语法GRAMMAR

非但 + Clause 1, 而且 + Clause 2

The structure 非但…而且… means 'not only... but also...', used in formal contexts or written language.

Subject + 不仅仅 + Clause 1, 也/还/而且 + Clause 2

Used to emphasize that something is not limited to one point, but also includes other important additional information.

仅仅 + Phrase/Clause + 而已

The structure 仅仅…而已 is used to emphasize that something is only at that level and no more, typically translated as 'it's merely… that's all'.

Subject + 只不过 + Verb/Adjective/Phrase + 而已

The structure 只不过…而已 is used to emphasize that something is not a big deal — it is simply… and nothing more.

Subject + 无非 + (是/就是) + Reason / Fact

无非 is used to emphasize that something is in fact due to nothing more than some simple reason, and nothing else.

Subject + 未免 + Adjective / Psych verb (+ 了)

Adverb 未免 is used to gently remark that something is slightly excessive or unreasonable.

Subject + 不免 + Verb/Adjective

不免 is used to express an unavoidable result arising from some cause.

Subject + 势必 + Verb/Verb phrase

The adverb 势必 is used to emphasize that a certain result will definitely occur due to a particular cause.

Subject + 必然 + Verb / Verb phrase

必然 is used to assert that a certain outcome is unavoidable and certain to occur as a result of some law or logic.

理所当然 can serve as predicate, adverbial (with 地), or attributive (with 的).

Used to indicate that something is natural, reasonable according to common sense, and beyond doubt.

Fixed idiom: 不 (không) + 言 (nói) + 而 (mà) + 喻 (hiểu).

A fact or situation so obvious that no further explanation is needed.

毫无疑问， + Clause

毫无疑问 used to affirm that something is absolutely certain, leaving no room for doubt.

众所周知， + Clause

众所周知 is a set phrase used to introduce an obvious fact that everyone knows.

难道 + Clause + 不成?

Used for rhetorical questions, expressing surprise or disbelief, equivalent to "Could it really be that...?"

莫非 + Clause/Question?

莫非 is used in rhetorical questions or conjecture, carrying the meaning of "could it be that" or "is it possible that"; it is generally more formal than 难道.

莫非 + Judgment/inference + 不成?

Used to ask a rhetorical counter-question, expressing doubt or surprise about a certain judgment.

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

Used for rhetorical questions, carrying a strong affirmative meaning, equivalent to "isn't it...?" or "aren't you...?".

Subject + 岂能 + Verb/Verb phrase?

岂能... used in rhetorical questions, carrying the meaning "how could it be possible to...", expressing impossibility or impropriety.

Fixed phrase: 岂有此理

Expresses extreme indignation at an unreasonable or unacceptable situation.

Subject + 何尝 + (不/没) + Verb/Adjective?

何尝 is used in rhetorical questions to emphasize the opposite, meaning 'when has it ever not been the case that...'.

Subject + 何尝不 + Verb/Adjective + (Object)

Used to emphasize affirmation in the form of a rhetorical question, meaning "how could it not be...".

Clause 1, 更何况 + Clause 2 (stronger reason)

更何况 is used to emphasize a more obvious reason, meaning 'let alone', 'not to mention', 'much less'.

Clause 1, 况且 + Clause 2 (stronger supplementary reason)

况且 is used to add a stronger reason, further emphasizing what has already been stated.

尚且 + Clause 1 (more difficult/less likely condition), 何况 + Clause 2 (easier/more likely condition) + 呢？

The structure 'đến...còn..., huống chi là...' is used for comparison, emphasizing something obvious based on a progressive (a fortiori) argument.

固然 + Clause 1, 但是 + Clause 2

固然…但是… is used to acknowledge a fact in the first clause, while emphasizing a contrasting or more important point in the second clause.

Clause 1。尽管如此，Clause 2。

Used to introduce an unexpected result that is contrary to what was just mentioned immediately before.

Clause 1. 即便如此, Clause 2.

Used to connect two clauses, expressing strong concession with the meaning of 'even so', 'nevertheless'.

Clause 1, 反之, Clause 2

Conjunction 反之 is used to introduce a situation or result that is contrary to what was previously stated.

Clause 1 (condition/proposal), 不然 + Clause 2 (negative result)

The conjunction 不然 means "otherwise" or "if not," used to indicate an undesirable result that will occur.

倘若 + Hypothetical clause, (Subject) + 就 + Result clause

倘若…就… is a formal conditional structure meaning 'if/supposing that… then…'.

假使 + Conditional clause, (Subject) + 就 + Result clause

The structure 假使…就… is used to express a hypothesis and its corresponding result, similar to 'if… then…'.

若 + Conditional clause, 则 + Result clause

若…则… is a formal "if...then..." structure, commonly used in written language or speeches.

一经 + Verb/Verb phrase, (Subject) + 就 + Verb/Verb phrase

The structure 一经…就… is used to express "once… then immediately…", commonly used in formal situations, regulations, or procedures.

