KaidarinLearn Taiwan Mandarin

Corpus

Items 2201–2400 of 4628Units u102–u111voice zh-TW-YunJheNeural (tts-preview)generated 2026-09-13

#KindLevelChineseEnglishPlay
2327wordCore
熟悉 shóuxī
台灣說 熟悉Same word, different reading: Taiwan reads 熟 as shóu here, so 熟悉 is shóuxī; mainland says shúxī.
  • 我對這個地方很熟悉。 wǒ duì zhè ge dì fāng hěn shú xī。
    I know this place well.
  • 這些詞我已經很熟悉了。 zhè xiē cí wǒ yǐ jīng hěn shú xī le。
    I know these words well now.
    School
  • 他對台北不太熟悉。 tā duì tái běi bù tài shú xī。
    He doesn't know Taipei very well.
to be familiar with; to know well
2329wordCore
教育 jiàoyù
  • 他做的是教育的工作。 tā zuò de shì jiāo yù de gōng zuò。
    He works in education.
  • 教育是最重要的事。 jiāo yù shì zuì zhòng yào de shì。
    Education is the most important thing there is.
    School
  • 學校的教育重要，家裡的教育也重要。 xué xiào de jiāo yù zhòng yào， jiā lǐ de jiāo yù yě zhòng yào。
    Education at school matters, and so does education at home.
    Family
education; to educate
2330wordCore
兒童 értóng
  • 這本書是給兒童看的。 zhè běn shū shì gěi ér tóng kàn de。
    This book is for children.
  • 兒童的票比較便宜。 ér tóng de piào bǐ jiào pián yí。
    Children's tickets are cheaper.
  • 這個地方是給兒童玩的。 zhè ge dì fāng shì gěi ér tóng wán de。
    This place is for children to play in.
    Out and about
a child; children (the formal word)
2331patternN2
那個兒童有一雙大大的眼睛。 nà ge ér tóng yǒu yī shuāng dà dà de yǎn jīng。
AA 的 + N

A doubled state verb can describe a noun as long as 的 follows: 小小的桌子, 長長的路. The doubled form is warmer and more vivid than the plain one — 小桌子 is just a small table, 小小的桌子 is a dear little table. The 的 cannot be dropped here.

That child has great big eyes.
2332wordCore
成績 chéngjī
台灣說 成績Same word, different reading: Taiwan says chéngjī with a first tone on 績; mainland says chéngjì.
  • 他這次的成績很好。 tā zhè cì de chéng jī hěn hǎo。
    His marks were good this time.
  • 成績不好沒關係，明年再來。 chéng jī bù hǎo méi guān xi， míng nián zài lái。
    Bad marks don't matter — there's always next year.
    School
  • 考試的成績明天就知道。 kǎo shì de chéng jī míng tiān jiù zhī dào。
    We'll know the exam results tomorrow.
    School
marks; grades; results
2333patternN2
他這次的成績是八點七。 tā zhè cì de chéng jī shì bā diǎn qī。
小數點：三點五

Say 點 for the point, then read the digits after it one at a time: 3.5 = 三點五, 1.25 = 一點二五. Never read them as one number (not 一點二十五).

His mark this time was 8.7.
2334wordCore
年齡 niánlíng
  • 這些兒童的年齡都差不多。 zhè xiē ér tóng de nián líng dōu chà bu duō。
    These children are all about the same age.
  • 我不想說我的年齡。 wǒ bù xiǎng shuō wǒ de nián líng。
    I'd rather not say how old I am.
    People
  • 那個年齡的小孩學得最快。 nà ge nián líng de xiǎo hái xué de zuì kuài。
    Children of that age learn fastest.
    Family
age (of a person)
2335patternN2
在那個年齡，兒童學語言最快。 zài nà ge nián líng， ér tóng xué yǔ yán zuì kuài。
在 + 時間 / 在 …… 的時候

在 marks WHEN as well as where: 在三點, 在上課的時候, 在我小的時候. With a clause it needs 的時候 after it. Unlike English 'at' or 'in', it goes in front of the verb, and with a bare time word (昨天, 三點) it is usually dropped altogether.

At that age children learn languages fastest.
2336wordN2
教訓 jiàoxùn
  • 這件事給了我一個教訓。 zhè jiàn shì gěi le wǒ yī ge jiāo xùn。
    That business taught me a lesson.
  • 他被教訓了一次。 tā bèi jiāo xùn le yī cì。
    He got a telling-off.
    People
  • 這個教訓我不會忘記。 zhè ge jiāo xùn wǒ bù huì wàng jì。
    I shan't forget this lesson.
    People
a lesson learned the hard way; to give someone a talking-to
2337wordCore
演講 yǎnjiǎng
  • 今天下午有一個演講。 jīn tiān xià wǔ yǒu yī ge yǎn jiǎng。
    There's a talk this afternoon.
  • 他的演講只有二十分鐘。 tā de yǎn jiǎng zhǐ yǒu r4 shí fēn zhōng。
    His talk was only twenty minutes.
    School
  • 我第一次演講的時候很緊張。 wǒ dì yī cì yǎn jiǎng de shí hòu hěn jǐn zhāng。
    I was very nervous the first time I gave a talk.
    Work
to give a talk; a lecture; a speech
2338wordN2
適應 shìyìng
  • 新的學生要時間適應。 xīn de xué shēng yào shí jiān shì yīng。
    New students need time to settle in.
  • 我還沒適應這裡的天氣。 wǒ hái méi shì yīng zhè lǐ de tiān qì。
    I haven't got used to the weather here yet.
  • 小孩適應得比大人快。 xiǎo hái shì yīng de bǐ dà rén kuài。
    Children adapt faster than adults.
    Family
to adapt to; to get used to
2339wordCore
舉行 jǔxíng
  • 這個演講在教室裡舉行。 zhè ge yǎn jiǎng zài jiào shì lǐ jǔ xíng。
    The talk is being held in the classroom.
  • 婚禮明年三月舉行。 hūn lǐ míng nián sān yuè jǔ xíng。
    The wedding will be held next March.
    Family
  • 比賽在哪裡舉行？ bǐ sài zài nǎ lǐ jǔ xíng？
    Where is the match being held?
    Out and about
to hold (a meeting, a ceremony, an event)
2340patternN2
演講在下午三點舉行。 yǎn jiǎng zài xià wǔ sān diǎn jǔ xíng。
在 + 時間 / 在 …… 的時候

在 marks WHEN as well as where: 在三點, 在上課的時候, 在我小的時候. With a clause it needs 的時候 after it. Unlike English 'at' or 'in', it goes in front of the verb, and with a bare time word (昨天, 三點) it is usually dropped altogether.

The talk is at three in the afternoon.
2341patternN2
這個考試在星期五舉行。 zhè ge kǎo shì zài xīng qí wǔ jǔ xíng。
在 + 時間 / 在 …… 的時候

在 marks WHEN as well as where: 在三點, 在上課的時候, 在我小的時候. With a clause it needs 的時候 after it. Unlike English 'at' or 'in', it goes in front of the verb, and with a bare time word (昨天, 三點) it is usually dropped altogether.

This exam is held on Friday.
2342wordCore
認真 rènzhēn
  • 他學中文很認真。 tā xué zhōng wén hěn rèn zhēn。
    He works hard at his Chinese.
  • 你太認真了，休息一下吧。 nǐ tài rèn zhēn le， xiū xí yī xià ba。
    You're taking it too seriously — have a rest.
    Work
  • 認真的人成績不一定最好。 rèn zhēn de rén chéng jī bù yí dìng zuì hǎo。
    The conscientious ones don't always get the best marks.
    School
conscientious; serious about it; in earnest
2343patternN2
這件事太重要，不能不認真做。 zhè jiàn shì tài zhòng yào， bù néng bù rèn zhēn zuò。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

This matters too much not to be done properly.
2344wordN2
學會 xuéhuì
  • 我已經學會了這種方法。 wǒ yǐ jīng xué huì le zhè zhǒng fāng fǎ。
    I've mastered this method now.
  • 他三個月就學會了開車。 tā sān ge yuè jiù xué huì le kāi chē。
    He learnt to drive in three months.
  • 這個字我學了很久才學會。 zhè ge zì wǒ xué le hěn jiǔ cái xué huì。
    It took me a long time to learn this character.
    School
to learn (successfully); to master
2346wordCore
下班 xiàbān
  • 我每天六點下班。 wǒ měi tiān liù diǎn xià bān。
    I finish at six every day.
  • 你幾點下班？ nǐ jǐ diǎn xià bān？
    What time do you get off?
    Work
  • 下班以後我要去超市。 xià bān yǐ hòu wǒ yào qù chāo shì。
    I'm going to the supermarket after work.
    Work
to finish work; to knock off
2347wordCore
退休 tuìxiū
  • 我爸爸去年退休了。 wǒ bà ba qù nián tuì xiū le。
    My father retired last year.
  • 他六十歲就退休了。 tā liù shí suì jiù tuì xiū le。
    He retired at sixty.
    Family
  • 退休以後他每天去公園。 tuì xiū yǐ hòu tā měi tiān qù gōng yuán。
    Since retiring he goes to the park every day.
    Family
to retire
2348wordN2
辭職 cízhí
  • 他上個月辭職了。 tā shàng ge yuè cí zhí le。
    He resigned last month.
  • 為什麼辭職？公司不好嗎？ wèi shén me cí zhí？ gōng sī bù hǎo ma？
    Why resign? Is the company no good?
    Work
  • 我還沒決定要不要辭職。 wǒ hái méi jué dìng yào bù yào cí zhí。
    I haven't decided whether to resign.
    Work
to resign; to quit one's job
2349patternN2
公司沒有工作了，他不得不辭職。 gōng sī méi yǒu gōng zuò le， tā bù de bù cí zhí。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

