Formal "whereas", "and", and "but": the conjunction 而
而 links two parts of a sentence: "whereas / but" for contrast, "and" between two adjectives, and "(do) for the sake of…" in 为……而. It is formal; it does not link nouns.
Adjective + 而 + adjective — …and… (simple and convenient)
为 + goal + 而 + verb — do something for the sake of a goal
……，而 不 是 …… — …, rather than …
南方人爱吃米饭，而北方人更爱吃面。 Nánfāng rén ài chī mǐfàn, ér běifāng rén gèng ài chī miàn. Southerners like rice, whereas northerners prefer noodles.
这个方法简单而有效。 Zhège fāngfǎ jiǎndān ér yǒuxiào. This method is simple and effective.
这篇文章短而有力。 Zhè piān wénzhāng duǎn ér yǒulì. This article is short but powerful.
于 + place/time; 高于 B; 位于 / 属于 / 善于
Formal "in, at, than": the preposition 于
于 is a formal preposition: "in, at" (于明天举行), "than" in comparisons (高于去年), and part of fixed words such as 位于, 属于, 善于, 在于. It comes after a verb or adjective; 在 and 比 are not needed alongside it.
将 / 已 + 于 + time/place + verb — will take place at a certain time or place
A + 高于 / 低于 / 大于 / 小于 + B — A is higher (lower, greater, smaller) than B
Verb + 于 + place — graduated from (was born in, is located in) a place
我们的学校位于城市的东部。 Wǒmen de xuéxiào wèiyú chéngshì de dōngbù. Our school is located in the eastern part of the city.
比赛于下午三点开始。 Bǐsài yú xiàwǔ sān diǎn kāishǐ. The competition starts at three in the afternoon.
今年的收入明显高于去年。 Jīnnián de shōurù míngxiǎn gāoyú qùnián. This year's income is noticeably higher than last year's.
将 + V (= 会); 将 + O + V (= 把)
Formal "will" and "把": the word 将
将 has two uses in formal writing: "will, be going to" (= 会/要), and the same function as 把 before an object. In the second use, the verb cannot stand alone, just as after 把.
Subject + 将 + verb — will do / will happen (= 会, 要)
Subject + 将 + 于 + time + verb — will take place at a certain time
Subject + 将 + object + verb + result — do something to something (= 把)
明天将有大雨，请大家注意安全。 Míngtiān jiāng yǒu dà yǔ, qǐng dàjiā zhùyì ānquán. Heavy rain is expected tomorrow. Please stay safe.
新图书馆将于明年开放。 Xīn túshūguǎn jiāng yú míngnián kāifàng. The new library will open next year.
我们将继续努力。 Wǒmen jiāng jìxù nǔlì. We will keep working hard.
A……，B 则……
Formal "whereas" and "then": the word 则
In formal writing, 则 means "whereas" when comparing two people or things (哥哥喜欢运动，弟弟则喜欢看书), and "then" after a condition. It comes after the subject of the second clause, directly before the predicate.
A + predicate 1，B + 则 + predicate 2 — A does one thing, whereas B does another
哥哥喜欢运动，弟弟则喜欢看书。 Gēge xǐhuan yùndòng, dìdi zé xǐhuan kàn shū. The older brother likes sports, whereas the younger brother likes reading.
南方夏天很热，北方则比较凉快。 Nánfāng xiàtiān hěn rè, běifāng zé bǐjiào liángkuai. The south is hot in summer, whereas the north is fairly cool.
白天这里很热闹，晚上则非常安静。 Báitiān zhèlǐ hěn rènao, wǎnshang zé fēicháng ānjìng. It's lively here during the day, whereas at night it's very quiet.
因 + reason + 而 + V
"Because of something": the literary pair 因……而
因……而 means "because of… (something happened)" within a single sentence: 比赛因大雨而取消. The subject comes before 因, and 而 goes directly before the verb expressing the result, with no comma.
Subject + 因 + reason + 而 + verb — something happened because of something
不要 + 因 + reason + 而 + verb — do not do… because of…
比赛因大雨而取消。 Bǐsài yīn dà yǔ ér qǔxiāo. The competition was canceled because of heavy rain.
航班因天气原因而推迟了。 Hángbān yīn tiānqì yuányīn ér tuīchí le. The flight was delayed because of the weather.
很多人因压力太大而睡不好。 Hěn duō rén yīn yālì tài dà ér shuì bu hǎo. Many people sleep poorly because of too much stress.
就算 / 即便 / 就是 + A，也 + B
"Even if": 就算, 即便, 就是 … 也
就算, 即便 and 就是 mean "even if", like the familiar 即使. The second clause must contain 也: 就算下雨，我们也去. 就算 and 就是 are conversational; 即便 is literary.
就算你不说，我也知道。 Jiùsuàn nǐ bù shuō, wǒ yě zhīdào. Even if you don't tell me, I still know.
就算明天下雨，我们也得出发。 Jiùsuàn míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen yě děi chūfā. Even if it rains tomorrow, we still have to set off.
就算失败了也没关系，我们可以再来一次。 Jiùsuàn shībài le yě méi guānxi, wǒmen kěyǐ zài lái yí cì. Even if we fail, it's okay; we can try again.
除非 A，否则/不然 B; 除非 A，才 B
"Only if / unless": the conjunction 除非
除非 A means "only if A": 除非你道歉，她才会原谅你; 除非 A，否则 B means "unless A, B". 除非 itself already includes the idea of "not", so 不 is usually unnecessary after it.
除非 + A，否则 / 不然 + B — unless A, B
除非 + A，(subject) + 才 + B — only if A, then B
B，除非 + A — B, except if A / unless A
除非你亲自去，否则他不会同意。 Chúfēi nǐ qīnzì qù, fǒuzé tā bú huì tóngyì. Unless you go in person, he won't agree.
除非你道歉，她才会原谅你。 Chúfēi nǐ dàoqiàn, tā cái huì yuánliàng nǐ. She'll forgive you only if you apologize.
与其 A，不如 B; 与其说 A，不如说 B
"Rather than A, better to B": 与其……不如
与其 A，不如 B means "rather than do A, it's better to do B": the better option always follows 不如. 与其说 A，不如说 B means "it's more B than A": it gives a more accurate description.
与其 + option A，(还) 不如 + option B — rather than A, better to B
与其 说 + A，不如 说 + B — not so much A as B
与其在家等，不如出去找他。 Yǔqí zài jiā děng, bùrú chūqu zhǎo tā. Rather than wait at home, it's better to go and look for him.
与其抱怨，不如想办法解决问题。 Yǔqí bàoyuàn, bùrú xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí. Rather than complain, it's better to find a way to solve the problem.
与其花钱买新的，不如把旧的修一下。 Yǔqí huā qián mǎi xīn de, bùrú bǎ jiù de xiū yíxià. Rather than spend money on a new one, it's better to repair the old one.
之所以 A，是因为 B
"The reason… is that…": 之所以……是因为
之所以 A，是因为 B means "the reason A is that B": first the fact, then its reason, which receives the emphasis. 之所以 comes after the subject, and the second clause must contain 是因为.
