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Items 2601–2800 of 4628Units u122–u134voice zh-TW-YunJheNeural (tts-preview)generated 2026-09-13

#KindLevelChineseEnglishPlay
2747patternN2
我累死了，想休息一下。 wǒ lèi sǐ le， xiǎng xiū xí yī xià。
Vs 死了

Vs 死了 is pure exclamation and has nothing to do with dying: 忙死了 flat out, 餓死了 starving. It only goes on state verbs, and it always closes the clause.

I'm shattered — I need a rest.
2748patternN2
那個聲音吵死了。 nà ge shēng yīn chǎo sǐ le。
Vs 死了

Vs 死了 is pure exclamation and has nothing to do with dying: 忙死了 flat out, 餓死了 starving. It only goes on state verbs, and it always closes the clause.

That noise is unbearable.
2749wordCore
命 mìng
  • 醫生救了他的命。 yī shēng jiù le tā de mìng。
    The doctor saved his life.
  • 這隻貓有九條命。 zhè zhī māo yǒu jiǔ tiáo mìng。
    This cat has nine lives.
    At home
  • 他的命不太好。 tā de mìng bù tài hǎo。
    Life hasn't dealt him a good hand.
    Out and about
life; fate, the hand you were dealt
2750wordCore
生命 shēngmìng
  • 每個生命都很重要。 měi ge shēng mìng dōu hěn zhòng yào。
    Every life matters.
  • 水是生命的一部分。 shuǐ shì shēng mìng de yī bù fèn。
    Water is part of life itself.
    Health
  • 醫生的工作是保護生命。 yī shēng de gōng zuò shì bǎo hù shēng mìng。
    A doctor's job is to protect life.
    Health
life (what living things have)
2751wordCore
嬰兒 yīng'ér
  • 那個嬰兒才三個月大。 nà ge yīng ér cái sān ge yuè dà。
    That baby is only three months old.
  • 醫院裡有很多嬰兒。 yī yuàn lǐ yǒu hěn duō yīng ér。
    There are a lot of babies in the hospital.
    Health
  • 抱嬰兒要小心。 bào yīng ér yào xiǎo xīn。
    Be careful when you pick a baby up.
    At home
a baby; an infant
2752wordCore
懷孕 huáiyùn
  • 我姐姐懷孕了。 wǒ jiě jie huái yùn le。
    My sister is pregnant.
  • 懷孕的時候不能喝酒。 huái yùn de shí hòu bù néng hē jiǔ。
    You mustn't drink while you're pregnant.
    Health
  • 她懷孕以後就不上班了。 tā huái yùn yǐ hòu jiù bù shàng bān le。
    She stopped working once she was pregnant.
    Work
to be pregnant; pregnancy
2753patternN2
懷孕的時候不該喝酒。 huái yùn de shí hòu bù gāi hē jiǔ。
（不）該 + V

該 / 不該 + verb is advice about what is right: 不該說 shouldn't be said. Stronger than 最好, softer than 不可以, and it never takes 了.

You shouldn't drink while pregnant.
2754wordCore
年紀 niánjì
  • 他的年紀比我大。 tā de nián jì bǐ wǒ dà。
    He's older than me.
  • 年紀大了，走路要小心。 nián jì dà le， zǒu lù yào xiǎo xīn。
    At your age you have to watch your footing.
    Health
  • 您今年多大年紀？ nín jīn nián duō dà nián jì？
    How old are you, may I ask?
    Out and about
age (of a person)
2755patternN2
年紀大了，不該吃太多肉。 nián jì dà le， bù gāi chī tài duō ròu。
（不）該 + V

該 / 不該 + verb is advice about what is right: 不該說 shouldn't be said. Stronger than 最好, softer than 不可以, and it never takes 了.

At your age you shouldn't eat so much meat.
2756patternN2
趁年紀還輕，多學一點東西。 chèn nián jì hái qīng， duō xué yī diǎn dōng xi。
趁（著）……

趁（著）marks a window that is going to close: 趁天氣好 while the weather holds. For a plain 'when' use ……的時候.

Learn while you're still young.
2757wordCore
成長 chéngzhǎng
  • 小孩成長得很快。 xiǎo hái chéng cháng de hěn kuài。
    Children grow up fast.
  • 他在台灣成長。 tā zài tái wān chéng cháng。
    He grew up in Taiwan.
    At home
  • 成長的時候要多吃菜。 chéng cháng de shí hòu yào duō chī cài。
    You need plenty of vegetables while you're growing.
    Health
to grow up; growth
2758patternN2
跟以前比起來，他成長了很多。 gēn yǐ qián bǐ qǐ lái， tā chéng cháng le hěn duō。
跟 / 和 …… 比起來

跟 / 和 X 比起來，…… puts the yardstick first and the judgement after. Use it when the comparison itself is the point; A 比 B + Vs is the plain everyday form.

He's grown up a lot compared with before.
2759wordCore
去世 qùshì
  • 他的奶奶上個月去世了。 tā de nǎi nǎi shàng ge yuè qù shì le。
    His grandmother passed away last month.
  • 那位老師去世的時候八十歲。 nà wèi lǎo shī qù shì de shí hòu bā shí suì。
    That teacher was eighty when he passed away.
    Out and about
  • 爺爺去世以後，家裡就安靜了。 yé yé qù shì yǐ hòu， jiā lǐ jiù ān jìng le。
    After Grandad passed away the house went quiet.
    At home
to pass away (the polite word for a person dying)
2760wordCore
一生 yīshēng
  • 他一生都在教書。 tā yī shēng dōu zài jiào shū。
    He taught all his life.
  • 這是我一生最快樂的一天。 zhè shì wǒ yī shēng zuì kuài lè de yī tiān。
    It was the happiest day of my life.
    At home
  • 她的一生過得很辛苦。 tā de yī shēng guò de hěn xīn kǔ。
    Her life was a hard one.
    Out and about
one's whole life
2762wordCore
有空 yǒukòng
  • 你明天有空嗎？ nǐ míng tiān yǒu kòng ma？
    Are you free tomorrow?
  • 我這個星期都不太有空。 wǒ zhè ge xīng qí dōu bù tài yǒu kòng。
    I haven't much time this week.
    Work
  • 有空的時候來我家玩。 yǒu kòng de shí hòu lái wǒ jiā wán。
    Come round when you're free.
    At home
to be free; to have time
2763patternN2
下班以後你有空嗎？ xià bān yǐ hòu nǐ yǒu kòng ma？
…… 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'.