There was no work left, so he had to resign.
2350wordCore
職業 zhíyè
  • 你的職業是什麼？ nǐ de zhí yè shì shén me？
    What do you do for a living?
  • 這是一個很辛苦的職業。 zhè shì yī ge hěn xīn kǔ de zhí yè。
    It's a hard profession.
    Work
  • 他的職業跟我不一樣。 tā de zhí yè gēn wǒ bù yī yàng。
    His line of work isn't the same as mine.
    Work
a profession; an occupation
2351wordCore
經理 jīnglǐ
  • 我們公司的經理姓王。 wǒ men gōng sī de jīng lǐ xìng wáng。
    Our manager's name is Wang.
  • 經理明天才回來。 jīng lǐ míng tiān cái huí lái。
    The manager isn't back until tomorrow.
    Work
  • 這件事要問經理。 zhè jiàn shì yào wèn jīng lǐ。
    You'll have to ask the manager about that.
    Work
a manager
2352patternN2
經理生病了，我們不得不自己決定。 jīng lǐ shēng bìng le， wǒ men bù de bù zì jǐ jué dìng。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

The manager was ill, so we had to decide for ourselves.
2353wordCore
客戶 kèhù
  • 這位客戶很重要。 zhè wèi kè hù hěn zhòng yào。
    This client is important.
  • 客戶今天下午要來。 kè hù jīn tiān xià wǔ yào lái。
    The client is coming this afternoon.
    Work
  • 我們的客戶很多。 wǒ men de kè hù hěn duō。
    We have a lot of clients.
    Work
a client; a customer (of a business)
2354patternN2
經理對客戶很客氣。 jīng lǐ duì kè hù hěn kè qì。
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 manager is very courteous with clients.
2355patternN2
客戶一直打電話，我不得不回他。 kè hù yì zhí dǎ diàn huà， wǒ bù de bù huí tā。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

The client kept ringing, so I had to get back to him.
2356wordN2
名單 míngdān
  • 這份名單上有五十個人。 zhè fèn míng dān shàng yǒu wǔ shí ge rén。
    There are fifty names on this list.
  • 你的名字不在名單上。 nǐ de míng zi bù zài míng dān shàng。
    Your name isn't on the list.
    Work
  • 這份名單是誰做的？ zhè fèn míng dān shì shéi zuò de？
    Who drew up this list?
    Work
a list of names
2357wordN2
支援 zhīyuán
  • 他們公司來支援我們。 tā men gōng sī lái zhī yuán wǒ men。
    Their company is backing us up.
  • 沒有支援，這件事做不了。 méi yǒu zhī yuán， zhè jiàn shì zuò bù liǎo。
    Without support this can't be done.
    Work
  • 謝謝你們的支援。 xiè xie nǐ men de zhī yuán。
    Thank you for your support.
    Work
to support; to back up; support, backing
2358wordN2
協助 xiézhù
  • 謝謝你的協助。 xiè xie nǐ de xié zhù。
    Thank you for your help.
  • 請你協助我們一下。 qǐng nǐ xié zhù wǒ men yī xià。
    Could you assist us for a moment.
    Work
  • 有他的協助，事情快多了。 yǒu tā de xié zhù， shì qíng kuài duō le。
    With his help it went much faster.
    Work
to assist; to help (the formal word)
2359patternN2
公司對我們的協助很重要。 gōng sī duì wǒ men de xié zhù hěn zhòng yào。
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 company's support matters a great deal to us.
2360patternN2
沒有人協助，我不得不自己做。 méi yǒu rén xié zhù， wǒ bù de bù zì jǐ zuò。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

With nobody to help, I had no choice but to do it myself.
2361wordCore
工人 gōngrén
  • 這裡有二十個工人。 zhè lǐ yǒu r4 shí ge gōng rén。
    There are twenty workmen here.
  • 工人們六點就開始工作。 gōng rén men liù diǎn jiù kāi shǐ gōng zuò。
    The workmen start at six.
    Work
  • 那些工人是來修樓梯的。 nà xiē gōng rén shì lái xiū lóu tī de。
    Those workmen are here to fix the stairs.
    At home
a worker; a workman
2363patternN2
這位工人對工作很認真。 zhè wèi gōng rén duì gōng zuò hěn rèn zhēn。
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.

This workman is very conscientious about his work.
2364patternN2
東西太多，我們不得不找工人來幫忙。 dōng xi tài duō， wǒ men bù de bù zhǎo gōng rén lái bāng máng。
不得不 / 不能不 + VP

不得不 is a double negative — 'cannot not' — so it says you had no choice: 不得不辭職 = had to resign. It is stronger and far more reluctant than 必須. 不能不 is the same shape with the same meaning; both go before the verb.

There was too much of it, so we had to get workmen in.
2365wordCore
場 chǎng
  • 昨天的那場比賽很好看。 zuó tiān de nà chǎng bǐ sài hěn hǎo kàn。
    Yesterday's match was good to watch.
  • 那場雨下了三個小時。 nà chǎng yǔ xià le sān ge xiǎo shí。
    That rain went on for three hours.
    Out and about
  • 這場電影是幾點的？ zhè chǎng diàn yǐng shì jǐ diǎn de？
    What time is this showing?
    Out and about
classifier for events: a match, a film, a storm, a performance
2366patternN2
這場比賽簡直是我看過最好的。 zhè chǎng bǐ sài jiǎn zhí shì wǒ kàn guò zuì hǎo de。
簡直 + VP

簡直 says the thing is so extreme it is almost past describing: 簡直不可能 = simply impossible. It goes before the verb or before 是, it is always an exaggeration, and it never takes 很.

That match was simply the best I've ever seen.
2367wordCore
棒球 bàngqiú
  • 台灣人很喜歡棒球。 tái wān rén hěn xǐ huān bàng qiú。
    People in Taiwan love baseball.
  • 我弟弟從小就打棒球。 wǒ dì di cóng xiǎo jiù dǎ bàng qiú。
    My brother has played baseball since he was small.
    Out and about
  • 這場棒球比賽有三個小時。 zhè chǎng bàng qiú bǐ sài yǒu sān ge xiǎo shí。
    This baseball game lasted three hours.
    Out and about
baseball
2368wordCore
足球 zúqiú
  • 我弟弟每天踢足球。 wǒ dì di měi tiān tī zú qiú。
    My brother plays football every day.
  • 台灣的足球沒有棒球那麼多人看。 tái wān de zú qiú méi yǒu bàng qiú nà me duō rén kàn。
    Football in Taiwan doesn't draw the crowds baseball does.
    Out and about
  • 他們在學校後面踢足球。 tā men zài xué xiào hòu miàn tī zú qiú。
    They're playing football behind the school.
    School
football; soccer
2369wordN2
隊員 duìyuán
  • 這個隊員才十八歲。 zhè ge duì yuán cái shí bā suì。
    This player is only eighteen.
  • 我們的隊員都很認真。 wǒ men de duì yuán dōu hěn rèn zhēn。
    All our players work hard.
    Out and about
  • 有一個隊員受傷了。 yǒu yī ge duì yuán shòu shāng le。
    One of the players got hurt.
    Health
a team member; a player on a team
2370wordN2
教練 jiàoliàn
  • 教練叫我們多練習。 jiāo liàn jiào wǒ men duō liàn xí。
    The coach told us to practise more.
  • 那位教練以前也打過球。 nà wèi jiāo liàn yǐ qián yě dǎ guò qiú。
    That coach used to play himself.
    Out and about
  • 教練對隊員很好。 jiāo liàn duì duì yuán hěn hǎo。
    The coach is good to his players.
    Out and about
a coach; a trainer
2371patternN2
教練看了名單，叫了三個隊員，說明天再練習。 jiāo liàn kàn le míng dān， jiào le sān ge duì yuán， shuō míng tiān zài liàn xí。
零代詞（主語省略）

Chinese drops the subject as soon as it is obvious who is doing things: 他拿了球，用力打了一下，就贏得了比賽 — 他 is said once and the next two clauses carry on with nobody named. English has to repeat 'he' every time; putting the pronoun back into each Chinese clause sounds heavy and slightly odd.

The coach looked at the list, called three players over and said they'd practise again tomorrow.
2372wordN2
贏得 yíngdé
  • 他們贏得了那場比賽。 tā men yíng de liǎo nà chǎng bǐ sài。
    They won that match.
  • 我們今年一定要贏得比賽。 wǒ men jīn nián yī dìng yào yíng de bǐ sài。
    We're going to win this year.
    Out and about
  • 他贏得了大家的心。 tā yíng de liǎo dà jiā de xīn。
    He won everybody over.
    People
to win (a match, a prize, someone's trust)
2373wordCore
輸 shū
  • 我們昨天輸了。 wǒ men zuó tiān shū le。
    We lost yesterday.
  • 輸了沒關係，下次再來。 shū le méi guān xi， xià cì zài lái。
    Losing doesn't matter — there's always next time.
    Out and about
  • 那場比賽我們輸了三分。 nà chǎng bǐ sài wǒ men shū le sān fēn。
    We lost that match by three.
    Out and about
to lose (a game); to be beaten
2374wordN2
打破 dǎpò
  • 他打破了一個杯子。 tā dǎ pò le yī ge bēi zi。
    He broke a cup.
  • 誰打破了窗戶？ shéi dǎ pò le chuāng hù？
    Who broke the window?
    At home
  • 那個隊員打破了學校的成績。 nà ge duì yuán dǎ pò le xué xiào de chéng jī。
    That player broke the school record.
    Out and about
to break; to smash; to break (a record)
2375wordCore
用力 yònglì
  • 他用力把門打開。 tā yòng lì bǎ mén dǎ kāi。
    He forced the door open.
  • 用力一點！ yòng lì yī diǎn！
    Put your back into it!
    At home
  • 他用力太大，把杯子打破了。 tā yòng lì tài dà， bǎ bēi zi dǎ pò le。
    He used too much force and broke the cup.
    At home
to use force; to put one's back into it
2376patternN2
他拿了球，用力打了一下，就贏得了比賽。 tā ná le qiú， yòng lì dǎ le yī xià， jiù yíng de liǎo bǐ sài。
零代詞（主語省略）

Chinese drops the subject as soon as it is obvious who is doing things: 他拿了球，用力打了一下，就贏得了比賽 — 他 is said once and the next two clauses carry on with nobody named. English has to repeat 'he' every time; putting the pronoun back into each Chinese clause sounds heavy and slightly odd.

