我每天都学习一个小时汉语。 Ná wǒ láishuō, wǒ měi tiān dōu xuéxí yí ge xiǎoshí Hànyǔ. Take me, for example: I study Chinese for an hour every day.
学汉语不容易，拿汉字来说，很多字看起来差不多。 Xué Hànyǔ bù róngyì, ná hànzì láishuō, hěn duō zì kàn qǐlai chàbuduō. Learning Chinese isn't easy: take characters, for example — many look almost the same.
天气变化很大，拿今天来说，早上冷，中午热。 Tiānqì biànhuà hěn dà, ná jīntiān láishuō, zǎoshang lěng, zhōngwǔ rè. The weather changes a lot: take today, for example — cold in the morning, hot at noon.
在 …… 上 / 下 / 中 / 方面
"In studies, with help, in this field": 在……上/下/中/方面
在……上 — "in something" (studies, work); 在……下 — "with; under" (在老师的帮助下 — "with the teacher's help"); 在……中 — "during; among"; 在……方面 — "in the field of". Place the frame at the beginning or before the verb.
在 + sphere + 上 ， …… — in studies / at work / in life
在 + person + 的 + 帮助/支持 + 下 ， …… — with someone's help / support
在 + 这种情况 + 下 ， …… — in this situation
在 + process / group + 中 ； 在 + field + 方面 — during / among; in the field of
在学习上，他很认真。 Zài xuéxí shang, tā hěn rènzhēn. He is very diligent in his studies.
在工作上，我还有很多问题。 Zài gōngzuò shang, wǒ hái yǒu hěn duō wèntí. I still have many questions about work.
他在生活上很关心我。 Tā zài shēnghuó shang hěn guānxīn wǒ. He takes good care of me in daily life.
随着 + change ， ……
"As, along with": 随着
随着 means "as, along with": one thing changes, and another changes with it. 随着 is followed by a change (天气变冷, 经济的发展), and the second part also describes a change: 越来越, 也, 了.
随着 + something + 的 + 发展/提高/变化 ， + result — as something develops / grows…
随着 + subject + verb/adjective ， + …… 越来越 …… — as…, more and more…
随着天气变冷，感冒的人越来越多。 Suízhe tiānqì biàn lěng, gǎnmào de rén yuè lái yuè duō. As the weather gets colder, more and more people catch colds.
随着天气变暖和，公园里的人多了。 Suízhe tiānqì biàn nuǎnhuo, gōngyuán li de rén duō le. As the weather warmed up, more people came to the park.
随着经济的发展，大家的生活越来越好。 Suízhe jīngjì de fāzhǎn, dàjiā de shēnghuó yuè lái yuè hǎo. As the economy develops, people's lives get better and better.
通过 + method + V
"Through, by means of": 通过
通过 + method means "through, by means of, by": 通过朋友认识 means "meet through a friend." It goes before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence. As a verb, 通过 means "pass": 通过考试.
Subject + 通过 + method + verb — do something through / by means of
通过 + method/event ， + result — as a result of something…
通过 + 考试 — pass an exam (verb)
我是通过朋友认识他的。 Wǒ shì tōngguò péngyou rènshi tā de. I met him through a friend.
我们可以通过手机买票。 Wǒmen kěyǐ tōngguò shǒujī mǎi piào. We can buy tickets using our phones.
你可以通过邮件联系我。 Nǐ kěyǐ tōngguò yóujiàn liánxì wǒ. You can contact me by email.
按照 + rule/plan + V
"According to, following": 按照
按照 + rule, plan, or order means "according to, following, as stated in…": 按照计划—"according to plan", 按照顺序—"in order." It goes before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence. It does not mean "in my opinion."
Subject + 按照 + rule/plan + verb — do something according to something
按照 + rule ， + … — according to the rule, …
请按照老师说的做。 Qǐng ànzhào lǎoshī shuō de zuò. Please do as the teacher said.
我们按照计划出发了。 Wǒmen ànzhào jìhuà chūfā le. We set off according to plan.
请按照顺序排队。 Qǐng ànzhào shùnxù páiduì. Please line up in order.
是否 + V
"Whether, or not" in formal language: 是否
是否 is a formal "whether; or not," equivalent to 是不是 / A不A. It appears in announcements, letters, polite questions, and indirect questions: 我不知道他是否同意. Do not use 吗 after 是否.
不知道 / 问 + who + 是否 + verb — I don't know whether he…
是否 + verb ， + 还 / 才 + … — whether… is not yet known
我不知道他是否同意。 Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shìfǒu tóngyì. I don't know whether he agrees.
请问，您是否需要帮助？ Qǐng wèn, nín shìfǒu xūyào bāngzhù? Excuse me, do you need help?
你是否考虑过出国留学？ Nǐ shìfǒu kǎolǜ guo chūguó liúxué? Have you ever considered studying abroad?