Are you free after work?
2764wordCore
有意思 yǒuyìsi
  • 這本書很有意思。 zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yì si。
    This book is interesting.
  • 跟他說話很有意思。 gēn tā shuō huà hěn yǒu yì si。
    He's interesting to talk to.
    Out and about
  • 這個遊戲一點都沒有意思。 zhè ge yóu xì yī diǎn dōu méi yǒu yì si。
    This game isn't the least bit fun.
    At home
interesting; good fun
2765wordCore
玩具 wánjù
  • 他買了很多玩具給小孩。 tā mǎi le hěn duō wán jù gěi xiǎo hái。
    He bought the children a lot of toys.
  • 這個玩具很貴。 zhè ge wán jù hěn guì。
    This toy is expensive.
    Shopping
  • 把玩具收起來。 bǎ wán jù shōu qǐ lái。
    Put the toys away.
    At home
a toy
2766patternN2
我早就把玩具收起來了。 wǒ zǎo jiù bǎ wán jù shōu qǐ lái le。
早就 …… 了

早就……了 means long since, with a hint of 'obviously': 我早就知道了 I've known for ages. 早 on its own only means early; it is 早就 that carries the point.

I put the toys away long ago.
2767wordCore
玩笑 wánxiào
  • 這只是一個玩笑。 zhè zhǐ shì yī ge wán xiào。
    It was only a joke.
  • 別拿這種事開玩笑。 bié ná zhè zhǒng shì kāi wán xiào。
    Don't joke about things like that.
    At home
  • 他的玩笑不好笑。 tā de wán xiào bù hǎo xiào。
    His jokes aren't funny.
    Out and about
a joke
2768wordCore
酒吧 jiǔbā
  • 他們在酒吧裡聊天。 tā men zài jiǔ ba lǐ liáo tiān。
    They're chatting in the bar.
  • 這家酒吧的音樂很好。 zhè jiā jiǔ ba de yīn lè hěn hǎo。
    The music in this bar is good.
    Out and about
  • 我們去酒吧坐一下。 wǒ men qù jiǔ ba zuò yī xià。
    Let's go and sit in a bar for a bit.
    Out and about
a bar
2769wordCore
喝醉 hēzuì
  • 他昨天喝醉了。 tā zuó tiān hē zuì le。
    He got drunk yesterday.
  • 喝醉了就別開車。 hē zuì le jiù bié kāi chē。
    Don't drive if you've been drinking.
    Out and about
  • 她從來沒喝醉過。 tā cóng lái méi hē zuì guò。
    She's never been drunk in her life.
    Out and about
to get drunk
2770patternN2
喝醉了，你該回家了。 hē zuì le， nǐ gāi huí jiā le。
該 + V + 了

該 + V + 了 says the moment has arrived: 我該走了 time I was off. This is a clock, not advice, and the 了 is compulsory.

You're drunk — time to go home.
2771patternN2
他早就喝醉了。 tā zǎo jiù hē zuì le。
早就 …… 了

早就……了 means long since, with a hint of 'obviously': 我早就知道了 I've known for ages. 早 on its own only means early; it is 早就 that carries the point.

He was drunk long before that.
2772wordCore
乾杯 gānbēi
  • 大家乾杯！ dà jiā qián bēi！
    Cheers, everyone!
  • 他站起來說：「乾杯！」 tā zhàn qǐ lái shuō：「qián bēi！」
    He stood up and said, "Cheers!"
    Out and about
  • 他們乾杯的時候，我沒有酒。 tā men qián bēi de shí hòu， wǒ méi yǒu jiǔ。
    When they drank the toast I had nothing in my glass.
    Out and about
Cheers! Bottoms up!
2773patternN2
我們該乾杯了。 wǒ men gāi qián bēi le。
該 + V + 了

該 + V + 了 says the moment has arrived: 我該走了 time I was off. This is a clock, not advice, and the 了 is compulsory.

Time for a toast.
2774wordCore
賭 dǔ
  • 他很喜歡賭錢。 tā hěn xǐ huān dǔ qián。
    He's fond of gambling.
  • 我跟你賭十塊。 wǒ gēn nǐ dǔ shí kuài。
    I'll bet you ten dollars.
    Out and about
  • 別賭了，錢都沒了。 bié dǔ le， qián dōu méi le。
    Stop betting — the money's gone.
    Out and about
to bet; to gamble
2775wordCore
耍 shuǎ
  • 你別耍我。 nǐ bié shuǎ wǒ。
    Don't mess me about.
  • 他只是在耍你。 tā zhǐ shì zài shuǎ nǐ。
    He's just playing you.
    Work
  • 小孩在外面耍了一個下午。 xiǎo hái zài wài miàn shuǎ le yī ge xià wǔ。
    The children messed about outside all afternoon.
    Out and about
to mess about with; to play someone for a fool
2776wordCore
哇 wā
  • 哇，這裡真漂亮！ wa， zhè lǐ zhēn piào liàng！
    Wow, it's lovely here!
  • 哇，你怎麼做得這麼快？ wa， nǐ zěn me zuò de zhè me kuài？
    Wow — how did you do that so fast?
    Work
  • 哇！好大的魚！ wa！ hǎo dà de yú！
    Wow! What a big fish!
    Food and drink
Wow! (surprise or admiration)
2778wordCore
機器 jīqì
  • 這台機器壞了。 zhè tái jī qì huài le。
    This machine has broken.
  • 工人正在修那台機器。 gōng rén zhèng zài xiū nà tái jī qì。
    A workman is repairing that machine.
    Work
  • 這種機器很貴。 zhè zhǒng jī qì hěn guì。
    Machines like this are expensive.
    Work
a machine
2779patternN2
這台機器給工人帶來很多方便。 zhè tái jī qì gěi gōng rén dài lái hěn duō fāng biàn。
給 …… 帶來 ……

給 + person + 帶來 + thing says what a situation brings someone. What 帶來 takes here is abstract — 方便, 希望, 問題 — never an object you could carry.

This machine has made the workers' lives much easier.
2780patternN2
這台機器不只貴，而且很難用。 zhè tái jī qì bù zhǐ guì， ér qiě hěn nán yòng。
不只 ……，而且 / 還 / 也 ……

不只 A，而且 / 還 / 也 B adds a second thing that goes beyond the first. 不但 does the same job; 不只 leans harder on the 'not merely'.

