Chinese grammar, level by level

1,130 patterns in the order the course teaches them. Each page explains the meaning, the structure, when to use it and the usual mistakes, with examples.

Pre-HSK · 启蒙 First light

音节：声母 + 韵母 + 声调A syllable = initial + final + tone 四个声调Four tones: high and level · rising · low, dipping · falling 轻声Some syllables are said short and light, and carry no tone mark 拼音拼写规则How pinyin is spelt, and where the tone mark goes 三声 + 三声Two third tones in a row: the first one rises 不 bù / bú不 rises to bú before a fourth tone 一 yī / yí / yì一 is yī on its own, yí before a fourth tone, yì before the other tones 儿化 · -r儿 adds an r to the syllable before it; it is not a new syllable 十一 · 二十 · 九十九Build 11–99 from 1–10: a number after 十 is added, a number before 十 multiplies it 百 · 零Hundreds, then tens, then units; an empty place in the middle is read 零 两 · 二两 for “two of something”; 二 for counting, inside numbers and in 第二请please + do something: a polite request 上课了a sentence with no subject: just the action or the thing (+ 了 = now)我喝茶who (+ when) + does + what 喝 = 喝the verb never changes: a time word says when 我你他 · 您I, you, he, she · + 们 for more than one · 您 = polite “you”什么what? 什么 sits where the answer will go 叫someone is called…大 → 小big before small: family before person, month before day, country before city 1 = yāophone and room numbers: say one digit at a time 呢And you? What about…? Where is…?

HSK 1 · 开口 Opening your mouth

是A is B: who or what someone is 吗turns a statement into a yes/no question 不not: for now, habits and the future 也also, too: after the subject, before the verb 谁who? (谁的 = whose?)哪which? (哪国人 = a person from which country?)国家 + 人／语country + 人 = a person from there; country + 语 or 文 = its language 这、那this (near) / that (further away)的’s: whose it is (the owner comes first)很 + 形容词describing someone or something: no 是 before an adjective 和 · 跟and: joins two nouns or people 有 · 没有to have; not to have 一个 · 两个counting things: a measure word goes between the number and the noun 几how many? (when you expect a small number)都all, both: after the subject, before the verb 多大 · 几岁 · ……岁saying and asking someone’s age ……了 · 不……了a change: something is now so, or no longer so 多 + 形容词how (tall, far, heavy, big or old)?很高的男孩儿everything that describes a noun comes before it 在to be (located) at, in or on a place 上 · 下 · 里 · 外 · 前 · 后（+ 边）on · under · in · outside · in front of · behind 哪儿 · 这儿 · 那儿where? · here · there 是……的whose something is, or what kind it is 这些、那些、哪些these / those / which ones?口、家、间measure words for the people in a family, for shops and restaurants, and for rooms 有 (there is)there is / there are (at a place)是 (what is there)what is at a place 几月几号？星期几？saying the date and the day of the week 昨天 · 今天 · 明天yesterday, this year, next week: time words go before the verb 年 · 月 · 日full dates: from the biggest unit to the smallest 今天星期五 · without 是a date, a day or an age can be the predicate without 是 几点 · 三点十分telling the time: hours with 点, minutes with 分 八点半 · 差五分九点half past, and minutes to the hour 半个小时 · 一个半小时 · 半年half an hour, an hour and a half, half a year 在家工作 · 在北京学习doing something somewhere: 在 + place goes before the verb 太……了too …; so … (complaining or exclaiming)想 · 要would like to; want to, be going to 多少 · 多少钱how many? how much?十二块五 · 五毛saying prices: 块 and 毛 in speech, 元 and 角 in writing 一杯茶 · 一本书measure words for books, cups of something, pieces and pages 来四个包子ordering food and buying things: “four buns, please”……，还要……also, in addition: adding one more thing 别的other; something else 怎么 + 动词how (to do something)东边 · 南边 · 西边 · 北边 · 左边 · 右边east, south, west, north, left, right (of something)……呢？softens a question with 什么, 哪儿, 怎么, 谁, 几 …坐火车去上海看朋友go somewhere to do something; go somewhere by some means 还是 (or?)A or B? (asking someone to choose)从……到……from … to …时间 + 在 + 地点 + 动词when, then where, then what you do 会 · 不会can: a skill you have learned 能 · 不能can: able to here and now, or allowed to 认真地学习 · 地how an action is done, like English -ly 在／正在／正……呢be doing something right now 马上right away, very soon 喂hello? (starting or answering a phone call)……吧 (let’s…)let’s… / why don’t you…: a friendly suggestion 跟／和……一起do something together with someone 去不去？好不好？yes-or-no questions made by saying the word twice 买了一些衣服 · 没买did it (a finished action) · didn’t do it 再看一次 · 明天再穿again (for a repeat that hasn’t happened yet)我先去了商场first, before something else 真 + 形容词！really …!, so …! (exclaiming)非常very, extremely (stronger than 很)最the most …; like … most of all 常常 · 有时候often · sometimes · not often 有的……，有的……some …, (and) others …北京比上海冷A is more … than B 上海没有北京冷A is not as … as B 明天会下雨will, is likely to (a prediction)天气怎么样？How is …? What is … like? / How about it?怎么了What’s wrong? What has happened?别 · 别……了don’t … · stop …ing 一边……一边……doing two things at the same time

HSK 2 · 上路 On the road

姓My surname is …, my name is … · May I ask your surname? · Mr / Teacher + surname 它 · 大家 · 咱们it, they (animals, things) · everyone · we (you and me)可以may, can (be allowed to)离A is near to / far from B 从through, by way of (a place)第first, second, third … · Building 5, Room 305, bus No. 300 多 more thana bit more than a number: 三十多块, 三块多一下do something briefly; have a quick look, wait a moment 只 · 一共 · 全only · in total · all, entirely 一点儿也不 · 一……也不not at all · not even one ……的the … one (the noun is left out)有点儿 + 形容词a bit (too) …, usually a complaint 形容词 + 一点儿a bit more …: asking for something, or comparing 又……又……both … and …以前／以后before … / after …啊a warm or excited ending: oh, so …!（当）……的时候when / while …为for (someone or something): be glad for, drink to 可能 · 也许maybe, probably 更even more, …er 特别 · 十分 · 挺 · 好especially, very · quite · so 越来越more and more, …er and …er 过have (ever) done, have been to 次 · 遍 · 回 · 场how many times 三月 · 三个月when (a point) vs how long (a length)刚 · 刚刚 · 刚才just, only just · a moment ago 已经……了already 还 · 还没……呢still · not yet 就（早）· 才（晚）as early as · not until 每 + 量词 + 名词every, each 是不是isn’t it? / is it that…?为什么why 因为……，所以……because…, so…对to, towards; for (good or bad for)应该 · 该 · 该……了should · it’s time to…怎么不 · 怎么没how come…? why (not)…? (surprised)动词 + 得 + 形容词does something well, fast, badly…会 · 能 · 可以会 can (a learned skill) · 能 can (able; nothing stops you) · 可以 may (allowed)就 (right, exactly)right (there), exactly, just 往 · 向towards, to (a direction)一直straight on; all along, the whole time 动词 + 来／去／进／出／过……verb + direction: walk in, take out, come over 着in a state of …ing: wearing, holding, sitting AA · AABBvivid description: nice and …地点 + 动词 + 着 + 人／东西there is / are … (sitting, standing, placed) somewhere 等 · 什么的and so on, etc.看看 · 想一想 · 练习练习do something a little, casually; softens a request 看懂 · 写错 · 做完the result of an action: finished, done well, understood, wrong…的 · 地 · 得three ways to write de: before a noun, before a verb, after a verb 又 · 再 · 重新又: again (it has happened) · 再: again (not yet) · 重新: again, from the start 自己 · 别人oneself, (one’s) own · other people 件 · 条 · 位 · 层 · 封measure words: clothes and matters · long things · people (polite) · floors · letters 故意on purpose, deliberately 给 + 人 + 动词(do something) for / to someone 送／教／问 + 人 + 东西give / teach / ask someone something 千 · 万 · 亿thousand, ten thousand, hundred million A 比 B + 形容词 + 数量A is (this much) more … than B 有 + 数量to be as much as, to reach (an amount)公斤 · 米 · 公里weights and lengths （快／就）要……了about to …; nearly 都……了already (later or more than you’d like)一……就……as soon as …, (then) …一会儿 · 不一会儿a little while; in a moment · before long 愿意be willing to, be happy to 一定 · 必须 · 不一定 · 不用一定: surely; be sure to · 必须: must, have to 如果……（的话），就……if …, (then) …只要……，就……as long as …, (then) ………，好吗？a suggestion + “OK?”, “all right?”, “how about it?”或者or (in statements)（是）……，还是……？A or B? (choosing between two actions)还是……吧had better …, let’s … after all (on second thought)虽然……，但是……although A, (still) B 不过but, however (softer than 但是)不但……，而且……not only A, but also B A 跟 B 一样A is the same as B; A is as … as B 这么、那么、这样、那样so … (like this / like that); this way, that way; this kind of 正好just right, exactly; as it happens A 不如 B · A 有 B 那么……A is not as (good / …) as B · is A as … as B?经常 · 老是often · always, keep (doing), usually as a complaint 忽然suddenly, all of a sudden 好像seem, look as if; be like 什么时候 · 什么样 · 多久when? · what kind of? · how long?差不多about, nearly (with amounts); about the same; nearly done 先……，再／然后……first …, then … (and last …)连动句：动作1 + 动作2two actions in a row, with no word for “and”……呢（说明事实）pointing out a fact: “you know”, “still”, “actually”……吧？（推测）I suppose …, … right? (a guess you want confirmed)动词 + 了 · 句子 + 了verb 了: the action is done · sentence 了: something is new or has changed 那（么），……then, in that case (following on from what was just said)多（么）……啊！how …! (an exclamation)短语：新朋友 · 交朋友 · 听懂 · 心情好phrase types: how words join into a phrase, and what the phrase then works as