He took the ball, hit it hard, and won the match.
2377wordCore
全 quán
  • 全公司的人都知道了。 quán gōng sī de rén dōu zhī dào le。
    The whole company knows.
  • 全場的人都站起來了。 quán chǎng de rén dōu zhàn qǐ lái le。
    The whole ground rose to its feet.
    Out and about
  • 我們全家一起去旅行。 wǒ men quán jiā yī qǐ qù lǚ xíng。
    The whole family went travelling together.
    Family
all; whole; the entire …
2379wordN2
樂隊 yuèduì
  • 那個樂隊有五個人。 nà ge lè duì yǒu wǔ ge rén。
    That band has five members.
  • 這個樂隊我聽過。 zhè ge lè duì wǒ tīng guò。
    I've heard this band.
    Out and about
  • 樂隊八點才開始。 lè duì bā diǎn cái kāi shǐ。
    The band doesn't start until eight.
    Out and about
a band (musical)
2380patternN2
這個樂隊的音樂好聽得很。 zhè ge lè duì de yīn lè hǎo tīng de hěn。
Vs 得不得了 / Vs 得很

Both come AFTER the state verb: 多得不得了, 好得很. 得不得了 is the stronger of the two; 得很 is milder and more everyday. Neither takes 很 in front as well. The third member of this family, Vs極了 (精彩極了), works the same way and is just as common.

This band's music is very good indeed.
2381wordCore
舞 wǔ
  • 他們的舞跳得很好。 tā men de wǔ tiào de hěn hǎo。
    They dance well.
  • 這種舞我沒看過。 zhè zhǒng wǔ wǒ méi kàn guò。
    I've never seen this sort of dance.
    Out and about
  • 他從小就學舞。 tā cóng xiǎo jiù xué wǔ。
    He has studied dance since he was small.
    People
a dance; dancing (as in 跳舞)
2382wordN2
演奏 yǎnzòu
  • 他演奏了三十分鐘。 tā yǎn zòu le sān shí fēn zhōng。
    He played for thirty minutes.
  • 今天晚上誰演奏？ jīn tiān wǎn shàng shéi yǎn zòu？
    Who's playing tonight?
    Out and about
  • 他演奏的時候，全場都很安靜。 tā yǎn zòu de shí hòu， quán chǎng dōu hěn ān jìng。
    When he played, the whole hall went quiet.
    Out and about
to perform on an instrument; to play (music)
2383wordCore
演出 yǎnchū
  • 今天晚上的演出很長。 jīn tiān wǎn shàng de yǎn chū hěn cháng。
    Tonight's show is a long one.
  • 演出八點開始。 yǎn chū bā diǎn kāi shǐ。
    The performance starts at eight.
    Out and about
  • 這是他最後一次演出。 zhè shì tā zuì hòu yī cì yǎn chū。
    This is his last performance.
    Out and about
to perform; a performance; a show
2384patternN2
演出從八點到十點。 yǎn chū cóng bā diǎn dào shí diǎn。
從 + 時間 + 到 + 時間

從 A 到 B works on time as well as distance: 從八點到十點. Both ends must be named, and the whole phrase goes in front of the verb — 從八點到十點演出. 從小到大 'all one's life' is the fixed one worth memorising.

The show runs from eight to ten.
2385patternN2
從去年到今年，這個樂隊演出了五十場。 cóng qù nián dào jīn nián， zhè ge lè duì yǎn chū le wǔ shí chǎng。
從 + 時間 + 到 + 時間

從 A 到 B works on time as well as distance: 從八點到十點. Both ends must be named, and the whole phrase goes in front of the verb — 從八點到十點演出. 從小到大 'all one's life' is the fixed one worth memorising.

Between last year and this the band has played fifty shows.
2386wordCore
觀眾 guānzhòng
  • 觀眾都站起來了。 guān zhòng dōu zhàn qǐ lái le。
    The audience all stood up.
  • 觀眾有一千多個。 guān zhòng yǒu yī qiān duō ge。
    There were over a thousand in the audience.
    Out and about
  • 觀眾請不要說話。 guān zhòng qǐng bú yào shuō huà。
    The audience is asked to stay quiet.
    Out and about
the audience; spectators
2387patternN2
觀眾多得不得了。 guān zhòng duō de bù de liǎo。
Vs 得不得了 / Vs 得很

Both come AFTER the state verb: 多得不得了, 好得很. 得不得了 is the stronger of the two; 得很 is milder and more everyday. Neither takes 很 in front as well. The third member of this family, Vs極了 (精彩極了), works the same way and is just as common.

There was a tremendous crowd.
2388patternN2
觀眾從七點就開始等，一直等到九點。 guān zhòng cóng qī diǎn jiù kāi shǐ děng， yì zhí děng dào jiǔ diǎn。
從 + 時間 + 到 + 時間

從 A 到 B works on time as well as distance: 從八點到十點. Both ends must be named, and the whole phrase goes in front of the verb — 從八點到十點演出. 從小到大 'all one's life' is the fixed one worth memorising.

The audience started waiting at seven and waited until nine.
2389wordN2
明星 míngxīng
  • 他是一個大家都知道的明星。 tā shì yī ge dà jiā dōu zhī dào de míng xīng。
    He's a star everybody knows.
  • 這位明星昨天來我們這裡。 zhè wèi míng xīng zuó tiān lái wǒ men zhè lǐ。
    That star came here yesterday.
    Out and about
  • 做明星不一定快樂。 zuò míng xīng bù yí dìng kuài lè。
    Being a star doesn't necessarily make you happy.
    People
a star; a celebrity
2390wordN2
精彩 jīngcǎi
  • 那場演出很精彩。 nà chǎng yǎn chū hěn jīng cǎi。
    That performance was wonderful.
  • 最精彩的是最後十分鐘。 zuì jīng cǎi de shì zuì hòu shí fēn zhōng。
    The best part was the last ten minutes.
    Out and about
  • 這場比賽不太精彩。 zhè chǎng bǐ sài bù tài jīng cǎi。
    This match isn't much of a show.
    Out and about
brilliant; wonderful; a great show
2391patternN2
那場演出精彩得不得了。 nà chǎng yǎn chū jīng cǎi de bù de liǎo。
Vs 得不得了 / Vs 得很

Both come AFTER the state verb: 多得不得了, 好得很. 得不得了 is the stronger of the two; 得很 is milder and more everyday. Neither takes 很 in front as well. The third member of this family, Vs極了 (精彩極了), works the same way and is just as common.

That performance was absolutely brilliant.
2392wordCore
欣賞 xīnshǎng
  • 我很欣賞他的音樂。 wǒ hěn xīn shǎng tā de yīn lè。
    I think a lot of his music.
  • 我們坐下來欣賞。 wǒ men zuò xià lái xīn shǎng。
    We sat down and enjoyed it.
    Out and about
  • 我很欣賞這樣認真的人。 wǒ hěn xīn shǎng zhè yàng rèn zhēn de rén。
    I have a lot of time for people who work like that.
    People
to enjoy; to appreciate; to think well of
2393wordCore
熱情 rèqíng
  • 台灣人很熱情。 tái wān rén hěn rè qíng。
    People in Taiwan are very warm.
  • 觀眾很熱情，一直喊。 guān zhòng hěn rè qíng， yì zhí hǎn。
    The audience was enthusiastic and kept shouting.
    Out and about
  • 他對客戶很熱情。 tā duì kè hù hěn rè qíng。
    He's very warm with clients.
    Work
warm; enthusiastic; warmth of feeling
2394patternN2
說到棒球，台灣人都很熱情。 shuō dào bàng qiú， tái wān rén dōu hěn rè qíng。
說到／談到／講到 …，…

說到／談到／講到 opens a new topic by picking up something just said: 說到棒球… = speaking of baseball… The topic follows the verb, then a comma, then the comment. All three are interchangeable. 提到 is a different verb — that reports that someone mentioned something.