This machine is not only dear, it's hard to use.
2781patternN2
他們做出了一台新機器。 tā men zuò chū le yī tái xīn jī qì。
V 出（產生）

This V 出 means the action brings something into existence that was not there before: 提出辦法, 想出答案, 說出心裡的話. Nothing physically comes out of anything.

They've produced a new machine.
2782patternN2
這台機器一下能用一下不能用。 zhè tái jī qì yī xià néng yòng yī xià bù néng yòng。
一下 ……，一下 ……

一下 A 一下 B means it keeps swinging between the two, and the speaker is complaining about the swinging. Do not confuse it with V 一下, 'do it briefly'.

This machine works one minute and not the next.
2783patternN2
這台機器就是不能用。 zhè tái jī qì jiù shì bù néng yòng。
就是 + 不 / 沒 ……

An emphatic 就是 means 'flatly, and there is nothing more to say': 他就是不聽. It usually takes a negative after it and refuses to give a reason.

This machine simply doesn't work.
2784wordCore
工具 gōngjù
  • 修車要用很多工具。 xiū chē yào yòng hěn duō gōng jù。
    Fixing a car takes a lot of tools.
  • 他的工具都放在車上。 tā de gōng jù dōu fàng zài chē shàng。
    He keeps all his tools in the car.
    Work
  • 手機也是一種工具。 shǒu jī yě shì yī zhǒng gōng jù。
    A phone is a tool too.
    Work
a tool
2785patternN2
新的工具給我們帶來不少幫助。 xīn de gōng jù gěi wǒ men dài lái bù shǎo bāng zhù。
給 …… 帶來 ……

給 + person + 帶來 + thing says what a situation brings someone. What 帶來 takes here is abstract — 方便, 希望, 問題 — never an object you could carry.

The new tools have been a real help to us.
2786wordCore
科學 kēxué
  • 他對科學很有興趣。 tā duì kē xué hěn yǒu xìng qù。
    He's very interested in science.
  • 科學可以解釋很多事。 kē xué kě yǐ jiě shì hěn duō shì。
    Science can explain a great deal.
    School
  • 這是一本科學的書。 zhè shì yī běn kē xué de shū。
    This is a science book.
    School
science
2787patternN2
通過科學，我們可以解釋很多事。 tōng guò kē xué， wǒ men kě yǐ jiě shì hěn duō shì。
通過 ……，……

通過 + the means, then the outcome: 通過這次實驗，我們知道了…… . It opens the sentence and is written-flavoured; in speech 用 or 從 often does the same work.

Through science a great deal can be explained.
2788patternN2
科學給我們帶來很多好的東西。 kē xué gěi wǒ men dài lái hěn duō hǎo de dōng xi。
給 …… 帶來 ……

給 + person + 帶來 + thing says what a situation brings someone. What 帶來 takes here is abstract — 方便, 希望, 問題 — never an object you could carry.

Science has brought us a great many good things.
2789wordCore
實驗 shíyàn
  • 我們今天做了一個實驗。 wǒ men jīn tiān zuò le yī ge shí yàn。
    We did an experiment today.
  • 這個實驗做了三次才成功。 zhè ge shí yàn zuò le sān cì cái chéng gōng。
    The experiment only worked on the third attempt.
    School
  • 實驗的結果跟我想的不一樣。 shí yàn de jié guǒ gēn wǒ xiǎng de bù yī yàng。
    The result wasn't what I expected.
    School
an experiment
2790patternN2
通過這次實驗，我們知道了很多事。 tōng guò zhè cì shí yàn， wǒ men zhī dào le hěn duō shì。
通過 ……，……

通過 + the means, then the outcome: 通過這次實驗，我們知道了…… . It opens the sentence and is written-flavoured; in speech 用 or 從 often does the same work.

The experiment taught us a great deal.
2791wordCore
輪 lún
  • 車子的輪壞了。 chē zi de lún huài le。
    The car's wheel is broken.
  • 這台機器有四個輪。 zhè tái jī qì yǒu sì ge lún。
    This machine has four wheels.
    Work
  • 輪是很早就有的工具。 lún shì hěn zǎo jiù yǒu de gōng jù。
    The wheel is one of the oldest tools there is.
    School
a wheel
2792wordCore
米 mǐ
  • 家裡的米不多了。 jiā lǐ de mǐ bù duō le。
    We're low on rice at home.
  • 這條路有三百米長。 zhè tiáo lù yǒu sān bǎi mǐ cháng。
    This road is three hundred metres long.
    Out and about
  • 我買了兩包米。 wǒ mǎi le liǎng bāo mǐ。
    I bought two bags of rice.
    Shopping
uncooked rice; a metre
2793wordCore
度 dù
  • 今天三十度，很熱。 jīn tiān sān shí dù， hěn rè。
    It's thirty degrees today — hot.
  • 水到一百度就開了。 shuǐ dào yì bǎi dù jiù kāi le。
    Water boils at a hundred degrees.
    At home
  • 昨天只有十五度。 zuó tiān zhǐ yǒu shí wǔ dù。
    It was only fifteen degrees yesterday.
    Out and about
(measure word) a degree — of temperature, or of an angle
2794patternN2
對我來說，三十度已經很熱了。 duì wǒ lái shuō， sān shí dù yǐ jīng hěn rè le。
對 …… 來說

對 X 來說 frames whose point of view it is, and the judgement follows. It is not 'said to X' — that is 跟 X 說.