Subject + 之所以 + fact，是 因为 + reason — the reason… is that…
我之所以学中文，是因为我喜欢中国文化。 Wǒ zhīsuǒyǐ xué Zhōngwén, shì yīnwèi wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó wénhuà. The reason I study Chinese is that I love Chinese culture.
他之所以成功，是因为他从来不放弃。 Tā zhīsuǒyǐ chénggōng, shì yīnwèi tā cónglái bú fàngqì. The reason he has succeeded is that he never gives up.
这家饭馆之所以人多，是因为菜又便宜又好吃。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn zhīsuǒyǐ rén duō, shì yīnwèi cài yòu piányi yòu hǎochī. The reason this restaurant is crowded is that the food is cheap and tasty.
A，以便 B; A，以免 B
"So that" and "to avoid": 以便 and 以免
以便 means "so that (it is convenient or possible)," and 以免 means "to avoid (something bad happening)." Both introduce the second clause, after the action. 以免 already includes the negative meaning, so do not put 不 after it.
Action，以便 + purpose — do something to make something else easier / possible later
Action，以免 + unwanted outcome — do something to prevent something bad from happening
请留下你的电话，以便我们联系你。 Qǐng liú xià nǐ de diànhuà, yǐbiàn wǒmen liánxì nǐ. Please leave your phone number so that we can contact you.
出门前查一下天气，以便穿合适的衣服。 Chūmén qián chá yíxià tiānqì, yǐbiàn chuān héshì de yīfu. Check the weather before going out so that you can wear suitable clothes.
我把重要的内容都记下来了，以便复习。 Wǒ bǎ zhòngyào de nèiróng dōu jì xiàlai le, yǐbiàn fùxí. I wrote down all the important points to make reviewing easier.
要么 A，要么 B
"Either… or…": 要么……要么
要么 A，要么 B means "either A or B, with no third option." Put it before each option. A single 要么 at the start means "perhaps we should…" In questions, use 还是 instead.
要么你来，要么我去，都行。 Yàome nǐ lái, yàome wǒ qù, dōu xíng. Either you come or I go — either is fine.
周末我要么在家看书，要么去公园跑步。 Zhōumò wǒ yàome zài jiā kàn shū, yàome qù gōngyuán pǎobù. On weekends, I either read at home or go running in the park.
要么现在就走，要么别走了。 Yàome xiànzài jiù zǒu, yàome bié zǒu le. Either we leave right now or we do not go at all.
A 也好，B 也好，都……
"Whether A or B" and "that's fine too": 也好
A 也好，B 也好，都… means "whether A or B — either way…" A single 也好 after a clause means "that's fine too; not bad either," and at the start of a reply it means "all right."
A 也好，B 也好，(subject) + 都 / 也 + … — whether A or B — either way…
…… 也好 — …— that's fine too; not bad either
也好，…… — All right, … (agreement, though not enthusiastic)
去也好，不去也好，你自己决定吧。 Qù yěhǎo, bú qù yěhǎo, nǐ zìjǐ juédìng ba. Whether you go or not, decide for yourself.
大人也好，孩子也好，都喜欢这个节目。 Dàren yěhǎo, háizi yěhǎo, dōu xǐhuan zhège jiémù. Adults and children alike all enjoy this show.
下雨也好，下雪也好，他每天都去跑步。 Xià yǔ yěhǎo, xià xuě yěhǎo, tā měi tiān dōu qù pǎobù. Whether it rains or snows, he goes running every day.
A 由 B 组成/构成; 由 + person + (来) + V
"Consists of…" and "done by someone": 由
由 means "of" or "by someone." A 由 B 组成 / 构成 means "A consists of B"; 这件事由你负责 means "you are responsible for this." 由 + component or person performing the action goes before the verb.
Whole + 由 + parts + 组成 / 构成 — the whole consists of parts
Task + 由 + person + (来) + verb — someone takes this on or does it
……，由 + person + 决定 — be up to (someone) to decide
一年由四个季节组成。 Yì nián yóu sì ge jìjié zǔchéng. A year consists of four seasons.
我们班由二十名学生组成。 Wǒmen bān yóu èrshí míng xuésheng zǔchéng. Our class consists of twenty students.
这本书由十个故事组成。 Zhè běn shū yóu shí ge gùshi zǔchéng. This book consists of ten stories.
未必 + V / adj.
"Not necessarily, unlikely": 未必
未必 means "not necessarily, unlikely": 贵的东西未必好 — "expensive things are not necessarily good." It goes after the subject, before a verb or adjective. Short reply: 那也未必 — "well, not necessarily."
Subject + 未必 + 会 / 能 / 是 + … — unlikely to happen / be able to / be
那 (也) 未必。 — Well, not necessarily. (reply)
贵的东西未必好。 Guì de dōngxi wèibì hǎo. Expensive things are not necessarily good.
他说的未必是真的。 Tā shuō de wèibì shì zhēn de. What he says is not necessarily true.
我觉得他未必会同意。 Wǒ juéde tā wèibì huì tóngyì. I think he is unlikely to agree.
不至于 + V / adj.
"It won't come to that": 不至于
不至于 means "not so… as to; it won't come to that": 问题不至于这么严重吧 — "surely it isn't that serious." It reassures someone or rules out an extreme, rather than simply saying "no."
Subject + (还 / 也) + 不至于 + verb / adjective — it won't come to …, not to that extent
他只是累了，不至于生病。 Tā zhǐshì lèi le, búzhìyú shēngbìng. He's just tired; it won't go so far as making him ill.
问题不至于这么严重吧？ Wèntí búzhìyú zhème yánzhòng ba? Surely the problem isn't that serious?
你好好准备，不至于考不上。 Nǐ hǎohǎo zhǔnbèi, búzhìyú kǎo bu shàng. Prepare properly, and you shouldn't fail to get in.
难免 (会) + V; ……是难免的
"It can't be avoided": 难免
难免 means "hard to avoid, inevitable": 刚开始学，难免会说错 — "mistakes are inevitable when you first start learning." It goes after the subject, before the verb (often with 会), or at the end: ……是难免的.
Situation + 是 难免 的 — … is inevitable, it is normal
第一次上台，紧张是难免的。 Dì-yī cì shàngtái, jǐnzhāng shì nánmiǎn de. It's normal to feel nervous on stage for the first time.
刚开始学中文，难免会说错。 Gāng kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén, nánmiǎn huì shuō cuò. When you first start learning Chinese, you are bound to make mistakes when speaking.
人难免会犯错误。 Rén nánmiǎn huì fàn cuòwù. Everyone makes mistakes.
不止 + quantity; 不止 (是) A
"More than" and "not only": 不止
不止 means "not limited to": before a number, it means "more than" (不止一次 — more than once); before a word or phrase, it means "not only" (不止是学生). Do not add 多 or 以上.
不止 + number + measure word — more than …; more than one
Verb + 了 + 不止 + quantity — did more than …
不止 (是) + A，B 也 …… — not only A, but also B
他不止一次帮过我。 Tā bùzhǐ yí cì bāng guo wǒ. He has helped me more than once.
这件衣服不止一千块吧？ Zhè jiàn yīfu bùzhǐ yìqiān kuài ba? This piece of clothing probably costs over a thousand yuan, right?