来得及 / 来不及 + V
"Have time / not have time": 来得及 and 来不及
来得及 means "there is still time"; 来不及 means "it is too late". They go before a verb (来不及吃早饭) or at the end of a sentence (还来得及, 来不及了). For "didn't have time" in the past, use 没有来得及 + verb.
Subject + 来得及 + verb — have time to do something
Subject + 来不及 + verb — not have time to do something
还 来得及 / 来不及 了 — there is still time / there is no time left, it is too late
没有 来得及 + verb — did not have time (in the past)
别着急，还来得及。 Bié zháojí, hái láidejí. Don't worry, there is still time.
我早上起晚了，来不及吃早饭。 Wǒ zǎoshang qǐ wǎn le, láibují chī zǎofàn. I got up late this morning and didn't have time for breakfast.
现在去机场还来得及吗？ Xiànzài qù jīchǎng hái láidejí ma? If we leave for the airport now, can we still make it in time?
也许 + guess
"Maybe": 也许
也许 means "maybe, perhaps": the speaker considers something possible but is not sure. It goes before the predicate or at the start of a sentence; 也许吧 is a short reply. Unlike 可能, it is only an adverb: do not say 很也许 or 不也许.
Subject + 也许 + predicate — someone may do…
也许 + whole sentence — maybe, …
也许 + 会 + verb — may happen / may do something
也许 吧 。 — maybe (short reply)
他也许不知道这件事。 Tā yěxǔ bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì. He may not know about this.
也许明天会下雨。 Yěxǔ míngtiān huì xià yǔ. It may rain tomorrow.
你也许是对的。 Nǐ yěxǔ shì duì de. You may be right.
有的是 + noun / noun + 有的是
"Plenty, more than enough": 有的是
有的是 means "plenty, more than enough, as much as you want". It goes before a noun (我们有的是时间) or after it, at the end of the sentence (这样的机会有的是). This is a colloquial expression; it does not need 很 or numbers.
Who + 有的是 + what — someone has plenty of something
What + 有的是 — there is more than enough of something
Place + 有的是 + what — there is plenty of something somewhere
别着急，我们有的是时间。 Bié zháojí, wǒmen yǒudeshì shíjiān. Don't rush. We have plenty of time.
这样的机会有的是，不用担心。 Zhèyàng de jīhuì yǒudeshì, bú yòng dānxīn. There are plenty of opportunities like this. Don't worry.
他家有的是钱。 Tā jiā yǒudeshì qián. His family has money to spare.
……， 也就是说 / 这就是说 / 就是说 ……
"That is, in other words": 也就是说
也就是说 / 这就是说 / 就是说 mean "that is, in other words, this means". They go in the second part of a sentence, after a comma, and introduce a restatement or a conclusion drawn from what was said. 也就是说 is the most common form.
Statement， 也就是说， restatement — …, that is …
Fact， 这就是说， conclusion — …, which means that …
就是说， …？ — So, …? (asking for clarification in conversation)
今天是十二月三十一号，也就是说，明天就是新年了。 Jīntiān shì shí'èryuè sānshíyī hào, yě jiùshì shuō, míngtiān jiù shì xīnnián le. Today is December 31, which means tomorrow is New Year's Day.
会议改到下星期了，也就是说，这个星期我们不用准备了。 Huìyì gǎi dào xià xīngqī le, yě jiùshì shuō, zhè ge xīngqī wǒmen bú yòng zhǔnbèi le. The meeting has been moved to next week; in other words, we don't need to prepare this week.
今天的票已经卖完了，这就是说，我们只能明天再来。 Jīntiān de piào yǐjīng mài wán le, zhè jiùshì shuō, wǒmen zhǐ néng míngtiān zài lái. Today's tickets are already sold out, which means we can only come back tomorrow.
再也不 / 再也没有 + V
"Never again": 再也不 and 再也没有
再也不 + verb means "will never… again"; 再也没有 + verb means "have not… since." 再也 comes directly before 不 / 没有, and the whole phrase comes before the verb. It sounds firm and emotional.
Subject + 再也不 + verb + 了 — will never… again
…以后， subject + 再也没有 + verb (+ 过) — have not… once since then
再也 + verb + 不 + result + 了 — can no longer… at all
我再也不喝酒了。 Wǒ zài yě bù hē jiǔ le. I'll never drink again.
他出国以后，我再也没有见过他。 Tā chūguó yǐhòu, wǒ zài yě méiyǒu jiàn guo tā. I haven't seen him since he went abroad.
这家饭馆太贵了，我再也不来了。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn tài guì le, wǒ zài yě bù lái le. This restaurant is too expensive. I'm never coming here again.