HSK 3 · 安家 Settling in

他工作很忙X, (its) Y is …: name the topic, then say something about one part of it 一张 · 一把 · 一台 · 一双measure words chosen by the shape or kind of thing 个个 · 一个一个every single one (个个都) · one by one (一个一个地)离合词：见面、帮忙、散步separable verbs: verb + object words that split open 请／叫／让／派 + 人 + 做事invite, tell, let or send someone to do something 互相、相互、尽量、亲自each other · as much as possible · in person 其实、当然actually (the truth is different) · of course 学了两年how long an action lasts 来中国一年了how long it has been since something happened 对……来说for (someone); from someone’s point of view 学中文很有意思an action or a whole sentence used as the subject or the object 按照according to; following (a plan, a rule, what someone said)首先……，其次／然后……first…, second / then…, finally…光 · 仅 · 仅仅 · 就 · 至少only… · at least…赶紧 · 赶快 · 立刻 · 连忙hurry and…; at once ……了……就……Do X, then (straight away) Y 大概 · 大约 · 恐怕about · probably · I’m afraid (that)…才 · 已 · 早已 · 始终only just · already (written) · long since · from start to finish 总是 · 通常 · 往往always · usually · tends to (as a rule)把do something to a specific thing, and say what happens to it 把…放到／挂在／还给put, hang or give something to a place or a person 笑着说 · 用…做two verbs in a row: the first shows how the second is done 得 (děi)have to; must (spoken)找到 · 记住 · 拿走a verb plus its result: 到 got there, 住 holds fast, 走 away 被 · 叫 · 让something is done to the subject, usually something unwelcome 终于 · 果然终于: at last (after a long wait) · 果然: sure enough, just as expected 只好 · 白只好: have no choice but to · 白: for nothing, in vain 看得清楚 · 看不清楚can / can’t manage to (get the result)吃不了 · 上不了班can / can’t possibly do it (because of the situation)千万be sure to … / whatever you do, don’t …敢 · 需要dare (to) · need (to)跑得比我快compare how well, fast or far two people do something 比你多跑了两公里say how much earlier, later, more or less someone does something 越跑越累the more…, the more…为 · 为了为: for (someone) · 为了: in order to, for the sake of 各 · 各位 · 各种 · 任何each; everyone; all kinds of; any (at all)由于…，因此／所以…because of… / due to…, so…不仅／不光…，还／而且／也…not only A, but also B 十几 · 三四个 · 左右 · 前后rough numbers: a dozen or so, three or four, about, around 一顿 · 一口 · 一眼count an action: one meal, one bite or sip, one glance 极了 · 死了 · 得很 · 多了extremely; terribly; much (more)X就X（一点儿）吧so it’s X, never mind: accepting something that isn’t ideal X什么（啊）what do you mean, X? (pushing back; not a real question)从…起 · 自从from (a time) on · ever since (something happened)曾经 · 从来once did something (in the past) · never, ever 本来originally; at first (but then things changed)……的 + 名词describe a noun with a whole phrase: “the toy I bought”, “the man who drives the taxi”上来 · 下去 · 回来 · 出去…a verb + which way it moves (up, down, in, out, back, over) + 来 (towards the speaker) or 去 (away)开回停车场去 · 买回来很多水果where the place or the thing goes in a phrase like 开回去 or 拿出来朝towards (which way an action goes) · facing (which way something faces)只有……，才……only if …; only by … (nothing else will do)并不 · 根本不actually not (not as you think) · not at all 确实 · 绝对indeed, really (it’s true) · absolutely, definitely 对……有兴趣to be interested in something 看起来 · 看上去looks…; seems…哈哈the sound of laughing: “ha ha”让／使 + 人 + 形容词something makes someone feel a certain way 除了……（以外）except A (everyone else …) · besides A (… as well)会……的will surely …: a promise, a reassurance or a confident prediction 谁都 · 什么都 · 哪儿都 · 想去哪儿就去哪儿everyone / everything / everywhere (with 不 or 没: no one / nothing / nowhere) · whoever, whatever, wherever …什么 · 哪儿 · 谁 = something, somewhere, someonesomething / somewhere / someone (not a real question)由from (a place or a time); formal 一会儿…，一会儿… · 一方面…，另一方面…now A, now B (it keeps switching) · on the one hand A, on the other hand B (two sides or two reasons)不是…，就是…either A or B (it is always one of the two)比较 · 相当 · 更加 · 还可以fairly · quite, really · even more · OK, not bad 并且and also, and what’s more (adds a further point)另外besides, also (adds one more thing) · another, the other (before a number and a noun)再 · 先……再……then, after that; not until then (for things not done yet)要是……（的话），就……if A, (then) B: the everyday spoken “if”有的是have plenty of; there’s no shortage of 到底on earth, exactly (presses for a real answer)简直 · 反正简直: simply, practically (exaggerates) · 反正: anyway, whatever happens 不是……吗isn’t it…? didn’t you…? (reminds someone of what they should know)难道……吗 · 能……吗surely not…? how could…? (a question that expects the opposite answer)打开 → 打不开can / can’t (manage to): words like 打开, 推开, 看到 split open for 得 or 不 急得不知道怎么办so … that … (得 followed by a whole clause saying what happened as a result)你没吃过月饼？a plain statement said with a rising voice becomes a question 踢球踢得很好 · 看球看了二十年say the verb twice when it has an object: once with the object, once with 得 (how well) or 了 (how long)A 不比 BA is no more … than B (they are about the same; often said to disagree)（也）……，也…… · 又……又……A, and B too · doing one thing and another (both at once or by turns)第- · 老- 小- · -们 -子 -头 -儿 -家small pieces that build words: order (第), friendly names (老／小), more than one person (们), everyday nouns (子／头／儿), experts (家)是 (stressed)it really is; I admit (agreeing that something is true, often before 不过 or 就是)不A不Bnot too A and not too B: just right (A and B are opposites)问了她三次 · 去了三次图书馆how many times, when the verb has an object: a pronoun goes before the number of times, a thing after it 向 + 人 + 动词to / from someone: ask, learn from, ask for leave, send your regards 够enough: there is enough of something · enough to (eat, use…) · do something as much as you want 在家 · 村里 · 请他进来 · 我的朋友大卫four handy kinds of phrase: where something happens (在 + place), in or on a place (place + 里／上), asking someone to do something (请 + person + verb), and two names for the same person side by side 以为 · 原来以为: thought (but it turned out to be wrong) · 原来: so it turns out; originally, the original …接着and then, next (one action straight after another) · carry on (doing something after a pause)X是X，就是／不过……X, sure, but…: grant a point, then give the catch 实际上 · 实际 + 名词in fact, actually: what is really true, often against how things look 值得 · 值worth doing; 值 + an amount: worth that much 其中among them, of these: picks out part of a group you have just named 通过through, by means of: names the way or the experience that led to a result 仍然 · 仍still: nothing has changed, often in spite of something