来参加的人不止一百个。 Lái cānjiā de rén bùzhǐ yìbǎi ge. More than a hundred people took part.
(expectation)，S + 果然 + result
"Sure enough, as expected": 果然
果然 means "sure enough, as expected": a prediction, statement, or guess proved correct. 天气预报说有雨，下午果然下起了雨. Its opposite is 竟然 / 居然 ("unexpectedly").
Expectation / someone's words，(subject) + 果然 + result — …, and sure enough…
果然 + 是 + …！ — Just as I thought — it's …!
天气预报说今天有雨，下午果然下起了雨。 Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān yǒu yǔ, xiàwǔ guǒrán xià qǐ le yǔ. The forecast said it would rain today, and sure enough, it started raining in the afternoon.
我就知道他会迟到，他果然迟到了。 Wǒ jiù zhīdào tā huì chídào, tā guǒrán chídào le. I knew he would be late, and sure enough, he was.
大家都说这家店的菜好吃，我尝了一下，果然不错。 Dàjiā dōu shuō zhè jiā diàn de cài hǎochī, wǒ cháng le yíxià, guǒrán búcuò. Everyone said the food here was good; I tried it, and sure enough, it was pretty good.
(a long wait)，S + 总算 + V + 了
"At last!" and "at least": 总算
总算 means "at last, thank goodness": something desired happens after a long wait or much effort (考试总算结束了！). Its second meaning is "at least, after all" (天气不好，不过总算没有下雨). It is used only for positive things.
等了一个小时，车总算来了。 Děng le yí ge xiǎoshí, chē zǒngsuàn lái le. After an hour's wait, the bus finally came.
考试总算结束了！ Kǎoshì zǒngsuàn jiéshù le! The exams are finally over!
忙了一个星期，总算可以休息一下了。 Máng le yí ge xīngqī, zǒngsuàn kěyǐ xiūxi yíxià le. After a busy week, I can finally take a break.
多亏 (了) + someone/something，(不然……)
"Thanks to, luckily": 多亏
多亏 means "thanks to (someone), luckily": 多亏你帮我，不然我就迟到了. It is used only for something positive that you are grateful for; 不然 / 否则 often follows to say what would have happened otherwise.
Result，多亏 了 + someone / something — …, all thanks to …
多亏 + action，(subject) + 才 + … — only thanks to… was it possible to…
多亏你帮我，不然我就迟到了。 Duōkuī nǐ bāng wǒ, bùrán wǒ jiù chídào le. Thank goodness you helped me, or I would have been late.
多亏了医生，他的病很快就好了。 Duōkuī le yīshēng, tā de bìng hěn kuài jiù hǎo le. Thanks to the doctor, he recovered quickly.
多亏你提醒我，不然我就忘了。 Duōkuī nǐ tíxǐng wǒ, bùrán wǒ jiù wàng le. Thanks for reminding me, or I would have forgotten.
趁 + moment / condition + action
"While there's a chance": 趁
趁 means "taking advantage of (the moment), while": 趁热吃吧 — "eat it while it's hot". 趁 + a favorable moment goes before the action. Common combinations: 趁热, 趁早, 趁年轻.
(Subject) + 趁 + moment / condition + action — while…, (take the chance to) do…
趁 + 热 / 早 / 年轻 + action — while it's hot / early / while you're young
趁热吃吧！ Chèn rè chī ba! Eat it while it's hot!
趁年轻，多去一些地方。 Chèn niánqīng, duō qù yìxiē dìfang. Visit lots of places while you're young.
趁天还没有黑，我们快回家吧。 Chèn tiān hái méiyǒu hēi, wǒmen kuài huí jiā ba. Let's hurry home before it gets dark.
A……，B 倒是……; X 倒是 X，就是……
"But at least," "It is …, but" and "Come on!": 倒是
倒是 signals a turn against expectations: "but at least" (质量倒是不错), a concession "it is …, but" (好吃倒是好吃，就是太贵), or impatience "come on!" (你倒是说话啊！). It comes after the subject.
Downside，(subject) + 倒是 + upside — …, but at least / whereas …
X + 倒是 + X，就是 / 不过 + … — It is X, but …
你 + 倒是 + verb + 啊！ — Come on, …!
这件衣服样子一般，质量倒是不错。 Zhè jiàn yīfu yàngzi yìbān, zhìliàng dàoshì búcuò. This garment looks ordinary, but the quality is quite good.
大家都很紧张，他倒是很冷静。 Dàjiā dōu hěn jǐnzhāng, tā dàoshì hěn lěngjìng. Everyone is nervous, whereas he is quite calm.
我没有去过那里，我妹妹倒是去过。 Wǒ méiyǒu qù guo nàlǐ, wǒ mèimei dàoshì qù guo. I haven't been there, but my younger sister has.
…… 嘛
"After all, you know, come on": the colloquial particle 嘛
嘛 at the end of a sentence means "after all, you know": it stresses something obvious (他还是孩子嘛) or gently coaxes someone (你就告诉我嘛！). After a topic, it marks a pause: "well, as for…". It is NOT a question: use 吗 for questions.
Statement + 嘛 — …after all, …you know (it's obvious)
Request / advice + 嘛 — come on, …! (gentle coaxing)
Topic + 嘛，…… — well, as for… (a pause before an explanation)
他还是孩子嘛，别生气了。 Tā hái shì háizi ma, bié shēngqì le. He's only a child, after all; don't be angry.
有问题就问嘛，不用客气。 Yǒu wèntí jiù wèn ma, bú yòng kèqi. If you have questions, just ask — don't be shy.
你就告诉我嘛！ Nǐ jiù gàosu wǒ ma! Come on, tell me!
A……，至于 B，……
"As for…": switching to a new topic with 至于
至于 means "as for…": after discussing one thing, it moves on to another related issue. 我只负责买票，至于去哪儿玩，你们决定吧. It comes at the beginning of the second clause.
Topic 1 …，至于 + topic 2，…… — …, as for…, …
至于 + question phrase，…… — as for (when, why, where) —…
我只负责买票，至于去哪儿玩，你们决定吧。 Wǒ zhǐ fùzé mǎi piào, zhìyú qù nǎr wán, nǐmen juédìng ba. I'm only responsible for buying tickets; you decide where to go.
他答应了帮忙，至于什么时候来，还不知道。 Tā dāying le bāngmáng, zhìyú shénme shíhou lái, hái bù zhīdào. He agreed to help, but as for when he'll come, we don't know yet.
先把工作做完，至于休息，以后再说。 Xiān bǎ gōngzuò zuò wán, zhìyú xiūxi, yǐhòu zài shuō. Let's finish the work first; as for taking a break, we'll discuss that later.
到 + point in time + 为止
"So far, right up until": 到……为止
到……为止 means "up until (a certain point)": 到目前为止，一切都很顺利 — "so far, everything is going well." 为止 closes the pattern immediately after the time expression. After a verb: 等到你回来为止 — "wait until you return."
