51 topics of HSK 7–9: the pattern, a short explanation and examples. The full explanation, common mistakes and exercises for each topic are in the app.
恨不得 + action — desperately wish to (often unrealistic, driven by strong feelings)
犯不着 + action — not worth it, no point (making an effort, getting angry)
犯得着 + action + 吗？ — is it worth …? (rhetorically: it is not)
免不了 + action / 会 — inevitably, there is no avoiding …
孩子们巴不得早点放假。 Háizi men bābudé zǎo diǎn fàngjià. The children can't wait for the holidays to start.
他巴不得你早点走呢！ Tā bābudé nǐ zǎo diǎn zǒu ne! He can't wait for you to leave!
听到这个好消息，我恨不得马上告诉妈妈。 Tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxi, wǒ hènbude mǎshàng gàosu māma. When I heard this good news, I wanted to tell Mom right away.
所谓……，就是…… · 可谓 · 并非 · 乃 · 矣
Literary "so-called", "can be called", "by no means", "is": 所谓, 可谓, 并非, 乃, 矣
所谓……，就是…… introduces a definition ("what is called … is …"). 可谓 — "one could say", 并非 — "by no means", 乃 — literary "is", 矣 — a classical sentence-final particle meaning "already, now".
所谓 + concept，就是 + explanation — what is called … is …
所谓的 + word — so-called (often ironic)
可谓 + assessment — one could say, truly
A + 并非 + B — A is by no means B (refutation)
A + 乃 + B — A is B (literary 是)
…… + 矣 — already; now (classical sentence-final particle)
所谓幸福，就是做自己喜欢的事。 Suǒwèi xìngfú, jiùshì zuò zìjǐ xǐhuan de shì. Happiness means doing what you love.
所谓环保，就是保护我们生活的环境。 Suǒwèi huánbǎo, jiùshì bǎohù wǒmen shēnghuó de huánjìng. Environmental protection means protecting the environment we live in.
所谓朋友，就是在你困难的时候帮助你的人。 Suǒwèi péngyou, jiùshì zài nǐ kùnnan de shíhou bāngzhù nǐ de rén. A friend is someone who helps you when you are in difficulty.
有所 + 动词 · 予以 + 动词 · 可否 · ……除外
Formal verbs: 有所, 予以, 可否, 除外
Formal administrative expressions: 有所 + verb — "to some extent, somewhat" (有所提高), 予以 + verb — "provide, subject to" (予以支持), 可否 — "whether it is possible", ……除外 — "except for …".
有所 + two-syllable verb — somewhat; to some extent (有所提高)
Acting of one's own will: 竭力, 拼命, 执意, 毅然, 擅自, 公然, 尽情
Adverbs of manner expressing will and intention: with all one's strength (竭力, 拼命), insistently (执意), resolutely (毅然, 断然), deliberately (刻意, 有意), without permission and openly (擅自, 私自, 强行, 公然, 大肆, 任意), in every possible way (百般), to one's heart's content (尽情), at random (瞎).
竭力 / 拼命 + verb — with all one's strength
执意 + 要 / verb — stubbornly insist on one's own way
医生们竭力抢救病人。 Yīshēng men jiélì qiǎngjiù bìngrén. The doctors did everything they could to save the patient.
为了买房子，他拼命工作。 Wèile mǎi fángzi, tā pīnmìng gōngzuò. He works tirelessly to buy a home.
大家都劝他，可他执意要走。 Dàjiā dōu quàn tā, kě tā zhíyì yào zǒu. Everyone tried to talk him out of it, but he stubbornly insisted on leaving.
趁机 / 趁早 · 火速 · 骤然 · 一举 · 就近 · 专程 · 如期 · 日趋 · 不由得
How and when: 趁机, 趁早, 火速, 骤然, 一举, 就近, 专程, 如期, 日趋, 不由得
Adverbs of timing and manner: taking the opportunity (趁机), before it is too late (趁早), urgently (火速), suddenly (骤然), in one go (一举), nearby (就近), making a special trip (专程), on schedule (如期), increasingly (日趋), involuntarily (不由得).
趁机 + verb — taking the opportunity
趁早 + verb — before it is too late; in advance
火速 + verb — urgently; at lightning speed
一举 + verb — in one stroke; in one go
专程 + 来 / 去 + purpose — make a special trip for …
如期 + 完成 / 举行 — on schedule
不由得 + verb / feeling — involuntarily; could not help …
老师不在，学生们趁机休息了一下。 Lǎoshī bú zài, xuéshēng men chènjī xiūxi le yíxià. The teacher was away, so the students took the opportunity to have a short rest.
你要是不喜欢，就趁早换个工作。 Nǐ yàoshi bù xǐhuan, jiù chènzǎo huàn ge gōngzuò. If you don't like it, change jobs before it's too late.
接到电话后，医生火速赶到了现场。 Jiē dào diànhuà hòu, yīshēng huǒsù gǎn dào le xiànchǎng. After receiving the call, the doctor rushed to the scene.
照常 / 照例 / 照样 · 逐一 · 一并 · 一手 · 特此 · 截然 · 按理 / 按说
Following rules and routines: 照常, 照例, 照样, 逐一, 一并, 一手, 特此, 截然, 按说
As usual (照常, 照例, 照样), one by one (逐一), together (一并), single-handedly (一手), hereby (特此), sharply, completely (截然), in theory (按理, 按说).