(真) 够 + adj. + 的
"Really, pretty": 够……的
够 + adjective + 的 means "really, pretty": the quality is clearly present, even to excess. Often used with 真: 真够累的！ Without 的, 够 + adj. simply means "enough": 够大 — "big enough."
你够忙的，周末也要上班。 Nǐ gòu máng de, zhōumò yě yào shàngbān. You're so busy — you even have to work on weekends.
这条路够长的，我们走了两个小时。 Zhè tiáo lù gòu cháng de, wǒmen zǒu le liǎng ge xiǎoshí. This road is pretty long: we walked for two hours.
一 + measure word + 比 + 一 + measure word + adj.
"More… every day": 一天比一天
一天比一天 + adj. means "more… every day," 一年比一年 means "year by year." 一次比一次 and 一个比一个 mean "each time" and "each one more… than the next." The subject comes before the pattern, and the adjective comes directly after it, without 很.
Subject + 一天比一天 + adj. (+ 了) — more… every day
Subject + 一年比一年 + adj. — more… every year
Subject + 一次比一次 + adj. / verb + 得 + adj. — more… each time
Subject + 一个比一个 + adj. — each one more… than the next (all very…)
天气一天比一天冷了。 Tiānqì yì tiān bǐ yì tiān lěng le. It's getting colder every day.
他的汉语一天比一天好。 Tā de Hànyǔ yì tiān bǐ yì tiān hǎo. His Chinese gets better every day.
来这儿旅游的人一年比一年多。 Lái zhèr lǚyóu de rén yì nián bǐ yì nián duō. More tourists come here every year.
一 A 一 B / 有 A 有 B
"One… the other…", "both… and…": the patterns 一A一B and 有A有B
一A一B uses a pair of opposites to describe two people or things: 一高一矮 — "one tall, the other short," 一问一答 — "one asks, the other answers." 有A有B means "both are present": 有说有笑 — "talking and laughing."
Two people or things + 一 + A + 一 + B — one A, the other B (A and B are opposites)
一 + A + 一 + B + 地 + verb — one… the other… (describing movement)
有 + A + 有 + B — there are both A and B; both A and B
这两个孩子一高一矮。 Zhè liǎng ge háizi yì gāo yì ǎi. Of these two children, one is tall and the other is short.
我和老师一问一答，练习了半个小时。 Wǒ hé lǎoshī yí wèn yì dá, liànxí le bàn ge xiǎoshí. My teacher and I practiced for half an hour: the teacher asked questions and I answered.
前面走过来两个人，一男一女。 Qiánmiàn zǒu guòlái liǎng ge rén, yì nán yì nǚ. Two people are walking toward us: a man and a woman.
adj. / verb of feeling + 死了 ； + 得厉害
"Terribly, to death": ……死了 and ……得厉害
死了 after an adjective or verb of feeling means "terribly, to death": 累死了 — "dead tired." 得厉害 also expresses a high degree, but sounds less emotional: 疼得厉害 — "hurts badly."
Subject + adjective / verb of feeling + 死了 — terribly; to death (colloq.)
Adjective / verb + 死 + 我 + 了 — this makes me terribly (angry, worried)
Subject + adjective / verb + 得 (+ 很) + 厉害 — badly; very much
今天工作了十个小时，累死了。 Jīntiān gōngzuò le shí ge xiǎoshí, lèi sǐ le. I worked for ten hours today. I'm dead tired.
我一天都没有吃饭，饿死了。 Wǒ yì tiān dōu méiyǒu chī fàn, è sǐ le. I haven't eaten all day. I'm starving to death.
外面热死了，我们别出去了。 Wàimiàn rè sǐ le, wǒmen bié chūqu le. It's terribly hot outside. Let's not go out.
verb + 得了 / 不了
"Can manage / can't manage": verb + 得了 / 不了
得了 (de liǎo) and 不了 (bu liǎo) after a verb express whether you have enough strength, time, or opportunity: 吃不了 — "can't eat that much," 去不了 — "won't be able to go," 去得了 — "can go." Here 了 is pronounced liǎo.
Verb + 不了 — can't; can't manage; won't be able to
Verb + 得了 (+ 吗 ？) — can; can manage (can you manage?)
受不了 ； 忘不了 ； 错不了 — can't stand it; can't forget; can't be wrong
菜太多了，我们两个人吃不了。 Cài tài duō le, wǒmen liǎng ge rén chī bu liǎo. There's too much food. The two of us can't eat it all.
明天我有事，去不了了。 Míngtiān wǒ yǒu shì, qù bu liǎo le. I have things to do tomorrow, so I won't be able to go after all.
你的腿受伤了，还走得了吗？ Nǐ de tuǐ shòushāng le, hái zǒu de liǎo ma? You've injured your leg—can you still walk?