到 + point in time + 为止，…… — up to and including (a certain point), so far
Verb + 到 + point in time / result + 为止 — do something until… / right up until…
到目前为止，一切都很顺利。 Dào mùqián wéizhǐ, yíqiè dōu hěn shùnlì. So far, everything is going well.
到今天为止，我已经学了两年中文。 Dào jīntiān wéizhǐ, wǒ yǐjīng xué le liǎng nián Zhōngwén. As of today, I've been studying Chinese for two years.
到现在为止，他还没有给我回电话。 Dào xiànzài wéizhǐ, tā hái méiyǒu gěi wǒ huí diànhuà. He still hasn't called me back.
(看到/听到……)，S + 不禁 + reaction
"Involuntarily, couldn't help": 不禁
不禁 means "involuntarily, couldn't help": 听到这个消息，她不禁哭了起来. It describes an involuntary reaction to something seen or heard. It comes after the subject; the verb is usually followed by 了 or 起来.
听到这个消息，她不禁哭了起来。 Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā bùjīn kū le qǐlai. Hearing the news, she couldn't help bursting into tears.
看着孩子的照片，他不禁笑了。 Kàn zhe háizi de zhàopiàn, tā bùjīn xiào le. Looking at the child's photo, he couldn't help smiling.
想起小时候的事，我不禁有些难过。 Xiǎng qǐ xiǎoshíhou de shì, wǒ bùjīn yǒuxiē nánguò. Remembering my childhood, I couldn't help feeling a little sad.
毫无 + N; 毫不 + V / adj.
"Not the slightest", "not at all": 毫无 and 毫不
毫无 + noun means "not the slightest…" (毫无办法); 毫不 + verb or adjective means "not at all…" (毫不犹豫). Both are literary and tend to pair with two-syllable words.
毫无 + noun (2 syllables) — no … at all, not the slightest …
毫不 + verb / adjective (2 syllables) + (地 + action) — not at all …, not in the least …
毫无 疑问，…… — without a doubt, …
这件事跟我毫无关系。 Zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ háo wú guānxi. This matter has nothing to do with me.
面对这个问题，我们毫无办法。 Miànduì zhège wèntí, wǒmen háo wú bànfǎ. There is absolutely nothing we can do about this problem.
这样做毫无意义。 Zhèyàng zuò háo wú yìyì. There is no point at all in doing this.
未 + V; 从未 / 不曾 + V + 过
Literary "not, not yet, never": 未, 从未, 不曾
Literary negatives for past events: 未 = 没有 ("not, not yet"), 从未……过 = 从来没有……过 ("never"), 不曾……过 = 没有……过. They only negate events that have not occurred; do not use 了 with them.
Subject + 未 + verb — not (done), not yet (= 没有)
Subject + 从未 + verb + 过 — never… (= 从来没有……过)
Subject + 不曾 + verb + 过 — not even once… (= 没有……过)
我从未见过这么美的地方。 Wǒ cóngwèi jiàn guo zhème měi de dìfang. I have never seen such a beautiful place.
他工作十年，从未迟到过。 Tā gōngzuò shí nián, cóngwèi chídào guo. In ten years of work, he has never been late.
这种情况以前从未发生过。 Zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng yǐqián cóngwèi fāshēng guo. This kind of situation has never occurred before.
A 足以 + V; B 得以 + V
"Enough to" and "was able to": 足以, 得以
足以 + verb means "enough to": 这些钱足以买一套房子; 不足以 means "not enough to". 得以 + verb means "was able to, became possible (thanks to something)": 问题终于得以解决. Both are literary.
A + 足以 + verb — A is enough to…
A + 不 足以 + verb — A is not enough to…
(thanks to something)，B + (才) + 得以 + verb — B managed to / was able to…
这些钱足以买一套房子。 Zhèxiē qián zúyǐ mǎi yí tào fángzi. This money is enough to buy an apartment.
这一点足以说明问题。 Zhè yì diǎn zúyǐ shuōmíng wèntí. This point alone is enough to make things clear.
他的成绩足以证明他的努力。 Tā de chéngjì zúyǐ zhèngmíng tā de nǔlì. His results are sufficient proof of his hard work.
对 + O + 加以 + V (2 syllables)
A literary "wrapper" for an action: 加以 + verb
加以 + two-syllable verb is a literary construction meaning "subject to…, carry out…": 这个问题必须加以解决 = "this problem must be resolved". 加以 itself adds no meaning; the object comes before it.
Thing + (要 / 必须 / 需要) + 加以 + verb — something needs to be (resolved, studied…)
对 + object + 加以 + verb — carry out… with regard to something
不 + 加以 + verb — if no (measures are taken…)
这个问题必须加以解决。 Zhège wèntí bìxū jiāyǐ jiějué. This problem must be resolved.
对大家的意见，我们会认真加以考虑。 Duì dàjiā de yìjiàn, wǒmen huì rènzhēn jiāyǐ kǎolǜ. We will carefully consider everyone's suggestions.
老师对学生的错误及时加以纠正。 Lǎoshī duì xuésheng de cuòwù jíshí jiāyǐ jiūzhèng. The teacher corrects students' mistakes promptly.
A 为 B 所 + V
Literary passive "A … by someone": 为……所
A 为 B 所 + verb is a literary passive construction: "A is (loved, accepted, known) by someone". 这首歌为年轻人所喜爱. 为 is pronounced wéi here. It suits general statements, not everyday incidents.
A + 为 + B + 所 + verb — A is … by someone (B)
A + 不 + 为 + B + 所 + verb — A is not swayed (by someone or something)
A + 已 + 为 + B + 所 + verb — A has already been … by someone (accepted, recognized)
这首歌为年轻人所喜爱。 Zhè shǒu gē wéi niánqīng rén suǒ xǐ'ài. This song is loved by young people.
他的名字早已为大家所熟悉。 Tā de míngzi zǎo yǐ wéi dàjiā suǒ shúxī. His name has long been familiar to everyone.
这种方法已为多数人所接受。 Zhè zhǒng fāngfǎ yǐ wéi duōshù rén suǒ jiēshòu. This method has already been accepted by the majority.
V + 这 + V + 那
"This and that": V这V那
V这V那 means "one thing after another; this and that": the same action is performed endlessly with different things (孩子问这问那). The verb is repeated before 这 and before 那; it often conveys annoyance or weariness.
Subject + V + 这 + V + 那 — V one thing after another; V all sorts of things
总是 / 一直 + V这V那 — always V this and that
别 + V这V那 + 了 — stop V-ing this and that
孩子对什么都好奇，一路上问这问那。 Háizi duì shénme dōu hàoqí, yílù shang wèn zhè wèn nà. The child is curious about everything and asks about this and that all the way.
她一进商店就买这买那，停不下来。 Tā yí jìn shāngdiàn jiù mǎi zhè mǎi nà, tíng bu xiàlái. As soon as she enters a shop, she buys this and that and can't stop.
我妈妈总是怕这怕那，不让我一个人出门。 Wǒ māma zǒngshì pà zhè pà nà, bú ràng wǒ yí ge rén chūmén. My mom is always afraid of everything and won't let me go out alone.