照常 + verb — as usual; in the normal way
照例 + verb — following the usual practice
(despite …) 照样 + verb — all the same; as if nothing had happened
节日期间，这家超市照常营业。 Jiérì qījiān, zhè jiā chāoshì zhàocháng yíngyè. This supermarket stays open as usual during the holidays.
他照例六点起床，出去跑步。 Tā zhàolì liù diǎn qǐchuáng, chūqù pǎobù. As usual, he got up at six and went out for a run.
外面下着大雨，他照样去上班。 Wàimiàn xià zhe dà yǔ, tā zhàoyàng qù shàngbān. It was pouring outside, but he went to work all the same.
不见得 · 绝不 · 无从 · 无须 · 无可 · 勿
Negation with nuance: 不见得, 绝不, 无从, 无须, 无可, 勿
不见得 — "not necessarily, unlikely"; 绝不 — "under no circumstances"; 无从 — "have no way to, have no starting point"; 无须 — "no need to"; 无可 — "nothing to, impossible to" (无可奈何); 勿 — literary "do not".
不见得 + … — not necessarily; unlikely (mild disagreement)
绝不 + verb — under no circumstances; never (a promise or determination)
无从 + two-syllable verb — have no way to; not know where to start (知道, 下手, 说起)
无须 + verb — no need to; unnecessary
无可 + two-syllable verb — impossible to; nothing to (无可奈何)
请 勿 + verb — please do not … (signs, rules)
贵的东西不见得好。 Guì de dōngxi bújiàndé hǎo. An expensive item is not necessarily good.
他今天不见得会来。 Tā jīntiān bújiàndé huì lái. He is unlikely to come today.
不管多难，我绝不放弃。 Bùguǎn duō nán, wǒ jué bú fàngqì. No matter how hard it gets, I will never give up.
何必 / 何苦 / 何不 / 何尝 + …
Rhetorical "why bother?" and "why not?": 何必, 何苦, 何不, 何尝
Four rhetorical adverbs with 何: 何必 — "why bother (no need)", 何苦 — "why put yourself through this", 何不 — "why not (let's)", 何尝 — "when ever…? (not at all)".
何必 + verb + (呢)？ — why bother …? = no need
何苦 + verb + (呢)？ — why put yourself through …? = not worth it
何不 + verb + (呢)？ — why not …? = let's / go ahead and do it
何尝 + 不 / 没有 + verb — isn't it …? = of course; too
何尝 + verb — when ever …? = not at all
这是小事，何必生气呢？ Zhè shì xiǎo shì, hébì shēngqì ne? It's a small matter — why get angry?
大家都是朋友，何必这么客气？ Dàjiā dōu shì péngyou, hébì zhème kèqi? We're all friends — why be so formal?
你已经很努力了，何必对自己那么严格？ Nǐ yǐjīng hěn nǔlì le, hébì duì zìjǐ nàme yángé? You're already working hard — why be so strict with yourself?
不妨 · 索性 · 不免 / 未免
Advice, resolve, and judgment: 不妨, 索性, 不免, 未免
不妨 — "might as well, it wouldn't hurt" (gentle advice); 索性 — "in that case, might as well just…"; 不免 — "involuntarily, inevitably"; 未免 — "rather too, a bit excessive" (mild criticism).
不妨 + verb — it wouldn't hurt to; why not (advice)
(in that case) 索性 + verb — might as well just do it; throw caution aside
爱A不A — "A if you want; if not, don't"; 半A半B — "half A, half B"; 不A不B — "neither A nor B, just right" or "neither one thing nor the other"; 不A而B — "B without A"; 非A非B — "neither A nor B".
爱 + V + 不 + V — do it if you want; if not, don't (indifference, defiance)
半 + A + 半 + B — half A, half B (A and B are opposites)
不 + A + 不 + B — neither A nor B: just right (不大不小) or neither one thing nor the other (不死不活)
不 + A + 而 + B — B happened without A (不约而同 — without prior agreement)
非 + A + 非 + B — neither A nor B (非亲非故 — neither a relative nor a friend)
你爱去不去，我反正要去。 Nǐ ài qù bú qù, wǒ fǎnzhèng yào qù. Go if you want; if not, don't — I'm going anyway.
他对我总是爱理不理的。 Tā duì wǒ zǒngshì ài lǐ bù lǐ de. He always acts as though he barely notices me.
你爱信不信，这是真的。 Nǐ ài xìn bú xìn, zhè shì zhēn de. Believe it or not, it's true.
东A西B · 七A八B · 忽A忽B · 时A时B
"Here and there", "one way, then another": 东张西望, 七嘴八舌, 忽冷忽热, 时好时坏
东A西B — action in all directions, haphazardly (东张西望); 七A八B — confusion, many things at once (七嘴八舌); 忽A忽B — "now A, now B", abrupt changes (忽冷忽热); 时A时B — "sometimes A, sometimes B", alternation (时好时坏).