Speaking of baseball, people in Taiwan are very keen.
2395wordCore
樂 lè
  • 快樂的「樂」和音樂的「樂」，是同樣的字。 kuài lè de 「lè」 hé yīn lè de 「lè」， shì tóng yàng de de。
    The 樂 of 快樂 and the 樂 of 音樂 are the same character.
  • 音樂、快樂、樂隊，都有這個字。 yīn lè、 kuài lè、 lè duì， dōu yǒu zhè ge zì。
    The words for music, happiness and a band all contain this character.
    School
  • 這個「樂」字不好念。 zhè ge 「lè」 zì bù hǎo niàn。
    This character 樂 is not easy to read aloud.
    School
joy; delight — the 樂 of 快樂 (lè); the same character reads yuè for music, as in 音樂 and 樂隊
2397wordCore
推 tuī
  • 請把門推開。 qǐng bǎ mén tuī kāi。
    Push the door open, please.
  • 這個門要推，不要拿。 zhè ge mén yào tuī， bú yào ná。
    This door has to be pushed, not pulled at.
    Out and about
  • 他從後面推了我一下。 tā cóng hòu miàn tuī le wǒ yī xià。
    He gave me a push from behind.
    Out and about
to push
2398wordN2
插 chā
  • 他把花插在杯子裡。 tā bǎ huā chā zài bēi zi lǐ。
    He put the flowers in a cup.
  • 請你把它插好。 qǐng nǐ bǎ tā chā hǎo。
    Plug it in properly, would you.
    At home
  • 他在名單上插了一個名字。 tā zài míng dān shàng chā le yī ge míng zi。
    He slipped a name into the list.
    Work
to stick in; to insert; to plug in
2399wordCore
拉 lā
  • 這個門要拉，不是推。 zhè ge mén yào lā， bú shì tuī。
    This door pulls, it doesn't push.
  • 他把窗簾拉開了。 tā bǎ chuāng lián lā kāi le。
    He pulled the curtains open.
    At home
  • 小孩一直拉我的手。 xiǎo hái yì zhí lā wǒ de shǒu。
    The child kept tugging at my hand.
    Family
to pull; to drag; to play (a bowed instrument)
2400patternN2
請你把窗簾拉上。 qǐng nǐ bǎ chuāng lián lā shàng。
V 上

V + 上 sends the action upwards (走上樓, 爬上山, 貼上去) or closes something (拉上窗簾, 穿上外套 — the coat shuts around you). It is not the verb 上 of 上車 and 上課; here 上 is the result stuck on the end of another verb.

Pull the curtains to, would you.
2401patternN2
他把那張紙從門上拉下來。 tā bǎ nà zhāng zhǐ cóng mén shàng lā xià lái。
V 下來 / V 下去

下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction.

He pulled the sheet down off the door.
2402wordN2
撿 jiǎn
  • 他在路上撿到一個錢包。 tā zài lù shàng jiǎn dào yī ge qián bāo。
    He found a wallet in the street.
  • 東西掉了，我幫你撿。 dōng xi diào le， wǒ bāng nǐ jiǎn。
    You've dropped something — I'll get it.
    Out and about
  • 這是我撿到的，不是我的。 zhè shì wǒ jiǎn dào de， bú shì wǒ de。
    I found this — it isn't mine.
    Out and about
to pick up (from the ground); to find and keep
2403patternN2
東西掉下來了，你去撿。 dōng xi diào xià lái le， nǐ qù jiǎn。
V 下來 / V 下去

下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction.

Something's fallen down — go and pick it up.
2404wordCore
硬 yìng
  • 這個床太硬了。 zhè ge chuáng tài yìng le。
    This bed is too hard.
  • 這種麵包放久了會很硬。 zhè zhǒng miàn bāo fàng jiǔ le huì hěn yìng。
    This kind of bread goes hard if you keep it.
    Food and drink
  • 他的手很硬，是工人的手。 tā de shǒu hěn yìng， shì gōng rén de shǒu。
    His hands are hard — a workman's hands.
    People
hard; stiff; firm
2405wordCore
直 zhí
  • 這條路很直。 zhè tiáo lù hěn zhí。
    This road is straight.
  • 你坐直一點。 nǐ zuò zhí yī diǎn。
    Sit up straight.
    At home
  • 他說話很直。 tā shuō huà hěn zhí。
    He speaks very bluntly.
    People
straight; upright; frank
2406wordCore
頂 dǐng
  • 山頂上有一棵樹。 shān dǐng shàng yǒu yī kē shù。
    There's a tree at the top of the hill.
  • 我們爬到頂了。 wǒ men pá dào dǐng le。
    We've climbed to the top.
    Out and about
  • 那個櫃子的頂上有一個盒子。 nà ge guì zi de dǐng shàng yǒu yī ge hé zi。
    There's a box on top of that cupboard.
    At home
the top; the crown (of a hill, a building, the head)
2407patternN2
我們爬上山頂。 wǒ men pá shàng shān dǐng。
V 上

V + 上 sends the action upwards (走上樓, 爬上山, 貼上去) or closes something (拉上窗簾, 穿上外套 — the coat shuts around you). It is not the verb 上 of 上車 and 上課; here 上 is the result stuck on the end of another verb.

We climbed to the top of the hill.
2408patternN2
從山頂走下來要一個小時。 cóng shān dǐng zǒu xià lái yào yī ge xiǎo shí。
V 下來 / V 下去

下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction.

Walking down from the top takes an hour.
2409wordCore
層 céng
  • 這個地方有十層樓。 zhè ge dì fāng yǒu shí céng lóu。
    This building has ten floors.
  • 我住在第三層。 wǒ zhù zài dì sān céng。
    I live on the third floor.
    At home
  • 蛋糕有三層，每層都不一樣。 dàn gāo yǒu sān céng， měi céng dōu bù yī yàng。
    The cake has three layers, each one different.
    Food and drink
classifier for floors, storeys and layers
2410patternN2
電梯壞了，我們只好走上十層樓。 diàn tī huài le， wǒ men zhǐ hǎo zǒu shàng shí céng lóu。
V 上

V + 上 sends the action upwards (走上樓, 爬上山, 貼上去) or closes something (拉上窗簾, 穿上外套 — the coat shuts around you). It is not the verb 上 of 上車 and 上課; here 上 is the result stuck on the end of another verb.

The lift was broken, so we had to walk up ten floors.
2411patternN2
你可以從十層樓走下去嗎？ nǐ kě yǐ cóng shí céng lóu zǒu xià qù ma？
V 下來 / V 下去

下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction.

Can you walk down from the tenth floor?
2412wordCore
蓋 gài
  • 請把盒子蓋好。 qǐng bǎ hé zi gài hǎo。
    Put the lid on the box properly.
  • 那個蓋在櫃子上面。 nà ge gài zài guì zi shàng miàn。
    The lid is on top of the cupboard.
    At home
  • 天氣冷，蓋一條棉被吧。 tiān qì lěng， gài yī tiáo mián bèi ba。
    It's cold — pull a quilt over you.
    At home
a lid, a cover; to cover; to build
2413patternN2
請你把蓋拿下來。 qǐng nǐ bǎ gài ná xià lái。
V 下來 / V 下去

下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction.

Take the lid off, please.
2414wordCore
布 bù
  • 他用一塊布把桌子擦乾淨。 tā yòng yī kuài bù bǎ zhuō zi cā qián jìng。
    He wiped the table clean with a cloth.
  • 這種布不能洗。 zhè zhǒng bù bù néng xǐ。
    This fabric can't be washed.
    At home
  • 窗簾的布很好。 chuāng lián de bù hěn hǎo。
    The curtain fabric is good.
    At home
cloth; fabric
2416wordN2
背 bēi
  • 他背著一個小孩。 tā bèi zhe yī ge xiǎo hái。
    He's carrying a child on his back.
  • 這個箱子我背不了。 zhè ge xiāng zi wǒ bèi bù liǎo。
    I can't carry this case on my back.
  • 上山的時候不要背太多東西。 shàng shān de shí hòu bú yào bèi tài duō dōng xi。
    Don't carry too much up the hill.
to carry on one's back (bēi); read bèi the same character means the back of the body
2417wordCore
藏 cáng
  • 他把錢藏在櫃子裡。 tā bǎ qián cáng zài guì zi lǐ。
    He hid the money in the cupboard.
  • 小孩喜歡藏東西。 xiǎo hái xǐ huān cáng dōng xi。
    Children like hiding things.
    Family
  • 你把我的筆藏到哪裡去了？ nǐ bǎ wǒ de bǐ cáng dào nǎ lǐ qù le？
    Where have you hidden my pen?
    School
to hide (something); to store away
2418patternN2
任何東西他都藏得住。 rèn hé dōng xi tā dōu cáng de zhù。
任何 + N + 都 …

任何 means 'any at all' and needs a noun or a measure word straight after it: 任何人, 任何時候, 任何一支筆. The main clause nearly always carries 都, or a negative with 都. Without the 都 it sounds unfinished.

He can hide anything at all.
2419patternN2
把東西都藏起來，別讓他看見。 bǎ dōng xi dōu cáng qǐ lái， bié ràng tā kàn jian。
V 起來（收好）

The other everyday 起來: gather it in and put it out of the way — 收起來 tidy away, 包起來 wrap up, 藏起來 hide. The object ends up out of sight.

Hide everything — don't let him see.
2420wordCore
包 bāo
  • 他買了一包糖。 tā mǎi le yī bāo táng。
    He bought a packet of sweets.
  • 這包東西是給你的。 zhè bāo dōng xi shì gěi nǐ de。
    This bundle is for you.
    At home
  • 他把東西包好，放在桌上。 tā bǎ dōng xi bāo hǎo， fàng zài zhuō shàng。
    He wrapped the things up and put them on the table.
    At home
to wrap; a packet, a bundle; classifier for packets and bags
2421patternN2
這個包不但大，也很好背。 zhè ge bāo bù dàn dà， yě hěn hǎo bèi。
不但 A，還/也 B

不但 A 還/也 B does the same job as 不但 A 而且 B, but 還 and 也 sit INSIDE the second clause, right before its verb, where 而且 stands at the front of it. 還 adds a surprise; 也 simply adds. All three need the two halves to run the same way.

This bag isn't just big, it's easy to carry too.
2422patternN2
這個包任何人都背得了。 zhè ge bāo rèn hé rén dōu bèi de liǎo。
任何 + N + 都 …

任何 means 'any at all' and needs a noun or a measure word straight after it: 任何人, 任何時候, 任何一支筆. The main clause nearly always carries 都, or a negative with 都. Without the 都 it sounds unfinished.