Thirty degrees is already hot as far as I'm concerned.
2795wordCore
使 shǐ
  • 這個消息使大家很開心。 zhè ge xiāo xī shǐ dà jiā hěn kāi xīn。
    The news made everyone happy.
  • 科學使我們的生活比較方便。 kē xué shǐ wǒ men de shēng huó bǐ jiào fāng biàn。
    Science makes life more convenient.
    School
  • 他的話使我想了很久。 tā de huà shǐ wǒ xiǎng le hěn jiǔ。
    What he said gave me a lot to think about.
    Work
to make (something be the case); to cause
2796wordCore
控制 kòngzhì
  • 這台機器可以用手機控制。 zhè tái jī qì kě yǐ yòng shǒu jī kòng zhì。
    This machine can be controlled from a phone.
  • 他控制不了自己的手。 tā kòng zhì bù liǎo zì jǐ de shǒu。
    He can't keep his hands still.
    Health
  • 水的量要好好控制。 shuǐ de liàng yào hǎo hǎo kòng zhì。
    The amount of water needs controlling properly.
    At home
to control
2797wordCore
巨大 jùdà
  • 那台機器很巨大，像一台卡車一樣。 nà tái jī qì hěn jù dà， xiàng yī tái kǎ chē yī yàng。
    That machine is enormous — the size of a lorry.
  • 這是一個巨大的問題。 zhè shì yī ge jù dà de wèn tí。
    This is an enormous problem.
    Work
  • 山上有一塊巨大的石頭。 shān shàng yǒu yī kuài jù dà de shí tóu。
    There's a huge rock up the mountain.
    Out and about
huge; enormous
2799wordCore
辦 bàn
  • 這件事我來辦。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ lái bàn。
    I'll see to this.
  • 公司下個月要辦一個活動。 gōng sī xià ge yuè yào bàn yī ge huó dòng。
    The company is putting on an event next month.
    Work
  • 這麼多事，一天辦不完。 zhè me duō shì， yī tiān bàn bù wán。
    This much can't be dealt with in a day.
    Work
to see to, to handle; to put on (an event)
2800patternN2
這件事不辦完，我不回家。 zhè jiàn shì bù bàn wán， wǒ bù huí jiā。
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.

I'm not going home until this is finished.
2801patternN2
他說結婚就結婚，兩個月就辦好了。 tā shuō jié hūn jiù jié hūn， liǎng ge yuè jiù bàn hǎo le。
說 + V + 就 + V

說 V 就 V uses the same verb twice and means it happened straight away, with no delay and no arguing: 說走就走. The verb has to be an action verb.

He said he'd marry and he did — it was all done in two months.
2802patternN2
這件事能不能辦好，得看公司。 zhè jiàn shì néng bù néng bàn hǎo， de kàn gōng sī。
要看 / 得看 ……

要看 / 得看 + X = it depends on X. The thing it hangs on comes last, and the clause in front is usually a V-not-V question.

Whether this gets done depends on the company.
2803patternN2
這個問題怎麼辦，得看每個人的想法。 zhè ge wèn tí zěn me bàn， de kàn měi ge rén de xiǎng fǎ。
要看 / 得看 ……

要看 / 得看 + X = it depends on X. The thing it hangs on comes last, and the clause in front is usually a V-not-V question.

What to do here depends on what everybody thinks.
2804patternN2
這種事哪裡是我能辦的？ zhè zhǒng shì nǎ lǐ shì wǒ néng bàn de？
哪裡 ……！

哪裡 said with the voice falling is a denial dressed as a question: 我哪裡知道？how would I know! It expects no answer and is not asking where.

This sort of thing is hardly mine to sort out.
2805patternN2
趁著有時間，先把事情辦完。 chèn zhe yǒu shí jiān， xiān bǎ shì qíng bàn wán。
趁（著）……

趁（著）marks a window that is going to close: 趁天氣好 while the weather holds. For a plain 'when' use ……的時候.

While there's time, get it finished.
2806patternN2
你說我們該怎麼辦？ nǐ shuō wǒ men gāi zěn me bàn？
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.

What do you think we should do?
2807patternN2
下雨了，怎麼辦？ xià yǔ le， zěn me bàn？
…… 怎麼辦？

怎麼辦 asks what to DO about a problem; 怎麼樣 asks for an opinion about a thing. 怎麼辦 never takes an object — the problem is stated first, then 怎麼辦 on its own.

It's raining — what do we do?
2808patternN2
如果他不來，我們怎麼辦？ rú guǒ tā bù lái， wǒ men zěn me bàn？
…… 怎麼辦？

怎麼辦 asks what to DO about a problem; 怎麼樣 asks for an opinion about a thing. 怎麼辦 never takes an object — the problem is stated first, then 怎麼辦 on its own.

What do we do if he doesn't come?
2809patternN2
車子壞了怎麼辦？ chē zi huài le zěn me bàn？
…… 怎麼辦？

怎麼辦 asks what to DO about a problem; 怎麼樣 asks for an opinion about a thing. 怎麼辦 never takes an object — the problem is stated first, then 怎麼辦 on its own.

What do we do if the car breaks down?
2810patternN2
你說怎麼辦就怎麼辦。 nǐ shuō zěn me bàn jiù zěn me bàn。
…… 怎麼辦？

怎麼辦 asks what to DO about a problem; 怎麼樣 asks for an opinion about a thing. 怎麼辦 never takes an object — the problem is stated first, then 怎麼辦 on its own.

We'll do whatever you say.
2811patternN2
先別急，我們想想怎麼辦。 xiān bié jí， wǒ men xiǎng xiǎng zěn me bàn。
…… 怎麼辦？

怎麼辦 asks what to DO about a problem; 怎麼樣 asks for an opinion about a thing. 怎麼辦 never takes an object — the problem is stated first, then 怎麼辦 on its own.

Don't panic — let's think what to do.
2812wordCore
任務 rènwù
台灣說 任務Taiwan reads 任務 rènwù with a full fourth tone; mainland neutralises 務.
  • 老師給我們一個任務。 lǎo shī gěi wǒ men yī ge rèn wù。
    The teacher gave us a task.
  • 這個任務不容易。 zhè ge rèn wù bù róng yì。
    It isn't an easy assignment.
    Work
  • 他把任務辦完了。 tā bǎ rèn wù bàn wán le。
    He's finished the job he was given.
    Work
a task; an assignment
2813patternN2
這個任務不難，只是要很多時間。 zhè ge rèn wù bù nán， zhǐ shì yào hěn duō shí jiān。
只是 ……

只是 takes back one step of what you just said: 不難，只是要時間 = not hard, just slow. It softens the point, where 但是 sets one thing against another.

The job isn't hard, it just takes a lot of time.
2814patternN2
對他來說，這個任務不難。 duì tā lái shuō， zhè ge rèn wù bù nán。
對 …… 來說

對 X 來說 frames whose point of view it is, and the judgement follows. It is not 'said to X' — that is 跟 X 說.