把 + O + VV / V一V ； 把 + O + V + 了 + number of times / duration
"Tidy up, read twice": 把 with verb reduplication and quantity
The "tail" in a 把 sentence need not be a result: it can be a reduplicated verb (把房间打扫打扫), a number of times, or a duration (把课文读了两遍). Adverbials of manner (好好, 认真地) go before the verb, but a tail is still needed.
把 + object + verb + verb / verb + 一 + verb — do a little something to an object (request, suggestion)
Subject + 把 + object + verb + 了 + number + 遍 / 次 — did something a certain number of times
Subject + 把 + object + verb + 了 + duration — spent a certain amount of time doing something
你把房间打扫打扫吧。 Nǐ bǎ fángjiān dǎsǎo dǎsǎo ba. Tidy up your room a bit.
把桌子擦擦，我们要吃饭了。 Bǎ zhuōzi cā ca, wǒmen yào chī fàn le. Wipe the table; we're about to eat.
你把这个问题再想一想。 Nǐ bǎ zhè ge wèntí zài xiǎng yi xiǎng. Think about this question again.
表扬 / 批评 + sb + for what ； 选 / 请 + sb + 当 / 做 + role
"Praise for…, choose as captain": 表扬, 批评 and 选……当
After 表扬 (praise), 批评 (criticize), and 感谢 (thank), the person comes first, followed directly by the reason, without a preposition: 老师表扬他学习努力. 选 / 请 + sb + 当 / 做 + role: 大家选他当队长.
选 / 请 + person + 当 / 做 + role — choose / invite sb to be sth
老师表扬他学习努力。 Lǎoshī biǎoyáng tā xuéxí nǔlì. The teacher praised him for studying hard.
经理表扬我们工作认真。 Jīnglǐ biǎoyáng wǒmen gōngzuò rènzhēn. The manager praised us for our conscientious work.
妈妈批评我回家太晚。 Māma pīpíng wǒ huí jiā tài wǎn. Mom scolded me for coming home too late.
跟 / 和 + B + 相比 ， A …… ； A + 不如 + B (+ adj.)
"Compared with…" and "not as good as": 跟……相比 and 不如
跟 / 和 B 相比 means "compared with B": put this phrase first, then describe A. A 不如 B means "A is not as good as B", often with an adjective: 我的汉语不如他好 — "my Chinese isn't as good as his".
跟 / 和 + B + 相比 ， A + adj. / 比较 + adj. — compared with B, A is like this
A + 不如 + B — A is not as good as B
A + 不如 + B + adjective — A is not as (good, fast…) as B
跟去年相比，今年的收入增加了很多。 Gēn qùnián xiāngbǐ, jīnnián de shōurù zēngjiā le hěn duō. Compared with last year, this year's income has increased a lot.
和北方相比，南方的冬天暖和多了。 Hé běifāng xiāngbǐ, nánfāng de dōngtiān nuǎnhuo duō le. Compared with the north, winters in the south are much warmer.
跟别的城市相比，这里的东西比较便宜。 Gēn biéde chéngshì xiāngbǐ, zhèlǐ de dōngxi bǐjiào piányi. Compared with other cities, things here are fairly cheap.
number + 来 + measure word ； …… 左右 / 前后 ； 大约 + number
"About, approximately": 来, 左右, 前后, 大约
Approximate numbers: 二十来个 — "about twenty people", 八点左右 — "around eight", 新年前后 — "around New Year", 大约两个小时 — "about two hours". 来 goes between the number and the measure word, 左右 and 前后 go after, and 大约 goes before.
Round number + 来 + measure word (+ noun) — about ten, twenty…
Number + measure word / time + 左右 — approximately; about
Point in time / event + 前后 — around (that time); about
大约 + number + measure word — about; approximately
教室里有二十来个学生。 Jiàoshì li yǒu èrshí lái ge xuésheng. There are about twenty students in the classroom.
我等了他十来分钟。 Wǒ děng le tā shí lái fēnzhōng. I waited for him for about ten minutes.
这本书三十来块钱。 Zhè běn shū sānshí lái kuài qián. This book costs about thirty yuan.
A 是 B 的 N 倍 ； A 比 B 多 / 高 + 了 + N 倍
"Twice as much": 倍
倍 (bèi) means "times" in multiplication. A 是 B 的两倍 means "A is twice as much as B". 比 B 多了一倍 or 增加了一倍 means "increased by the same amount again", that is, doubled. 增加到两倍 means the same thing.
A + 是 + B + 的 + number + 倍 (+ adj.) — A is N times as much as B
A + 比 + B + 多 / 高 / 大 + 了 + number + 倍 — A exceeds B by N times B (with one 倍, it is twice as much)
增加 + 了 + number + 倍 ； 增加 + 到 + number + 倍 — increased by N times the original amount; increased to N times the original amount
六是三的两倍。 Liù shì sān de liǎng bèi. Six is twice as much as three.