HSK 4 · 登堂 Into the hall

否则 · 不然do A, otherwise B (the bad result) happens 假如 · 万一if (written) · in case, if by any chance 来得及 · 来不及there is (not) enough time to do something 比如 · 尤其（是）…, for example A and B (and so on) · …, especially X 在……看来 · 拿……来说in someone’s view, … · take … for example: …格外 · 极 · 极其especially, more than usual · extremely 既……又／也……both A and B 而 · 不是……，而是……A, whereas B · not A, but B 大A大B · 一A一BA and B in a big way · completely A / one A and one B 未必not necessarily; may not 共altogether, in total (formal)小数、分数、百分数、倍decimals, fractions, percentages and multiples 不X白不X · 一X是一Xmight as well (it costs nothing) · every bit counts 肯定definitely; must be (a confident guess)说不定 · 估计说不定: maybe, it could be · 估计: I reckon, probably 几乎 · 似乎几乎: almost, nearly · 似乎: seem to (written)作为as (in the role of): says in which role someone acts or speaks 在……方面 · 在……上／中in terms of …; on the … side; in the course of …表扬 · 批评 · 选 · 叫作praise or blame someone for something; choose someone as …; call A “B”甚至 · 连……也／都……even: points to the most extreme case 自 · （自）……以来from (formal) · since … (and up to now)为了……而……in order to … (written): the purpose first, then what you do for it 同时 · 在……的同时at the same time; while doing A, also B 一天比一天 · 一年比一年… by …; more and more: each one more … than the last 啊 (interjection)oh! ah! huh?: a cry at the start of a sentence; its tone shows the feeling 按时 · 尽快 · 即将 · 急忙 · 渐渐on time · as soon as possible · about to · hurriedly · gradually 一再 · 再三 · 偶尔again and again (一再, 再三); now and then (偶尔)趟 · 遍 · 次趟 a trip there and back · 遍 once through, start to finish · 次 a time (general)既然……，就……since / now that A (a fact both sides accept), B follows 受不了can’t stand; so … that it is unbearable 反而 · 相反反而: instead, against what you would expect · 相反: opposite; on the contrary 让／叫你 X 你就 Xjust do as you’re told 不管／无论……，都／也……no matter …, still …: the result stays the same whatever the condition 并 · 以及并: and (then), joining two actions of the same person · 以及: and, as well as, before the last item of a list 看来 · 可见看来: it looks like (a guess from what you see) · 可见: which shows that (a firm conclusion from the facts just given)量词：棵、根、卷、批、打、袋 · 借用量词more measure words: for trees, long thin things, rolls, batches, dozens and bags; and nouns borrowed as measure words 存现句：出现和消失something appears at, or disappears from, a place; the newcomer comes after the verb 由……组成is made up of …根据according to; on the basis of (a source you got the information from, or facts and rules you go by)十来个 · 二十来度about, around: a round number, give or take a little 多项定语：我的一个老同学several words before one noun: whose → which and how many → what kind (我的 · 一个 · 老 · 同学)关于 · 对于关于: about, on the subject of · 对于: as for, regarding, towards (对于……来说: for …, in …’s eyes)即使／哪怕……，也…… · 再……也……even if A, still B · no matter how …, still …是……的（看法）wraps the speaker’s judgement to sound sure and convincing: “it really will …, it really is …”反问句：谁不……？哪儿有……？怎么能……？a question that expects no answer and means the strong opposite: 谁不知道？ = everybody knows 竟然to my surprise; actually (something you did not expect)像……似的like …; as if …V着V着while doing something for a while, something else happens 人家other people; that person (someone just mentioned); playfully, “I”双重否定：不能不、不会不、不……不行、没有……不……two negatives make a strong yes: must; is sure to; every single one X也得X，不X也得X · 说什么也得must, like it or not; whatever happens, … has to …却、然而but, yet: 却 goes after the subject; 然而 (written) starts the second clause 尽管……，还是……even though A, (still) B 是否whether (or not): the written way to say 是不是 or 来不来 由 + 人 + 动词by: says whose job something is ……，好………, so that (someone) can …进行 + 双音节动词to carry out, conduct (an action): formal speech and writing 主谓短语作主语 · 受事主语a whole clause as the subject · the thing done comes first, with no 被 于是 · 结果于是: so, and then (what someone did next) · 结果: and in the end, as it turned out 替 + 人 + 动词for someone, in their place 的确really, indeed: confirms that something is true 以 · 用……来……use … to …; with, by (以); take A as B (以 A 为 B)在于A lies in B; A comes down to B 或者……，或者……either A or B (any of them is fine)首先……，其次……（，最后……）first…, second… (, finally…): lays out the points of an argument · A matters less 此外 · 除此以外besides (this); in addition: adds one more point 总之 · 一般来说in short, all in all: sums up · generally speaking: says what is usually true 还……呢and you call yourself …! (teasing)可 · 倒可: really, so (strong feeling) · 倒: actually, against what you would expect 紧缩句two ideas squeezed into one: “if A, B”; 不 A 也 B: “even without A, still B”再说let’s leave it till later · besides 可不是嘛you can say that again; exactly 有什么好……的 · A是A，B是Bthere’s nothing worth …-ing · A is A and B is B (keep them apart)……就是了 · 你 V 你的吧just do … (and that’s that) · go on with what you’re doing 干 · 弄干: do (spoken) · 弄: do something to a thing so that it ends up a certain way 关上 · 关得上 · 关不上上 after a verb: shut, fixed on, or a goal reached · 得上／不上: can / can’t manage it 看出来 · 想出make something out; come up with something 把 + 宾语 + 动词重叠／着／次数do something to X a little · keep X in a state · do it so many times / for so long 想起 · 说起来 · V起来recall, bring up · start to … · when you actually do it, it is …V下 · V下来write, copy, learn something down so it stays · leave behind, hand down · come to a stop 在……下under …; with (someone’s) help, encouragement or direction 被 + 动词（不说谁做的）something was done, without saying who did it 随着as …; along with … (one change brings another)究竟exactly; on earth (presses for the real answer; the written twin of 到底)