For him the task isn't difficult.
2815wordCore
目標 mùbiāo
  • 我今年的目標是學會開車。 wǒ jīn nián de mù biāo shì xué huì kāi chē。
    My goal this year is to learn to drive.
  • 他的目標很清楚。 tā de mù biāo hěn qīng chǔ。
    His goal is perfectly clear.
    Work
  • 沒有目標就很難努力。 méi yǒu mù biāo jiù hěn nán nǔ lì。
    Without a goal it's hard to make an effort.
    School
a goal; a target
2816wordCore
行動 xíngdòng
  • 只說不做沒有用，要有行動。 zhǐ shuō bù zuò méi yǒu yòng， yào yǒu xíng dòng。
    Talk is no use — there has to be action.
  • 他們明天早上開始行動。 tā men míng tiān zǎo shàng kāi shǐ xíng dòng。
    They start tomorrow morning.
    Work
  • 他的行動比他的話快。 tā de xíng dòng bǐ tā de huà kuài。
    He acts faster than he talks.
    Work
action; to take action
2817wordCore
動手 dòngshǒu
  • 別只想，快動手。 bié zhǐ xiǎng， kuài dòng shǒu。
    Stop thinking about it and get started.
  • 我們現在就動手吧。 wǒ men xiàn zài jiù dòng shǒu ba。
    Let's make a start now.
    Work
  • 他一動手就知道怎麼做。 tā yī dòng shǒu jiù zhī dào zěn me zuò。
    Once he got going he knew exactly what to do.
    Work
to make a start; to set about it
2818patternN2
目標很清楚，只是沒有人動手。 mù biāo hěn qīng chǔ， zhǐ shì méi yǒu rén dòng shǒu。
只是 ……

只是 takes back one step of what you just said: 不難，只是要時間 = not hard, just slow. It softens the point, where 但是 sets one thing against another.

The goal is clear enough; it's just that nobody has started.
2819patternN2
現在動手，要不然辦不完。 xiàn zài dòng shǒu， yào bù rán bàn bù wán。
……，（要）不然 ……

（要）不然 = or else, and what follows it is the bad outcome. 要不然 is slightly more spoken; both stand at the front of the second clause.

Start now, otherwise it won't get finished.
2820wordCore
盡力 jìnlì
  • 我會盡力。 wǒ huì jǐn lì。
    I'll do my best.
  • 他已經盡力了。 tā yǐ jīng jǐn lì le。
    He's already done everything he could.
    Work
  • 大家都盡力幫忙。 dà jiā dōu jǐn lì bāng máng。
    Everyone helped as much as they could.
    Work
to do your best; to spare no effort
2821wordCore
進展 jìnzhǎn
  • 這個星期有一點進展。 zhè ge xīng qí yǒu yī diǎn jìn zhǎn。
    There's been a little progress this week.
  • 調查沒有進展。 diào chá méi yǒu jìn zhǎn。
    The investigation is going nowhere.
    Work
  • 工作進展得很快。 gōng zuò jìn zhǎn de hěn kuài。
    The work is coming on fast.
    Work
to make progress; progress
2822patternN2
不動手，就不會有進展。 bù dòng shǒu， jiù bù huì yǒu jìn zhǎn。
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.

No start, no progress.
2823patternN2
他的中文多少進展了一些。 tā de zhōng wén duō shǎo jìn zhǎn le yī xiē。
多少 + V + 一點

多少 in front of a verb means 'to some degree, at least a bit': 多少知道一點. It is not the question 'how much' — that 多少 goes in front of a measure word.

His Chinese has come on a bit.
2824wordCore
完畢 wánbì
  • 工作完畢以後，大家就走了。 gōng zuò wán bì yǐ hòu， dà jiā jiù zǒu le。
    Once the work was done, everyone left.
  • 這個任務已經完畢。 zhè ge rèn wù yǐ jīng wán bì。
    This task is complete.
    Work
  • 考試完畢，你們可以出去。 kǎo shì wán bì， nǐ men kě yǐ chū qù。
    When the exam is over you may go out.
    School
to be completed; over and done with
2825patternN2
經過大家的幫忙，我們的任務完畢了。 jīng guò dà jiā de bāng máng， wǒ men de rèn wù wán bì le。
經過 ……，……

經過 + a stretch of time or something you had to go through, then the outcome. 通過 stresses the means used; 經過 stresses that time passed and something was got through.

With everybody's help the task got finished.
2826wordCore
憑 píng
  • 你憑什麼說我錯了？ nǐ píng shén me shuō wǒ cuò le？
    What are you basing that on?
  • 他憑自己的努力找到工作。 tā píng zì jǐ de nǔ lì zhǎo dào gōng zuò。
    He got the job on his own hard work.
    Work
  • 憑這張紙就可以進去。 píng zhè zhāng zhǐ jiù kě yǐ jìn qù。
    This slip of paper gets you in.
    Out and about
to go on; to rely on (as your grounds)
2827wordCore
終於 zhōngyú
  • 我們終於做完了。 wǒ men zhōng yú zuò wán le。
    We've finally finished.
  • 他終於答應了。 tā zhōng yú dá yīng le。
    He agreed at last.
    Work
  • 找了三個月，終於找到了。 zhǎo le sān ge yuè， zhōng yú zhǎo dào le。
    Three months of looking, and I finally found it.
    Work
finally; at last
2829patternN2
經過三個月的練習，他終於學會了。 jīng guò sān ge yuè de liàn xí， tā zhōng yú xué huì le。
經過 ……，……

經過 + a stretch of time or something you had to go through, then the outcome. 通過 stresses the means used; 經過 stresses that time passed and something was got through.

After three months' practice he finally got it.
2830wordCore
壓力 yālì
  • 他工作的壓力很大。 tā gōng zuò de yā lì hěn dà。
    He's under a lot of pressure at work.
  • 壓力太大，會生病。 yā lì tài dà， huì shēng bìng。
    Too much stress makes you ill.
    Health
  • 考試的壓力讓她很緊張。 kǎo shì de yā lì ràng tā hěn jǐn zhāng。
    Exam pressure made her very tense.
    School
pressure; stress
2831patternN2
跟去年比起來，今年的壓力大多了。 gēn qù nián bǐ qǐ lái， jīn nián de yā lì dà duō le。
跟 / 和 …… 比起來

跟 / 和 X 比起來，…… puts the yardstick first and the judgement after. Use it when the comparison itself is the point; A 比 B + Vs is the plain everyday form.