东 + V/N + 西 + V/N — back and forth, in all directions, haphazardly
七 + N/V + 八 + N/V — many things at once, in disorder, confusion
忽 + A + 忽 + B — now A, now B (sudden, abrupt changes)
时 + A + 时 + B — sometimes A, sometimes B (alternating)
他在门口东张西望，好像在找人。 Tā zài ménkǒu dōngzhāng xīwàng, hǎoxiàng zài zhǎo rén. He's looking around at the entrance — he seems to be looking for someone.
为了这件事，他东奔西走了好几天。 Wèile zhè jiàn shì, tā dōngbēn xīzǒu le hǎo jǐ tiān. He spent several days running around to take care of this matter.
我东找西找，也没有找到钥匙。 Wǒ dōng zhǎo xī zhǎo, yě méiyǒu zhǎo dào yàoshi. I searched everywhere but still couldn't find the key.
可A可B — "A or B are both possible" (可有可无 — it doesn't matter whether it's there); 连A带B — "both A and B at once" (连说带笑); 无A不B — "there is no A that is not B" = all (无微不至); 无A可B — "no A to B" (无家可归); 自A自B — "to oneself" (自言自语).
可 + A + 可 + B — A or B are both possible — it makes no difference
连 + V1 + 带 + V2 — V1 and V2 at the same time (连说带笑)
无 + A + 不 + B — no A that is not B = absolutely everything
无 + N + 可 + V — no N to V (无家可归 — no home to return to)
自 + V1 + 自 + V2 — to oneself, with oneself (自言自语)
这些东西可有可无，不用带了。 Zhèxiē dōngxi kě yǒu kě wú, bú yòng dài le. These things aren't essential — there's no need to bring them.
这个问题可大可小，要看怎么处理。 Zhège wèntí kě dà kě xiǎo, yào kàn zěnme chǔlǐ. This problem could be major or minor — it depends on how it's handled.
孩子们连说带笑地走进教室。 Háizi men lián shuō dài xiào de zǒu jìn jiàoshì. The children entered the classroom, talking and laughing.
或A或B · 或……，或……
"Either…, or…": 或A或B and 或……，或……
Paired 或 lists alternatives: in the four-character pattern 或多或少, it means "to some extent"; in a compound sentence, 或……，或…… means "some …, others …" or "either …, or …" (a literary form of 或者).
或 + A + 或 + B — either A or B — to some extent (或多或少)
或 + option 1，或 + option 2 — either …, or … / some …, others …
每个人或多或少都有缺点。 Měi ge rén huòduō huòshǎo dōu yǒu quēdiǎn. Everyone has flaws to some extent.
这件事对大家或多或少有一些影响。 Zhè jiàn shì duì dàjiā huòduō huòshǎo yǒu yìxiē yǐngxiǎng. This affected everyone to a greater or lesser extent.
这些问题或早或晚都要解决。 Zhèxiē wèntí huò zǎo huò wǎn dōu yào jiějué. Sooner or later, these problems will have to be solved.
Markers that shift the direction of an argument: 话是这么说 — "that's true, but"; 话(又)说回来 — "on the other hand"; 反过来(说) — "conversely"; 退一步说 — "even assuming"; 换句话说 — "in other words"; 无论如何 — "in any case, no matter what".
话是这么说，(可 / 但) … — that's true, but …
话(又)说回来，… — but on the other hand, …
反过来(说)，… — conversely; looking at it from the other side
退一步说，(即使) … 也 … — even assuming the worst, …
换句话说，… — in other words, that is
无论如何 + (也 / 都) … — in any case, no matter what
我们要向老师学习，反过来，老师也能从学生那里学到东西。 Wǒmen yào xiàng lǎoshī xuéxí, fǎn guòlái, lǎoshī yě néng cóng xuéshēng nàlǐ xué dào dōngxi. We should learn from teachers, and conversely, teachers can also learn things from students.
压力太大不好，反过来说，一点压力也没有也不行。 Yālì tài dà bù hǎo, fǎn guòlái shuō, yì diǎn yālì yě méiyǒu yě bù xíng. Too much pressure is bad, but conversely, having no pressure at all isn't good either.
钱能带来方便，反过来，也能带来麻烦。 Qián néng dài lái fāngbiàn, fǎn guòlái, yě néng dài lái máfan. Money can bring convenience, but on the other hand, it can also bring trouble.
总而言之 · 总的来说 · 概括来说 · 归根到底 · 简(而)言之 · 综上所述 · 这样一来
Summing up: 总而言之, 总的来说, 概括来说, 归根到底, 综上所述, 这样一来
Markers of summary and conclusion: 总而言之, 总的来说, 概括来说, 简(而)言之 — "overall, in short"; 综上所述 — "based on the above" (literary); 归根到底 — "ultimately"; 这样一来 — "as a result, thus".
总而言之 / 总的来说，… — overall, in short (summary)
概括来说 / 简(而)言之，… — briefly, in short
综上所述，… — based on the above (essay conclusion)
归根到底，… — ultimately, at heart
(event)。这样一来，… — as a result of this, thus
总而言之，这次旅行非常成功。 Zǒng'éryánzhī, zhè cì lǚxíng fēicháng chénggōng. All in all, this trip was very successful.
总而言之，健康比什么都重要。 Zǒng'éryánzhī, jiànkāng bǐ shénme dōu zhòngyào. In short, health is more important than anything else.
总的来说，他的表现还不错。 Zǒng de lái shuō, tā de biǎoxiàn hái búcuò. Overall, he performed quite well.