HSK 5 · 立足 Finding your footing

由…组成to be made up of; 由 marks who or what does the job 分别respectively; each one separately 以…为…to take A as B; with A as B 而（对比）whereas; while: sets two facts side by side 比…得多A is much more … than B 随着…as …; along with: one change brings another 被称为…to be called; to be known as 动词 + 起来judging by doing: when you look at it, say it, use it 无论…都…no matter …, still …连…都…even …只要…就…as long as …, then …: one condition is enough 至于…as for …: moving to a related topic 既…又…both A and B: two qualities at once 一点儿…都不…not … at all; not even a little 所谓…the so-called …; what is known as …不是…而是…not A but B: correcting an assumption 把…动词 + 在／到／成／给the object ends up somewhere, or as something 即使…也…even if …, still …只有…才…only if …: the one necessary condition 对…来说for …; as far as … is concerned 尽管…仍然…although (it is a fact that) …, still …由于…owing to …, therefore …动词 + 不了can or cannot manage it: circumstances allow or prevent 位于…to be located in; to lie (written)数以…计numbering in the hundreds, thousands, millions… (written)呈…状 / 呈…趋势to take the form of; to show (a shape or a trend)以…居多mostly; the largest share is…从…到…不等ranging from A to B; anywhere between A and B 不分…，都…regardless of; making no distinction of…光…就…… alone; just this one part already …趁（着）…while (the chance lasts); taking advantage of 白 + 动词in vain, for nothing; also: for free 一律all, without exception (of rules and treatment)动词 + 来 + 动词 + 去(do) over and over, back and forth 反正anyway; in any case; whatever happens 仿佛…似的as if; as though 一 + 动词 + 就是 + 时量once (someone) starts, it goes on for (a long time)简直simply; practically (an overstatement the speaker stands by)干脆just (go ahead and); might as well 不 A 不 Bneither too A nor too B; just right 偏偏of all things, as luck would have it; wilfully, insisting on the opposite 总算finally, at long last (with relief); at least, all things considered 一下子all at once; suddenly; in one go 假如…就…if; supposing (a little more formal than 如果)果然sure enough; just as expected 迟早sooner or later 要不（然）otherwise, or else; (in suggestions) how about …为的是the aim being …; so that, in order to 一再／再三again and again; repeatedly 因而therefore; as a result (written)与／跟…有关to be related to; to have to do with 占…（的）百分之…to make up …% of; to account for (a share)何况let alone; much less; besides 哪怕…也…even if; even though 在…期间during; in the course of (a period)就是…也…even if; even (spoken)难怪／怪不得no wonder; so that’s why 格外especially; more than usual 以及and; as well as (before the last item; written)似乎it seems; apparently (a guess from what you see)极其extremely (written, strong)受（到）to receive; to be (welcomed, affected, protected, criticised …)多亏thanks to; luckily (crediting someone or something for a good result)到…为止up to; until; so far 从…来看judging from; seen from 此外besides; in addition; apart from this 因…而…because of … (and so); owing to 据…（说／报道）according to …; it is said / reported that …并 + 动词and (also): adds a second action by the same subject (written)便（＝就）then, at once: the written form of the adverb 就 某 + 名词a certain; some (one that is not named)总之in short; in a word; anyway (sums up what came before)将（书面）will, shall (future); also the written form of 把 在…的同时while …, at the same time …; as well as … (also)

HSK 5–6 · 入世 Living in society

与其…不如…rather than A, better to B 导致 / 使得A leads to B (导致: a bad result)并不 / 并没有not at all; actually not: denying what was expected 非…不可absolutely must; nothing else will do 除非…否则…unless …, (otherwise) …不得不to have no choice but to 宁可…也不…would rather A than B 何必…呢why bother …? there is no need 再…也…however …, still …既然…就…since (as we both know) …, then …出于…out of …; motivated by 越…越…the more A, the more B 首先…其次…最后…first …, second …, finally …: ordering your points 反而on the contrary; instead: the opposite of what you would expect …，以 + 动词so as to; in order to (written)每逢…every time … comes round; whenever 是…的stressing when, where or how something that did happen happened 以免so as not to; lest 一旦…就…once …; the moment … (the result follows)之所以…是因为…the reason why … is that …有助于 / 不利于A helps, benefits or harms B 虽说…可…although, admittedly …, yet …: spoken 虽然 比…还…A is even more … than B, and B is already a lot …之一one of the …比起…来compared with B, A is …再 + 形容词 + 不过了couldn’t be more …; as … as it gets 因此和所以therefore vs so 连忙和赶紧at once; hurriedly: 连忙 tells what someone did, 赶紧 can also urge 又 + 不／没（反驳）it’s not as if …; after all, … (brushing aside a worry or objection)一再／屡次again and again; repeatedly 双重否定double negation: two negatives that make a strong yes 把…当作／看作…to treat A as B; to regard A as B 万万absolutely not; never (only with a negative)根本 + 不／没(not) at all; simply (not)毕竟／究竟／到底毕竟: after all. 究竟, 到底: (what) on earth; in the end 别说…，连…也…never mind A, even B…; let alone A 动词 + 着 + 动词 + 着while (doing) …, (something happens); as one went on doing …动词 + 个 + 不停／没完(do) non-stop; keep on … endlessly 偶尔和偶然occasionally (how often) vs by chance (how it happened)逐渐和逐步gradually: 逐渐 for change that happens by itself, 逐步 for change carried out step by step 陆续和纷纷one after another: 陆续 for a sequence over time, 纷纷 for many at once 一度for a time; at one point (in the past)唯独only (as the one exception); all … except 像…似的like; as if 丝毫不／毫无not in the slightest; without any 形容词 + 得不得了extremely; terribly; no end 不禁／不由得cannot help (doing); in spite of oneself 不料unexpectedly; who would have thought; but then 怎么能／怎么会…呢how could …?: a question that means “should not” or “cannot be”不见得／说不定不见得: not necessarily; 说不定: maybe, quite possibly 一来…，二来…for one thing …, for another …再也不／再也没never again; not any more 忽然和突然suddenly: 忽然 is only an adverb; 突然 is also an adjective 好歹at least; anyway (settling for the minimum); (有个好歹) if anything should happen 尚且…，何况…even A …, let alone B; if even A …, then all the more B 与其说…不如说…it is less A than B; rather than calling it A, it is truer to call it B 一切和所有一切: everything, all of it; 所有: all (the), every one of 一味blindly; doing only one thing, whatever the situation (critical)反之conversely; if not; in the opposite case A 不比 B + 形容词A is no more … than B; A is just as … as B (rebutting a claim)必须、必需、必要must (do) / essential (thing) / necessary (worth doing)务必be sure to; must, without fail 日益increasingly; day by day (written style)索性might as well; simply go ahead and 不断和不停不断: continually, again and again (growth, change); 不停: non-stop, without a pause (an action)A 就 A（吧）so be it; if it is A, let it be A (accepting what you cannot change)如何how; in what way; how about (formal 怎么／怎么样)进而and then, going a step further; and from there 增加了和增加到增加了: increased by (the difference); 增加到: increased to (the new total)始终和一直始终: from start to finish, never changing; 一直: all along, continuously; straight on 毫不／毫无not in the slightest; without the least (written or emphatic)

HSK 6 · 通商 Economy and technology

自…以来ever since …从而thereby; and thus 在…下under …; with …: the condition that makes it possible 与…相比compared with A, B …居…首位to rank first, nth or near the top in …先后one after another; successively 一方面…另一方面…on the one hand …, on the other …凭 / 凭借by virtue of; on the strength of 不再…而是…no longer A but B 即便…也…even if; even in the case of …加以 + 动词to carry out an action on …: formal light verbs 名词 + 之 + 形容词so … that it astonishes: a written exclamation 凡是…都…every …; anything that …, without exception 不但没…反而…far from …, on the contrary …得以to be able to, thanks to some condition 以便so that; to make it possible to 鉴于in view of; given that 通过…by means of; through 万一…in case; if by any chance (something unwelcome)要不是…if it were not for …; had it not been that …幸亏…不然…luckily …, otherwise …尚未not yet (written 还没有)不仅仅是…更是…not merely A; more importantly B 分数和倍数A is only a fraction of B; fractions, multiples and ratios 要多…有多…as … as can be; extremely … (spoken)说 + 动词 + 就 + 动词to do it the moment it is mentioned; just like that 打 + 名词 + 牌to play the … card; to make … one’s selling point or tactic 动词 + 个 + 不停to keep on (doing) nonstop 动词 + 不过来too many to manage; cannot get round them all 以致和以至（于）with the result that (bad) / so much so that 不是…（所）能…的it is not something … can do; it takes more than …大不了at worst; if worst comes to worst; (没什么大不了) no big deal 不过…罢了it’s only …, nothing more 连…带…A along with B; both A and B; (doing) A and B at once 什么 A 不 A 的never mind all this talk of A; A doesn’t matter A 也罢，B 也罢whether A or B; no matter whether A 是 A，可是…it’s A all right, but …不…才怪呢it would be strange if not …; bound to …掀起…热to set off a craze for …; a … boom sweeps …不愧（是）truly lives up to being; is worthy of the name 以…著称／以…闻名to be famous for 一向和一直always, as a habit (一向) vs. continuously, without a break (一直)过于 + 形容词too, excessively (formal)不免／难免／未免bound to, naturally (不免, 难免) vs. rather too (未免)…就是了just do it, that’s all; nothing more to it A 不亚于 BA is no less than B; A is a match for B 可谓／堪称can truly be called; well deserves to be called 突破／破 + 数字to pass, break (a round-number mark)迄今（为止）up to now; to date (formal)不惜not hesitate to (pay a price); go so far as to 何尝when have I ever…? / it is not that I do not…不至于would not go so far as to; is not so bad that 莫非could it be that…?; surely not…?打着…的旗号under the banner of; using … as a front 针对aimed at; targeting; in response to 不乏there is no lack of; there are quite a few 名词／形容词 + 化-ise, -isation: to make or become X 有所 + 动词somewhat; to some extent (has risen, improved, changed)难以 + 动词hard to; difficult to (written 很难)一 + 动词 + 再 + 动词again and again; over and over (usually unwelcome)动词 + 为(divide, change, elect, regard, raise …) into or as B 将 + 宾语 + 动词formal 把: doing something to a definite object 况且和何况besides, moreover (况且, adding one more reason) vs. let alone (何况)并非is not (as one might think); by no means 足以be enough to; be sufficient to 颇为／极为quite, rather (颇为) / extremely (极为); formal 还 + 名词 + 呢and you call yourself a …!; some … that is!岂不…wouldn’t that be …? (rhetorical)…莫过于…nothing is more … than; the most … is 再…不过了couldn’t be more …; as … as can be 予以／给予to give, grant (formal)有望 + 动词is expected to; stands a good chance of