左 + V + 右 + V
"This way and that": 左A右B
左A右B means "this way and that, over and over": an action is repeated many times, usually unsuccessfully or for a long time (左想右想, 左等右等). A and B can be the same verb repeated or two verbs with similar meanings (左挑右选).
左 + V + 右 + V (the same verb) — V this way and that, V-V (over and over)
左 + V1 + 右 + V2 (similar verbs) — V for a long time (左挑右选 — pick and choose)
左 一 个 + N ， 右 一 个 + N — one after another, time after time
我左看右看，也没有看出有什么不同。 Wǒ zuǒ kàn yòu kàn, yě méiyǒu kàn chū yǒu shénme bùtóng. I looked at it this way and that but couldn't see any difference.
他拿着那张照片左看右看。 Tā ná zhe nà zhāng zhàopiàn zuǒ kàn yòu kàn. He held the photo and examined it from every angle.
我左想右想，还是决定不去了。 Wǒ zuǒ xiǎng yòu xiǎng, háishi juédìng bú qù le. I thought it over every which way and still decided not to go.
东 一 + measure word (+ N) ， 西 一 + measure word (+ N)
"Here and there, haphazardly": 东一A，西一A
东一A西一A — "here and there, scattered, haphazardly": things are scattered (书东一本西一本) or speech is disjointed (东一句西一句). A is a measure word, the same in both halves.
Something + 东 一 + measure word + 西 一 + measure word — scattered here and there, haphazardly
V + 得 + 东 一 + measure word + 西 一 + measure word — scatter / put things down haphazardly
说话 + 东 一 句 西 一 句 — speak incoherently, jumping from topic to topic
他说话东一句西一句，让人听不明白。 Tā shuōhuà dōng yí jù xī yí jù, ràng rén tīng bu míngbai. He jumps from topic to topic — you can't understand a thing.
孩子的玩具扔得东一个西一个。 Háizi de wánjù rēng de dōng yí ge xī yí ge. The child's toys are scattered all over the place.
房间里衣服东一件西一件，乱得很。 Fángjiān lǐ yīfu dōng yí jiàn xī yí jiàn, luàn de hěn. Clothes are lying all over the room — it's a terrible mess.
好 不 容易 / 好容易 (+ 才) + V
"With great difficulty, only just": 好（不）容易
Before a verb, 好不容易 and 好容易 mean the same thing — "with great difficulty, only just" (好不容易才买到票), often together with 才. The negative 不 does not change the meaning here. As a predicate meaning "very difficult," only 好不容易 works.
Subject + 好不容易 / 好容易 + 才 + V — managed to do something with great difficulty
好不容易 + V + 了 + …， (却) 又 / 就 + … — finally managed to wait for / do something, only for…
This + 好不容易 (啊)！ — this is really not easy!
我好不容易才买到两张票。 Wǒ hǎo bù róngyì cái mǎi dào liǎng zhāng piào. I managed to get two tickets with great difficulty.
等了一个小时，好不容易才打到一辆出租车。 Děng le yí ge xiǎoshí, hǎo bù róngyì cái dǎ dào yí liàng chūzūchē. After waiting an hour, I finally managed to get a taxi.
他好容易才找到一份工作，可不能丢了。 Tā hǎoróngyì cái zhǎo dào yí fèn gōngzuò, kě bù néng diū le. He had such a hard time finding a job — he mustn't lose it.
那 倒 (也) 是 ； 算了 ； 得了
"That's true," "forget it," "oh, come on": 那倒是, 算了, 得了
Conversational responses: 那倒（也）是 — "that's true, fair point" (agreeing with an argument); 算了 — "never mind, forget it" (giving up on an idea); 得了 — "enough!", 得了吧 — "oh, come on," …就得了 — "… and that's all."
(the other person's point) —— 那 倒 是 / 那 倒 也 是 (，不过……) — That's true / fair point (, but…)
算了 (吧)，… / …就 算了 (吧) — never mind; let's drop it
得了 (吧)！ / … 就 得了 — enough! oh, come on! / … and that's all
这家饭馆太远了。——那倒是，不过菜很好吃。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn tài yuǎn le. Nà dào shì, búguò cài hěn hǎochī. This restaurant is too far away. — That's true, but the food is delicious.
房子旧是旧，可是交通方便。——那倒也是。 Fángzi jiù shì jiù, kěshì jiāotōng fāngbiàn. Nà dào yě shì. The apartment is old, but the transport links are good. — Well, fair point.
你现在去也来不及了。——那倒是，那我明天再去吧。 Nǐ xiànzài qù yě láibují le. Nà dào shì, nà wǒ míngtiān zài qù ba. Even if you go now, you won't make it in time. — That's true. I'll go tomorrow, then.
V + 到 + someone + 头 上 (+ 来 了)
"Even target me," "dump it on me": V到……头上
V到+someone+头上来了 — "have the nerve to target even me" (骗到我头上来了 — "even tried to cheat me"). With 推, 怪, 落, 算 — "dump" blame or a burden on someone (别推到我头上).
Subject + V + 到 + someone + 头上 + 来了 — go so far as to V even me / him (indignation)
推 / 怪 / 算 + 到 + someone + 头上 — dump on / charge to someone
(a task) + 落 + 到 + someone + 头上 — something falls to someone
他竟然骗到我头上来了！ Tā jìngrán piàn dào wǒ tóu shang lái le! He had the nerve to try to cheat even me!
骗子居然骗到警察头上来了。 Piànzi jūrán piàn dào jǐngchá tóu shang lái le. The scammer actually tried to cheat a police officer.
你自己的事都管不好，还管到我头上来了？ Nǐ zìjǐ de shì dōu guǎn bu hǎo, hái guǎn dào wǒ tóu shang lái le? You can't even manage your own affairs, and now you're trying to boss me around?
不 + V + 不 知道 ， 一 + V + 吓 一 跳 / 才 + …
"You won't know until you look—and then you'll be shocked": 不V不知道，一V……
不V不知道，一V吓一跳 — "you don't know until you V, and when you V, you're shocked": an action reveals an unexpected truth (不算不知道，一算吓一跳). 吓一跳 is often replaced by 才发现 / 才知道 + the discovery.
不 + V + 不 知道 ， 一 + V + 吓 一 跳 — you don't know until you V, and when you V, you're shocked
不 + V + 不 知道 ， 一 + V + 才 发现 / 才 知道 + … — you won't know until you V; once you V, it turns out that…
不看不知道，一看吓一跳。 Bú kàn bù zhīdào, yí kàn xià yí tiào. You won't know until you look—and then you'll be shocked.
不算不知道，一算吓一跳，这个月竟然花了这么多钱。 Bú suàn bù zhīdào, yí suàn xià yí tiào, zhè ge yuè jìngrán huā le zhème duō qián. I had no idea until I added it up—then I got a shock: I'd spent so much money this month!
不比不知道，一比才发现我们差得很远。 Bù bǐ bù zhīdào, yì bǐ cái fāxiàn wǒmen chà de hěn yuǎn. We didn't know until we compared—only then did we realize how far behind we were.
好 你 个 + person (+ ， what they did wrong)
"You little…! Some… you are!": 好你个……
好你个 + person is a colloquial exclamation like "you little…!" or "some… you are!": a reproach, often playful. It comes at the start of the sentence, followed after a comma by what the person did wrong.
