Corpus
| # | Kind | Level | Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | word | N1 | 我 wǒ
| I; me | |
| 2 | word | N1 | 你 nǐ
| you (singular) | |
| 3 | word | N1 | 他 tā
| he; him (她 = she; her) | |
| 4 | word | Core | 她 tā
| she; her | |
| 5 | word | N1 | 老師 lǎoshī
| teacher | |
| 6 | word | N1 | 學生 xuéshēng
| student | |
| 7 | word | N1 | 是 shì
| to be (am / is / are) | |
| 8 | pattern | N1 | 我是學生。 wǒ shì xué shēng。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | I am a student. | |
| 9 | pattern | N1 | 他是老師。 tā shì lǎo shī。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | He is a teacher. | |
| 10 | word | N1 | 的 de
| possessive particle ('s / of) | |
| 11 | word | N1 | 嗎 ma
| question particle (turns a statement into a yes/no question) | |
| 12 | pattern | N1 | 你是他的老師嗎？ nǐ shì tā de lǎo shī ma？ A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | Are you his teacher? | |
| 13 | word | N1 | 不 bù
| not; no | |
| 14 | pattern | N1 | 我不是老師。 wǒ bú shì lǎo shī。 A 不是 B Negate 是 with 不 placed directly before it. 不 is the all-purpose 'not' for present and future. | I am not a teacher. | |
| 15 | pattern | N1 | 她不是學生，她是老師。 tā bú shì xué shēng， tā shì lǎo shī。 A 不是 B Negate 是 with 不 placed directly before it. 不 is the all-purpose 'not' for present and future. | She is not a student, she is a teacher. | |
| 16 | word | N1 | 好 hǎo
| good; well; fine | |
| 18 | word | N1 | 很 hěn
| very | |
| 19 | pattern | N1 | 我很好。 wǒ hěn hǎo。 A 很 + adjective Adjectives work without 是. 很 fills the gap and is often nearly meaningless ('very' only when stressed). 'A 高' alone sounds like a comparison. | I am fine. | |
| 20 | word | N1 | 人 rén
| person; people | |
| 21 | word | N1 | 我們 wǒmen
| we; us | |
| 22 | word | N1 | 你們 nǐmen
| you (plural) | |
| 23 | word | N1 | 他們 tāmen
| they; them | |
| 24 | word | Core | 們 men
| plural suffix for people (我們, 老師們) | |
| 25 | word | N1 | 您 nín
| you (polite, singular) | |
| 26 | word | N1 | 誰 shéi
| who; whom | |
| 27 | word | N1 | 也 yě
| also; too | |
| 28 | word | N1 | 都 dōu
| all; both | |
| 30 | pattern | N1 | 老師們都很好。 lǎo shī men dōu hěn hǎo。 N + 們 們 makes a noun for people plural — 老師們, 學生們, 朋友們. It is never used after a number. | The teachers are all lovely. | |
| 31 | word | N1 | 這 zhè
| this | |
| 32 | pattern | N1 | 這不是你的嗎？ zhè bú shì nǐ de ma？ 不是 / 沒 ... 嗎？ A negative question with 嗎 invites agreement: 這不是很好嗎？= surely that's fine? Use 不是 for a state and 沒 for something that was supposed to have happened. | Isn't this yours? | |
| 33 | word | N1 | 那 nà
| that | |
| 34 | word | N1 | 什麼 shénme
| what | |
| 35 | word | N1 | 呢 ne
| particle: and what about…? (bounces a question back) | |
| 36 | word | N1 | 名字 míngzi
| name | |
| 37 | word | N1 | 叫 jiào
| to be called; to call | |
| 38 | word | N1 | 有 yǒu
| to have; there is / there are | |
| 39 | word | N1 | 沒有 méiyǒu
| to not have; there isn't | |
| 40 | word | N1 | 沒 méi
| not (before 有); did not (before a verb) | |
| 41 | word | Core | 這樣 zhèyàng
| this way; like this; so | |
| 43 | pattern | N2 | 這樣好不好？ zhè yàng hǎo bù hǎo？ ..., 好不好？ 好不好 tags a suggestion on the end and invites the listener to agree — softer than 嗎. The same V-不-V shape works with other state verbs: 可以不可以, 對不對. | How about this? | |