Anybody can carry this bag.
2423patternN2
我把那封信包起來寄給他。 wǒ bǎ nà fēng xìn bāo qǐ lái jì gěi tā。
V 起來（收好）

The other everyday 起來: gather it in and put it out of the way — 收起來 tidy away, 包起來 wrap up, 藏起來 hide. The object ends up out of sight.

I wrapped the letter up and posted it to him.
2424patternN2
這件我要，另外那件也包起來。 zhè jiàn wǒ yào， lìng wài nà jiàn yě bāo qǐ lái。
……，另外 ……

另外 adds a second, separate item — 另外一件, 另外還有. 另 on its own does the same job in writing and must be followed by a number plus measure word: 另一個. At the front of a sentence, 另外 works like English 'also'.

I'll take this one, and wrap that one as well.
2425wordCore
支 zhī
  • 我買了三支筆。 wǒ mǎi le sān zhī bǐ。
    I bought three pens.
  • 這支筆是誰的？ zhè zhī bǐ shì shéi de？
    Whose pen is this?
    School
  • 這支筆我用了三年。 zhè zhī bǐ wǒ yòng le sān nián。
    I've used this pen for three years.
    School
classifier for long thin things: pens, sticks, cigarettes, songs, teams
2426patternN2
任何一支筆都可以。 rèn hé yī zhī bǐ dōu kě yǐ。
任何 + N + 都 …

任何 means 'any at all' and needs a noun or a measure word straight after it: 任何人, 任何時候, 任何一支筆. The main clause nearly always carries 都, or a negative with 都. Without the 都 it sounds unfinished.

Any pen will do.
2427patternN2
他有三支手機，其中一支是公司的。 tā yǒu sān zhī shǒu jī， qí zhōng yī zhī shì gōng sī de。
……，其中 ……

其中 = among them, and it always points back at a group already named: 這五個人，其中三個…… . It never opens a sentence and never takes 的.

He has three phones; one of them is the company's.
2428wordCore
根 gēn
  • 桌上有一根頭髮。 zhuō shàng yǒu yī gēn tóu fà。
    There's a hair on the table.
  • 他手上拿著一根香蕉。 tā shǒu shàng ná zhe yī gēn xiāng jiāo。
    He's holding a banana.
    Food and drink
  • 一根不夠，你再拿一根。 yī gēn bù gòu， nǐ zài ná yī gēn。
    One isn't enough — take another.
    At home
classifier for long thin things: hairs, sticks, poles, bones
2429patternN2
他根本不聽。所以啦，我不說了。 tā gēn běn bù tīng。 suǒ yǐ la， wǒ bù shuō le。
所以啦，……

所以啦 closes an argument in conversation and carries an 'I told you so' edge; it is not the plain 所以 that links cause to result. It stands alone at the head of the clause, and you would not write it in a report.

He simply won't listen. So that's that — I'll say no more.
2430wordN2
拖 tuō
  • 他把箱子拖到門口。 tā bǎ xiāng zi tuō dào mén kǒu。
    He dragged the case to the door.
  • 東西太大，只好拖。 dōng xi tài dà， zhǐ hǎo tuō。
    It was too big, so we had to drag it.
    At home
  • 這件事不要再拖了。 zhè jiàn shì bú yào zài tuō le。
    Don't put this off any longer.
    Work
to drag; to pull along; to put off (doing something)
2431wordN2
甩 shuǎi
  • 那隻狗一直甩尾巴。 nà zhī gǒu yì zhí shuǎi wěi ba。
    That dog keeps wagging its tail.
  • 他甩了一下手上的水。 tā shuǎi le yī xià shǒu shàng de shuǐ。
    He shook the water off his hand.
    At home
  • 別甩門！ bié shuǎi mén！
    Don't slam the door!
    At home
to fling; to swing; to shake off
2432wordCore
鐵 tiě
  • 這個門是鐵做的。 zhè ge mén shì tiě zuò de。
    This door is made of iron.
  • 鐵很硬，也很重要。 tiě hěn yìng， yě hěn zhòng yào。
    Iron is hard, and important too.
    At home
  • 那根鐵我一個人拿不了。 nà gēn tiě wǒ yī ge rén ná bù liǎo。
    I can't manage that iron bar on my own.
    At home
iron
2433wordCore
銀 yín
  • 這個是銀的，不是鐵的。 zhè ge shì yín de， bú shì tiě de。
    This one is silver, not iron.
  • 銀比鐵貴很多。 yín bǐ tiě guì hěn duō。
    Silver is far dearer than iron.
    Shopping
  • 她的頭髮已經像銀一樣白。 tā de tóu fà yǐ jīng xiàng yín yī yàng bái。
    Her hair is already as white as silver.
    People
silver
2434patternN2
這家店不但賣鐵的，也賣銀的。 zhè jiā diàn bù dàn mài tiě de， yě mài yín de。
不但 A，還/也 B

不但 A 還/也 B does the same job as 不但 A 而且 B, but 還 and 也 sit INSIDE the second clause, right before its verb, where 而且 stands at the front of it. 還 adds a surprise; 也 simply adds. All three need the two halves to run the same way.

This shop sells iron ones and silver ones too.
2435wordCore
玻璃 bōlí
  • 這個櫃子的門是玻璃的。 zhè ge guì zi de mén shì bō lí de。
    This cupboard has glass doors.
  • 小心那個玻璃。 xiǎo xīn nà ge bō lí。
    Mind that glass.
    At home
  • 窗戶的玻璃要擦乾淨。 chuāng hù de bō lí yào cā qián jìng。
    The window glass needs a clean.
    At home
glass
2437patternN2
這個櫃子不但大，還是玻璃的。 zhè ge guì zi bù dàn dà， hái shì bō lí de。
不但 A，還/也 B

不但 A 還/也 B does the same job as 不但 A 而且 B, but 還 and 也 sit INSIDE the second clause, right before its verb, where 而且 stands at the front of it. 還 adds a surprise; 也 simply adds. All three need the two halves to run the same way.

This cupboard is big, and it's glass on top of that.
2438wordCore
斷 duàn
  • 那支筆斷了。 nà zhī bǐ duàn le。
    That pen has snapped.
  • 這根鐵拉不斷。 zhè gēn tiě lā bù duàn。
    This iron bar can't be pulled apart.
    At home
  • 電話斷了，我再打一次。 diàn huà duàn le， wǒ zài dǎ yī cì。
    The call cut off — I'll ring again.
    Work
to break off; to snap; to cut off
2439wordN2
砸 zá
  • 他用石頭砸那個門。 tā yòng shí tóu zá nà ge mén。
    He hit the door with a stone.
  • 誰砸了櫃子上的玻璃？ shéi zá le guì zi shàng de bō lí？
    Who smashed the glass on the cupboard?
    At home
  • 小心，別砸到腳。 xiǎo xīn， bié zá dào jiǎo。
    Careful — don't drop it on your foot.
    At home
to smash; to hit with something heavy
2440wordCore
破 pò
  • 這個袋子破了。 zhè ge dài zi pò le。
    This bag has split.
  • 我的鞋破了。 wǒ de xié pò le。
    My shoes have worn through.
    Shopping
  • 玻璃破了，小心一點。 bō lí pò le， xiǎo xīn yī diǎn。
    The glass is broken — do be careful.
    At home
broken; torn; worn out; to break
2441patternN2
窗戶破了，這是怎麼回事？ chuāng hù pò le， zhè shì zěn me huí shì？
（是）怎麼（一）回事？

怎麼（一）回事 asks for the story behind something that has gone wrong. 回事 is a fixed noun phrase, so 是 goes in front of it: 是怎麼一回事. The 一 may be dropped. It always wants an explanation, never a description — for that you want 怎麼樣.

The window is broken — how did that happen?
2442wordN2
毛病 máobìng
  • 這台車有一點毛病。 zhè tái chē yǒu yī diǎn máo bìng。
    There's something not right with this car.
  • 這是他的老毛病了。 zhè shì tā de lǎo máo bìng le。
    That's an old habit of his.
    People
  • 洗衣機的毛病修好了。 xǐ yī jī de máo bìng xiū hǎo le。
    The fault in the washing machine has been fixed.
    At home
a fault; a defect; a bad habit
2443wordN2
危機 wéijī
台灣說 危機Same word, different reading: Taiwan reads 危 as wéi, so 危機 is wéijī; mainland says wēijī.
  • 公司現在有一個大危機。 gōng sī xiàn zài yǒu yī ge dà wēi jī。
    The company is in a serious crisis.
  • 這次的危機沒有那麼可怕。 zhè cì de wēi jī méi yǒu nà me kě pà。
    This crisis isn't as frightening as that.
    Work
  • 錢的危機比人的危機容易解決。 qián de wēi jī bǐ rén de wēi jī róng yì jiě jué。
    A money crisis is easier to solve than a people crisis.
    Work
a crisis
2444wordN2
損失 sǔnshī
  • 這次的損失很大。 zhè cì de sǔn shī hěn dà。
    The losses this time are heavy.
  • 公司的損失有三百萬。 gōng sī de sǔn shī yǒu sān bǎi wàn。
    The company's losses come to three million.
    Work
  • 東西壞了是小損失，人沒事最重要。 dōng xi huài le shì xiǎo sǔn shī， rén méi shì zuì zhòng yào。
    Broken things are a small loss; what matters is that nobody was hurt.
    People
a loss; damage; to lose (money, time)
2445patternN2
公司的損失這麼大，怎麼回事？ gōng sī de sǔn shī zhè me dà， zěn me huí shì？
（是）怎麼（一）回事？

怎麼（一）回事 asks for the story behind something that has gone wrong. 回事 is a fixed noun phrase, so 是 goes in front of it: 是怎麼一回事. The 一 may be dropped. It always wants an explanation, never a description — for that you want 怎麼樣.