好 你 个 + noun ！ — you (liar)!
好 你 个 + noun ， + what they did — some… you are — (you didn't tell me, you lied…)
好你个骗子！原来你一直在骗我！ Hǎo nǐ ge piànzi! Yuánlái nǐ yìzhí zài piàn wǒ! You liar! So you've been lying to me all along!
好你个大明星，回来了也不告诉我！ Hǎo nǐ ge dà míngxīng, huílai le yě bú gàosu wǒ! Some big star you are—you came back and didn't even tell me!
好你个老实人，原来也会骗人！ Hǎo nǐ ge lǎoshi rén, yuánlái yě huì piàn rén! So much for being honest—you can lie too, it turns out!
早 不 X ， 晚 不 X ， + (as luck would have it) at the worst possible moment
"Of all times, right now": 早不……，晚不……
早不X，晚不X — "of all times": something happens at the worst possible moment. The same verb is repeated twice with 不, followed by when it actually happened.
(who/what) + 早 不 + V ， 晚 不 + V ， + when + V + 了 — not earlier…, not later…, but right then…
早 也 不 + V ， 晚 也 不 + V ， + 现在 才 + V — you kept not doing it, and only now…
他早不来，晚不来，我刚要出门他就来了。 Tā zǎo bù lái, wǎn bù lái, wǒ gāng yào chūmén tā jiù lái le. Of all times, he arrived just as I was about to leave.
早不下雨，晚不下雨，我们刚出门就下起来了。 Zǎo bú xià yǔ, wǎn bú xià yǔ, wǒmen gāng chūmén jiù xià qǐlai le. Just our luck—it started raining as soon as we left home.
电脑早不坏，晚不坏，考试前一天坏了。 Diànnǎo zǎo bú huài, wǎn bú huài, kǎoshì qián yì tiān huài le. What a time for the computer to break down—the day before the exam.
看 / 瞧 + 把 + person + feeling / state + 得 (！)
"Look how happy you are!": 看把你高兴得
看/瞧把 + person + feeling + 得 — "look how happy / tired / scared (you) are!" The phrase stops at 得: the degree is left unstated because it's obvious. A colloquial exclamation with a caring or teasing tone.
看 / 瞧 + 把 + 你 + adjective + 得 ！ — look how (happy) you are!
看 / 瞧 + 把 + person + adjective / verb + 得 ， + advice or consequence — look how (tired) he is — …
看把你高兴得！ Kàn bǎ nǐ gāoxìng de! Look how happy you are!
瞧把你急得，先坐下来喝口水。 Qiáo bǎ nǐ jí de, xiān zuò xiàlai hē kǒu shuǐ. Look how worked up you are—sit down and have some water first.
看把孩子饿得，快给他做些吃的吧。 Kàn bǎ háizi è de, kuài gěi tā zuò xiē chī de ba. Look how hungry the child is—quick, make him something to eat.
放 着 + X + 不 + V ， + (but does) something else
"There's… available, but…": 放着……不……
放着X不V means "X is available, but (someone) doesn't use it." It expresses reproach or surprise: someone rejects a good option and chooses a worse one. The part after the comma usually says what they do instead.
Subject + 放 着 + (好好 的) + X + 不 + V ， + another action — X is available, but instead of…, he…
放 着 + X + 不 + V ， + 为什么 / 怎么 + …？ — X is available — why would you…?
他放着好好的工作不做，跑去开饭馆。 Tā fàng zhe hǎohǎo de gōngzuò bú zuò, pǎo qù kāi fànguǎn. He had a perfectly good job, but he quit and went off to open a little restaurant.
放着电梯不坐，你为什么要爬楼梯？ Fàng zhe diàntī bú zuò, nǐ wèishénme yào pá lóutī? There's an elevator — why are you taking the stairs?
他放着地铁不坐，花那么多钱打车。 Tā fàng zhe dìtiě bú zuò, huā nàme duō qián dǎchē. The subway is available, but he spends so much money on taxis.
V + 了 + 就 + V + 了
"So what if…?": X了就X了
X了就X了 means "(it's lost,) so be it": what's done is done, and there's no point worrying. The verb is repeated with 了 after each occurrence and 就 between them; advice or reassurance often follows.
V + 了 + 就 + V + 了 ， + 别 + … — so (it's lost), so be it; don't…
V + 了 + 就 + V + 了 ， + 再 / 下 次 + … — what's done is done; next time…
丢了就丢了，别难过了，再买一个吧。 Diū le jiù diū le, bié nánguò le, zài mǎi yí ge ba. It's lost, so be it. Don't be upset; we'll buy another one.
过去了就过去了，别再想了。 Guòqù le jiù guòqù le, bié zài xiǎng le. What's past is past. Don't think about it anymore.
错了就错了，下次注意就行。 Cuò le jiù cuò le, xià cì zhùyì jiù xíng. You made a mistake — it's fine. Just be more careful next time.
这 也 不 X ， 那 也 不 X ; 这 也 X ， 那 也 X
"Neither this nor that will do": 这也不……，那也不……
这也不X，那也不X means "not this, not that," or "nothing at all." It expresses dissatisfaction with someone who is picky or overly cautious. It also occurs without 不: 这也怕，那也怕 "afraid of everything."
Subject + 这 也 不 + V ， 那 也 不 + V — neither this nor that… (nothing…)
Subject + 这 也 + V ， 那 也 + V — both this and that… (everything)
这 也 不 行 ， 那 也 不 行 ， + question / conclusion — this won't do, and that won't do either…
这个孩子这也不吃，那也不吃，怎么办？ Zhè ge háizi zhè yě bù chī, nà yě bù chī, zěnme bàn? This child won't eat anything — what should we do?
你这也不让我做，那也不让我做，我到底能做什么？ Nǐ zhè yě bú ràng wǒ zuò, nà yě bú ràng wǒ zuò, wǒ dàodǐ néng zuò shénme? You won't let me do anything — what am I actually allowed to do?
他买东西太挑了，这也不满意，那也不满意。 Tā mǎi dōngxi tài tiāo le, zhè yě bù mǎnyì, nà yě bù mǎnyì. He's too picky when shopping: nothing satisfies him.
X 归 X ， Y 归 Y ; X 归 X ， (but) + …
"Friendship is one thing, money is another": X归X，Y归Y
X归X，Y归Y means "X is one thing, Y is another": the two should not be mixed, as in 朋友归朋友，钱归钱. The shorter pattern X归X，… means "X may be X, but…": we acknowledge a fact, then state what really matters.
X 归 X ， Y 归 Y — X is one thing, Y is another
X 归 X ， + (subject) + 还是 / 也 + … — X may be X, but still…
朋友归朋友，钱归钱。 Péngyou guī péngyou, qián guī qián. Friendship is one thing, money is another.
工作归工作，生活归生活，别把工作带回家。 Gōngzuò guī gōngzuò, shēnghuó guī shēnghuó, bié bǎ gōngzuò dài huíjiā. Work is work, and life is life. Don't bring work home.