HSK 6–7 · 溯源 History and thought

长达…as long as, as high as, as many as: stressing a big figure 直到…才…not until …正如…所说just as … says, expected or knows 为…所…to be V-ed by …: the formal passive 于 + 时间／地点in, at, on: written 在于是and so; whereupon 被誉为…to be hailed as; to be praised as 经 / 经由by way of; via A 之 Bthe B of A: classical 的, kept in names and set phrases 一经…便…as soon as …: once a formal step happens, the result follows 不论…皆…all …, regardless of …: 皆 is written 都 竟然 / 居然to one’s surprise; actually A…，B 则…B, for its part, …: the written contrast marker 固然…但…admittedly A, but B 在…看来in …’s view 倘若…if; supposing (written 如果)为何 / 何以why; how is it that (written 为什么)前者…后者…the former …, the latter …以…告终to end in …被迫to be forced to 时而…时而…now A, now B 由…而来to come from …; to have developed out of …从未 / 从不never so far / never as a rule 早在…就…as early as …, already …没过多久 / 没过几年before long; within a few (days, years)再加上…on top of that; add to that (one more cause)至今to this day; up to now 一时间all at once; for a while (a sudden, widespread reaction)从…转向…to shift from A to B (direction, focus or system)没等…就…before A even happened, B already did 提起…when it comes to …; mention … and (a memory or reaction follows)正是…it is precisely X that …; pins the cause or the credit on one thing 同样是…the situation is the same, yet the outcomes differ 以…为己任to take … upon oneself as a duty; to make … one’s mission 虽…，却… · …，虽然…although (the written 虽, and 虽然 added as an afterthought)无非／只不过…罢了merely …, that is all (playing something down)……，此后……after that; from then on (in narrative)这样一来this way; as a result; with that 史称…known to history as; historians call it 与其…，宁可／宁愿…rather than A, I would sooner B (the harder choice, made on purpose)无论如何whatever happens; in any case; no matter what 纵然／纵使…也…even if; even though (literary)……，以至于……so much so that; to the point that 尽管……，毕竟／总是／不过……although …, still / after all …名为…，实为…in name …, in fact …起初…，后来…at first …, later …; at first …, only later …受到／遭到 + 动词to meet with, suffer or receive (a verb used as a noun, in a passive sense)相传…tradition has it that …; according to legend 有 A 有 Bnow A, now B; some A and some B (variety, or a balance of opposites)以…见长to excel in; to be noted for (a strength)无从 + 动词to have no way to …; to have nowhere to start 任…，也…no matter how …, still …; let … do what it will （要）V就V个＋补语if you’re going to do it, do it all the way 一＋量词＋抽象事物a whole body, face or bellyful of something abstract: 一身本领, 一脸无奈 ……，没想到……unexpectedly; who would have thought 或是……或是……；或A或Beither … or …; some … some … (formal)一改…to completely change; to break with (a former state)因…故…because …, therefore … (literary)除此之外besides this; apart from this 连…，更不用说…even A …, not to mention B; let alone B ……，继而……and then; subsequently (formal)与此同时at the same time; meanwhile ……，进而……and then go on to; and further （由于）……，以致……with the (bad) result that ……之际at the moment when; on the occasion of (formal)号称…to be known as; to be billed as (sometimes more than the truth)一面…，一面…while doing A, (also) doing B 不下 + 数量no fewer than; at least 一说…，一说…one account says …, another says …归根到底in the final analysis; at root; when all is said and done 多重复句sentences with three or more layers of clauses 集…之大成to bring together and crown (a whole tradition); to be the culmination of 不知……好not know what (how) one should …; to be at a loss ……，甚至于……even; even to the point of 以…自居to regard oneself as; to style oneself (usually wrongly)别看……，但是……don’t judge by …; … may be so, but …把…一 + 动词with one quick move (a glare, a wave, a slam), and then …非…莫属nobody (nothing) but …; … and no other 总的来说／总而言之all in all; in short; to sum up ……，也就是说……that is to say; in other words 以…命名to be named after; to name (something) after

HSK 7–9 · 论世 Formal register

就…而言as far as … is concerned; in terms of 对…表示…to express (an attitude) towards …旨在to be aimed at; its purpose is to A 即 BA, that is, B: written 就是及其A and its B 取决于to depend on; to be decided by 须 / 不得 / 可shall, shall not, may: the modal verbs of rules and contracts 若…则…if …, then …: written 如果…就…未经…，不得…without (permission), may not …; upon (a formal step)力争…to strive to; to do your utmost to achieve 截至…as of; up to (a cut-off date)较…下降…to rise or fall by … compared with …无不…without exception: a double negative meaning “all”以…为由on the grounds of; citing … as the reason 有待（于）remains to be …; still awaits 基于on the basis of; based on 势必is bound to; will inevitably 无非（是）…nothing more than; it simply comes down to 诚然…然而…true, …; however, …: conceding before you rebut 由此可见 / 综上所述from this it can be seen / to sum up: drawing the conclusion 不妨might as well; there is no harm in: a gentle suggestion 烦请 / 敬请 / 望kindly …; we respectfully ask you to …如有…，请…should there be any …, please …被曝／被指／被传is exposed / accused / rumoured to (not yet settled)纯属…is purely; is nothing but 有…之嫌to be open to the charge of; to smack of 说是…，其实…supposedly …, but really …: passes on a claim, then the truth 以…代…to use A in place of B (written style)不便 + 动词it would not be proper to …: a polite refusal that leaves the reason unsaid 勿do not (on signs, notices and official warnings)动词＋个＋不停／没完to keep on doing something non-stop 再度once again (formal, in news and reports)需 + 动词need to; have to (formal, before a verb)别管…，都…no matter …; whatever … (spoken 不管)单靠…，还需…A alone will not do it; B is needed as well A＋形容词＋于＋BA is more … than B (written): 高于, 低于, 重于 动词／形容词 + 不得must not be …; cannot afford to … (a warning)或……，或……either … or …; some …, others …频频again and again; repeatedly, in quick succession (written)首 + 量词（首次、首位、首届）the first (ever); first in a series (the written 第一)形容词 + 得 + 不行／要命／要死extremely; unbearably (spoken)名词 + 的 + 动词（它的开通）the opening of …, the arrival of …: an event made into a noun and used as the subject 起初…，…才…at first …, only later ……，此后…after that; from then on 历来always; has always been (from long ago up to now)颇 / 颇为quite; rather; considerably (written)亦also; too (the written 也)该 / 另 / 兹the said, this (one just mentioned); another, separately; hereby 从严 + 动词（从严处置）to handle strictly (从严), severely (从重), leniently (从宽, 从轻), swiftly (从快) or simply (从简)供 + 人 + 动词（仅供参考）for (someone) to …; for (a use)固然…，也…admittedly A, and B too: granting one point without ruling out the other 与其…，宁可…rather than A, (I would) sooner B 况且moreover; besides: adding a further, often clinching reason 即then, at once (the written form of 就)一面……，一面……while …, at the same time … (two actions or efforts carried on together)把＋当事人＋动词＋了（致使）causative 把: something leaves someone in a state; (old-fashioned) to suffer the loss of someone 依according to; in accordance with (formal)未not; did not; has not (the written 没有)（因）……，故……because …, therefore … (written)动词 + 方式／工具／材料／目的宾语verb + object of manner, tool, material or purpose 合计 · 共计 · 累计 + 数量in total: 合计 adds up the items listed, 共计 gives the grand total, 累计 adds up over time A 用于 Bto be used for; to go on (formal)就…on; regarding (the topic of a statement or discussion)及 · 以及and; as well as (formal)尤为especially; particularly (formal)极为／颇为＋形容词extremely / quite, rather (formal)……，且……and also; and moreover (written)倘若／若／假使…，就／那么…if; suppose … then … (formal)A＋比＋名词＋还＋名词A out-Xs X itself; more X than X 被……所……to be V-ed by … (formal passive)别说……，连……也/都……let alone A; not even B 何what, which, who, why (literary)向来always; all along (has been so)……，何况……let alone; all the more so; besides 乃is; is indeed (literary 是)矣classical final particle, like 了 纵然……，也……even if; even though (literary)