The company's losses are huge — what's happened?
2446wordCore
害 hài
  • 他忘記帶鑰匙，害我們等了一個小時。 tā wàng jì dài yào shi， hài wǒ men děng le yī ge xiǎo shí。
    He forgot the key, which left us waiting an hour.
  • 你這樣說，害他很不高興。 nǐ zhè yàng shuō， hài tā hěn bù gāo xìng。
    Saying that has upset him.
    People
  • 下大雨害我們不能出去。 xià dà yǔ hài wǒ men bù néng chū qù。
    The heavy rain has stopped us going out.
    Out and about
to cause (someone) trouble; to be the reason someone suffered
2447patternN2
他來得太遲，害我們都遲到了。 tā lái de tài chí， hài wǒ men dōu chí dào le。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

He turned up so late that we were all late.
2448patternN2
你忘記說，害我走錯了路。 nǐ wàng jì shuō， hài wǒ zǒu cuò le lù。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

You forgot to mention it, so I took the wrong road.
2449patternN2
這個毛病害公司損失了很多錢。 zhè ge máo bìng hài gōng sī sǔn shī le hěn duō qián。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

This fault has cost the company a lot of money.
2450patternN2
他沒有回我的簡訊，害我等了一個晚上。 tā méi yǒu huí wǒ de jiǎn xùn， hài wǒ děng le yī ge wǎn shàng。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

He never answered my text, so I waited all evening.
2451patternN2
下這麼大的雨，害我們的東西都髒了。 xià zhè me dà de yǔ， hài wǒ men de dōng xi dōu zāng le。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

Rain this heavy has left all our things filthy.
2452wordN2
擋 dǎng
  • 那台卡車擋在門口。 nà tái kǎ chē dǎng zài mén kǒu。
    That lorry is blocking the doorway.
  • 你擋到我了。 nǐ dǎng dào wǒ le。
    You're in my way.
    Out and about
  • 這個櫃子可以擋風。 zhè ge guì zi kě yǐ dǎng fēng。
    This cupboard will keep the wind off.
    At home
to block; to get in the way of; to keep off
2453wordN2
撐 chēng
  • 這根鐵撐著那個門。 zhè gēn tiě chēng zhe nà ge mén。
    That iron bar is holding the door up.
  • 他一個人撐了三個小時。 tā yī ge rén chēng le sān ge xiǎo shí。
    He held out on his own for three hours.
    Work
  • 下雨的時候要撐雨傘。 xià yǔ de shí hòu yào chēng yǔ sǎn。
    You need to put an umbrella up when it rains.
    Out and about
to prop up; to hold up; to hold out
2454wordN2
卡 kǎ
  • 電梯卡在五層樓。 diàn tī kǎ zài wǔ céng lóu。
    The lift is stuck on the fifth floor.
  • 抽屜卡住了，拉不開。 chōu tì kǎ zhù le， lā bù kāi。
    The drawer is jammed — it won't pull open.
    At home
  • 電腦卡了，我再開一次。 diàn nǎo kǎ le， wǒ zài kāi yī cì。
    The computer has hung — I'll restart it.
    Work
to jam; to get stuck; (of a machine) to hang
2456patternN2
電梯卡住，害大家都走樓梯。 diàn tī kǎ zhù， hài dà jiā dōu zǒu lóu tī。
…，害 + 人 + 結果

害 + person + result blames someone for what followed: 害我遲到 = made me late. It is always a complaint, so it never reports a good outcome. The cause comes first, a person comes straight after 害, and 害 itself takes no 了.

The lift jammed, so everyone had to take the stairs.
2457patternN2
電梯卡住了，到底是怎麼回事？ diàn tī kǎ zhù le， dào dǐ shì zěn me huí shì？
（是）怎麼（一）回事？

怎麼（一）回事 asks for the story behind something that has gone wrong. 回事 is a fixed noun phrase, so 是 goes in front of it: 是怎麼一回事. The 一 may be dropped. It always wants an explanation, never a description — for that you want 怎麼樣.

The lift is stuck — what's actually going on?
2458wordCore
離 lí
  • 我家離學校走路十分鐘。 wǒ jiā lí xué xiào zǒu lù shí fēn zhōng。
    My house is ten minutes' walk from school.
  • 那家店離這裡有兩公里。 nà jiā diàn lí zhè lǐ yǒu liǎng gōng lǐ。
    That shop is two kilometres from here.
  • 你家離車站要多久？ nǐ jiā lí chē zhàn yào duō jiǔ？
    How long is your place from the station?
to be away from; (in giving distances) from
2459patternN2
我家離夜市走路五分鐘。 wǒ jiā lí yè shì zǒu lù wǔ fēn zhōng。
A 離 B + 距離／時間

A 離 B + a distance or a time says how far apart two places are: 我家離學校走路十分鐘. Both places must be named and the measurement follows the whole phrase. 離 is not a verb of movement — for 'to leave' the word is 離開.

My house is five minutes' walk from the night market.
2460patternN2
那家店離車站有三公里。 nà jiā diàn lí chē zhàn yǒu sān gōng lǐ。
A 離 B + 距離／時間

A 離 B + a distance or a time says how far apart two places are: 我家離學校走路十分鐘. Both places must be named and the measurement follows the whole phrase. 離 is not a verb of movement — for 'to leave' the word is 離開.

That shop is three kilometres from the station.
2461patternN2
你家離公司要多久？ nǐ jiā lí gōng sī yào duō jiǔ？
A 離 B + 距離／時間

A 離 B + a distance or a time says how far apart two places are: 我家離學校走路十分鐘. Both places must be named and the measurement follows the whole phrase. 離 is not a verb of movement — for 'to leave' the word is 離開.

How long is your place from the office?
2462patternN2
圖書館離我家不到一公里。 tú shū guǎn lí wǒ jiā bú dào yī gōng lǐ。
A 離 B + 距離／時間

A 離 B + a distance or a time says how far apart two places are: 我家離學校走路十分鐘. Both places must be named and the measurement follows the whole phrase. 離 is not a verb of movement — for 'to leave' the word is 離開.

The library is under a kilometre from my house.
2463patternN2
那個島離台灣要搭四個小時的船。 nà ge dǎo lí tái wān yào dā sì ge xiǎo shí de chuán。
A 離 B + 距離／時間

A 離 B + a distance or a time says how far apart two places are: 我家離學校走路十分鐘. Both places must be named and the measurement follows the whole phrase. 離 is not a verb of movement — for 'to leave' the word is 離開.

That island is four hours by boat from Taiwan.
2464patternN2
我家離公司只有一點二公里。 wǒ jiā lí gōng sī zhǐ yǒu yī diǎn r4 gōng lǐ。
小數點：三點五

Say 點 for the point, then read the digits after it one at a time: 3.5 = 三點五, 1.25 = 一點二五. Never read them as one number (not 一點二十五).

I live only 1.2 kilometres from the office.
2465patternN2
離過年只有兩個星期了。 lí guò nián zhǐ yǒu liǎng ge xīng qí le。
離 + 事件 + 還有 / 只有 ……

離 + an event measures how far off it is in time. Band 3 taught A 離 B for distance on the ground; this is the same 離 counting days instead of kilometres.

There are only two weeks until New Year.
2466patternN2
離上課還有十分鐘。 lí shàng kè hái yǒu shí fēn zhōng。
離 + 事件 + 還有 / 只有 ……

離 + an event measures how far off it is in time. Band 3 taught A 離 B for distance on the ground; this is the same 離 counting days instead of kilometres.

There are ten minutes until class.
2467patternN2
離他結婚那天已經三年了。 lí tā jié hūn nà tiān yǐ jīng sān nián le。
離 + 事件 + 還有 / 只有 ……

離 + an event measures how far off it is in time. Band 3 taught A 離 B for distance on the ground; this is the same 離 counting days instead of kilometres.

It's three years since his wedding day.
2468patternN2
離我下班還有兩個小時。 lí wǒ xià bān hái yǒu liǎng ge xiǎo shí。
離 + 事件 + 還有 / 只有 ……

離 + an event measures how far off it is in time. Band 3 taught A 離 B for distance on the ground; this is the same 離 counting days instead of kilometres.

I've two hours left before I finish.
2469patternN2
離考試只剩三天。 lí kǎo shì zhǐ shèng sān tiān。
離 + 事件 + 還有 / 只有 ……

離 + an event measures how far off it is in time. Band 3 taught A 離 B for distance on the ground; this is the same 離 counting days instead of kilometres.

Only three days to go until the exam.
2470wordCore
替 tì
  • 我替他打了電話。 wǒ tì tā dǎ le diàn huà。
    I made the call for him.
  • 今天他不在，我替他上班。 jīn tiān tā bù zài， wǒ tì tā shàng bān。
    He's away today, so I'm covering his shift.
    Work
  • 我替你高興。 wǒ tì nǐ gāo xìng。
    I'm pleased for you.
    People
to do it in someone's place; on behalf of; for (someone)
2471patternN2
你可以替我拿一下嗎？ nǐ kě yǐ tì wǒ ná yī xià ma？
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

Could you hold this for me a moment?
2472patternN2
我替他寫了那封信。 wǒ tì tā xiě le nà fēng xìn。
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

I wrote that letter for him.
2473patternN2
請替我謝謝你的父母。 qǐng tì wǒ xiè xie nǐ de fù mǔ。
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

Please thank your parents for me.
2474patternN2
他不在，我替他回答。 tā bù zài， wǒ tì tā huí dá。
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

He isn't here, so I'll answer for him.
2475patternN2
老師替我們決定了。 lǎo shī tì wǒ men jué dìng le。
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

The teacher decided it for us.
2476patternN2
這件事我不能替你做決定。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ bù néng tì nǐ zuò jué dìng。
替 + 人 + V

替 puts you in the other person's place: 替我拿 = pick it up instead of me. 幫 means you help them do it; 替 means you take the whole job over. 替 never takes 忙.