感情归感情，原则归原则，这件事我不能帮你。 Gǎnqíng guī gǎnqíng, yuánzé guī yuánzé, zhè jiàn shì wǒ bù néng bāng nǐ. Feelings are one thing, principles are another — I can't help you with this.
adj. / verb + 透 (了)
"Through and through, to the limit": 坏透了, 湿透了, 看透了
透 after an adjective or verb means "through and through, completely": 衣服湿透了 "the clothes are soaked through", 我看透他了 "I see right through him". With judgments, it means "as bad as can be": 坏透了, 糟糕透了 — almost always negative.
adj. (negative) / verb of feeling + 透 + 了 — terribly, as bad as can be (坏透了, 失望透了)
verb / adj. + 透 + 了 — through and through, completely (湿透了, 熟透了)
verb + 透 + 了 + sb/sth — understand fully, see through (看透了他)
这个人坏透了。 Zhège rén huài tòu le. This person is utterly wicked.
下了一场大雨，我的衣服全湿透了。 Xià le yì cháng dà yǔ, wǒ de yīfu quán shī tòu le. There was a heavy downpour, and all my clothes got soaked through.
我早就看透他了。 Wǒ zǎo jiù kàn tòu tā le. I saw through him long ago.
event / thing + 把 + sb + V + result
"The news made him so happy": 这件事把他急坏了
The subject in a 把 construction can be a cause rather than a person: an event, news, or the weather. 这件事把他急坏了 — "this made him terribly worried". The person affected goes after 把, and the result goes after the verb.
cause (thing / event) + 把 + sb + verb + result + 了 — something brought someone into a certain state
cause + 把 + sb + verb + 得 + description — something had such an effect that…
cause + 可 + 把 + sb + verb + 坏 / 死 + 了 — that really wore me out / scared me!
这件事把他急坏了。 Zhè jiàn shì bǎ tā jí huài le. This made him terribly worried.
一场大雨把我们的衣服都淋湿了。 Yì cháng dà yǔ bǎ wǒmen de yīfu dōu lín shī le. A heavy downpour soaked all our clothes.
他的批评把我气哭了。 Tā de pīpíng bǎ wǒ qì kū le. His criticism made me cry with anger.
一时 + V；一时 A 一时 B
"For a moment, temporarily" and "now…, now…": 一时
一时 means "for a moment, temporarily": 我一时想不起来 "I can't remember right now", 一时的困难 "temporary difficulties". 一时 A 一时 B means "now A, now B": 天气一时冷一时热.
一时 + verb (often with negation / 不了) — cannot (remember, solve) right away, at the moment
一时 + 的 + noun — temporary, momentary (一时的困难)
一时 + A，一时 + B — now A, now B
我一时想不起来他的名字了。 Wǒ yìshí xiǎng bù qǐlai tā de míngzi le. I can't recall his name right now.
这个问题我一时回答不上来。 Zhège wèntí wǒ yìshí huídá bú shànglai. I can't answer this question offhand.
别因为一时的困难就放弃。 Bié yīnwèi yìshí de kùnnan jiù fàngqì. Don't give up because of temporary difficulties.
凡是 + group，都 + …
"Everyone who…; everything that…": 凡是……都……
凡是 + group，都 + … means "everyone/everything that…, without exception": 凡是学生都可以免费参观. 凡是 opens the sentence and defines the group; 都 in the second part confirms that the rule applies to everyone.
凡是 + description + 的 + (noun)，(subject) + 都 + … — everyone who / everything that …, …
凡是 + noun + 都 + … — every (student, employee) …
凡是去过那里的人，都说那里很美。 Fánshì qù guo nàlǐ de rén, dōu shuō nàlǐ hěn měi. Everyone who has been there says it is very beautiful.
凡是学生都可以免费参观。 Fánshì xuésheng dōu kěyǐ miǎnfèi cānguān. All students can visit for free.
凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。 Fánshì tā dāying de shì, tā dōu huì zuò dào. He does everything he promises.
S + 虽 + …，但 / 可 / 却 / 也 + …
Literary "although": 虽……，但/却……
虽 is a short, literary version of 虽然: 这家店虽小，却很有名. 虽 usually follows the subject, and the second clause begins with 但, 可 or 却 (却 follows the subject of the second clause).
S + 虽 + adj. / verb，但 / 可 + … — although S …, …
S1 + 虽 + …，S2 + 却 + … — although …, S2 (in contrast) …
S + 虽 + …，也 + … — although …, still / also …
他虽年纪不大，但经验很丰富。 Tā suī niánjì bú dà, dàn jīngyàn hěn fēngfù. Although he is young, he has a lot of experience.
这家店虽小，却很有名。 Zhè jiā diàn suī xiǎo, què hěn yǒumíng. Although this shop is small, it is very well known.
问题虽不大，也不能不重视。 Wèntí suī bú dà, yě bù néng bú zhòngshì. Although the problem is minor, it must still be taken seriously.
subject + 所 + V + 的 (+ noun)
"What I know": 我所知道的
所 before a verb creates the meaning "what…": 我所知道的情况 "what I know", 大家所关心的问题 "the issue that concerns everyone". Pattern: subject + 所 + verb + 的 (+ noun). It sounds literary.
subject + 所 + verb + 的 + noun — the noun that someone … (大家所关心的问题)
subject + 所 + verb + 的 — what someone … (我所担心的)
尽 + subject + 所 + 能 — with all my strength; everything I can
这就是我所知道的情况。 Zhè jiù shì wǒ suǒ zhīdào de qíngkuàng. This is what I know about the situation.
这是大家所关心的问题。 Zhè shì dàjiā suǒ guānxīn de wèntí. This is the issue that concerns everyone.
他所说的都是真的。 Tā suǒ shuō de dōu shì zhēn de. Everything he said is true.
除 (了) + X + 外 / 以外，……
Literary "except": 除……外
除……外 / 除……以外 is a literary version of 除了……以外: 除周末外，图书馆每天开放. Like 除了, it can mean either "except" (excluding) with 都 / 没有, or "besides" (in addition to) with 还 / 也.
除 + X + 外 / 以外，(everyone) + 都 + … — except for X, everyone … (X is excluded)
除 (了) + X + 外，… + 还 / 也 + … — in addition to X, also …
除 此 以外，…… — in addition, …
除周末外，图书馆每天都开放。 Chú zhōumò wài, túshūguǎn měi tiān dōu kāifàng. The library is open every day except weekends.
除他以外，大家都同意了。 Chú tā yǐwài, dàjiā dōu tóngyì le. Everyone agreed except him.
除工资外，公司还提供住房。 Chú gōngzī wài, gōngsī hái tígōng zhùfáng. In addition to a salary, the company also provides housing.
人家 = others / he, she / "I" (petulant)
"Other people", "he" and a petulant "I": 人家
人家 (rénjia) is a colloquial pronoun: "other people" (人家都不怕), "he / she", referring to someone already known to the speakers (还给人家), and a petulant "I" (人家不是故意的嘛). The meaning is clear from context.
人家 + verb … — other people …
… + 人家 (= that person) — he / she (the person mentioned)
人家 + … + 嘛 / 啦 — I (petulant, hurt)
人家都不怕，你怕什么？ Rénjia dōu bú pà, nǐ pà shénme? Other people aren't afraid, so what are you afraid of?