| 44 | pattern | N2 | 這樣不是很好嗎？ zhè yàng bú shì hěn hǎo ma？ 不是 / 沒 ... 嗎？ A negative question with 嗎 invites agreement: 這不是很好嗎？= surely that's fine? Use 不是 for a state and 沒 for something that was supposed to have happened. | Surely that's fine? | |
| 45 | word | N1 | 台灣 Táiwān
| Taiwan | |
| 46 | word | N2 | 在 zài
| at; in; on (location); to be at | |
| 47 | word | N1 | 家 jiā
| home; family | |
| 48 | pattern | N1 | 我在家。 wǒ zài jiā。 A 在 + place 在 = to be at / in. It is the verb here — no 是. Place words often end in 裡 / 上 / 面. | I am at home. | |
| 49 | word | N2 | 要 yào
| to want; to be going to; must | |
| 50 | word | N1 | 想 xiǎng
| to want to; to think; to miss | |
| 51 | word | N2 | 會 huì
| can (know how to); will (likely) | |
| 52 | word | N1 | 可以 kěyǐ
| can; may (permission) | |
| 53 | word | N1 | 能 néng
| can; to be able to | |
| 54 | word | N2 | 需要 xūyào
| to need; to require | |
| 55 | word | Core | 記得 jìde
| to remember | |
| 57 | pattern | N2 | 我會記得的。 wǒ huì jì de de。 會 ... 的 會……的 wraps a prediction in confidence: 他會來的 = he'll come, don't worry. The final 的 is what carries the reassurance; drop it and you have a plain statement. | I shan't forget. | |
| 58 | word | N1 | 來 lái
| to come | |
| 59 | pattern | N1 | 他會來的。 tā huì lái de。 會 ... 的 會……的 wraps a prediction in confidence: 他會來的 = he'll come, don't worry. The final 的 is what carries the reassurance; drop it and you have a plain statement. | He'll come, don't worry. | |
| 60 | pattern | N1 | 他沒來。 tā méi lái。 A 沒 + verb 沒 (short for 沒有) negates a completed action: 'didn't'. Never use 了 together with 沒. | He didn't come. | |
| 61 | pattern | N1 | 你能來嗎？ nǐ néng lái ma？ A 會 / 能 / 可以 + verb 會 = can (learned skill) or will (likely); 能 = can (ability or circumstance); 可以 = may (permission). All negate with 不. | Can you come? | |
| 62 | word | N1 | 去 qù
| to go | |
| 63 | pattern | N1 | 你是不是不想去？ nǐ shì bú shì bù xiǎng qù？ 是不是 + VP？ 是不是 turns a whole statement into a yes-no question and adds the speaker's hunch — 'am I right that…?'. It sits after the subject or in front of the verb phrase, and takes no 嗎 as well. | You don't want to go, do you? | |
| 64 | pattern | N1 | 我們不去。 wǒ men bù qù。 A 不 + verb 不 before a verb negates habits, intentions and the future ('don't / won't'). For things that did not happen, use 沒 instead. | We are not going. | |
| 65 | pattern | N1 | 他想去台灣。 tā xiǎng qù tái wān。 A 想 / 要 + verb 想 + verb = would like to / feel like; 要 + verb = want to / am going to (stronger, more decided). Both go before the verb. | He wants to go to Taiwan. | |
| 66 | word | N1 | 到 dào
| to arrive; to reach | |
| 67 | word | N1 | 飯 fàn
| cooked rice; a meal | |
| 68 | word | N1 | 吃 chī
| to eat | |
| 69 | pattern | N1 | 我什麼都吃。 wǒ shén me dōu chī。 疑問詞 + 都 + V A question word plus 都 stops asking and starts covering everything: 誰都知道 = everybody knows, 哪裡都不去 = go nowhere. The 都 is compulsory and always sits before the verb. | I'll eat anything. | |
| 70 | pattern | N1 | 我們吃飯。 wǒ men chī fàn。 A + verb + object Basic word order is Subject – Verb – Object, like English. No verb endings for person or tense. | We eat. | |
| 71 | pattern | N1 | 你不吃飯嗎？ nǐ bù chī fàn ma？ A 不 + verb 不 before a verb negates habits, intentions and the future ('don't / won't'). For things that did not happen, use 沒 instead. | Aren't you eating? | |
