Vocabulary

前 (qián) = before, front (works as prefix or suffix). 之前 (zhī qián) = before, previously (standalone time phrase). Compare: 去年前几个月 (the first few months of last year) vs 三天之前我见过他 (I saw him three days before).

工作 (gōng zuò) = work, job, task (can be temporary). 职业 (zhí yè) = profession, career (long-term). Compare: 我今天有很多工作 (I have lots of work today) vs 医生是一个好职业 (doctor is a good profession).

离 (lí) = away from, at a distance (preposition used in sentences). 距离 (jù lí) = distance (standalone noun). Example: 学校离我家很近 (school is close to my home) vs 这个距离很远 (this distance is far).

看 (kàn) = to look, watch (the action). 看见 (kàn jiàn) = to see, catch sight of (the result). Compare: 我在看电视 (I'm watching TV) vs 我看见你 (I saw you).

因为 (yīn wèi) = because, the reason (explains cause). 所以 (suǒ yǐ) = therefore, so (the result). Sentence order: 因为下雨所以我没去 (because it rained, so I didn't go).

好 (hǎo) = good, fine, well (adjective). 好的 (hǎo de) = okay, alright, agreed (response/confirmation). Compare: 这个主意好 (this idea is good) vs 好的，我明白了 (okay, I understand).

告诉 (gào su) = to tell someone, inform. Always requires an object. 说 (shuō) = to say, speak (object optional). Compare: 他告诉我... (he told me...) vs 他说什么? (what did he say?).

开始 (kāi shǐ) = to start, begin (action or event). 最初 (zuì chū) = initially, from the beginning (state at a point in time). Example: 他开始工作 (he started working) vs 最初我不明白 (I didn't understand at first).

想 (xiǎng) = to want, think about. 想要 (xiǎng yào) = to want more intensely. Compare: 我想吃饭 (I want to eat) vs 我很想要这个礼物 (I really want this gift).

问题 (wèn tí) = question, problem to solve. 麻烦 (má fan) = hassle, trouble, bother. Collocate: 提问题 (ask a question) vs 惹麻烦 (cause trouble).

学 (xué) = to study, learn (a skill or subject). 上学 (shàng xué) = to attend school, go to class. Example: 我在学中文 (I'm studying Chinese) but 我每天上学 (I go to school every day).

不同 (bù tóng) = distinctly different. 差不多 (chà bu duō) = roughly the same, minor difference. Example: 这两个想法不同 (these two ideas are different) vs 这两种味道差不多 (these two flavors are about the same).

突然 works with momentary actions: 突然停了 (stopped suddenly), 突然哭了 (burst into tears). Avoid 突然变冷; use 忽然 or 突然变得冷 instead.

• 道路 = road, path
• 道理 = logic, reason
• 说道 = to say, tell
• 一道菜 = one dish

Also a measure word for screens, light, orders.

支持 = back a person or action actively. 赞成 = agree with an idea or view.

• 我支持你的梦想 (I support your dream)
• 我赞成你的主张 (I agree with your proposal)

作用 = effect, role, function. 发挥作用 (bring into play), 起作用 (take effect), 药的作用 (what the medicine does).

• 生 = birth, life
• 生活 = lifestyle, living
• 生气 = angry
• 陌生 = unfamiliar
• 生词 = new word

One root, many branches.

因为 = everyday reason. 由于 = formal, official cause, often written.

• 因为下雨了，我们取消了比赛 (We cancelled because of rain)
• 由于疫情，会议推迟了 (The meeting was postponed due to the pandemic)

Standalone 害 = harm/injure and is rare on its own; it usually combines: 害怕 (afraid), 害羞 (shy), 伤害 (injure). Note 害怕 means 'afraid' because of 怕 (fear); 害 itself does not mean 'fear'.

Both mean "how." 怎样 is slightly more formal and written. 怎么 is everyday speech.

• 你怎么做? (How do you do it?)
• 结果怎样? (How did it turn out?)

其实 is not a concrete noun. It reveals hidden truth or corrects an expectation.

• 他其实很聪明 (He's actually quite smart)
• 其实这不难 (Actually, this isn't hard)

• 假的 = fake, false
• 放假 = holiday, time off
• 假如 = if, suppose
• 假手于 = delegate to

Meaning shifts with context and part of speech.

花 = spend generally. 花费 = more formal. 耗费 = waste, squander. Always pair with time or money: 花了一个小时 (spent an hour), 花了很多钱 (spent a lot of money).

区别 = clear distinction; often used as a verb (to distinguish). 差别 = gap or disparity; emphasizes comparison.

• 这两个字有很大的区别 (These two characters have a major distinction)
• 他们的成绩有差别 (Their grades have a gap)

做 (zuò) = make, do (general, everyday): 做饭 (zuò fàn) = cook rice, 做决定 (zuò juéyì) = make a decision. 制造 (zhìzào) = manufacture, produce (industrial): 制造汽车 (zhìzào qìchē) = manufacture cars.

With people: 跟 (gēn) = with (interactive focus): 我跟他说话 (wǒ gēn tā shuōhuà) = I talk with him. 和 (hé) = and (neutral listing): 我和他是朋友 (wǒ hé tā shì péngyou) = he and I are friends.

来 (lái) = come toward the speaker. 去 (qù) = go away from the speaker. Not just "come" vs "go", it's relative direction. Example: 她来了 (tā lái le) = She's come (toward me).

Wrong: 他比我高 ✗ (Western order) Right: 我比他矮 ✓ = I am shorter than him (subject 我 first). Formula: A 比 B + comparative adjective.

长 (cháng) = long, lengthy. 长 (zhǎng) = grow, develop. Example: 长头发 (cháng tóufa) = long hair, but 长高 (zhǎng gāo) = grow taller (develop).

• 在家 (zài jiā) = be at home
• 在做 (zài zuò) = be doing (ongoing action)
• 存在 (cúnzài) = exist
• 在乎 (zàihu) = care about

Context determines the meaning.