Compared with last year the pressure is far worse.
2832patternN2
這個工作不只累，而且壓力很大。 zhè ge gōng zuò bù zhǐ lèi， ér qiě yā lì hěn dà。
不只 ……，而且 / 還 / 也 ……

不只 A，而且 / 還 / 也 B adds a second thing that goes beyond the first. 不但 does the same job; 不只 leans harder on the 'not merely'.

The job isn't just tiring, it's high-pressure as well.
2833wordCore
責任 zérèn
  • 這是我的責任。 zhè shì wǒ de zé rèn。
    This is my responsibility.
  • 這件事的責任在公司。 zhè jiàn shì de zé rèn zài gōng sī。
    The responsibility here lies with the company.
    Work
  • 老師的責任很大。 lǎo shī de zé rèn hěn dà。
    A teacher carries a lot of responsibility.
    School
responsibility
2834wordCore
搞 gǎo
  • 你在搞什麼？ nǐ zài gǎo shén me？
    What are you up to?
  • 這件事被他搞壞了。 zhè jiàn shì bèi tā gǎo huài le。
    He's made a mess of it.
    Work
  • 他們搞了一個晚上還沒搞好。 tā men gǎo le yī ge wǎn shàng hái méi gǎo hǎo。
    They were at it all night and still hadn't got it right.
    Work
to do, to get up to; to mess up (colloquial)
2835wordCore
抱怨 bàoyuàn
  • 他一直抱怨工作太多。 tā yì zhí bào yuàn gōng zuò tài duō。
    He keeps complaining that there's too much work.
  • 抱怨沒有用，要想辦法。 bào yuàn méi yǒu yòng， yào xiǎng bàn fǎ。
    Grumbling gets you nowhere — think of something.
    Work
  • 她從來不抱怨。 tā cóng lái bù bào yuàn。
    She never complains.
    Work
to complain; to grumble
2836patternN2
他不只抱怨，還不動手。 tā bù zhǐ bào yuàn， hái bù dòng shǒu。
不只 ……，而且 / 還 / 也 ……

不只 A，而且 / 還 / 也 B adds a second thing that goes beyond the first. 不但 does the same job; 不只 leans harder on the 'not merely'.

He doesn't just complain — he doesn't lift a finger either.
2837patternN2
這種客戶不只難對付，也很會抱怨。 zhè zhǒng kè hù bù zhǐ nán duì fù， yě hěn huì bào yuàn。
不只 ……，而且 / 還 / 也 ……

不只 A，而且 / 還 / 也 B adds a second thing that goes beyond the first. 不但 does the same job; 不只 leans harder on the 'not merely'.

Customers like this are hard to handle and full of complaints.
2838patternN2
一說起工作，他就開始抱怨。 yī shuō qǐ gōng zuò， tā jiù kāi shǐ bào yuàn。
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.

Start him on work and the complaining begins.
2839wordCore
面對 miànduì
  • 你要面對這個問題。 nǐ yào miàn duì zhè ge wèn tí。
    You have to face this problem.
  • 他不敢面對自己的錯。 tā bù gǎn miàn duì zì jǐ de cuò。
    He daren't face up to his own mistake.
    Work
  • 面對壓力的時候，先休息一下。 miàn duì yā lì de shí hòu， xiān xiū xí yī xià。
    When the pressure comes, take a break first.
    Health
to face; to confront
2840wordCore
對付 duìfu
  • 這種客戶很難對付。 zhè zhǒng kè hù hěn nán duì fù。
    Customers like this are hard to handle.
  • 他知道怎麼對付這種問題。 tā zhī dào zěn me duì fù zhè zhǒng wèn tí。
    He knows how to deal with this sort of thing.
    Work
  • 這台舊機器，我只能這樣對付。 zhè tái jiù jī qì， wǒ zhǐ néng zhè yàng duì fù。
    This is the only way I can manage that old machine.
    Work
to deal with; to handle (someone difficult)
2841wordCore
退 tuì
  • 這件衣服可以退嗎？ zhè jiàn yī fú kě yǐ tuì ma？
    Can I return this?
  • 他退到門口，不敢進來。 tā tuì dào mén kǒu， bù gǎn jìn lái。
    He backed off to the door and didn't dare come in.
    At home
  • 錢已經退給他了。 qián yǐ jīng tuì gěi tā le。
    The money has been refunded to him.
    Shopping
to step back; to withdraw; to return (goods)
2842wordCore
嘗試 chángshì
  • 我想嘗試一下新的辦法。 wǒ xiǎng cháng shì yī xià xīn de bàn fǎ。
    I'd like to try a new approach.
  • 他嘗試了三次都沒成功。 tā cháng shì le sān cì dōu méi chéng gōng。
    He tried three times without success.
    Work
  • 不嘗試就不知道可以不可以。 bù cháng shì jiù bù zhī dào kě yǐ bù kě yǐ。
    If you don't try you'll never know.
    Work
to try (to see whether it works)
2843wordCore
受不了 shòubùliǎo
  • 這裡太吵，我受不了。 zhè lǐ tài chǎo， wǒ shòu bù liǎo。
    It's too noisy in here — I can't stand it.
  • 這種壓力我受不了。 zhè zhǒng yā lì wǒ shòu bù liǎo。
    I can't take this kind of pressure.
    Work
  • 夏天的熱我最受不了。 xià tiān de rè wǒ zuì shòu bù liǎo。
    Summer heat is the thing I can bear least.
    Out and about
can't stand it; unbearable
2844wordCore
混亂 hùnluàn
  • 那天早上很混亂。 nà tiān zǎo shàng hěn hùn luàn。
    That morning was chaos.
  • 這個地方太混亂了。 zhè ge dì fāng tài hùn luàn le。
    This place is far too disorganised.
    Work
  • 事故以後，路上很混亂。 shì gù yǐ hòu， lù shàng hěn hùn luàn。
    After the accident the road was chaos.
    Out and about
chaotic; in a mess
2846wordCore
愛情 àiqíng
  • 他們的愛情很美。 tā men de ài qíng hěn měi。
    Their love is a beautiful thing.
  • 這是一個愛情的故事。 zhè shì yī ge ài qíng de gù shì。
    This is a love story.
    Out and about
  • 愛情不是生活的全部。 ài qíng bú shì shēng huó de quán bù。
    Love isn't the whole of life.
    At home
romantic love
2847wordCore
情人 qíngrén
  • 他們在公園裡走，像一對情人。 tā men zài gōng yuán lǐ zǒu， xiàng yī duì qíng rén。
    Walking in the park, they looked like sweethearts.
  • 她的情人是一個老師。 tā de qíng rén shì yī ge lǎo shī。
    Her sweetheart is a teacher.
    Out and about
  • 很多情人在那家餐廳吃飯。 hěn duō qíng rén zài nà jiā cān tīng chī fàn。
    A lot of couples eat at that restaurant.
    Food and drink
a lover; a sweetheart
2848wordCore
婚姻 hūnyīn
  • 他們的婚姻很快樂。 tā men de hūn yīn hěn kuài lè。
    Theirs is a happy marriage.
  • 婚姻不只是兩個人的事。 hūn yīn bù zhǐ shì liǎng ge rén de shì。
    A marriage isn't only about two people.
    At home
  • 他的第一個婚姻只有三年。 tā de dì yī ge hūn yīn zhǐ yǒu sān nián。
    His first marriage lasted only three years.
    At home
marriage
2849wordCore
交往 jiāowǎng
  • 他們交往三年了。 tā men jiāo wǎng sān nián le。
    They've been together three years.
  • 她跟一個醫生交往。 tā gēn yī ge yī shēng jiāo wǎng。
    She's going out with a doctor.
    Out and about
  • 交往以後才知道他真正的樣子。 jiāo wǎng yǐ hòu cái zhī dào tā zhēn zhèng de yàng zi。
    Only once you're together do you see what someone is really like.
    At home
to go out with; to see each other
2850patternN2
他們聊著聊著就交往了。 tā men liáo zhe liáo zhe jiù jiāo wǎng le。
V 著 V 著 ……，就 …… 了