| 72 | pattern | N1 | 你想吃什麼？ nǐ xiǎng chī shén me？ A 想 / 要 + verb 想 + verb = would like to / feel like; 要 + verb = want to / am going to (stronger, more decided). Both go before the verb. | What do you want to eat? | |
| 73 | pattern | N1 | 我沒吃飯。 wǒ méi chī fàn。 A 沒 + verb 沒 (short for 沒有) negates a completed action: 'didn't'. Never use 了 together with 沒. | I didn't eat. | |
| 74 | word | Core | 吃飯 chīfàn
| to eat a meal | |
| 75 | word | N1 | 水 shuǐ
| water | |
| 76 | word | N2 | 喝 hē
| to drink | |
| 77 | word | N1 | 東西 dōngxi
| thing; stuff | |
| 78 | word | N2 | 還有 háiyǒu
| and also; in addition; there's still | |
| 80 | word | N1 | 請 qǐng
| please; to invite; to treat | |
| 81 | word | N1 | 請問 qǐngwèn
| excuse me, may I ask… | |
| 82 | pattern | N1 | 請問，我可以喝水嗎？ qǐng wèn， wǒ kě yǐ hē shuǐ ma？ A 會 / 能 / 可以 + verb 會 = can (learned skill) or will (likely); 能 = can (ability or circumstance); 可以 = may (permission). All negate with 不. | Excuse me, may I have some water? | |
| 83 | word | N1 | 謝謝 xièxie
| thank you; thanks | |
| 84 | word | N1 | 對不起 duìbùqǐ
| sorry; excuse me | |
| 85 | pattern | N1 | 對不起，我不想去。 duì bù qǐ， wǒ bù xiǎng qù。 A 想 / 要 + verb 想 + verb = would like to / feel like; 要 + verb = want to / am going to (stronger, more decided). Both go before the verb. | Sorry, I don't want to go. | |
| 86 | word | N2 | 沒關係 méiguānxi
| it doesn't matter; that's OK | |
| 87 | word | N1 | 再見 zàijiàn
| goodbye | |
| 88 | word | Core | 早安 zǎo'ān 台灣說 早安
| good morning | |
| 89 | word | Core | 晚安 wǎn'ān 台灣說 晚安
| good night | |
| 90 | word | N1 | 對 duì
| correct; right | |
| 91 | pattern | N1 | 老師對學生很好。 lǎo shī duì xué shēng hěn hǎo。 對 + 人 + V 對 + a person marks who an action or an attitude is aimed AT: 對我說 said to me, 對他生氣 angry with him, 對客戶很客氣 courteous to clients. It goes before the verb, never after. With a thing rather than a person it means 'as regards' — 對工作很認真. | The teacher is very good to the students. | |
| 92 | word | Core | 啦 la
| particle: softens a statement, or marks 'there, that's that' | |
| 94 | word | N1 | 一 yī
| one | |
| 95 | word | N1 | 二 èr
| two (the number, when counting) | |
| 96 | word | N1 | 個 ge
| general measure word (one 個 person, one 個 thing) | |
| 97 | pattern | N1 | 我要的是這個，不是那個。 wǒ yào de shì zhè ge， bú shì nà ge。 VP / S + 的 的 turns a whole clause into a noun phrase: 他說的 = what he says, 我買的 = the one I bought. The head noun is usually left out when it is obvious. | The one I want is this, not that. | |
| 98 | word | N1 | 兩 liǎng
| two (used before a measure word) | |
| 99 | word | N1 | 三 sān
| three | |
| 100 | word | N1 | 四 sì
| four | |
| 101 | word | N1 | 五 wǔ
| five | |
| 102 | word | N1 | 幾 jǐ
| how many (small number); a few | |
| 103 | pattern | N1 | 你要幾個？ nǐ yào jǐ ge？ 多少錢？ / 幾 + M + N 幾 asks about a small number and always takes a measure word. 多少 asks about a larger one and needs none — 多少錢 is the everyday 'how much?' | How many would you like? | |
| 104 | word | N1 | 書 shū
| book | |
| 105 | pattern | N1 | 這是我的書。 zhè shì wǒ de shū。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | This is my book. | |
| 106 | word | N2 | 只有 zhǐyǒu
| to have only; there is only | |
| 108 | word | N1 | 了 le
| particle: completed action / change of state | |
| 109 | pattern | N1 | 我吃飯了。 wǒ chī fàn le。 A + verb + 了 了 after the verb marks that an action is completed or a situation has changed. It is not a past tense — 昨天我看電影 also works without 了. | I have eaten. | |