不是 · 可不(是嘛) · 你看你 · 说到哪儿去了 · 这不 · 真是的
Emotions in dialogue: 可不是嘛, 你看你, 说到哪儿去了, 这不, 真是的
Colloquial reactions: 不是 — "no, wait"; 可不(是嘛) — "absolutely, exactly"; 你看你 — "just look at you"; 说到哪儿去了 — "oh, don't say that!"; 这不 — "see, for example / sure enough"; 真是的 — "oh, honestly".
你看你，… — just look at you (reproach, often affectionate)
(你)说到哪儿去了！ — oh, don't say that! (reply to thanks, an apology, or suspicion)
statement，这不，+ example — see, there you go (supporting a point with an example)
…，真是的！ — oh, honestly! (annoyance)
不是，你先听我说完。 Bú shì, nǐ xiān tīng wǒ shuō wán. Just wait, hear me out first.
不是，你怎么又来了？ Bú shì, nǐ zěnme yòu lái le? Wait, why are you here again?
今天真热啊！——可不是嘛！ Jīntiān zhēn rè a! Kěbúshi ma! It's so hot today! — It sure is!
X到这个地步/份上 · X得要命/要死 · 别提(有)多……了 · 不亚于 · 仅次于 · 莫过于
Extreme degree and comparison: 得要命, 别提多……了, 到这个地步, 不亚于, 仅次于, 莫过于
How to say "terribly": X得要命 / 要死, 别提(有)多 + adj. + 了, 到这个地步 / 份上. How to compare: 不亚于 — "no less than", 仅次于 — "second only to …", 莫过于 — "nothing is more … than".
Patterns with repetition: 看都不看, 玩就玩个痛快, 该吃就吃, 要钱有钱, 什么A的B的
Colloquial patterns with repeated words: X都不/没X — "not even X" (看都不看); X就X个Y — "if you're going to X, do it properly" ; X了Y，Y了X — "over and over"; 该X就X — "when it's time to X, X"; 要X有X — "there's plenty of X"; 什么A的B的 — "all that A, B, and so on".
V + 都 + 不 / 没有 + V — not even (look, try) — complete disregard
V + 就 + V + 个 + result — if you're going to do it, do it wholeheartedly (玩就玩个痛快)
V1 了 V2，V2 了 V1 — in a cycle: V1, then V2, then V1 again
该 + V1 + (就) + V1，该 + V2 + (就) + V2 — when it's time to V1, V1; when it's time to V2, V2
要 + N1 + 有 / 没有 + N1，要 + N2 + 有 / 没有 + N2 — plenty of N1 (or none at all), and the same for N2
什么 + A + 的 + B + 的 — all that A, B (and so on)
他看都不看就签了字。 Tā kàn dōu bú kàn jiù qiān le zì. He signed without even looking.
这个菜你尝都没有尝，怎么知道不好吃？ Zhège cài nǐ cháng dōu méiyǒu cháng, zěnme zhīdào bù hǎochī? You haven't even tried this dish — how do you know it isn't tasty?
要玩就玩个痛快！ Yào wán jiù wán ge tòngkuài! If you're going to have fun, go all out!
没什么 + V + 头(儿) · 有什么 + V + 头(儿) · 没什么好 + V + 的 · V + 得个 + … · V + 个 + X
"Nothing to see", "is it worth it": 没什么看头, 有什么好说的, 落得个, 图个方便
没什么 / 有什么 + V + 头(儿) — "no point in V, nothing interesting" (没什么看头); 没什么好 + V + 的 — "nothing to V"; V + 得个 + … — "earn, end up with (something bad)"; V + 个 + X — "do for the sake of / thoroughly" (图个方便).
没什么 + V + 头(儿) — nothing to V; not worth V-ing (没什么看头 — nothing worth seeing)
有什么 + V + 头(儿)？ — what's the point of V-ing? (rhetorical = not worth it)
没什么好 + V + 的 — nothing to V; nothing to V about
V + 得个 + outcome — end up with (something unpleasant): 落得个……
V + 个 + X — V for the sake of X / V to one's heart's content (图个方便, 睡个好觉)
这个电影没有什么看头。 Zhège diànyǐng méiyǒu shénme kàn tou. There is nothing worth watching in this film.
这种游戏有什么玩头？ Zhè zhǒng yóuxì yǒu shénme wán tou? What's so fun about this kind of game?
这本书太简单了，没有什么读头。 Zhè běn shū tài jiǎndān le, méiyǒu shénme dú tou. This book is too simple; there's no point in reading it.
不知……才好 · 何至于 · 谈何 · 有何 · 你说你一个X，…… · 动不动就
Perplexity and reproach: 不知怎么办才好, 何至于, 谈何容易, 有何, 你说你一个X, 动不动就
不知X是/才好 — "not know what to do"; 何至于 — "would it really go as far as…; surely not that far"; 谈何 + 容易 — "easier said than done!"; 有何 — "is there any"; 你说你一个X，… — "come on, you're an X, …" (reproach); 动不动就 — "at the slightest thing".