V 著 V 著……就……了: the doubled verb is the background going on, and 就……了 is the turn it takes. The result is usually something nobody planned.

They got talking and ended up together.
2851wordCore
分手 fēnshǒu
  • 他們去年分手了。 tā men qù nián fēn shǒu le。
    They broke up last year.
  • 分手以後，他們就沒見過。 fēn shǒu yǐ hòu， tā men jiù méi jiàn guò。
    They haven't seen each other since they split.
    Out and about
  • 她不想分手。 tā bù xiǎng fēn shǒu。
    She doesn't want to break up.
    At home
to break up; to split up
2852wordCore
離婚 líhūn
  • 他們結婚五年就離婚了。 tā men jié hūn wǔ nián jiù lí hūn le。
    They divorced five years after the wedding.
  • 離婚不是一個人的錯。 lí hūn bú shì yī ge rén de cuò。
    A divorce is never one person's fault.
    At home
  • 她離婚以後一個人住。 tā lí hūn yǐ hòu yī ge rén zhù。
    She's lived alone since the divorce.
    At home
to get divorced
2853wordCore
娶 qǔ
  • 他娶了一個台灣的姑娘。 tā qǔ le yī ge tái wān de gū niáng。
    He married a Taiwanese girl.
  • 他想娶她，可是父母反對。 tā xiǎng qǔ tā， kě shì fù mǔ fǎn duì。
    He wants to marry her but his parents object.
    At home
  • 他三十歲才娶。 tā sān shí suì cái qǔ。
    He didn't marry until he was thirty.
    At home
to marry (a woman); to take a wife
2854wordCore
吻 wěn
  • 他吻了她的手。 tā wěn le tā de shǒu。
    He kissed her hand.
  • 這是他們的第一個吻。 zhè shì tā men de dì yī ge wěn。
    It was their first kiss.
    Out and about
  • 媽媽吻了嬰兒的臉。 mā ma wěn le yīng ér de liǎn。
    The mother kissed the baby's face.
    At home
to kiss; a kiss
2855wordCore
送 sòng
  • 他送了她一朵花。 tā sòng le tā yī duǒ huā。
    He gave her a flower.
  • 我送你回家。 wǒ sòng nǐ huí jiā。
    I'll see you home.
    Out and about
  • 這是朋友送我的禮物。 zhè shì péng yǒu sòng wǒ de lǐ wù。
    This is a present from a friend.
    At home
to give (as a present); to deliver; to see someone off
2856patternN2
他說送我回家就送我回家。 tā shuō sòng wǒ huí jiā jiù sòng wǒ huí jiā。
說 + V + 就 + V

說 V 就 V uses the same verb twice and means it happened straight away, with no delay and no arguing: 說走就走. The verb has to be an action verb.

