语法GRAMMAR

Subject + 究竟 + Verb/Adjective (+ Object)?

Adverb 究竟 is used in questions for emphasis, seeking a definitive answer; it means 'in the end' or 'after all'.

Subject + 到底 + Predicate (question)?

到底 is used in questions to emphasize the inquiry, meaning "in the end," "after all," or "exactly/just."

Subject + 非 + Verb/Verb phrase + 不可

The structure 非…不可 is used to emphasize obligation, meaning "must definitely do something" or "cannot but do something."

Subject + 明明 + Fact/Reason, (但是/却/怎么) + Opposite result

明明 emphasizes an obvious fact, contrasting with an unexpected or unreasonable outcome.

难道 + Clause + 吗?

难道…吗? used for rhetorical questions, expressing surprise or disbelief about something, equivalent to "Could it really be that...?" or "Don't tell me that...?"

之所以 + Result, 是因为 + Cause

The structure 之所以…是因为… is used to emphasize the cause of a known result, equivalent to "the reason why... is because...".

哪怕 + Hypothesis (extreme situation), Subject + 也/还 + Result (unchanged)

哪怕…也/还… expresses an extreme supposition: even if the worst-case situation occurs, the result remains unchanged.

就算 + Supposition, Subject + 也 + Result unchanged

The structure 就算…也… is used to express the hypothetical "even if... still...", emphasizing that the result remains unchanged.

就是 + Hypothesis/Condition + Subject + 也 + Unchanging result

The structure 就是…也… is used to emphasize an extreme hypothetical, carrying the meaning 'even if/even though… still…'.

万一 + Hypothetical, (Subject) + 就 + Result

The structure 万一…就… is used to express a hypothetical about an unlikely negative situation and its consequences.

宁可 + Clause 1 (acceptable condition) + 也/都 + 不/没 + Clause 2 (unacceptable condition)

Used to express a choice, preferring to accept something undesirable rather than do something even worse.

宁可 + (Accept) Unfavorable condition + 也要 + (Implement) Important goal

The structure 宁可…也要… expresses a choice: willing to endure something unpleasant in order to achieve a more important goal.

幸亏 + Fortunate cause, 不然 + Bad result (avoided)

幸亏…不然… expresses fortunate avoidance of a bad outcome, meaning 'luckily… otherwise…'.

多亏 + Person/Thing help, (Subject) + 才 + Good result

Used to emphasize that a positive outcome occurs thanks to the help or contribution of someone or something.

要不是 + Cause (fact), (then) + Result (assumption, contrary to fact)

要不是 is used to express a hypothetical contrary to fact, meaning "if it were not for… then…".

一旦 + Condition, (Subject) + 就 + Result

The structure 一旦…就… expresses a conditional relationship: once the first action occurs, the second action will immediately follow.

一来 + Reason 1, 二来 + Reason 2

Used to list two main reasons or causes for something, equivalent to "firstly..., secondly...".

On one hand + Clause 1, on the other hand + Clause 2

Used to enumerate two different aspects or facets of the same event or situation.

Clause 1 + 何况 + Clause 2 (+ 呢)?

何况 is used for emphasis, introducing a stronger or more obvious reason; similar to "let alone" or "not to mention" in English.

Clause 1 + 进而 + Clause 2

The conjunction 进而 connects two actions or situations, expressing a further progression from the former to the latter.

Clause 1 (action/method) + 从而 + Clause 2 (result)

Conjunction 从而 connects an action or cause with its result, meaning 'thereby' or 'thus'.

Cause + 因而 + Result

Conjunction 因而 is used to connect two clauses, indicating that the second clause is the direct result of the first.

Clause 1 (Cause/Prior action) + 于是 + Clause 2 (Result/Subsequent action)

于是 used to connect two clauses, where the second clause is the direct result of or an action immediately following the first clause.

Situation/Evidence, 可见 + Conclusion

Conjunction 可见 is used to draw a conclusion based on a previously stated situation or evidence.

与 + Object A + 相比, Object B + (Adverb) + Adjective/Verb

Compared to…; used to compare two things or situations, generally more formal in tone than the 比 structure.