| 110 | pattern | N1 | 老師來了。 lǎo shī lái le。 A + verb + 了 了 after the verb marks that an action is completed or a situation has changed. It is not a past tense — 昨天我看電影 also works without 了. | The teacher has come. | |
| 111 | pattern | N1 | 他們到了。 tā men dào le。 A + verb + 了 了 after the verb marks that an action is completed or a situation has changed. It is not a past tense — 昨天我看電影 also works without 了. | They have arrived. | |
| 112 | word | N1 | 過 guò
| particle: have ever (done); experience | |
| 113 | pattern | N1 | 你吃過飯沒有？ nǐ chī guò fàn méi yǒu？ S V 了/過 ... 沒有？ 沒有 on the end asks the same thing as 嗎 but spells out the negative half: 你吃了沒有？= have you eaten or not? Never use 嗎 and 沒有 together. Spoken Taiwan often shortens it to 沒. | Have you eaten? | |
| 114 | pattern | N1 | 他來過沒有？ tā lái guò méi yǒu？ S V 了/過 ... 沒有？ 沒有 on the end asks the same thing as 嗎 but spells out the negative half: 你吃了沒有？= have you eaten or not? Never use 嗎 and 沒有 together. Spoken Taiwan often shortens it to 沒. | Has he been? | |
| 115 | pattern | N1 | 我去過台灣。 wǒ qù guò tái wān。 A + verb + 過 過 after the verb = 'have ever done' — life experience, not a specific occasion. Negative: 沒 + verb + 過. | I have been to Taiwan. | |
| 116 | word | N1 | 說 shuō
| to speak; to say | |
| 117 | pattern | N1 | 你不是說過了嗎？ nǐ bú shì shuō guò le ma？ 不是 / 沒 ... 嗎？ A negative question with 嗎 invites agreement: 這不是很好嗎？= surely that's fine? Use 不是 for a state and 沒 for something that was supposed to have happened. | Didn't you already say so? | |
| 118 | pattern | N1 | 你說，這樣對嗎？ nǐ shuō， zhè yàng duì ma？ 你說，……？ 你說 at the front hands the judgement to the listener: 你說這樣對嗎？ It is not 'you say' — that would need 你說的. | Tell me — is that right? | |
| 119 | pattern | N1 | 他說他是老師。 tā shuō tā shì lǎo shī。 A 說 + clause Reported speech has no 'that': just 說 followed by the sentence as spoken. Same for 說 + a question. | He says he is a teacher. | |
| 120 | pattern | N1 | 你說什麼？ nǐ shuō shén me？ A 說 + clause Reported speech has no 'that': just 說 followed by the sentence as spoken. Same for 說 + a question. | What did you say? | |
| 121 | word | N1 | 看 kàn
| to look at; to watch; to read | |
| 122 | pattern | N1 | 我想想看。 wǒ xiǎng xiǎng kàn。 V V 看 Reduplicate a one-syllable verb and add 看 to mean 'give it a go and see': 吃吃看 = have a taste. The 看 is not 'look' here — it marks the trying. | Let me have a think. | |
| 123 | pattern | N1 | 我看他不會來了。 wǒ kàn tā bù huì lái le。 我看，…… 我看 offers a judgement, not eyesight: 我看他不會來了 = if you ask me, he isn't coming. It is softer than 我覺得 and very common in speech. | I reckon he isn't coming. | |
| 124 | pattern | N1 | 我在看書呢。 wǒ zài kàn shū ne。 A 在 + V (呢) 在 before the VERB marks something in progress, often with 呢 at the end. Do not confuse it with 在 + place, which is 'to be at'. | I'm reading. | |
| 125 | word | N1 | 聽 tīng
| to listen; to hear | |
| 126 | pattern | N1 | 你聽聽看。 nǐ tīng tīng kàn。 V V 看 Reduplicate a one-syllable verb and add 看 to mean 'give it a go and see': 吃吃看 = have a taste. The 看 is not 'look' here — it marks the trying. | Have a listen. | |
| 127 | word | N1 | 知道 zhīdào
| to know (a fact) | |