不知(道) + 怎么 / 如何 + V + 才好 / 是好 — not know what to do
何至于 + …？ — would it really (go) as far as …? — surely not that far
谈何 + 容易 — easier said than done! (difficult in practice)
有何 + N (意见 / 不同 / 困难) — is there any …? (literary 有什么)
你说你一个 + X，(还) … — come on, you're an X — yet …! (reproach)
动不动就 + V — V at the slightest thing (an annoying habit)
他高兴得不知道说什么才好。 Tā gāoxìng de bù zhīdào shuō shénme cái hǎo. He was so happy he didn't know what to say.
遇到这种事，我真不知道怎么办才好。 Yùdào zhè zhǒng shì, wǒ zhēn bù zhīdào zěnme bàn cái hǎo. Faced with something like this, I really don't know what to do.
一点小事，何至于生这么大的气？ Yì diǎn xiǎo shì, hé zhìyú shēng zhème dà de qì? It's such a small thing — is it really worth getting so angry?
值此 + occasion + 之际，… — on the occasion of …, at this (festive) moment
(在) + activity + 之余，… — in one's free time outside …, in addition to
想 + X + 之所想，急 + X + 之所急 — consider X's needs, share X's concerns
看在 + X + 的面子上 — for X's sake, out of respect for X
他因病而没有参加会议。 Tā yīn bìng ér méiyǒu cānjiā huìyì. He did not attend the meeting due to illness.
很多人因压力太大而失眠。 Hěn duō rén yīn yālì tài dà ér shīmián. Many people suffer from insomnia because of excessive stress.
这个城市因美丽的风景而出名。 Zhège chéngshì yīn měilì de fēngjǐng ér chūmíng. This city is famous for its beautiful scenery.
无非 / 不过 / 只是 …… 罢了 / 而已
"Just, nothing more": 无非 / 不过 / 只是 …… 罢了 / 而已
The pattern means "just …, nothing more": 无非, 不过, or 只是 at the beginning, and the particle 罢了 (colloq.) or 而已 (literary) at the end. It downplays something: "nothing special".
无非 / 不过 / 只是 + … + 罢了 — just …, nothing more (colloq.)
… + 罢了 / 而已 — and nothing more (the particle can be used alone)
我不过随便问问罢了，你别生气。 Wǒ búguò suíbiàn wèn wèn bàle, nǐ bié shēngqì. I was just asking; don't be angry.
他只是开个玩笑而已。 Tā zhǐshì kāi ge wán xiào éryǐ. He was only joking.
这无非是一次小考试罢了，别紧张。 Zhè wúfēi shì yí cì xiǎo kǎoshì bàle, bié jǐnzhāng. It's just a little test; don't be nervous.
X也好，Y也罢 · X也好，Y也好
"Whether X or Y — it makes no difference": X也好，Y也罢
This pattern lists alternatives and says that the result does not depend on them: "whether X or Y — either way…". The following clause usually contains 都 / 也. 也罢 is a literary particle, often used instead of the second 也好.
X 也好，Y 也罢，(主语) + 都 / 也 + … — whether X or Y — either way …
X 也好，Y 也好，… 都 … — the same in colloquial speech
…，也好 / 也罢。 — oh well, that's fine too (concession)
你同意也好，不同意也好，我都要去。 Nǐ tóngyì yěhǎo, bù tóngyì yěhǎo, wǒ dōu yào qù. Whether you agree or not, I'm going anyway.
贵也好，便宜也好，我都要买。 Guì yěhǎo, piányi yěhǎo, wǒ dōu yào mǎi. Expensive or cheap, I'll buy it anyway.
下雨也好，不下雨也好，比赛都照常进行。 Xià yǔ yěhǎo, bú xià yǔ yěhǎo, bǐsài dōu zhàocháng jìnxíng. Rain or no rain, the competition will go ahead as usual.
A + 形容词 + 于 / 过 + B
Literary comparisons: 高于, 大于, 强过 — A + adjective + 于 / 过 + B
Comparison without 比: adjective + 于 (literary) or + 过 (conversational and vivid) + the thing being compared with. 今年的收入高于去年 — "this year's income is higher than last year's".
A + adj. + 于 + B — A is more … than B (literary: 高于, 低于, 大于, 多于)
A + adj. + 过 + B — A surpasses B (强过, 好过, 胜过)
A + 不 + adj. + 于 + B — A is no greater / no higher than B
今年的收入高于去年。 Jīnnián de shōurù gāoyú qùnián. This year's income is higher than last year's.
晚上的温度低于零度。 Wǎnshang de wēndù dīyú líng dù. The temperature at night is below zero.
城市人口大于农村人口。 Chéngshì rénkǒu dàyú nóngcūn rénkǒu. The urban population is larger than the rural population.
一来……，二来……，(三来……) · 一则……，二则……，(三则……)
"Firstly…, secondly…": 一来……二来, 一则……二则
Listing reasons or purposes: 一来……，二来……，三来…… (conversational–neutral) and the literary 一则……，二则……，三则……. An overall conclusion often comes first: "I came, firstly …, secondly …".
我来中国，一来是学习汉语，二来是了解中国文化。 Wǒ lái Zhōngguó, yì lái shì xuéxí Hànyǔ, èr lái shì liǎojiě Zhōngguó wénhuà. I came to China, firstly, to study Chinese, and secondly, to learn about Chinese culture.
我不想去，一来太远，二来太贵。 Wǒ bù xiǎng qù, yì lái tài yuǎn, èr lái tài guì. I don't want to go: firstly, it's too far, and secondly, it's too expensive.