人家能做到的，我们也能做到。 Rénjia néng zuò dào de, wǒmen yě néng zuò dào. What others can do, we can do too.
expectation / plan，不料 + unexpected outcome
"But unexpectedly": 不料
不料 (búliào) means "but unexpectedly": it introduces a second clause where things turn out differently than expected. 我本来想早点回家，不料又要加班. It sounds slightly literary; in conversation, use 没想到.
plan / expectation，不料 + (subject) + unexpected event — …, but unexpectedly …
…，不料 + S + 反而 / 却 + … — …, but the opposite happened
我本来想早一点儿回家，不料又要加班。 Wǒ běnlái xiǎng zǎo yìdiǎnr huí jiā, búliào yòu yào jiābān. I wanted to go home a little earlier, but then I had to work overtime again.
天气预报说今天不下雨，不料下午下起了大雨。 Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān bú xiàyǔ, búliào xiàwǔ xià qǐ le dà yǔ. The forecast said it wouldn't rain today, but it suddenly started pouring in the afternoon.
他以为考试很容易，不料一道题也不会做。 Tā yǐwéi kǎoshì hěn róngyì, búliào yí dào tí yě bú huì zuò. He thought the exam would be easy, but he couldn't answer a single question.
…… 啦 (= 了 + 啊)
"All right!", "He's here!": the particle 啦
啦 (la) combines 了 and 啊 at the end of a sentence: 他来啦！ "He's here!", 好啦，别哭啦 "All right, don't cry." It means the same as 了, but sounds livelier and more emotional. Used only at the end of a sentence and only in informal speech.
Three adverbs of degree with different registers: 特 is colloquial "terribly, very" (特好吃), 异常 is literary "extraordinarily, exceptionally" (异常安静), and 较为 is literary "relatively," used before a two-syllable word (较为复杂).
这家店的包子特好吃。 Zhè jiā diàn de bāozi tè hǎochī. The steamed buns at this shop are so delicious.
我女儿特喜欢小动物。 Wǒ nǚ'ér tè xǐhuan xiǎo dòngwù. My daughter really loves small animals.
这部电影特有意思，你一定要看。 Zhè bù diànyǐng tè yǒu yìsi, nǐ yídìng yào kàn. This film is really interesting. You must see it.
净 / 一同 / 大都 + verb
"Nothing but, together, mostly": 净, 一同, 大都
净 is colloquial "nothing but; do nothing but" (often expressing dissatisfaction), 一同 is literary "together" (only before a verb), and 大都 means "mostly, for the most part," referring to the majority of a group.
group + 大都 + predicate — for the most part; mostly
书架上净是小说。 Shūjià shang jìng shì xiǎoshuō. There are nothing but novels on the bookshelf.
这孩子净玩游戏，不写作业。 Zhè háizi jìng wán yóuxì, bù xiě zuòyè. This child does nothing but play games and never does homework.
你别净说别人的缺点。 Nǐ bié jìng shuō biérén de quēdiǎn. Stop talking only about other people's faults.
不时 / 仍旧 / 依旧 / 一向 + verb
"Now and then, still, always": 不时, 仍旧 / 依旧, 一向
不时 means "now and then, from time to time" for a repeated action; 仍旧 and 依旧 mean "still, as before" (依旧 can also be a predicate); 一向 means "always, all along" for a habit or trait continuing from the past to the present.
不时 + verb — now and then, from time to time
仍旧 / 依旧 + predicate — still, just as before
依旧 alone at the end of a sentence — everything remains as before
一向 + predicate — always (true in the past and now)
开会的时候，他不时看一下手表。 Kāihuì de shíhou, tā bùshí kàn yíxià shǒubiǎo. During the meeting, he kept glancing at his watch.
窗户外不时传来孩子们的笑声。 Chuānghu wài bùshí chuán lái háizi men de xiào shēng. Children's laughter could be heard outside the window from time to time.
她一边听一边不时点头。 Tā yìbiān tīng yìbiān bùshí diǎntóu. She listened and nodded from time to time.
一再 + verb ； 再三 + verb / verb + 再三
"Again and again, repeatedly": 一再 and 再三
一再 and 再三 mean "repeatedly, again and again." 一再 goes only before a verb and can also describe events (比赛一再推迟). 再三 describes a person's persistent actions and can follow a verb: 考虑再三.
老师一再强调，考试时不能用手机。 Lǎoshī yízài qiángdiào, kǎoshì shí bù néng yòng shǒujī. The teacher repeatedly emphasized that phones cannot be used during the exam.
由于天气原因，比赛一再推迟。 Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, bǐsài yízài tuīchí. The match was postponed time after time because of the weather.
我一再提醒他，他还是忘了。 Wǒ yízài tíxǐng tā, tā háishi wàng le. I reminded him many times, but he still forgot.
赶忙 / 特地 / 特意 / 偷偷 + verb
"Hurriedly, specially, secretly": 赶忙, 特地 / 特意, 偷偷
赶忙 means "hurriedly, immediately" for a quick reaction in a past narrative (not in requests); 特地 and 特意 mean "specially, deliberately for a purpose"; 偷偷 (地) means "secretly, stealthily." All go before the verb.
saw / heard …，(subject) + 赶忙 + verb — immediately hurried to do something
看见老人上车，他赶忙站起来让座。 Kànjiàn lǎorén shàng chē, tā gǎnmáng zhàn qǐlái ràng zuò. Seeing an elderly person board the bus, he hurriedly stood up and offered his seat.
听到电话响，她赶忙跑过去接。 Tīng dào diànhuà xiǎng, tā gǎnmáng pǎo guòqù jiē. Hearing the phone ring, she rushed over to answer it.
发现自己说错了，他赶忙向大家道歉。 Fāxiàn zìjǐ shuō cuò le, tā gǎnmáng xiàng dàjiā dàoqiàn. Realizing he had said the wrong thing, he immediately apologized to everyone.
恰好 + … ； 干脆 + verb ； 明明 + …，却 / 还 …
"Just happen to, might as well, clearly": 恰好, 干脆, 明明
恰好 — literary "just happen to, by a lucky coincidence" (= 正好); 干脆 — "might as well, decisively" for a radical solution; 明明 — "clearly…", followed by a contradiction with 却 / 还 / 为什么.
恰好 + predicate / 恰好 + subject + predicate — just happen to; as luck would have it
既然 / 太…，(我们) + 干脆 + verb + 吧 — might as well just…; let's simply…
A + 明明 + fact，却 / 还 / 为什么 + … — clearly…, yet…
我正想给他打电话，恰好他来了。 Wǒ zhèng xiǎng gěi tā dǎ diànhuà, qiàhǎo tā lái le. I was just about to call him when he happened to turn up.
这些钱恰好够买一张机票。 Zhèxiē qián qiàhǎo gòu mǎi yì zhāng jīpiào. This money is just enough to buy one plane ticket.
我到车站的时候，车恰好开来了。 Wǒ dào chēzhàn de shíhou, chē qiàhǎo kāi lái le. Just as I reached the bus stop, the bus pulled up.