| 128 | pattern | N1 | 我不知道他是誰。 wǒ bù zhī dào tā shì shéi。 不知道 + 誰/什麼/哪裡/怎麼 ... Chinese has no separate word for 'whether': 不知道 is followed straight by the question word (誰／什麼／哪裡／怎麼) or by a 是不是 question. Never add 嗎 at the end. | I don't know who he is. | |
| 129 | pattern | N1 | 她不知道。 tā bù zhī dào。 A 不 + verb 不 before a verb negates habits, intentions and the future ('don't / won't'). For things that did not happen, use 沒 instead. | She doesn't know. | |
| 130 | pattern | N1 | 我知道他是誰。 wǒ zhī dào tā shì shéi。 A 覺得 / 知道 + clause 覺得 = feel / think (opinion); 知道 = know (a fact). Both take a whole sentence afterwards with no connector. | I know who he is. | |
| 131 | word | Core | 話 huà
| words; what someone says | |
| 132 | pattern | N2 | 他看了看我，沒有說話。 tā kàn le kàn wǒ， méi yǒu shuō huà。 V（了）（一）V A one-syllable verb doubles to make the action brief and light: 看看, 看一看, and in the past 看了看 or 看了一看. Two-syllable verbs use ABAB instead (研究研究). | He gave me a look and said nothing. | |
| 133 | pattern | N2 | 學生們在說話。 xué shēng men zài shuō huà。 N + 們 們 makes a noun for people plural — 老師們, 學生們, 朋友們. It is never used after a number. | The students are talking. | |
| 134 | word | N2 | 說話 shuōhuà
| to talk; to speak | |
| 135 | word | Core | 啊 a
| particle: ah! oh! (surprise or realisation) | |
| 136 | word | Core | 完全 wánquán
| completely; entirely | |
| 138 | word | N1 | 中文 Zhōngwén
| Chinese (language) | |
| 139 | pattern | N1 | 她說中文。 tā shuō zhōng wén。 A + verb + object Basic word order is Subject – Verb – Object, like English. No verb endings for person or tense. | She speaks Chinese. | |
| 140 | pattern | N1 | 我會說中文。 wǒ huì shuō zhōng wén。 A 會 / 能 / 可以 + verb 會 = can (learned skill) or will (likely); 能 = can (ability or circumstance); 可以 = may (permission). All negate with 不. | I can speak Chinese. | |
| 141 | word | N1 | 喜歡 xǐhuān
| to like | |
| 142 | pattern | N1 | 他不喜歡中文。 tā bù xǐ huān zhōng wén。 A 不 + verb 不 before a verb negates habits, intentions and the future ('don't / won't'). For things that did not happen, use 沒 instead. | He doesn't like Chinese. | |
| 143 | word | N1 | 覺得 juéde
| to feel; to think (an opinion) | |
| 144 | word | N1 | 學 xué
| to learn; to study | |
| 145 | pattern | N1 | 他們到台灣來學中文。 tā men dào tái wān lái xué zhōng wén。 到 + PW + 去/來 + VP The place sits between 到 and 去／來, and what you do there comes last: 到機場去. 去 points away from the speaker, 來 towards. Everyday speech often drops the 去 (到機場). | They came to Taiwan to study Chinese. | |
| 146 | pattern | N1 | 我學中文。 wǒ xué zhōng wén。 A + verb + object Basic word order is Subject – Verb – Object, like English. No verb endings for person or tense. | I study Chinese. | |
| 147 | pattern | N1 | 我想學中文。 wǒ xiǎng xué zhōng wén。 A 想 / 要 + verb 想 + verb = would like to / feel like; 要 + verb = want to / am going to (stronger, more decided). Both go before the verb. | I want to learn Chinese. | |
| 148 | pattern | N1 | 她學過中文。 tā xué guò zhōng wén。 A + verb + 過 過 after the verb = 'have ever done' — life experience, not a specific occasion. Negative: 沒 + verb + 過. | She has studied Chinese before. | |
| 149 | word | N1 | 寫 xiě
| to write | |
| 150 | pattern | N1 | 我寫好了。 wǒ xiě hǎo le。 V + 見 / V + 好 / V + 到 A result complement stuck on the verb says the action succeeded: 看見 saw (not just looked), 聽見 heard, 寫好 finished writing, 買到 managed to buy. | I've finished writing it. | |