I can't make this decision for you.
2477wordCore
越 yuè
  • 這裡的東西越來越貴。 zhè lǐ de dōng xi yuè lái yuè guì。
    Things here get dearer and dearer.
  • 雨越下越大。 yǔ yuè xià yuè dà。
    The rain is coming down harder and harder.
    Out and about
  • 他越說我越不懂。 tā yuè shuō wǒ yuè bù dǒng。
    The more he explained the less I understood.
    People
to cross over, to exceed — in everyday Taiwan speech mostly the 越 of 越來越 and 越……越……
2478patternN2
雨越下越大。 yǔ yuè xià yuè dà。
越 A 越 B

越 A 越 B says B rises as A rises: 越吵越大聲. Each half needs its own 越 in front of its own verb, and neither takes 很. When the two halves have different subjects, each subject goes before its own 越 — 東西越多，房間越亂.

The harder it rains, the heavier it gets.
2479patternN2
他的中文越來越好了。 tā de zhōng wén yuè lái yuè hǎo le。
越來越 + Vs

越來越 + a state verb says the quality keeps rising as time passes: 越來越好. The sentence usually closes with 了. It never takes 很 in front of the state verb, and it never goes with a number — for quantity you need 越來越多.

His Chinese is getting better and better.
2480patternN2
我們越來越熟悉了。 wǒ men yuè lái yuè shú xī le。
越來越 + Vs

越來越 + a state verb says the quality keeps rising as time passes: 越來越好. The sentence usually closes with 了. It never takes 很 in front of the state verb, and it never goes with a number — for quantity you need 越來越多.

We know each other better and better.
2481patternN2
這個話題越來越有意思。 zhè ge huà tí yuè lái yuè yǒu yì si。
越來越 + Vs

越來越 + a state verb says the quality keeps rising as time passes: 越來越好. The sentence usually closes with 了. It never takes 很 in front of the state verb, and it never goes with a number — for quantity you need 越來越多.

This subject is getting more and more interesting.
2482patternN2
天氣越來越熱。 tiān qì yuè lái yuè rè。
越來越 + Vs

越來越 + a state verb says the quality keeps rising as time passes: 越來越好. The sentence usually closes with 了. It never takes 很 in front of the state verb, and it never goes with a number — for quantity you need 越來越多.

The weather keeps getting hotter.
2483patternN2
台北的人越來越多。 tái běi de rén yuè lái yuè duō。
越來越 + Vs

越來越 + a state verb says the quality keeps rising as time passes: 越來越好. The sentence usually closes with 了. It never takes 很 in front of the state verb, and it never goes with a number — for quantity you need 越來越多.

There are more and more people in Taipei.
2484patternN2
一般來說，越貴的東西越好用。 yì bān lái shuō， yuè guì de dōng xi yuè hǎo yòng。
一般來說，……

一般來說 opens the sentence and states a rule that allows exceptions — which is why a 可是 often follows a line or two later.

On the whole, the dearer it is the better it works.
2485wordCore
完 wán
  • 書我看完了。 shū wǒ kàn wán le。
    I've finished the book.
  • 錢用完了。 qián yòng wán le。
    The money has run out.
  • 這件事還沒完。 zhè jiàn shì hái méi wán。
    This isn't over yet.
    Work
to finish; to be over; to use up
2486patternN2
他把事情做完了。 tā bǎ shì qíng zuò wán le。
把 + O + V + 結果

把 + object + verb + a result word says what state the object ended in: 弄破了 broken, 洗好了 clean, 說清楚了 made clear. The object has to be something both speakers already know about.

He's finished the job.
2487patternN2
我吃完飯就去。 wǒ chī wán fàn jiù qù。
V 完

V 完 means the activity ran to its end: 吃完 finished eating, 看完 read right through. It says nothing about whether it went well — that is V 好.

I'll go as soon as I've eaten.
2488patternN2
這本書我已經看完了。 zhè běn shū wǒ yǐ jīng kàn wán le。
V 完

V 完 means the activity ran to its end: 吃完 finished eating, 看完 read right through. It says nothing about whether it went well — that is V 好.

I've read this book right through.
2489patternN2
他說完就走了。 tā shuō wán jiù zǒu le。
V 完

V 完 means the activity ran to its end: 吃完 finished eating, 看完 read right through. It says nothing about whether it went well — that is V 好.

He finished speaking and left.
2490patternN2
你的報告寫完了嗎？ nǐ de bào gào xiě wán le ma？
V 完

V 完 means the activity ran to its end: 吃完 finished eating, 看完 read right through. It says nothing about whether it went well — that is V 好.

Have you finished writing your report?
2491patternN2
錢用完了，我們回家吧。 qián yòng wán le， wǒ men huí jiā ba。
V 完

V 完 means the activity ran to its end: 吃完 finished eating, 看完 read right through. It says nothing about whether it went well — that is V 好.

The money's gone — let's go home.
2492patternN2
他一說就說個沒完。 tā yī shuō jiù shuō ge méi wán。
V 個不停 / V 個沒完

V 個不停 / V 個沒完 means it keeps going and you wish it would stop — it is always a complaint. The 個 here counts nothing; it is part of the frame.

Once he starts he goes on for ever.
2493patternN2
她問個沒完，我都不知道怎麼回答。 tā wèn ge méi wán， wǒ dōu bù zhī dào zěn me huí dá。
V 個不停 / V 個沒完

V 個不停 / V 個沒完 means it keeps going and you wish it would stop — it is always a complaint. The 個 here counts nothing; it is part of the frame.

She kept on asking and I ran out of answers.
2494patternN2
東西都吃完了，你才來。 dōng xi dōu chī wán le， nǐ cái lái。
都 + 時間 / 數量 + 了

This 都 in front of a time or an amount means 'already, as much as that', and it always carries a sigh: 都幾點了！ It is not the 都 that means 'all'.

The food's all gone and now you turn up.
2495patternN2
吃完飯以後，我們去走走。 chī wán fàn yǐ hòu， wǒ men qù zǒu zǒu。
…… 以後

以後 follows the event, unlike English 'after': 吃飯以後 = after eating. Alone at the front of a sentence it means 'from now on'. 自從……以後 narrows it to 'ever since'.

After we've eaten, let's go for a walk.
2496patternN2
不管多累，他都會做完。 bù guǎn duō lèi， tā dōu huì zuò wán。
不管 ……，都 ……

不管 needs an open slot after it — a question word (誰/什麼/多少), a V 不 V, or an A 還是 B — and the second half must carry 都 or 也. 不管 alone in front of a plain statement is wrong.

No matter how tired he is, he finishes it.
2497patternN2
東西都賣完了。所以啦，下次早點來。 dōng xi dōu mài wán le。 suǒ yǐ la， xià cì zǎo diǎn lái。
所以啦，……

所以啦 closes an argument in conversation and carries an 'I told you so' edge; it is not the plain 所以 that links cause to result. It stands alone at the head of the clause, and you would not write it in a report.

It's all sold out. So there you are — come earlier next time.
2498patternN2
再難也要做完。 zài nán yě yào zuò wán。
再 …… 也 ……

再 + describing word + 也 concedes any amount of it and then denies it matters: 再難也要做. Note the order — 再 goes in front of the quality, not the verb — and the second half must carry 也 or 都.

However hard it is, it has to be finished.
2499patternN2
就是沒有人幫忙，我也會做完。 jiù shì méi yǒu rén bāng máng， wǒ yě huì zuò wán。
就是 ……，也 ……

就是……也…… grants the hardest case and then holds the line, and works with real and imagined cases alike. 即使 and 就算 are the same shape in more formal and more spoken registers. Do not confuse this 就是 with the 就是 that means 'exactly'.

Even with nobody helping, I'll finish it.
2500wordCore
起 qǐ
  • 他起得很早。 tā qǐ de hěn zǎo。
    He gets up very early.
  • 他拿起筆，寫下了地址。 tā ná qǐ bǐ， xiě xià le dì zhǐ。
    He picked up a pen and wrote the address down.
    Work
  • 東西掉了，你撿起來。 dōng xi diào le， nǐ jiǎn qǐ lái。
    You've dropped something — pick it up.
    At home
to rise; to get up; to lift; from (a starting point)
2501patternN2
他拿起筆，寫下了地址。 tā ná qǐ bǐ， xiě xià le dì zhǐ。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

He picked up a pen and wrote down the address.
2502patternN2
她撿起那張紙，放在桌上。 tā jiǎn qǐ nà zhāng zhǐ， fàng zài zhuō shàng。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

She picked the sheet up and put it on the table.
2503patternN2
我抱起小孩，走出房間。 wǒ bào qǐ xiǎo hái， zǒu chū fáng jiān。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

I lifted the child up and walked out of the room.
2504patternN2
他站起來，拿起包就走了。 tā zhàn qǐ lái， ná qǐ bāo jiù zǒu le。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

He stood up, picked up his bag and left.
2505patternN2
我拿起手機才發現沒有網路。 wǒ ná qǐ shǒu jī cái fā xiàn méi yǒu wǎng lù。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

I picked up my phone and only then saw there was no signal.
2506patternN2
他撿起一塊石頭，看了很久。 tā jiǎn qǐ yī kuài shí tóu， kàn le hěn jiǔ。
V 起 + O

V + 起 lifts the object off whatever it was resting on: 拿起筆, 撿起紙, 抱起小孩. 起來 does the same job when nothing follows it; as soon as an object comes next, 起 goes bare and the object follows it — 拿起筆, not 拿起來筆.