Subject A + 比 + Comparison object B + 还 + Adjective

Used for emphatic comparison, meaning that A possesses a quality (adjective) that surpasses even B; often carries a sense of surprise.

Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Complement (Result/State/Tendency)

The 把 sentence uses complex complements to express an action that causes the object to change its state or nature.

Subject (Person/Thing receiving) + 被 + Object (Person/Thing causing) + Verb + Other component

The 被 sentence is used to express that the subject is acted upon by another agent, usually carrying an undesirable connotation.

Subject + 让/叫/使 + Object + Verb/Adjective

The structure 让/叫/使 is used to express causing someone or something to perform an action or undergo a change of state.

Subject (Cause) + 令 + Object (Object) + Verb/Adjective (Result)

The verb 令 means "to cause" or "to make," used in written language to indicate the cause of a result or emotion.

Subject (passive) + 为 + Agent + 所 + Verb

The structure 为…所… is used to express passive actions in a formal register, equivalent to 被 sentences.

Action 1 + 以便 + Action 2 / Purpose

Conjunction 以便 is used to connect two clauses, indicating the purpose of the action in the preceding clause.

Clause 1 (action) + 以免 + Clause 2 (bad result to avoid)

Conjunction 以免 is used to indicate the purpose of preventing a bad or undesirable outcome.

Action/Suggestion + 免得 + Unwanted result

免得 is used to indicate that the action in the preceding clause is intended to prevent an undesirable outcome that might occur, as expressed in the following clause.

Verb + 起来 + (Adjective/Comment)

Used to indicate that an action is beginning to take place, or to offer an evaluation or comment about a matter.

Verb + 下去

The complement `下去` is placed after a verb to indicate that an action will continue from the present into the future.

Verb + 下来

Used after a verb to indicate an action moving from top to bottom, or a state becoming fixed or settled.

Verb + 出来 + (Object)

Resultative complement 出来 expresses an action that produces something new, or the recognition/distinguishing of something.

Verb + 上去 (+ Object) hoặc Verb + 上 + Object (Place) + 去

Complement 上去 indicates movement upward and away from the speaker's position.

Verb + 上来 (+ Object)

Directional complement '上来' indicates an action moving upward and toward the speaker.

Subject + Verb + 过去 + (Object)

Used after a verb to indicate movement away from the speaker or passing through a certain point.

Verb + 过来

Complement 过来 indicates the direction of an action toward the speaker, or a state returning to normal.

Affirmative: Verb + 得 + Complement. Negative: Verb + 不 + Complement.

The potential complement V+得/不+C expresses whether an action can or cannot achieve a certain result.

Verb + 得了 / 不了

Potential complement 得了/不了 is used after a verb to indicate whether an action can or cannot be carried out due to circumstances.

Verb + 得 + Complement of degree (Adjective/Phrase/Short clause)

The degree complement 得 is used to describe the degree, state, or result of an action.

Adjective / Psych verb + 得很

The complement 得很 is used after adjectives or psychological verbs to emphasize a very high degree, meaning "extremely" or "tremendously."

Verb / Adjective + 得不得了

The structure '得不得了' is used after a verb or adjective to express an extremely high degree that is beyond description.

Verb + 掉 + (Object)

Resultative complement 掉 (diào) expresses an action that causes something to disappear, be eliminated, or be completed thoroughly.

Subject + Verb + 住 + (Object)

Resultative complement 住 is used after a verb to indicate that the action causes something or someone to become fixed, stable, or stopped.

Subject + Verb + 光 + (Object)

Resultative complement 光 (guāng) expresses that an action results in something being completely used up or consumed, with nothing remaining.

Subject + 朝/向/往 + Direction/Object + Verb

Use the prepositions 朝, 向, and 往 to indicate the direction of an action, meaning 'toward' or 'in the direction of'.

Verb + 于 + Time/Place/Object

Preposition 于 is the formal equivalent of 在, 从, and 比, used to indicate time, place, origin, or comparison.

所 + Verb + 的 + (Noun)

The structure 所...的 turns a verb phrase into a noun, meaning 'that which/what...'