| 151 | word | N1 | 字 zì
| character; written word | |
| 152 | pattern | N1 | 這個字你寫寫看。 zhè ge zì nǐ xiě xiě kàn。 V V 看 Reduplicate a one-syllable verb and add 看 to mean 'give it a go and see': 吃吃看 = have a taste. The 看 is not 'look' here — it marks the trying. | Have a go at writing this character. | |
| 153 | pattern | N1 | 她會寫中文字。 tā huì xiě zhōng wén zì。 A 會 / 能 / 可以 + verb 會 = can (learned skill) or will (likely); 能 = can (ability or circumstance); 可以 = may (permission). All negate with 不. | She can write Chinese characters. | |
| 154 | word | N2 | 讀 dú
| to read; to study | |
| 155 | word | N2 | 懂 dǒng
| to understand | |
| 156 | pattern | N2 | 我聽不懂他說的話。 wǒ tīng bù dǒng tā shuō de huà。 V 得 / V 不 + 結果 得 and 不 sit between the verb and its result to say whether the result is reachable: 看得懂 = can understand by reading, 聽不懂 = can't make it out. To ask, add 嗎 to the 得 form. | I can't make out what he's saying. | |
| 157 | word | N1 | 難 nán
| difficult; hard | |
| 158 | pattern | N1 | 這個字很難寫。 zhè ge zì hěn nán xiě。 好 / 難 + V 好+V means 'easy or pleasant to V' and 難+V 'hard to V'. The pattern describes the thing, not the person: 這個字很難寫 = this character is hard to write. 好看 and 好吃 are the same pattern, frozen into everyday words. | This character is hard to write. | |
| 159 | pattern | N1 | 他的話很難懂。 tā de huà hěn nán dǒng。 好 / 難 + V 好+V means 'easy or pleasant to V' and 難+V 'hard to V'. The pattern describes the thing, not the person: 這個字很難寫 = this character is hard to write. 好看 and 好吃 are the same pattern, frozen into everyday words. | What he says is hard to follow. | |
| 160 | pattern | N1 | 中文很難。 zhōng wén hěn nán。 A 很 + adjective Adjectives work without 是. 很 fills the gap and is often nearly meaningless ('very' only when stressed). 'A 高' alone sounds like a comparison. | Chinese is hard. | |
| 161 | pattern | N1 | 老師說中文不難。 lǎo shī shuō zhōng wén bù nán。 A 說 + clause Reported speech has no 'that': just 說 followed by the sentence as spoken. Same for 說 + a question. | The teacher says Chinese isn't hard. | |
| 162 | pattern | N1 | 我覺得中文很難。 wǒ jué de zhōng wén hěn nán。 A 覺得 / 知道 + clause 覺得 = feel / think (opinion); 知道 = know (a fact). Both take a whole sentence afterwards with no connector. | I think Chinese is hard. | |
| 163 | word | N1 | 容易 róngyì
| easy | |
| 164 | word | Core | 相信 xiāngxìn
| to believe; to trust | |
| 166 | word | N2 | 因為 yīnwèi
| because | |
| 167 | word | N2 | 所以 suǒyǐ
| so; therefore | |
| 168 | pattern | N2 | 因為他不來，所以我也不去。 yīn wèi tā bù lái， suǒ yǐ wǒ yě bù qù。 因為 A，所以 B 因為 … 所以 … normally appear together in Chinese ('because …, so …'). Either can be dropped in casual speech. | Because he isn't coming, I'm not going either. | |
| 169 | word | N2 | 先 xiān
| first (before doing something else) | |
| 170 | pattern | N2 | 先吃飯，好不好？ xiān chī fàn， hǎo bù hǎo？ ..., 好不好？ 好不好 tags a suggestion on the end and invites the listener to agree — softer than 嗎. The same V-不-V shape works with other state verbs: 可以不可以, 對不對. | Let's eat first, shall we? | |
| 171 | word | N2 | 然後 ránhòu
| then; after that | |
| 172 | pattern | N2 | 我先看書，然後吃飯。 wǒ xiān kàn shū， rán hòu chī fàn。 A + verb + object Basic word order is Subject – Verb – Object, like English. No verb endings for person or tense. | I read first, then eat. | |
| 173 | word | N2 | 還 hái
| still; also; even more | |