HSK 7–9 · 烟火 Everyday life

该…的…，该…的…do A where A is called for and B where B is (spend where you should, save where you should)大到…，小到…from things as big as … to things as small as …; everything, large and small …，免得…so as to avoid; so that … won’t; or else 一 + 动词 + 了之to just … and treat the matter as closed; to brush a problem aside by …左 A 右 Ato do something over and over, every which way 说到底in the end; when all is said and done; at bottom 将 + 动词will, shall (formal future); also a written 把 要么…，要么…either … or … (and nothing else)犯不着it is not worth (doing); there is no need to A 有 A 的 BA has its own B; each has its own … (too)打…起since; from (colloquial for 从…起)…来着what was it again? (recalling something); it was … (as I recall)谈不上…can hardly be called; far from; there is no question of 被视为…to be regarded as; to be seen as 越发 + 形容词all the more; increasingly; even more than before 敢情so that’s it; so it turns out (northern spoken)动词 + 个 + 够to do something to one’s heart’s content; as much as one likes 又是 A 又是 Bwhat with A and B; doing all sorts of things …，并 + 动词and (also); and then (formal: adds a second action of the same subject)顾不上…to have no time or attention left for; cannot see to 临 + 动词（+ 前）just before; on the point of (doing)好不 + 形容词how very …!; so …! (exclamation)A 不说，还 Bnot only A, but B as well (colloquial)压根儿（不／没）…not at all; never in the first place (colloquial)最…的莫过于…nothing is more … than …; the most … of all is …但凡…whenever; as long as; anyone who … at all 动词 + 上 + 数量to do something for (or up to) a certain amount, stressing that the amount is reached （要）从…说起the story goes back to …; to begin with …摇身一变（成为）…to suddenly turn into; to reinvent oneself as 随之…along with it; accordingly; in step 受（到）+ 名词to be hit by, squeezed by, favoured by…: undergoing something (business and news register)相继one after another; in succession (written)…不在少数are by no means few; there are quite a lot of…一路 + 动词all the way; steadily in one direction (of prices and figures)成为…的代名词to become a byword for; to become synonymous with 动辄…easily; at every turn; routinely (often before a large number)层层 + 动词at every level; stage after stage …，致使…causing; with the result that (of bad results)为…起见for the sake of; to be on the safe side 尽可以 + 动词can by all means; are quite free to; feel free to 说 A 也 A，说 B 也 BA in one way and B in another; it depends how you look at it …是出了名的is well known for; is notorious for; everybody knows that…根本不／没not at all; simply not; not even 在…（的）前提下provided that; on condition that 差点儿（没）…very nearly; almost (but in the end did not)稍不注意／稍有不慎，就…the slightest lapse and…; one careless moment and……之余besides; in the time left over from; along with (a feeling)一 + 名词 + 难求so sought-after that even one is hard to get 趁（着）…（还…），赶紧…while (the chance lasts), hurry and…; to take the chance to 图（个）…to do something just for…; all one is after is…要的就是…what one is after is precisely…; that is exactly the point 对…处以…（罚款）to impose (a penalty) on; to punish with (a fine, detention)唯恐……for fear that; anxious only that (written)硬（是）……doggedly, by sheer will, against all odds; (with 要, 不) obstinately 那叫一个 + 形容词really, so very; just (colloquial exclamation)跻身（于）…（之列）to rise into the ranks of; to join (a top group)多达／高达 + 数量as many as / as high as (stressing that a number is large)借…的东风to ride the momentum of; to take advantage of (a favourable event or trend)得益于…thanks to; benefiting from 仅次于…second only to; just behind 不堪 + 动词 · 形容词 + 不堪cannot bear; (after an adjective) utterly, wretchedly …有余，…不足more than enough A, too little B （为…）付出…（的）代价to pay a (heavy) price (for)与…无缘to miss out on; to be denied (a title, a place, a prize)把…归咎于…to put the blame for … on …; to attribute a fault to ……（的）症结所在／问题所在where the crux lies; the root of the problem 就此 + 动词there and then; at this point (and no further); with that 以 X 比 Y 战胜／击败…to beat someone by a score of X to Y …意味着…means; signifies; implies （不）急于 + 动词to be eager to, in a hurry to; (不急于) in no rush to 冲着…because of, drawn by; for the sake of (a motive)一个劲儿（地）…keep on (doing); persistently, non-stop 自…之日起from the day (that) …; with effect from …与否whether or not 一言不合就…at the first disagreement; at the drop of a hat 时隔…after an interval of; … later (before a return, reunion or repeat)历经…having gone through; after (a long time or many trials)迟迟不／没…to keep failing to; still not … (after a long, frustrating wait)

HSK 7–9 · 格物 Body and nature

多一分…，就多一分…every extra bit of A means that much more B; a little more A, a little more B 总不能…吧surely (we) can't just …; (we) can hardly …越是…，越…the more … (a situation is), the more …; all the more when …说…也不为过it is no exaggeration to say …; … can hardly be overstated 有X没X（都／就）…whether or not there is X; X or no X (often: out of sheer habit)按理说…，可…by rights …, but in fact …; you would think …, yet …占…的百分之…to account for …% of (in data reports)每…就有…for every …, there is …; one in every …处于…（阶段／状态）to be at (a stage); to be in (a state)同等条件下，优先 + 动词other things being equal, … comes first; priority is given to …舍不得＋动词cannot bear to; to be reluctant to (spend, throw away, part with)要是……就好了if only; it would be great if 并 + 动词（并且）and (also); and then: a second action of the same subject (formal)有赖于…to depend on; to be owed to; to need (formal)恰恰（是）…precisely; it was exactly … (that); of all things 据…（说）according to (a source of information)冒着…的危险at the risk of; braving (danger)可想而知one can well imagine; it goes without saying 碍于…held back by (face, feelings, one’s position); out of regard for 本着…的原则in keeping with the principle of; in a spirit of 说白了，…to put it plainly; in plain words; when you come down to it ……的他／她（定语修饰人称代词）he/she, who (once) …; the once-… he/she (a description placed before a pronoun)前脚…，后脚（就）…no sooner … than …; the moment … , …数量＋及以上／及以下… and above / … and below (the number itself included)又不／又没（反驳）it’s not as if …; after all, … (so why …?)明明…却…clearly …, and yet …人前…，人后…in public …, (but) in private …; in front of others …, behind closed doors …正因为…，才…precisely because …; it is just because … that …到了…的地步to reach the point where …; to get so bad that …长此以往if things go on like this; in the long run (introducing a bad consequence)借助（于）…with the help of; by means of 靠…为生to make a living by; to live by 与…不同的是，…unlike A, B …; what sets B apart from A is that …A 之又 A（少之又少）extremely A; A in the extreme (literary intensifier)距今 + 时间(so long) before the present; … ago (written)相当于…to be equivalent to; to be as much as; to amount to 不足 + 数量fewer than; under; less than 致力于…to devote oneself to; to be committed to 逐年 + 动词year by year; year on year 为期 + 时段lasting (a set length of time); a …-long (ban, visit, programme)动词＋殆尽all but used up; almost completely (lost, destroyed)名词／成语 + 式（的）+ 名词…-style, in the manner of (often critical)远在 + 地点far away in; as far off as 被列为…to be listed as; to be classed as; to be designated 对…至关重要to be crucial to; to be of the utmost importance for 以 A 喻 Bto use A as an image for B; to liken B to A A 与 B 并称（为）…A and B are known together as …; are named in the same breath 不尽 + 形容词／动词not entirely; not altogether (written)宜 A 则 A，宜 B 则 BA where A suits, B where B suits; whatever fits the place 拿…没办法can do nothing about; to be at a loss with 照这样下去，…if things go on like this; at this rate …背后（是／有）…behind (an event or a success) lies …濒临＋名词to be on the verge of, close to (a disaster or collapse) (written)一连＋数量＋时间in a row; on end; running (without a break)由A向Bfrom A towards B (written)途经…passing through … on the way 以…为代价at the cost of; at the price of 照样 + 动词all the same; just as before; still 从…入手to start with; to tackle (a problem) by way of 不愁 + 动词not have to worry about …不得而知cannot be known; no one can tell 疑为… / 疑似…suspected to be; thought to be (formal)为之 + 动词to be moved, shaken or struck by it 系（＝是）is; was (formal written 是)时段＋之久for as long as; for all of (a long time)不复＋动词no longer; never again (written)数量＋余more than, over, -odd (written; = 多)一举＋动词in a single move; at one stroke 届时when the time comes; by then; at that time (formal)…之最the -est in (the world, the country); a record 打个比方，…to give an analogy; to put it another way 包括…在内including …放眼…，…looking across …; taking the whole of … into view …绕不开…cannot be told without; there is no getting round 免受…to be spared (from); to be protected against （只／仅）限于…to be confined to, limited to 不可否认，…（但）…admittedly …, (but) …; there is no denying that …, (but) …撇开…不谈leaving … aside; setting … aside; quite apart from …