多走路，一来可以锻炼身体，二来可以节约钱。 Duō zǒulù, yì lái kěyǐ duànliàn shēntǐ, èr lái kěyǐ jiéyuē qián. Walking more is beneficial: firstly, it gives you exercise, and secondly, it saves money.
宁可 / 宁愿 / 情愿 ……，也不…… · 与其……，宁可 / 宁愿……
"Would rather… than…": 宁可……也不, 与其……宁可
宁可 (宁愿, 情愿) + unpleasant choice，也不 + the rejected option: "would rather … than …". 与其 A，宁可 B — "rather than A, would prefer B": in both patterns, the speaker chooses the lesser evil.
宁可 / 宁愿 + chosen option，也不 + rejected option — would rather … than …
与其 + rejected option，宁可 / 宁愿 + chosen option — rather than …, would prefer …
情愿 + chosen option — prefer; be willing to (rather)
宁可 + chosen option，也要 + goal — even if …, will still …
我宁可走路，也不坐他的车。 Wǒ nìngkě zǒulù, yě bú zuò tā de chē. I'd rather walk than ride in his car.
他宁愿少赚点钱，也不愿意天天加班。 Tā nìngyuàn shǎo zhuàn diǎn qián, yě bú yuànyì tiān tiān jiābān. He would rather earn less than work overtime every day.
我宁可自己累一点，也不想麻烦别人。 Wǒ nìngkě zìjǐ lèi yì diǎn, yě bù xiǎng máfan biérén. I'd rather tire myself out a little than trouble others.
X(倒)是X(了)，…… · 别看……，…… · 虽说……，但/可……
Concession: "yes, but": X倒是X了, 别看……, 虽说……但
Three ways to say "although…, still…": X(倒)是X(了)，可 / 就是… — "it is X, but…"; 别看 + fact，… — "although …, in fact…"; 虽说……，但 / 可… — a conversational "although".
X + (倒) + 是 + X + (了)，可 / 就是 / 但是 … — it is X, but … (conceding, then objecting)
别看 + appearance，(其实 / 可) + reality — although …, in fact … (don't judge by appearances)
虽说 + fact，但 / 可 + … — although …, still … (colloq. 虽然)
这件衣服好是好，就是太贵了。 Zhè jiàn yīfu hǎo shì hǎo, jiùshì tài guì le. This item of clothing is nice, but it's too expensive.
便宜倒是便宜，可质量不太好。 Piányi dàoshì piányi, kě zhìliàng bú tài hǎo. It is cheap, but the quality isn't very good.
去是去了，可是没有见到他。 Qù shì qù le, kěshì méiyǒu jiàn dào tā. I did go, but I didn't see him.
无论……与否，都…… · 凡(是)……(者)，均(可)……
No exceptions: 无论……与否，都 and 凡……均
无论 + X + 与否，都 … — "whether X or not, … anyway"; 凡(是) + condition (+者)，均 / 都 (可) … — "all those who … (may) …". Both patterns are formal and common in rules and notices.
无论 + X + 与否，都 + … — regardless of whether X or not, …
凡(是) + condition + (的人 / 者)，均 / 都 + (可) + … — all those who … (may) …; anyone …
无论成功与否，都要总结经验。 Wúlùn chénggōng yǔ fǒu, dōu yào zǒngjié jīngyàn. Whether we succeed or not, we must review what we have learned.
无论你同意与否，我都会去的。 Wúlùn nǐ tóngyì yǔ fǒu, wǒ dōu huì qù de. Whether you agree or not, I will go anyway.
无论下雨与否，比赛都照常进行。 Wúlùn xià yǔ yǔ fǒu, bǐsài dōu zhàocháng jìnxíng. Whether it rains or not, the competition will go ahead as usual.
若 / 倘若 / 假若 / 假使 ……，(就 / 则)……
Formal "if": 若, 倘若, 假若, 假使
Formal synonyms of 如果: 若, 倘若, 假若, 假使 — "if, in the event that". The second part uses 就, 便, 则, or 那么. 假使 and 假若 more often introduce a hypothetical situation that may not come true.
若 + condition，(就 / 则) + … — if …, then … (the shortest formal word for "if")
若有问题，请及时和我们联系。 Ruò yǒu wèntí, qǐng jíshí hé wǒmen liánxì. If you have any questions, please contact us promptly.
若不努力，则难以成功。 Ruò bù nǔlì, zé nányǐ chénggōng. If you do not work hard, it is difficult to succeed.
你若不同意，我们就再商量。 Nǐ ruò bù tóngyì, wǒmen jiù zài shāngliang. If you disagree, let's discuss it further.
幸亏 / 幸好 ……，不然 / 否则…… · 好在 · 碰巧 / 恰巧
"Fortunately…, otherwise…": 幸亏, 幸好, 好在, 碰巧, 恰巧
幸亏 / 幸好 + fortunate circumstance，不然 / 否则 + what would have happened without it: "luckily…, otherwise … would have …". 好在 means "fortunately, luckily"; 碰巧 / 恰巧 means "just happen to, by chance".