凡是 + Condition/Scope + 都 + Result

The structure 凡是…都… is used to emphasize that every case within a certain scope shares the same result.

但凡 + Condition/Object + 都/就 + Result

The structure 但凡…都… is used to emphasize that whenever a certain condition is met, a particular result will follow.

鉴于 + Cause/Situation, + Result/Action

Conjunction 鉴于 is used to introduce the reason or basis for a decision or action, and carries a formal register.

为 + Purpose/Benefit + 起见, Main Clause

The structure 为…起见 is used to express that an action is carried out for the sake of or in pursuit of some benefit or purpose. It is formal in register.

Clause 1 (Cause) + 以致 + Clause 2 (Negative Result)

The conjunction 以致 is used to indicate an undesirable result caused by the reason stated in the preceding clause.

Clause 1 (Cause/Action) + 以至 + Clause 2 (Result)

Conjunction 以至 connects a cause with a serious or unexpected result, carrying the meaning 'to the point that', 'to such an extent that'.

Clause 1 (Cause), 以至于 + Clause 2 (Result)

Used to connect a result (usually to a high degree or undesirable) with the cause that brought it about.

Cause + 致使 + Result (bad)

The verb 致使 is used to indicate a cause leading to a bad, undesirable result; commonly used in written language.

Cause (Noun/Phrase) + 导致 + Result (negative)

The verb 导致 is used to indicate a cause that leads to a bad or undesirable result.

Subject (matter/situation) + 让人 + Psych verb/Adjective

The structure 让人 is used to express that an event or situation causes a certain emotion or state in others.

Subject (Thing/Matter) + 令人 + Psych verb / Adjective

The structure 令人 is used to express, in a formal register, that something causes a certain emotion or state in others.

Subject + 被 + (Agent) + 所 + Verb

The structure 被…所… is a formal passive construction, commonly used in written language to emphasize the action.

Subject + 受到 + (Affected object) + 的 + Verbal noun

The structure 受到...的... is used to express that the subject receives or undergoes an abstract influence or impact from a certain object.

Subject + 遭到 + Object (abstract noun negative)

Used to indicate encountering or suffering something unfortunate or negative; typically formal in register.

Subject + 遭受 + Object (negative matter)

The verb 遭受 means to bear or undergo something negative or unfavorable, usually abstract.

Noun 1 + 连同 + Noun 2 + (Adverb) + Verb

连同 is a conjunction used to connect nouns, meaning "together with" or "along with," emphasizing the inclusion of the following element.

连 + Verb/Noun 1 + 带 + Verb/Noun 2

The structure 连…带… is used to list two related actions or things that typically occur simultaneously or together.

Clause 1 + 甚至于 + Clause 2 (extreme/surprising example)

Used to emphasize an extreme or unexpected example, meaning 'even', 'to the extent that'.

Clause 1 (general scope), 尤其 + Object/Situation being emphasized

The adverb 尤其 is used to emphasize a particular object or situation that stands out within an already-mentioned scope.

归根到底，+ Clause

Used to emphasize the ultimate conclusion or most fundamental cause after considering all aspects.

总而言之，+ [Clause summarizing]

总而言之 is used to summarize what has been said previously, equivalent to 'in summary' or 'in general'.

Clause 1, 换言之, Clause 2 (restatement of Clause 1)

Used to restate a previously expressed idea in a different way, typically to clarify its meaning.

Clause 1, 换句话说, Clause 2 (restatement of Clause 1)

In other words — used to restate a previously expressed idea in a different way to make it easier to understand.

Clause 1, 也就是说, Clause 2 (explains Clause 1)

The phrase 也就是说 is used to restate or clarify a point just made, equivalent to "that is to say" or "in other words."

不论 + Condition (question/choice form) + (Subject) + 都/也 + Result

The structure 不论…都… is used to express that the result remains unchanged regardless of how the conditions may vary.

无论如何，Subject + 都/也 + Verb/Adjective

无论如何 means 'no matter what' or 'regardless', emphasizing a decision or outcome that remains unchanged under any condition.

就 + Object/Scope + 而言, Main clause

就…而言 is used to limit the scope of discussion, meaning 'in terms of…' or 'as far as… is concerned'.

据 + Source of information + (说/报道), + Clause

The structure 据…(说/报道) is used to cite a source of information, meaning 'according to…'.

据说 + Clause (reported information)

据说 is used to cite information that has been heard but is not certain, equivalent to "it is said that" or "reportedly" in English.

Thing A + 犹如 + Thing B

犹如 is used for literary comparisons, carrying the meaning of 'exactly like', 'just as', and is typically used in written language.

Subject + 仿佛 + Verb/Adjective Phrase

The adverb 仿佛 is used to express comparison or conjecture, carrying the meaning of "as if," "seemingly," or "it is as though."

Clause + 罢了

罢了 used at the end of a sentence to emphasize that the matter is nothing more than what it is, nothing significant; equivalent to "it's just… that's all."