他的房间是我的两倍大。 Tā de fángjiān shì wǒ de liǎng bèi dà. His room is twice as big as mine.
今年的收入是去年的三倍。 Jīnnián de shōurù shì qùnián de sān bèi. This year's income is three times last year's.
谁 知道 …… ？ / 哪儿 …… ？ / 怎么 能 …… ？ / 有 什么 …… 的 ？
"How should I know!": rhetorical questions with 谁, 哪儿, 怎么, 什么
A question word can challenge rather than ask: 谁知道？ — "nobody knows", 我哪儿知道？ — "how should I know", 你怎么能这样？ — "you can't do that", 这有什么难的？ — "there's nothing difficult about it". No answer is expected.
谁知道他明天来不来？ Shéi zhīdào tā míngtiān lái bu lái? Who knows whether he'll come tomorrow?
我哪儿知道他在想什么？ Wǒ nǎr zhīdào tā zài xiǎng shénme? How should I know what he's thinking?
我哪儿有钱买这么贵的车？ Wǒ nǎr yǒu qián mǎi zhème guì de chē? How could I possibly have the money to buy such an expensive car?
一方面 ……， 另一方面 ……
"On the one hand…, on the other hand…": 一方面……，另一方面……
一方面……，另一方面…… means "on the one hand…, on the other hand…": two sides of an issue, two reasons, or two tasks. Each part comes before what it introduces; the second part often adds 也 or 又.
一方面 + A ， 另一方面 + B — on the one hand A, on the other hand B
Subject + 一方面 + A ， 另一方面 + (也/又) + B — someone/something on the one hand…, on the other…
一方面 是 因为 A ， 另一方面 是 因为 B — partly because A, and partly because B
一方面我想出国留学，另一方面又不想离开家人。 Yì fāngmiàn wǒ xiǎng chūguó liúxué, lìng yì fāngmiàn yòu bù xiǎng líkāi jiārén. On the one hand, I want to study abroad; on the other, I don't want to leave my family.
这份工作一方面能提高我的能力，另一方面收入也不错。 Zhè fèn gōngzuò yì fāngmiàn néng tígāo wǒ de nénglì, lìng yì fāngmiàn shōurù yě búcuò. On the one hand, this job develops my skills; on the other, it pays well too.
运动一方面对身体好，另一方面也能让人心情愉快。 Yùndòng yì fāngmiàn duì shēntǐ hǎo, lìng yì fāngmiàn yě néng ràng rén xīnqíng yúkuài. On the one hand, exercise is good for your health; on the other, it lifts your mood.
……， 然而 / 不过 ……； …… 却 ……
"However, and yet": 然而, 却, 不过
然而 and 不过 mean "however, but": they are conjunctions placed at the start of the second clause. 却 means "yet, however": it is an adverb placed after the subject, directly before the verb. 然而 sounds formal, while 不过 is milder and conversational.
A ， 然而 + B — A, however B (formal)
A ， 不过 + B — A, but / though, B (mild, conversational)
A ， subject + 却 + verb — A, yet someone (contrary to expectations) …
他很努力，然而成绩还是不好。 Tā hěn nǔlì, rán'ér chéngjì háishi bù hǎo. He works very hard, yet his grades are still poor.
我等了他一个小时，他却没有来。 Wǒ děng le tā yí ge xiǎoshí, tā què méiyǒu lái. I waited for him for a whole hour, but he never came.
这件衣服很漂亮，不过太贵了。 Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn piàoliang, búguò tài guì le. This outfit is very beautiful, but it's too expensive.
A ， (subject +) 好 + V
"To make it easier to…": ……，好……
好 in the second clause means "so that (it is easier or more convenient to)": first say what you do, then use 好 + purpose. 好 comes after the subject of the second clause, and the clause with 好 always comes second.
action ， 好 + purpose — do something so it will be easier to…
action ， subject + 好 + purpose — …, so that someone can…
action ， 好 让 + someone + V — …, so that someone can / to let someone…
你把电话号码告诉我，我好联系你。 Nǐ bǎ diànhuà hàomǎ gàosu wǒ, wǒ hǎo liánxì nǐ. Tell me your phone number so I can contact you.
今天早点睡，明天好早起。 Jīntiān zǎo diǎn shuì, míngtiān hǎo zǎo qǐ. Go to bed earlier today so it will be easier to get up early tomorrow.
把地址写下来，以后好找。 Bǎ dìzhǐ xiě xiàlai, yǐhòu hǎo zhǎo. Write down the address so it will be easier to find later.
不 + X + 也 + Y
"Even without it…": 不……也……
不 X 也 Y — "even without X, still Y," "there is no need to X — still Y": 你不说我也知道. This is usually one short sentence without a comma; 也 comes after the subject of the second clause, before the verb or 能/会.