He picked up a stone and looked at it for a long time.
2507patternN2
從現在起，我不再打斷你了。 cóng xiàn zài qǐ， wǒ bù zài dǎ duàn nǐ le。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

From now on I won't interrupt you.
2508patternN2
從那天起，我們就沒有再說話。 cóng nà tiān qǐ， wǒ men jiù méi yǒu zài shuō huà。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

From that day on we never spoke again.
2509patternN2
從明天起，這條路不能停車。 cóng míng tiān qǐ， zhè tiáo lù bù néng tíng chē。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

From tomorrow there's no parking on this road.
2510patternN2
從上個月起，我在這家公司工作。 cóng shàng ge yuè qǐ， wǒ zài zhè jiā gōng sī gōng zuò。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

I've worked at this company since last month.
2511patternN2
從去年起，他才開始學中文。 cóng qù nián qǐ， tā cái kāi shǐ xué zhōng wén。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

It was only from last year that he started learning Chinese.
2512patternN2
這種車我買不起。 zhè zhǒng chē wǒ mǎi bù qǐ。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

I can't afford a car like that.
2513patternN2
一般學生也買得起這支手機。 yì bān xué shēng yě mǎi de qǐ zhè zhī shǒu jī。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

Even an ordinary student can afford this phone.
2514patternN2
這麼貴的飯我請不起。 zhè me guì de fàn wǒ qǐng bù qǐ。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

I can't afford to treat anyone to a meal this dear.
2515patternN2
他們家住不起這種房子。 tā men jiā zhù bù qǐ zhè zhǒng fáng zi。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

Their family can't afford to live in a house like this.
2516patternN2
那家餐廳我們吃不起。 nà jiā cān tīng wǒ men chī bù qǐ。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

We can't afford to eat at that restaurant.
2517patternN2
這麼大的房子，只有他買得起。 zhè me dà de fáng zi， zhǐ yǒu tā mǎi de qǐ。
V 得起 / V 不起

V 得起 / V 不起 is about affording it, in money or in standing: 買不起 can't afford to buy, 請不起 can't afford to hire or to treat. For 'can't manage it' use V 不了.

A house this big — only he can afford it.
2518patternN2
一問起他的家人，他就不說話了。 yī wèn qǐ tā de jiā rén， tā jiù bù shuō huà le。
一 V 起 ……，就 ……

一 V 起 + topic, then 就 …… : as soon as that subject comes up, this follows. It goes with the talking and remembering verbs — 說起, 談起, 想起, 問起.

Ask about his family and he goes quiet.
2519patternN2
外面下起雨來了。 wài miàn xià qǐ yǔ lái le。
V 起 + N + 來

V 起 + object + 來 splits 起來 round the object: 下起雨來, 做起菜來, 聊起天來. The sense is the same 'start and carry on'; only the word order changes.

It's started raining outside.
2520patternN2
她做起菜來很快。 tā zuò qǐ cài lái hěn kuài。
V 起 + N + 來

V 起 + object + 來 splits 起來 round the object: 下起雨來, 做起菜來, 聊起天來. The sense is the same 'start and carry on'; only the word order changes.

Once she starts cooking she's quick.
2521patternN2
他唱起歌來很好聽。 tā chàng qǐ gē lái hěn hǎo tīng。
V 起 + N + 來

V 起 + object + 來 splits 起來 round the object: 下起雨來, 做起菜來, 聊起天來. The sense is the same 'start and carry on'; only the word order changes.

He has a fine voice once he starts singing.
2522wordN2
前往 qiánwǎng
  • 他明天前往台北。 tā míng tiān qián wǎng tái běi。
    He heads for Taipei tomorrow.
  • 這台公車前往車站。 zhè tái gōng chē qián wǎng chē zhàn。
    This bus goes to the station.
  • 請前往三樓。 qǐng qián wǎng sān lóu。
    Please make your way to the third floor.
    Out and about
to go to; to head for (the formal word)
2523wordN2
逃 táo
  • 那隻貓從櫃子後面逃出來了。 nà zhī māo cóng guì zi hòu miàn táo chū lái le。
    The cat escaped from behind the cupboard.
  • 他從那個地方逃出來的。 tā cóng nà ge dì fāng táo chū lái de。
    He escaped from that place.
    People
  • 這種事逃不了。 zhè zhǒng shì táo bù liǎo。
    You can't run away from this sort of thing.
    People
to escape; to run away; to flee
2524patternN2
那隻貓從櫃子後面逃出來了。 nà zhī māo cóng guì zi hòu miàn táo chū lái le。
V + 進/出/上/回 + 來/去

A direction (進 出 上 下 回) plus 來 or 去 stacks two facts onto one verb: which way, and towards or away from the speaker. 走進來 in towards me, 走進去 in away from me. An object sits between the direction and 來/去 — 拿回一本書來 — though speech usually fronts it with 把 instead.

The cat escaped out from behind the cupboard.
2525wordN2
退出 tuìchū
  • 他退出了那個樂隊。 tā tuì chū le nà ge lè duì。
    He left the band.
  • 我想退出這個比賽。 wǒ xiǎng tuì chū zhè ge bǐ sài。
    I want to pull out of this competition.
    Out and about
  • 兩個隊員退出以後，我們人不夠。 liǎng ge duì yuán tuì chū yǐ hòu， wǒ men rén bù gòu。
    With two players gone we're short.
    Out and about
to withdraw; to pull out; to quit
2526wordCore
過去 guòqù
  • 過去的事不要再說了。 guò qù de shì bú yào zài shuō le。
    Let's not talk about the past.
  • 過去我在那家公司工作。 guò qù wǒ zài nà jiā gōng sī gōng zuò。
    I used to work at that company.
    Work
  • 你先走過去，我一下就到。 nǐ xiān zǒu guò qù， wǒ yī xià jiù dào。
    You go over first — I'll be there in a moment.
    Out and about
the past; to go over; to pass by
2527wordN2
回頭 huítóu
  • 他回頭看了我一下。 tā huí tóu kàn le wǒ yī xià。
    He turned round and looked at me.
  • 回頭再說，我現在很忙。 huí tóu zài shuō， wǒ xiàn zài hěn máng。
    Let's talk later — I'm busy now.
    Work
  • 走了以後就不要回頭。 zǒu le yǐ hòu jiù bú yào huí tóu。
    Once you've gone, don't look back.
    People
to turn one's head; to turn back; (in speech) later on
2529wordCore
碰 pèng
  • 別碰那個玻璃。 bié pèng nà ge bō lí。
    Don't touch that glass.
  • 我的手碰到了熱的東西。 wǒ de shǒu pèng dào le rè de dōng xi。
    My hand touched something hot.
    Health
  • 走路小心，別碰到人。 zǒu lù xiǎo xīn， bié pèng dào rén。
    Watch where you're going — don't bump into people.
    Out and about
to touch; to bump; to knock against
2530wordN2
撞 zhuàng
  • 他的車撞到了那台卡車。 tā de chē zhuàng dào le nà tái kǎ chē。
    His car ran into that lorry.
  • 我的頭撞到門了。 wǒ de tóu zhuàng dào mén le。
    I banged my head on the door.
    Health
  • 那台機車撞破了玻璃。 nà tái jī chē zhuàng pò le bō lí。
    That scooter smashed the glass.
to knock into; to crash into
2531wordCore
碰到 pèngdào
  • 我今天在夜市碰到他。 wǒ jīn tiān zài yè shì pèng dào tā。
    I ran into him at the night market today.
  • 我碰到一個小問題。 wǒ pèng dào yī ge xiǎo wèn tí。
    I've come across a small problem.
    Work
  • 你在哪裡碰到她的？ nǐ zài nǎ lǐ pèng dào tā de？
    Where did you run into her?
    People
to run into (someone); to come across; to meet with
2532wordCore
遇見 yùjiàn
  • 我在圖書館遇見了老師。 wǒ zài tú shū guǎn yù jiàn le lǎo shī。
    I ran into my teacher at the library.
  • 十年沒有遇見過他。 shí nián méi yǒu yù jiàn guò tā。
    I hadn't run into him for ten years.
    People
  • 在台北遇見台灣人不奇怪。 zài tái běi yù jiàn tái wān rén bù qí guài。
    There's nothing odd about meeting a Taiwanese person in Taipei.
    People
to meet by chance; to run into
2533wordCore
招呼 zhāohū
台灣說 招呼Same word, different reading: Taiwan says zhāohū with a full first tone on 呼; mainland says zhāohu.
  • 他跟每個人打招呼。 tā gēn měi ge rén dǎ zhāo hū。
    He says hello to everybody.
  • 我們天天打招呼，可是不知道他的名字。 wǒ men tiān tiān dǎ zhāo hū， kě shì bù zhī dào tā de míng zi。
    We greet each other daily and I don't know his name.
    At home
  • 這種招呼十年才有一次。 zhè zhǒng zhāo hū shí nián cái yǒu yī cì。
    A greeting like that comes round once in ten years.
    People
to greet; to say hello — usually 打招呼
2534patternN2
他看見我就走過來打招呼。 tā kàn jian wǒ jiù zǒu guò lái dǎ zhāo hū。
V 過來 / V 過去

過來 and 過去 move something across a space, and the choice is fixed by where the SPEAKER stands: 走過來 crossing towards me, 走過去 crossing away from me. Unlike bare 來/去, 過來/過去 imply there is a gap being crossed.

He saw me and came over to say hello.
2535patternN2
從今天起，我每天跟鄰居打招呼。 cóng jīn tiān qǐ， wǒ měi tiān gēn lín jū dǎ zhāo hū。
從 + 時間 + 起

從…起 fixes the point something starts from: 從現在起, 從明天起. 起 closes the phrase, after the time word. 從…開始 is the everyday equivalent and is commoner in speech. With two places instead of a time, the pair is 從…到….

From today I'll say hello to the neighbours every day.