A 也好, B 也罢, (Subject) + 都/也 + Result

The structure …也好…也罢 is used to enumerate possibilities, emphasizing that the final result remains unchanged regardless of which option is chosen.

说 + Verb + 就 + Verb

The structure '说 + V + 就 + V' expresses an action that happens immediately, without any hesitation.

Left + Verb + Right + Verb

The structure '左...右...' expresses repeated actions or careful deliberation and hesitation.

时而 + Verb/Adjective 1, 时而 + Verb/Adjective 2

The structure 时而…时而… is used to express two states or actions that alternate, shifting back and forth in an irregular manner.

Subject + 不时 + Verb + (Object)

Adverb 不时 expresses an action that occurs frequently but without a fixed pattern, similar to 'from time to time' or 'every now and then'.

Subject + 日益 + Adjective/Verb (usually 2 syllables)

Adverb 日益 is used to express a gradual increase in change over time, equivalent to 'more and more' or 'increasingly'.

到 + Time point / Matter + 为止

The structure 到…为止 indicates an action or state that continues until a specific point in time and then stops.

Time reference/Event + 以来

Used to indicate a period of time that begins at a point in the past and continues uninterrupted up to the present.

自 + Time point/Event + 以来, Subject + Predicate

The structure 自…以来 is used to indicate a period of time that begins from a point in the past and extends to the present.

自从 + Time point/Event + 以来, + Main clause

自从…以来 is used to indicate a period of time that begins at a point in the past and extends to the present.

Verb Phrase / Noun Phrase + 之际

The structure …之际 is used to indicate a particular moment or occasion, and typically carries a formal tone.

Subject + 特意 + Verb + (Object)

The adverb 特意 expresses that an action is done intentionally, especially for a particular person or matter.

Subject + 故意 + Verb + (Object)

The adverb 故意 expresses that an action is carried out deliberately or intentionally, and usually carries a negative connotation.

Subject + 不妨 + Verb + (Object)

不妨 is used to make a gentle suggestion, carrying the sense of "why not try doing something."

Subject + 不必 + Verb (+ Object)

不必 is used to express that a certain action is unnecessary or not required.

说不定 + Clause

Used to express the possibility that something may happen, similar to 'perhaps' or 'who knows'.

人家 + Verb (+ Object) / Subject + Verb + 人家

人家 is a flexible pronoun meaning "other people," "people in general," or used as a self-reference in an intimate or coy manner.

Sentence + 嘛

Modal particle 嘛 used to indicate something obvious, a fact that both the speaker and listener already know.

能 + Verb/Adjective (+ Object) + 就 + Verb/Adjective (+ Object)

The structure 能…就… expresses trying to do something as much as possible within permissible conditions.

Subject + 顶多 + Verb / Quantity

顶多 is used to estimate the highest possible degree or amount, meaning 'at most' or 'at the very most'.

Subject + 至少 + Verb/Quantity phrase

The adverb 至少 is used to indicate a minimum degree or quantity, meaning 'at least' or 'at the very least'.

Quantity / Time reference + 左右

左右 used after a number or amount of time to indicate approximation, meaning "about," "around," or "approximately."

Numeral + 上下

Used after a number to indicate approximation, meaning "about, approximately, more or less".

Verb + 一 + 番 + (Object)

Measure word 番 used for actions that take considerable time, effort, or involve a certain process.

Numeral + 顿 + (Noun) or Verb + (了) + 一 + 顿

Measure word 顿 used to indicate the number of meals, or a bout of scolding, a beating.

Numeral (usually 一) + 阵 + Noun (indicating natural phenomena, sounds, sensations...)

Measure word 阵 is used for events that occur suddenly and last for a short period of time, such as a gust of wind, a burst of rain, or a round of applause.

Numeral (usually 一) + 场 + Noun (indicating event, phenomenon)

Measure word 场 (cháng) used for events, activities, or natural phenomena that unfold over a period of time.

百分之 + Number

The structure 百分之 is used to express percentages, equivalent to the % symbol in Vietnamese.

Denominator + 分之 + Numerator

The structure 'X 分之 Y' is used to express fractions or percentages, meaning 'Y parts out of X', read in the reverse order compared to Vietnamese.

Verb + 透

The resultative complement 透 (thòu) expresses that an action is carried out thoroughly, completely, or all the way through.

Verb / Adjective + 死 + (了)

Used after a verb/adjective to indicate an extremely high degree, carrying the hyperbolic meaning of 'to death' or 'like crazy'.

Verb + 烦

Resultative complement 烦 expresses annoyance or weariness resulting from an action being repeated too many times.

Verb + 够

Used after a verb to indicate that an action has reached a sufficient degree, often carrying the sense of being tired of it or no longer wishing to continue.

Verb + 满

Resultative complement 满 (mǎn) expresses an action that fills a space or container completely, leaving no empty room.

Verb + (了/过) + (Numeral) + 遍 + (Object)

Used after a verb, 遍 indicates the number of times an action has been completed from beginning to end.