(subject) + 不 + X + 也 + Y — even without X, still Y
A + 不 + X ， B + 也 + Y — even if A does not X, B still Y
不 + X + 也 + 能 / 会 / 可以 + V — can / will manage even without X
你不说我也知道。 Nǐ bù shuō wǒ yě zhīdào. You don't have to tell me; I already know.
这个问题太简单了，不想也知道答案。 Zhè ge wèntí tài jiǎndān le, bù xiǎng yě zhīdào dá'àn. This question is so easy: you know the answer without even thinking.
他不看也知道是谁来了。 Tā bú kàn yě zhīdào shì shéi lái le. He knows who has arrived without even looking.
连 A 都 / 也 ……， B 更 …… / 更 不用 说 B
"Even…, and all the more so…": 连……都……，更……
An extension of the pattern 连……都/也: "even A …, and B all the more so." The first clause presents what is least expected; the second uses 更 before the predicate or 更不用说 + B + 了 ("not to mention B").
连 A 都 / 也 + X ， B + (就) 更 + X + 了 — even A X, and B X all the more so
连 A 都 / 也 + X ， 更 不用 说 + B + 了 — even A X, not to mention B
这个字连老师都不认识，学生就更不认识了。 Zhè ge zì lián lǎoshī dōu bú rènshi, xuésheng jiù gèng bú rènshi le. Even the teacher doesn't recognize this character, much less the students.
他连汉字都不会写，更不用说写文章了。 Tā lián Hànzì dōu bú huì xiě, gèng búyòng shuō xiě wénzhāng le. He can't even write Chinese characters, let alone essays.
我连自行车都买不起，更不用说汽车了。 Wǒ lián zìxíngchē dōu mǎi bu qǐ, gèng búyòng shuō qìchē le. I can't even afford a bicycle, let alone a car.
X 就是了； X 就 X 吧
"Just…, that's all" and "So be it": 就是了, X 就 X 吧
X 就是了 at the end of a sentence means "just X, that's all; that settles it": it reassures or makes a promise. X 就 X 吧 means "if it's X, so be it": accepting something unpleasant. Both constructions are colloquial.
action + 就是 了 — just do / I'll do X, that's all
X + 就 + X + 吧 — if it's X, so be it
X + 了 + 就 + X + 了 + 吧 — it has (already) happened — oh well
你别担心，我明天去就是了。 Nǐ bié dānxīn, wǒ míngtiān qù jiùshì le. Don't worry, I'll just go tomorrow, that's all.
有什么问题，你给我打电话就是了。 Yǒu shénme wèntí, nǐ gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà jiùshì le. If there's any problem, just call me, that's all.
你不想去，不去就是了，别生气。 Nǐ bù xiǎng qù, bú qù jiùshì le, bié shēngqì. If you don't want to go, just don't go; don't get upset.
还 X 呢！； 你 V 你 的 吧
"Some… you are!" and "Carry on with your own thing": 还……呢, 你……你的吧
还 X 呢 expresses reproach or disagreement: "and you call yourself X!", "some X!" 你 V 你的 (吧) means "carry on with your own thing, don't mind me": 你忙你的吧. Both constructions are colloquial.
(你) 还 + role/title + 呢 ， + reproach — and you call yourself (a student)!
还 + evaluation + 呢 ！ — (cheap)? Hardly!
你 + V + 你 的 (+ 吧) — carry on with what you're doing; don't get distracted
你还大学生呢，连这个字都不认识。 Nǐ hái dàxuéshēng ne, lián zhè ge zì dōu bú rènshi. And you call yourself a university student—you don't even know this character.
还老师呢，自己都说错了。 Hái lǎoshī ne, zìjǐ dōu shuō cuò le. Some teacher you are—you said it wrong yourself.
还哥哥呢，一点也不关心妹妹。 Hái gēge ne, yìdiǎn yě bù guānxīn mèimei. Some big brother he is—he doesn't care about his little sister at all.
不 X 也 得 X； 说 什么 也 得 X； 让 你 X 你 就 X
"Like it or not, you'll have to": 不……也得……
不 (想) X 也得 X — "like it or not, you'll have to X"; 说什么也得 X — "no matter what"; 让/叫你 X 你就 X — "if you're told to X, do it". 得 here is pronounced děi — "must, have to".
不 (想) + X + 也 得 + X — like it or not, you'll have to X
X 也 得 X ， 不 X 也 得 X — you have to X either way
说 什么 也 得 + V — no matter what; at all costs
让 / 叫 + 你 + V + 你 就 + V — if you're told to do it, do it (no arguing)
这个会很重要，你不想去也得去。 Zhè ge huì hěn zhòngyào, nǐ bù xiǎng qù yě děi qù. This meeting is very important; you'll have to go whether you want to or not.