幸亏 / 幸好 + fortunate circumstance，不然 / 否则 + bad outcome — luckily …, otherwise … would have …
幸亏 / 幸好 + fortunate circumstance，才 + good outcome — only thanks to … was it possible to …
(problem)，好在 + mitigating circumstance — fortunately; luckily (at least …)
碰巧 / 恰巧 + coincidence — just happen to; by coincidence
幸亏你提醒我，不然我就忘了。 Xìngkuī nǐ tíxǐng wǒ, bùrán wǒ jiù wàng le. Luckily you reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten.
幸好我们早出发了，否则一定会迟到。 Xìnghǎo wǒmen zǎo chūfā le, fǒuzé yídìng huì chídào. Luckily we left early, otherwise we would definitely have been late.
幸亏医生来得及时，不然后果很严重。 Xìngkuī yīshēng lái de jíshí, bùrán hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng. Fortunately, the doctor arrived in time, otherwise the consequences would have been serious.
纵然 / 纵使 ……，也…… · 任 ……也……
"Even if", "no matter how": 纵然……也 and 任……也
纵然 / 纵使 is a formal way to say "even if" (like 即使): 纵然失败，也不后悔. 任 + question word … 也 means "no matter how …, still …": 任你怎么说，他也不听.
纵然 / 纵使 + condition，(主语) + 也 + … — even if …, still … (formal)
任 + (someone) + 怎么 / 多么 … + 也 + … — no matter how (someone) …, still …
任 + someone + V — let someone V as they wish (without interfering)
纵然困难再多，我们也不会放弃。 Zòngrán kùnnan zài duō, wǒmen yě bú huì fàngqì. No matter how many difficulties there are, we will not give up.
纵然失败了，我也不后悔。 Zòngrán shībài le, wǒ yě bú hòuhuǐ. Even if I fail, I won't regret it.
纵然你不说，我也知道。 Zòngrán nǐ bù shuō, wǒ yě zhīdào. Even if you don't tell me, I still know.
(因)……，故…… · ……，以至(于)……
Cause and effect: (因)……故…… and ……以至于……
故 (gù) is a formal word for "therefore" (因……，故……). 以至(于) (yǐzhìyú) means "so much so that, to such an extent that…": the result shows how strong the cause is.
(因) + cause，故 + result — because …, therefore … (formal)
cause / degree，以至(于) + extreme result — so … that even …
因天气原因，故航班推迟。 Yīn tiānqì yuányīn, gù hángbān tuīchí. The flight is delayed due to weather conditions.
本店正在装修，故暂停营业。 Běn diàn zhèngzài zhuāngxiū, gù zàntíng yíngyè. The shop is being renovated and is therefore temporarily closed.
因人数不够，故活动取消。 Yīn rénshù bú gòu, gù huódòng qǔxiāo. The event is canceled due to insufficient participants.
别说……，(连)……都 / 也…… · 连……都……，更不用说……了 · ……，更不用说……了
"Not to mention…": 别说……都, 连……都……更不用说……了
Patterns meaning "all the more so": 别说 A，(连) B 都 / 也 … — "never mind A, even B …"; 连 B 都 …，更不用说 A 了 — "even B …, let alone A". A is something even harder (or easier) than B.
别说 + A，(连) + B + 都 / 也 + … — never mind A — even B …
连 + B + 都 + …，更不用说 + A + 了 — even B …, let alone A
…，更不用说 + A + 了 — …, and A all the more so
别说汉字，他连拼音都不会。 Biéshuō Hànzì, tā lián pīnyīn dōu bú huì. Never mind Chinese characters — he does not even know pinyin.
别说一百块，一块钱我也没有。 Biéshuō yìbǎi kuài, yí kuài qián wǒ yě méiyǒu. Never mind a hundred yuan — I do not even have one yuan.
别说你了，连老师都不知道答案。 Biéshuō nǐ le, lián lǎoshī dōu bù zhīdào dá'àn. Never mind you — even the teacher does not know the answer.
……尚且……，(更)何况……
"Even… — let alone…": 尚且……何况
A 尚且 + …，(更) 何况 B (呢)？ — "even A …, let alone B". A formal version of 连……都……更不用说: A is the "stronger" case, B the "weaker" one, and the conclusion for B is even more obvious.
A + 尚且 + …，(更) + 何况 + B + (呢)？ — even A …, let alone B
A + 尚且 + …，B + 就 + 更 + … — even A …, and B all the more so
大人尚且搬不动，何况孩子呢？ Dàren shàngqiě bān bú dòng, hékuàng háizi ne? Even an adult cannot lift it — let alone a child.
这道题老师尚且不会，更何况学生？ Zhè dào tí lǎoshī shàngqiě bú huì, gèng hékuàng xuéshēng? Even the teacher cannot solve this problem — let alone the students.
中国人尚且觉得难，何况外国人呢？ Zhōngguó rén shàngqiě juéde nán, hékuàng wàiguó rén ne? Even Chinese people find it difficult — let alone foreigners.
……不说，还……
"Not only…, but also…": ……不说，还……
A 不说，还 / 也 / 又 B — "not only A, but also B". A colloquial pattern that adds emphasis: usually it lists two drawbacks (less often, two strengths).
A + 不说，(subject) + 还 / 也 / 又 + B — not only A, but also B
这家饭馆贵不说，菜还不好吃。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn guì bù shuō, cài hái bù hǎochī. Not only is the restaurant expensive, but the food is bad too.