经过 + Process/Matter, + Result Clause

经过 is used to indicate a result achieved after a certain process or event.

Subject + 以 + Object A + 为 + Object B

The structure 以…为… is used to express the meaning of 'taking something as something' or 'regarding someone as something', carrying a formal register.

1. (Adverb) Subject + 将 + Verb. 2. (Preposition) Subject + 将 + Object + Verb + Other element.

将 functions both as an adverb indicating the future (will/shall) and as a formal preposition equivalent in function to 把.

怪不得 + Clause (indicating realization)

怪不得 expresses the moment of realization when one understands the cause of something, equivalent to "no wonder" or "that's why" in English.

Subject + 居然 + Verb / Verb phrase

Adverb 居然 expresses surprise or astonishment at something completely unexpected.

Subject + 竟然 + Verb / Verb phrase

Adverb 竟然 expresses that something happens contrary to expectation, conveying a sense of surprise or disbelief.

Subject + 仍然 + Verb / Verb phrase / Adjective

The adverb 仍然 is used to express that a situation remains unchanged and continues as before, generally carrying a formal tone.

Subject + 始终 + (不/没) + Verb/Adjective

The adverb 始终 emphasizes that a state or action remains unchanged from beginning to end.

Subject + 向来 + Verb / Adjective

The adverb 向来 expresses a habit or state that has always been the case from the past up to the present.

Subject + 从来 + (不/没) + Verb/Adjective

Adverb 从来 indicates that something has always been a certain way from the past until now; it commonly appears with a negative to mean 'never'.

Subject + 本来 + Verb / Verb phrase / Adjective

本来 is used to indicate a situation that was originally a certain way but has since changed, or something that is a matter of course.

Subject + 立刻 + Verb (+ Object)

The adverb 立刻 means "immediately," emphasizing that an action occurs without any delay.

Subject + 随时 + Verb (+ Object)

Adverb 随时 means "at any time," expressing that an action can occur at any moment.

Subject + 连忙 + Verb + (Object)

连忙 is an adverb indicating that an action takes place immediately and hastily in response to a situation.

Subject + 突然 + Verb/Adjective

The adverb 突然 expresses that something happens suddenly, unexpectedly, and within a short time.

Subject + 忽然 + Verb/Verb phrase

忽然 describes an action that occurs suddenly, unexpectedly, and within a short span of time.

Subject + 渐渐 + Verb/Adjective

The adverb 渐渐 expresses a change that occurs slowly, little by little over time.

Subject + 逐渐 + Verb/Adjective

The adverb 逐渐 expresses a change that takes place gradually, step by step over time.

Subject + 只好 + Verb (+ Object)

只好 expresses that there is no other choice and one has no option but to do something.

Subject + 应当 + Verb/Verb phrase

应当 is an auxiliary verb meaning "should" or "ought to/must", commonly used in written language or formal contexts.

(如果/要是) + Conditional clause + 的话, Main clause

Use `…的话` at the end of a clause to express a hypothesis, equivalent to "if…" in English.

Noun/Verb/Phrase + 似的

Particle 似的 is used after a noun or verb to express comparison, carrying the meaning "like" or "as if."

Subject + 好像 + (Phrase of comparison) + 似的

The structure 好像…似的 is used for comparison, expressing the feeling of "it's just like…", making the comparison more vivid.

A + 跟 + B + 一样 + Adjective

Used to compare two objects that share the same characteristic or degree.

Subject A + 比 + Compared object B + Verb + 得 + Adjective

Used to compare the degree or result of an action between two subjects A and B.

Subject + 何必 + Verb / Verb phrase (+ 呢)?

何必 used in a rhetorical question, implying that something is unnecessary or not worth doing.

Verb + 也 + Verb + 不了 / 不动

Expresses that despite trying, one is still unable to carry out a certain action; emphasizes helplessness or inability.

没有 + (Noun) + 不 + Verb/Adjective + 的

The double negation structure '没有不…的' is used to emphasize an affirmative meaning, equivalent to 'all/everyone…'.

Subject + 一向 + Verb/Adjective

The adverb 一向 expresses a habit or state that has been consistently maintained, unchanged from the past to the present.