药很苦，可是不吃也得吃。 Yào hěn kǔ, kěshì bù chī yě děi chī. The medicine is bitter, but you have to take it anyway.
X 是 X ， Y 是 Y； V 一 + measure word 是 一 + measure word
"Friendship is one thing, but…" and "Every little bit helps": X 是 X，Y 是 Y
X 是 X，Y 是 Y — "X is X, and Y is Y": two things must be kept separate (朋友是朋友，钱是钱). V 一 + measure word 是 一 + measure word — "however much you manage, it all helps" (能做一点是一点).
X 是 X ， Y 是 Y — X is X, and Y is Y; X is one thing, Y is another
能 + V + 一 + measure word (+ N) + 是 + 一 + measure word (+ N) — however much we can V, it all helps
多 + V + 一 + measure word + 是 + 一 + measure word — each extra time is a benefit
朋友是朋友，钱是钱。 Péngyou shì péngyou, qián shì qián. Friendship is one thing, money is another.
工作是工作，生活是生活。 Gōngzuò shì gōngzuò, shēnghuó shì shēnghuó. Work is work, and life is life.
你的是你的，我的是我的。 Nǐ de shì nǐ de, wǒ de shì wǒ de. What's yours is yours, and what's mine is mine.
Adverbs of degree come before an adjective or verb: 十分 — "very", 更加 — "even more", 稍微 — "a little" (with 一点儿/一下), 尤其 — "especially" (singles out one among many), 多么 — "how!" in exclamations.
十分 / 更加 + adjective / verb of feeling — very / even more
这件事让我十分高兴。 Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ shífēn gāoxìng. This made me very happy.
我对这个结果不十分满意。 Wǒ duì zhè ge jiéguǒ bù shífēn mǎnyì. I'm not entirely satisfied with this result.
下了雨以后，空气更加新鲜了。 Xià le yǔ yǐhòu, kōngqì gèngjiā xīnxiān le. After the rain, the air became even fresher.
共 / 全 / 光 / 仅仅 / 至少 + verb
"In total, all, only, merely, at least": 共, 全, 光, 仅仅, 至少
Adverbs of scope go before the verb: 共 — "in total" (a literary form of 一共), 全 — "all, entirely" (like 都, referring to what comes before it), 光 and 仅仅 — "only", 至少 — "at least, at a minimum".
共 + 有 / verb + number — this many in total
what is being discussed + 全 (都) + verb — all / everything in its entirety
光 / 仅仅 + verb / number — only, merely
至少 + verb / number — at least, at a minimum
我们班共有二十个学生。 Wǒmen bān gòng yǒu èrshí ge xuésheng. There are twenty students in our class in total.
这次旅游我们共花了五千块钱。 Zhè cì lǚyóu wǒmen gòng huā le wǔqiān kuài qián. We spent a total of five thousand yuan on this trip.
他说的全是真的。 Tā shuō de quán shì zhēn de. Everything he said is true.
These time adverbs go before the verb: 按时 — "on time", 从来 — "always" (usually 从来不 / 从来没有 — "never"), 赶紧 / 赶快 — "hurry", 忽然 — "suddenly", 本来 — "at first, originally", 已 — a literary form of "already".
按时 + verb — do something on time, on schedule
从来 + 不 + verb / 从来 + 没有 + verb + 过 — never (does / has done)
赶紧 / 赶快 + verb — hurry and do something, do it immediately
本来 + plan，(可是) + what actually happened — originally intended to…, but…
你要按时吃药。 Nǐ yào ànshí chī yào. You need to take your medicine on time.
他每天都按时上班。 Tā měi tiān dōu ànshí shàngbān. He gets to work on time every day.
我从来没有去过中国。 Wǒ cónglái méiyǒu qù guo Zhōngguó. I've never been to China.
重新 / 往往 / 偶尔 / 再次 / 老 + verb
"Afresh, as a rule, occasionally, again, always": 重新, 往往, 偶尔, 再次, 老
Adverbs placed before the verb: 重新 — "afresh, from the beginning", 往往 — "as a rule" (for regular patterns, not plans), 偶尔 — "occasionally", 再次 — "once again" (literary), 老 — colloquial "always, all the time" (often expressing annoyance).
重新 + verb — do something afresh, in a new way
(under what conditions) + 往往 + verb — as a rule, this usually happens
偶尔 + verb — sometimes, occasionally
老 + verb — always, all the time (annoyance)
这个字写错了，请你重新写一遍。 Zhè ge zì xiě cuò le, qǐng nǐ chóngxīn xiě yí biàn. This character is written incorrectly; please write it again.
我们重新开始吧。 Wǒmen chóngxīn kāishǐ ba. Let's start all over again.
周末他往往在家看书。 Zhōumò tā wǎngwǎng zài jiā kàn shū. He usually reads at home on weekends.