他迟到不说，还忘了带作业。 Tā chídào bù shuō, hái wàng le dài zuòyè. Not only was he late, but he also forgot to bring his homework.
这件衣服质量差不说，颜色也不好看。 Zhè jiàn yīfu zhìliàng chà bù shuō, yánsè yě bù hǎokàn. Not only is this garment poor quality, but its color is unattractive too.
为(了)……起见，…… · ……，以…… · 免得 · 以防
Purpose and precaution: 为了……起见, ……以……, 免得, 以防
为(了) + purpose + 起见 — "for the sake of …" (为了安全起见); ……，以 + purpose — formal "in order to"; 免得 — "so as not to; otherwise …"; 以防 — "in case; to prevent".
为(了) + purpose + 起见，… — for …, for the sake of … (安全, 方便, 慎重)
action，以 + purpose — …, in order to … / with the aim of … (formal)
action，免得 + unwanted outcome — …, so as not to …; otherwise …
action，以防 + danger — …, in case of …; to prevent …
为了安全起见，请大家系好安全带。 Wèile ānquán qǐ jiàn, qǐng dàjiā xì hǎo ānquándài. For safety, please fasten your seat belts.
为方便起见，我们把时间改到了周末。 Wèi fāngbiàn qǐ jiàn, wǒmen bǎ shíjiān gǎi dào le zhōumò. For convenience, we rescheduled it for the weekend.
为了慎重起见，我们再检查一遍。 Wèile shènzhòng qǐ jiàn, wǒmen zài jiǎnchá yí biàn. To be on the safe side, let us check again.
非得……才…… · 非得 + V
"Only if…", "must": 非得……才……
非得 (fēiděi) — "absolutely must"; in the condensed pattern 非得 + condition + 才 + result — "only if …, then …": 这件事非得你去才行 — "this will only work if you go yourself".
非得 + necessary condition + 才 + 行 / 能 … — only if …, then (it will work)
非得 + V + 不可 — absolutely must (emphatic)
(主语) + 非得 + V — insist on; at all costs (stubbornly)
这件事非得你去才行。 Zhè jiàn shì fēiděi nǐ qù cái xíng. This will only work if you go.
这个问题非得经理来才能解决。 Zhège wèntí fēiděi jīnglǐ lái cái néng jiějué. This problem can only be solved if the manager comes.
学好外语，非得多说多练才行。 Xué hǎo wàiyǔ, fēiděi duō shuō duō liàn cái xíng. To learn a foreign language well, you have to speak and practice a lot.
多重复句：并列 / 转折 / 假设 / 因果 / 递进
Multilevel complex sentences
One sentence can contain several levels of connection: for example, "although …, if …, then …". To understand it, first find the main division (the first level), then the connections within each half.
[因为 A，所以 B]，而且 C — cause and effect within an additive structure
如果 A，[不但 B，而且 C] — condition with an additive structure in the second part
A，B；[C，D] — multilevel coordination (并列)
虽然他工作很忙，但是只要朋友需要，他就会来帮忙。 Suīrán tā gōngzuò hěn máng, dànshì zhǐyào péngyou xūyào, tā jiù huì lái bāngmáng. Although he is very busy at work, he will come and help whenever a friend needs him.
因为天气不好，所以比赛推迟了，而且很多观众也没有来。 Yīnwèi tiānqì bù hǎo, suǒyǐ bǐsài tuīchí le, érqiě hěn duō guānzhòng yě méiyǒu lái. Because of the bad weather, the competition was postponed, and many spectators did not come either.
如果你每天坚持练习，不但口语会进步，而且听力也会提高。 Rúguǒ nǐ měi tiān jiānchí liànxí, búdàn kǒuyǔ huì jìnbù, érqiě tīnglì yě huì tígāo. If you keep practicing every day, not only will your speaking improve, but your listening will too.
语段：时间 / 空间 / 逻辑顺序 · 话题延伸 / 转换 · 承前省略 / 蒙后省略
How a paragraph is built: order, topic, and subject omission
A paragraph is linked by order (time, space, or logic), topic (continuing it or shifting to a new one), and omissions: a subject mentioned earlier is omitted later (承前省略), or sometimes only named later (蒙后省略).
早上他先跑步，然后吃早饭，最后坐地铁去公司。 Zǎoshang tā xiān pǎobù, ránhòu chī zǎofàn, zuìhòu zuò dìtiě qù gōngsī. In the morning, he first goes for a run, then has breakfast, and finally takes the subway to the office.
我刚来的时候一句汉语也不会。后来，我交了很多中国朋友，汉语就越来越好了。 Wǒ gāng lái de shíhou yí jù Hànyǔ yě bú huì. Hòulái, wǒ jiāo le hěn duō Zhōngguó péngyou, Hànyǔ jiù yuè lái yuè hǎo le. When I first arrived, I couldn't speak a word of Chinese. Later, I made many Chinese friends, and my Chinese got better and better.
学校前面是一个公园，左边是超市，对面是一家医院。 Xuéxiào qiánmiàn shì yí ge gōngyuán, zuǒbian shì chāoshì, duìmiàn shì yì jiā yīyuàn. There is a park in front of the school, a supermarket on the left, and a hospital opposite.