HSK 7–9 · 经国 Work and the state

摆在…面前facing (someone); lying before (someone), of choices, problems or tasks 面向 + 对象aimed at; open to; for (an audience)生怕…for fear that; terrified that 时 A 时 Bsometimes A, sometimes B: alternating again and again 半 A 半 Bhalf A, half B: partly one thing and partly its opposite 动不动就…at the slightest thing; all too readily; at every turn 依 / 依照 / 依据according to; in accordance with (the written 按照／根据)（在）+ 时段 + 内within (a time limit); no later than 好不容易才…only after great difficulty; at long last 动词 + 就 + 动词，别…if you are doing V, just do V, and do not …: stick to the one thing A 比名词还名词A is more N than N itself (has N’s typical qualities to an extreme)不止 + 数量 / 不止一次more than (a number); more than once 或…，或…some …, others …; either … or …小到…，大到…from things as small as … to things as big as …; everything from … to …从…起步to start out from (a small beginning)尽管…，毕竟／总是…although …, after all …: the second fact outweighs the first 殊不知little do they know; what people fail to realise is that 归功于to owe (a success) to; give the credit to 何（＝什么／哪）what, which, who: the written 什么 or 哪 in fixed bundles 美其名曰calling it by the fine-sounding name of; under the grand name of (ironic)涉嫌 + 动词to be suspected of (an offence)句群：用关联词连接句子linking whole sentences with connectives: the steps of a process 高达 + 数量reaching as much as; as high as (stresses that a figure is large)赶在…之前to hurry to get something done before (a deadline or event)X 也 X 不…，Y 也 Y 不…cannot do X however one tries, and cannot do Y either 因…（罪）被判处…to be sentenced (fined, punished) for …原以为…，谁知…one had thought …, but who would have guessed …问题是，…the trouble is; but the thing is …本身in itself; as such 从侧面 + 说明／反映to show indirectly; to bear out (from another angle)上一次…，还是（在）…the last time … was (as long ago as) …A 与 B 持平to be level with; to stay flat (compared with)受制于to be constrained by; to be held back by …总比…好at any rate better than; better than … anyway 非但不…，反而…far from …, on the contrary …一跃成为to leap to become (a top position) at a single bound 未 + 动词did not; has not (yet): the written 没（有）据悉／据称it is understood that (the reporter has it from a source) / it is claimed that (unconfirmed)对此in response to this; regarding this 假使 / 假设…，那（么）…suppose …, then …; if … (formal)自 A 自 Bby oneself, to oneself, for oneself: one person plays both parts （凡）…的，…anyone who …, …; where …, … (the conditional of laws and rules)（不过）话又说回来having said that; then again 历时 + 时段taking (so long); lasting; over a span of 随即immediately afterwards; thereupon (written)把 + 人 + 不及物动词 + 了（致使）a misfortune befalls someone in your family or care: they die, fall ill or get away, and you suffer for it 视…而定depending on; to be decided according to 归…所有to belong to; to be the property of (legal)请勿 / 切勿 + 动词please do not; on no account (in notices and warnings)…（的）除外except (where) …; … excepted (the exception clause at the end of a rule)以…为名under the name of; on the pretext of 一并 + 动词together, in the same act: several items handled as one batch 如果说…，那么…if A is X, then B is Y: grants one point in order to set a weightier one beside it 以…换取…to trade A for B; to gain B at the cost of A 什么 X 的 Y 的never mind X or Y; X, Y, who cares 东 A 西 Bhere and there; this way and that …方为／方可…only then is / only then may (written 才)…矣classical 了: a new state has come about, or a firm judgement 遂thereupon; and so (written 于是／就)继…之后following; after (formal)联合关系句群a sentence group of equal partners: side by side, in sequence, building up, or as alternatives 着眼于…with an eye to; to focus on; to look to 在…（的）基础上on the basis of; building on 动词 + 至 + 数量／时间to (a new level or date): gives the end point of a change 不低于／不超过 + 数量no less than / no more than: the floor and ceiling of a rule 超出…的部分the part over (a threshold)代为 + 动词on someone’s behalf: one party does it in another’s place 年满 + 年龄on reaching (an age); having turned (an age)整整 + 数量a full, a whole, all of 动词 + 完毕finished, completed (formal)逾 + 数量more than, over (formal written)分批 + 动词in batches; group by group …以南／以北／以东／以西south / north / east / west of (a line or place), and everything beyond it 迫于 + 名词forced by, under pressure of 沿…而…along (a river, range or road), going or lying that way 一 + 量词 + 接 + 一 + 量词one after another, in an unbroken chain 应邀 + 动词at the invitation of; having been invited (to)近 + 数量nearly, close to (formal written)