千万 / 确实 / 正好 / 差点儿 / 故意 + verb
"Be sure to, really, just right, almost, on purpose": 千万, 确实, 正好, 差点儿, 故意
Adverbs that express the speaker's attitude: 千万 — "be sure to / under no circumstances" (in advice), 确实 — "really", 正好 — "just right", 差点儿 — "almost", 故意 — "on purpose". They go before the verb.
千万 + 要 / 别 / 不要 + verb — be sure to / by no means
确实 + verb / adjective — indeed, really
差点儿 + verb (+ 了) — almost happened
故意 + verb / 不是故意的 — on purpose / not on purpose
路上你千万要小心！ Lù shang nǐ qiānwàn yào xiǎoxīn! Be sure to be careful on the road!
这件事你千万别告诉他。 Zhè jiàn shì nǐ qiānwàn bié gàosu tā. Don't tell him about this under any circumstances.
他说的确实是真的。 Tā shuō de quèshí shì zhēn de. What he said really is true.
互相 / 相互 + verb；敢 + verb
"Each other" and "dare": 互相, 相互, 敢
互相 and 相互 mean "each other, mutually": they go before the verb, while 相互 can also modify a noun (相互关系). 敢 means "dare, not be afraid to": 敢 + verb; the negative 不敢 means "be afraid to, not dare to".
A 和 B + 互相 / 相互 + verb — A and B do this for each other
相互 (的) + noun — mutual (relations, understanding)
敢 + verb — dare, have the courage to do
不敢 + verb — be afraid to, not dare to
同学之间应该互相帮助。 Tóngxué zhījiān yīnggāi hùxiāng bāngzhù. Classmates should help each other.
朋友之间要互相理解。 Péngyou zhījiān yào hùxiāng lǐjiě. Friends should understand each other.
他教我汉语，我教他外语，我们互相学习。 Tā jiāo wǒ Hànyǔ, wǒ jiāo tā wàiyǔ, wǒmen hùxiāng xuéxí. He teaches me Chinese, and I teach him a foreign language: we learn from each other.
These prepositions are slightly more literary than their conversational equivalents: 对于 — "regarding, with regard to", 与 — "with, and", 作为 — "as", 自 — "since, from" (time, place). 当……的时候 means "when"; 等……以后 means "once (we wait until), then…".
对于 + topic，…… — as for …
A 与 B + verb / A 与 B 没有关系 — A with B; A and B
作为 + role，…… — as (someone), in the role of
当 / 等 + event + 的时候 / 以后，…… — when … / once …, then …
对于这个问题，大家的看法不一样。 Duìyú zhè ge wèntí, dàjiā de kànfǎ bù yíyàng. Everyone has a different view on this issue.
对于这件事，我没有意见。 Duìyú zhè jiàn shì, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn. As for this matter, I have no objections.
我与他是大学同学。 Wǒ yǔ tā shì dàxué tóngxué. He and I were university classmates.
各 / 各位 / 各种 + N；任何 + N + 都；从此 / 此外
"Each, all kinds of, any; from then on, in addition": 各, 任何, 从此, 此外
各 means "each, various" (各国, 各位 "everyone" (polite address), 各种 "all kinds of"). 任何 means "any", usually with 都 / 也. For HSK 4, you need two words containing the literary 此 "this": 从此 — "from then on" and 此外 — "in addition".
各 + (measure word) + noun — each, all (individually)
商店里有各种水果。 Shāngdiàn li yǒu gèzhǒng shuǐguǒ. The store has all kinds of fruit.
……，加上 ……，(所以) ……；A 、 B 等 (+ N)
"Besides, plus" and "etc.": 加上 and 等
加上 means "besides, in addition": it adds another reason, followed by the result with 所以 / 就. With numbers, 加上 means "plus, including". 等 after a list means "etc., and others"; it can be followed by a category word.
reason 1，加上 + reason 2，(所以 / 就) + result — …, besides …, so …
加上 + person / thing，一共 …… — including …, … in total
A 、 B 等 + category word — A, B and other …
A 、 B 等 — A, B, etc.
他很聪明，加上很努力，所以成绩很好。 Tā hěn cōngming, jiāshàng hěn nǔlì, suǒyǐ chéngjì hěn hǎo. He's smart, and he's hardworking too, so he gets good grades.
天气不好，加上路很远，我们就没有去。 Tiānqì bù hǎo, jiāshàng lù hěn yuǎn, wǒmen jiù méiyǒu qù. The weather was bad, and it was a long way to go, so we didn't go.
我最近工作很忙，加上身体不太好，所以很少出去玩。 Wǒ zuìjìn gōngzuò hěn máng, jiāshàng shēntǐ bú tài hǎo, suǒyǐ hěn shǎo chūqù wán. I've been very busy at work lately, and I haven't been feeling well either, so I rarely go out for fun.