| 174 | pattern | N2 | 你要先去，還是我先去？ nǐ yào xiān qù， hái shì wǒ xiān qù？ 先 V1，再 V2 先 goes before the first verb and 再 before the second — both sit inside the predicate, never at the front the way English 'first' does. 然後 can replace 再 in plain narration; use 再 when the order itself matters. | Do you want to go first, or shall I? | |
| 175 | pattern | N2 | 我還沒吃飯。 wǒ hái méi chī fàn。 還沒（有）+ V 還沒（有）is 'not yet': the event is still expected. 沒 on its own only says it did not happen; adding 還 leaves the door open. 不 is never used here. | I haven't eaten yet. | |
| 176 | pattern | N2 | 你還沒好嗎？ nǐ hái méi hǎo ma？ 還沒（有）+ V 還沒（有）is 'not yet': the event is still expected. 沒 on its own only says it did not happen; adding 還 leaves the door open. 不 is never used here. | Aren't you better yet? | |
| 177 | pattern | N2 | 他是老師還是學生？ tā shì lǎo shī hái shì xué shēng？ A 還是 B？ 還是 offers a choice inside a question and takes the place of 嗎 — never use both. In a statement ('either will do') Taiwan says 或者 or 或是; 還是 belongs to the question. It joins two whole predicates: 穿褲子還是穿裙子, with the second verb often left out. | Is he a teacher or a student? | |
| 178 | pattern | N2 | 他的中文還可以。 tā de zhōng wén hái kě yǐ。 還 + Vs（勉強） 還 in front of a describing word means 'passably' and quietly withholds praise: 還可以 = it'll do. 還算 makes that explicit. It is not the 還 of 'still' or 'as well'. | His Chinese is all right. | |
| 179 | word | N2 | 又 yòu
| again (already happened); also | |
| 180 | word | N1 | 就 jiù
| precisely; then; right away | |
| 181 | pattern | N1 | 我一聽就知道是他。 wǒ yī tīng jiù zhī dào shì tā。 一 V1 就 V2 一……就…… links two events with no gap: the second follows the instant the first happens. 一 goes before the first verb, 就 before the second, and the two subjects may differ (他一走我就進去). | I knew it was him the moment I heard. | |
| 182 | pattern | N1 | 我什麼都懂，就是這個不懂。 wǒ shén me dōu dǒng， jiù shì zhè ge bù dǒng。 什麼都 ...，就是 ... 什麼都 sweeps everything in and 就是 names the single exception. 就是 here means 'except precisely that' — nothing to do with the 就 that means 'then'. | I follow all of it except this bit. | |
| 183 | pattern | N1 | 他看了一看就懂了。 tā kàn le yī kàn jiù dǒng le。 V（了）（一）V A one-syllable verb doubles to make the action brief and light: 看看, 看一看, and in the past 看了看 or 看了一看. Two-syllable verbs use ABAB instead (研究研究). | One glance and he had it. | |
| 184 | pattern | N1 | 你看了就知道。 nǐ kàn le jiù zhī dào。 V 了 O，就 … V了…就… puts two actions in order: the second follows the moment the first is finished. The 了 marks completion of the first verb only and says nothing about past time — 明天我吃了飯就去 works exactly the same way. 就 stands before the second verb, not at the front of its clause. | Take a look and you'll see. | |
| 185 | pattern | N1 | 你想吃什麼就吃什麼。 nǐ xiǎng chī shén me jiù chī shén me。 QW …… 就 …… QW …… The same question word twice: the first sets the choice, the second follows it. 就 always sits in front of the second one, and neither one is a question. | Eat whatever you like. | |
| 186 | pattern | N1 | 他不說，我們就不知道。 tā bù shuō， wǒ men jiù bù zhī dào。 不 ……，不 …… 不 A 不 B states a condition as a flat rule: 不動手就不會有進展. The 就 is optional and both halves stay negative — it is not the double negative of English. | If he doesn't say, we don't know. | |
| 187 | word | N1 | 只 zhǐ
| only | |