HSK 9+ · 入化 Mastery

之（代词）之 after a verb means him, her, it or them; between nouns it means 的 不亦…乎is it not …? a rhetorical question meaning “it truly is”…者，…也A is B: the classical way to say 是 所 + 动词that which is V-ed; what one V-s 动词 + 于于 after a verb or adjective: at, in, from, than, by 莫 / 莫不莫不: none does not, so all. 莫: nobody; do not 对仗parallelism: two lines matched word for word in grammar and sense 唯有…才…only … (written 只有)乃至and even; going so far as 话说…the story goes …; so, speaking of …只见and what met the eye was …: a narrative zoom 岂止…far more than just A 未尝不…it is not that … not; may well be: a cautious double negative 大抵on the whole; in the main (literary)由此from this; hence 歇后语：A——Ba two-part saying: an image, a pause, then the point 俗话说…as the saying goes …: how to bring a proverb in 好比 / 犹如A is just like B: simile words by register 被 + 不能被动的词the ironic passive: to be “X-ed” on paper, without your knowledge or consent 谁懂啊“who gets it?!”: a call for sympathy, not a question 形容词 + 到 + 极点extreme-degree complements: as … as can be 可真…啊“you really are …!”: strong praise, or its ironic opposite 说好听点儿…，说难听点儿…to put it nicely …; to put it bluntly …不在于…而在于…what matters is not A but B 属 + 生肖to be born in the year of (an animal)按…（来）算by … reckoning; counted by …往前推 / 往后推to count back / forward in time; to move a date earlier / later 每隔…every …; at intervals of ……前后around (a date, a time or an event)素有…之称has long been known as …; there has long been a saying that …可不是（嘛）exactly; you can say that again 哪有…这么…的who on earth would …? (a protest at unreasonable behaviour)（您）猜怎么着and guess what? (the pause before the twist in a story)说到／想到哪儿去了what are you on about? (you have got the wrong idea; also a modest brush-off)要X有X，要Y有Yhas every X and Y you could want (with 没: has none at all)别提了don’t ask! (before telling how badly something went)（要）V就V个…if you do it, do it to the full 别提（有）多…了you can’t imagine how …; ever so …V就V，别…if you are going to do it, just do it (and do not …)话又说回来having said that; then again 话是这么说，可…that may be so, but …; easier said than done 各 + 动词 + 各 + 的each does his own; each goes his own way 半A半Bhalf A, half B; partly A and partly B 自A自Bby oneself and to or for oneself 数 + 量词（＝几）several; a few (the written 几)看在X的面子上for the sake of X; out of regard for X 什么X的Y的never mind X or Y; X, Y, whatever (waving a distinction away)看／瞧你那（X）样look at you! (teasing or scolding)X了又Y，Y了又Xdoing X and Y over and over; back and forth 不知X的somehow; for some reason (I cannot say why)句群：不用关联词（意合）sentences linked by order and meaning alone, with no connective 忽A忽Bnow A, now B; suddenly A, then suddenly B 爱…不…do it or don’t, I don’t care X也X不…，Y也Y不…cannot V1 however one tries, nor V2 没说的beyond criticism; no problem, it goes without saying 东A西Bhere and there, all over: doing A and B in a scattered way 非A非Bneither A nor B 时A时Bsometimes A, sometimes B; now A, now B 似A非Aseemingly A yet not quite; half A 句群：联合关系sentence groups of equal partners: listing, sequence, build-up, choice, explanation, summing up 在…的今天today, when …; in an age when …X（也）不是，不X也不是damned if you do and damned if you don’t; stuck either way 句群：偏正关系a sentence group: a supporting sentence, then the main one, linked across the full stop 退一步（来）说even granting that; even if we concede the point 试问，…？I ask you, …? (a challenge whose answer is obvious)句群：首先…其次…况且…因此linking several sentences into one argument 但愿…let us hope; may …; if only 巴不得to be only too eager to; cannot wait to 句群：带关联词语linking whole sentences with connectives 何…之有what X is there? (= there is no X at all)排比：三个以上结构相同的句子parallelism: three or more clauses of the same shape, for rhythm and force 朝A夕B／朝A暮Bin the morning A, in the evening B: all day long, or changing from one day to the next …兮（文言语气词）a sighing particle at the end or middle of a line of verse, like 啊 动词 + 之 + 以 + 名词（晓之以理）to V someone with something (the 以 phrase placed after the verb)…者有之，…者亦有之some A, some B, and some C too (surveying a range)安／何／何尝……？（反问）rhetorical: how could …? when has … ever …?无所谓X不Xit does not matter whether X or not 吾 · 汝 · 子（＝我／你）the classical words for “I” and “you”

HSK 9+ · 传神 Art, belief and feeling

A，（但）这并不妨碍 Bbut that does not stop …; … all the same A、B 分列第…to take … places respectively (in a ranking or result)伴随着…along with; accompanied by; as … went on ……，这还不算……and that is not counting …; and that is before you add …一 + V + 不 + Vnot … at all; without the slightest …少说（也）……at the very least; at a conservative guess X 也不是，不 X 也不是damned if you do, damned if you don’t; neither will do 每当…（的时候），…whenever; every time that 寓 A 于 Bto embed A in B; to convey A through B 一一 + 动词one by one; each in turn, none left out 不是 A，胜似 Anot A, yet closer than A; not A, yet better than A 能不…就不…not do something unless you must; leave undone whatever can be left undone 即（＝就）then; at once (the written 就); 即可 means 就可以 好在…fortunately; luckily (the saving grace in a bad situation)自 A 至 Bfrom A to B (a formal span of time, place or range)偏正关系句群a sentence group with a main part and supporting parts 化 A 为 Bto turn A into B A 如 Bas (adjective) as B; a compact written simile 以 + 价格 + 成交at (a price); by (a score or margin)少则…，多则…anywhere from … at the low end to … at the high end 看似…，实则…it looks like …, but in fact …（因）…，故…because …, therefore … (written)上至 A，下至 Bfrom A at the top to B at the bottom: everyone, the whole range 愈 A 愈 Bthe more A, the more B (written 越…越…)乃（＝是）is; is indeed (written, with classical weight)不知 + 怎么 + 的somehow; for some reason (one cannot explain)集 A 于一身to combine A, B and C in one person or thing 把／将 A 推向 Bto carry A on to B (a climax, new heights, the wider world)一 + 量 + 高过 + 一 + 量each one more … than the last 何等 + 形容词how very …! (formal exclamation)非 A 非 Bneither A nor B (but an odd mixture, or something else)源于／源自to originate from; to stem from 将 A 融入 Bto blend A into B; to work A into B 动词 + 遍 + 地方all over; throughout (a place)有…的地方，就有…wherever there is …, there is …说不出（的）＋形容词indescribably …; a … beyond words 因…，故…because …, therefore … (the terse written form)一边是…，一边是…on one side …, on the other … (two contrasting scenes or facts)在 + 人 + 手里under someone; in someone’s hands (while he or she is in charge)先有 A，后有 Bfirst came A, then B; A came first and B grew out of it 奉…为…to revere sb/sth as; to hold up as 不求…，但求…not asking for A, only for B; all one asks is…要 X 有 X，要 Y 有 Yhas every X and Y one could ask for; (with 没) has none of them 乍一看…，（细看）才发现…at first glance …; only on a closer look …融 A 于 Bto blend A into B; to combine A and B into one (written)亦（＝也）also; too (the classical 也); in 亦A亦B, both A and B at once 以…的身份as; in the capacity (or guise) of 至此，…at this point; with this; and so (marking an end or a turning point)A 与 B 一一对应A corresponds one to one with B; each A matches a B 落得…（的）下场to end up with (a bad fate); to come to (a sorry end)生前…，死后…in (someone’s) lifetime …, after death …在 + 很大／一定 + 程度上to a large extent; to some extent; in a sense 给 + 人 + 贴上…的标签to label sb as …; to pigeonhole 把 A 往 B 上套to force-fit A onto B; to make A fit a template 动词 + 的 + 动词，动词 + 的 + 动词some did this, others that; (a group) all went their separate ways 人称…known to all as …; people call him …无 + 名词 + 可 + 动词to have no … to …; there is no … left to …一 + 身／脸／肚子 + 抽象名词a face full of, a bellyful of, a whole body covered in …忽 A 忽 Bnow A, now B: switching suddenly back and forth 好一个…！what a …! (admiring, or ironic when it throws someone’s words back at them)A + 形容词 + 于 + BA is more … than B (written; in argument and set sayings)姑且不论…，…leaving … aside for the moment, …不失为…can still be counted as …; is, after all, a …借 + 人 + 之口 + 说出／感叹…to say something through someone else’s mouth; to voice … in another’s words 令人 + 心理动词 + 的是，…what is (most) moving / sad / regrettable is that …眼看（着）…，却…to watch something happen and be unable to stop it （话）还得从…说起to explain this we must go back to …; it all starts with …力求 + 动词／形容词to strive to …; to do one’s utmost to be …可 V 可不 V 的 + 名词that one may or may not V; optional, dispensable …，且…and moreover; and also (written 而且)谨 + 动词respectfully; I (we) humbly … (in letters and speeches)不胜 + 感激／荣幸exceedingly; more than one can say (of feelings)虽…，却…though …, yet … (written)…的一生，是…的一生his life was a life of …因…，于…逝世，享年…岁died of … on … (in …), aged …就 + 话题 + 讨论／发表意见on; regarding (names the topic that is discussed or dealt with)多 V 些 A，少 V 些 Bdo more A and less B 不无 + 名词not without …; there is some …