| 188 | word | N1 | 吧 ba
| particle: suggestion (let's…) or soft guess (…right?) | |
| 189 | pattern | N1 | 你到我家來吃飯吧。 nǐ dào wǒ jiā lái chī fàn ba。 到 + PW + 去/來 + VP The place sits between 到 and 去／來, and what you do there comes last: 到機場去. 去 points away from the speaker, 來 towards. Everyday speech often drops the 去 (到機場). | Come round to mine for dinner. | |
| 190 | word | N1 | 再 zài
| again; once more | |
| 192 | pattern | N1 | 他不再是學生了。 tā bù zài shì xué shēng le。 不再 ... 了 不再……了 marks a state that has ended: 不再喝了 = doesn't drink any more. Contrast 再不……了, which is a promise about the future — 'never again'. | He isn't a student any more. | |
| 193 | pattern | N1 | 他不再來了。 tā bù zài lái le。 不再 ... 了 不再……了 marks a state that has ended: 不再喝了 = doesn't drink any more. Contrast 再不……了, which is a promise about the future — 'never again'. | He doesn't come any more. | |
| 194 | pattern | N1 | 我再也不相信他了。 wǒ zài yě bù xiāng xìn tā le。 再也（不 / 沒）…… 再也不 / 再也沒 = never again from that point on. Band 2's 不再……了 is the plainer 'not any more'; 再也 is the emphatic version and must be followed by 不 or 沒. | I'll never trust him again. | |
| 195 | word | N1 | 朋友 péngyǒu
| friend | |
| 196 | pattern | N1 | 我們不是朋友嗎？ wǒ men bú shì péng yǒu ma？ 不是 / 沒 ... 嗎？ A negative question with 嗎 invites agreement: 這不是很好嗎？= surely that's fine? Use 不是 for a state and 沒 for something that was supposed to have happened. | Aren't we friends? | |
| 197 | pattern | N1 | 我們是朋友。 wǒ men shì péng yǒu。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | We are friends. | |
| 198 | pattern | N1 | 他不是我朋友。 tā bú shì wǒ péng yǒu。 A 不是 B Negate 是 with 不 placed directly before it. 不 is the all-purpose 'not' for present and future. | He is not my friend. | |
| 199 | pattern | N1 | 我有兩個朋友。 wǒ yǒu liǎng ge péng yǒu。 A 有 B / A 沒有 B 有 = to have / there is. Its negative is 沒有, never 不有. 有沒有 makes the question. | I have two friends. | |
| 200 | pattern | N1 | 朋友們都來了。 péng yǒu men dōu lái le。 N + 們 們 makes a noun for people plural — 老師們, 學生們, 朋友們. It is never used after a number. | My friends have all come. | |
| 201 | word | N1 | 同學 tóngxué
| classmate | |
| 202 | pattern | N1 | 他們是我的同學。 tā men shì wǒ de tóng xué。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | They are my classmates. | |
| 203 | pattern | N1 | 同學們，早安！ tóng xué men， zǎo ān！ N + 們 們 makes a noun for people plural — 老師們, 學生們, 朋友們. It is never used after a number. | Good morning, everyone! | |
| 204 | word | N1 | 爸爸 bàba / bà
| dad; father | |
| 205 | word | N1 | 媽媽 māma / mā
| mum; mother | |
| 206 | pattern | N1 | 她是我媽媽。 tā shì wǒ mā ma。 A 是 B 是 links two nouns: A = B. It never changes form, and it is NOT used before adjectives (see 很). | She is my mum. | |
| 207 | word | N2 | 孩子 háizi
| child; children | |
| 208 | pattern | N2 | 孩子一吃飯就說話。 hái zi yī chī fàn jiù shuō huà。 一 V1 就 V2 一……就…… links two events with no gap: the second follows the instant the first happens. 一 goes before the first verb, 就 before the second, and the two subjects may differ (他一走我就進去). | The children start talking the moment they sit down to eat. | |
| 209 | pattern | N2 | 孩子們都在家。 hái zi men dōu zài jiā。 N + 們 們 makes a noun for people plural — 老師們, 學生們, 朋友們. It is never used after a number. | The children are all at home. | |
| 210 | word | N1 | 小孩 xiǎohái(zi)
| child; kid |