He said he'd see me home and he did.
2857wordCore
寶貝 bǎobèi
  • 「寶貝，過來。」媽媽說。 「bǎo bèi， guò lái。」 mā ma shuō。
    "Come here, darling," said her mother.
  • 這個小孩是他們的寶貝。 zhè ge xiǎo hái shì tā men de bǎo bèi。
    That child is the apple of their eye.
    At home
  • 那本舊書是他的寶貝。 nà běn jiù shū shì tā de bǎo bèi。
    That old book is his treasure.
    At home
darling, love (to a child or partner); a treasure
2859wordCore
老公 lǎogōng
  • 她的老公是醫生。 tā de lǎo gōng shì yī shēng。
    Her husband is a doctor.
  • 老公，你回來了。 lǎo gōng， nǐ huí lái le。
    You're home, love.
    At home
  • 我老公不會做飯。 wǒ lǎo gōng bù huì zuò fàn。
    My husband can't cook.
    At home
(colloquial) husband
2860wordCore
老婆 lǎopó
  • 他的老婆很會做菜。 tā de lǎo pó hěn huì zuò cài。
    His wife is a very good cook.
  • 老婆，飯好了。 lǎo pó， fàn hǎo le。
    Dinner's ready, love.
    At home
  • 他跟老婆一起開了一家店。 tā gēn lǎo pó yī qǐ kāi le yī jiā diàn。
    He and his wife opened a shop together.
    Work
(colloquial) wife
2861wordCore
妻子 qīzi
台灣說 妻子Taiwan reads 妻子 qīzi 'wife' with a neutral 子; qīzǐ in CC-CEDICT is the older 'wife and children'.
  • 他的妻子是老師。 tā de qī zǐ shì lǎo shī。
    His wife is a teacher.
  • 他很愛他的妻子。 tā hěn ài tā de qī zǐ。
    He loves his wife very much.
    At home
  • 那位先生的妻子去世了。 nà wèi xiān shēng de qī zǐ qù shì le。
    That gentleman's wife has passed away.
    Out and about
wife (more formal than 老婆)
2862wordCore
單身 dānshēn
  • 他今年四十歲，還是單身。 tā jīn nián sì shí suì， hái shì dān shēn。
    He's forty and still single.
  • 單身的生活比較自由。 dān shēn de shēng huó bǐ jiào zì yóu。
    Single life is freer.
    At home
  • 她不想一個人單身過一生。 tā bù xiǎng yī ge rén dān shēn guò yī shēng。
    She doesn't want to be single all her life.
    At home
single; unmarried
2863wordCore
分開 fēnkāi
  • 他們分開住。 tā men fēn kāi zhù。
    They live apart.
  • 把這些東西分開放。 bǎ zhè xiē dōng xi fēn kāi fàng。
    Store these separately.
    At home
  • 兩隻狗要分開，不然會打架。 liǎng zhī gǒu yào fēn kāi， bù rán huì dǎ jià。
    The two dogs have to be kept apart or they'll fight.
    At home
to separate; to split up into parts
2864wordCore
家族 jiāzú
  • 他們家族很大，有八十多個人。 tā men jiā zú hěn dà， yǒu bā shí duō ge rén。
    Their family is large — over eighty of them.
  • 這家店是他們家族開的。 zhè jiā diàn shì tā men jiā zú kāi de。
    This shop belongs to their family.
    Work
  • 家族裡的人每年見一次。 jiā zú lǐ de rén měi nián jiàn yī cì。
    The family gets together once a year.
    At home
a family, a clan (the whole extended family)
2865wordCore
主人 zhǔrén
  • 那隻狗的主人是誰？ nà zhī gǒu de zhǔ rén shì shéi？
    Who owns that dog?
  • 今天的主人是我阿姨。 jīn tiān de zhǔ rén shì wǒ ā yí。
    My auntie is the host today.
    At home
  • 客人比主人早到。 kè rén bǐ zhǔ rén zǎo dào。
    The guests arrived before the host.
    At home
the owner; the host
2866patternN2
那隻狗乖不乖，要看主人。 nà zhī gǒu guāi bù guāi， yào kàn zhǔ rén。
要看 / 得看 ……

要看 / 得看 + X = it depends on X. The thing it hangs on comes last, and the clause in front is usually a V-not-V question.

Whether the dog behaves depends on its owner.
2867patternN2
對那隻狗來說，主人比什麼都重要。 duì nà zhī gǒu lái shuō， zhǔ rén bǐ shén me dōu zhòng yào。
對 …… 來說

對 X 來說 frames whose point of view it is, and the judgement follows. It is not 'said to X' — that is 跟 X 說.

To that dog, its owner matters more than anything.
2868wordCore
同伴 tóngbàn
  • 他一個人去，沒有同伴。 tā yī ge rén qù， méi yǒu tóng bàn。
    He went alone, with no one for company.
  • 旅行要找一個好同伴。 lǚ xíng yào zhǎo yī ge hǎo tóng bàn。
    You want a good companion when you travel.
    Out and about
  • 那隻狗是他最好的同伴。 nà zhī gǒu shì tā zuì hǎo de tóng bàn。
    That dog is his best companion.
    At home
a companion; the person you're with
2869wordCore
相同 xiāngtóng
  • 我們的想法相同。 wǒ men de xiǎng fǎ xiàng tóng。
    We think the same way.
  • 這兩張照片完全相同。 zhè liǎng zhāng zhào piān wán quán xiāng tóng。
    These two photos are identical.
    At home
  • 他們的名字相同，可是人不一樣。 tā men de míng zi xiāng tóng， kě shì rén bù yī yàng。
    They have the same name but they're different people.
    Work
identical; the same
2870wordCore
混 hùn
  • 別把兩種米混在一起。 bié bǎ liǎng zhǒng mǐ hùn zài yī qǐ。
    Don't mix the two kinds of rice.
  • 他這幾年就這樣混。 tā zhè jǐ nián jiù zhè yàng hùn。
    He's just been muddling along these last few years.
    Work
  • 水跟油不會混。 shuǐ gēn yóu bù huì hùn。
    Water and oil don't mix.
    At home
to mix; to muddle along
2872wordCore
隊 duì
  • 我們隊有十個人。 wǒ men duì yǒu shí ge rén。
    There are ten of us in the team.
  • 他是我們隊的隊員。 tā shì wǒ men duì de duì yuán。
    He's on our team.
    School
  • 兩隊比賽的時候，大家都很緊張。 liǎng duì bǐ sài de shí hòu， dà jiā dōu hěn jǐn zhāng。
    When the two teams play, everyone is tense.
    Out and about
a team; a squad; a queue
2873wordCore
勝利 shènglì
  • 那場比賽的勝利很不容易。 nà chǎng bǐ sài de shèng lì hěn bù róng yì。
    That win was hard-earned.
  • 勝利以後，大家一起乾杯。 shèng lì yǐ hòu， dà jiā yī qǐ qián bēi。
    After the win they all drank a toast.
    Out and about
  • 他們三次比賽都得到勝利。 tā men sān cì bǐ sài dōu de dào shèng lì。
    They won all three matches.
    School
victory; a win
2874patternN2
他們的勝利多不容易啊！ tā men de shèng lì duō bù róng yì a！
多 + Vs + 啊！

多 + Vs + 啊！is an exclamation, not a question — say it with the voice falling. The same 多 + Vs with the voice rising is the question 'how … ?'.

How hard-won that victory was!
2875wordCore
英雄 yīngxióng
  • 他是我們心裡的英雄。 tā shì wǒ men xīn lǐ de yīng xióng。
    He's a hero to us.
  • 救人的醫生就是英雄。 jiù rén de yī shēng jiù shì yīng xióng。
    A doctor who saves lives is a hero.
    Health
  • 英雄也會怕。 yīng xióng yě huì pà。
    Heroes get frightened too.
    Out and about
a hero
2876wordCore
勇敢 yǒnggǎn
  • 他是一個很勇敢的人。 tā shì yī ge hěn yǒng gǎn de rén。
    He's a brave man.
  • 你敢說實話，很勇敢。 nǐ gǎn shuō shí huà， hěn yǒng gǎn。
    Telling the truth like that was brave.
    Work
  • 勇敢不是不怕。 yǒng gǎn bú shì bù pà。
    Being brave isn't the same as not being afraid.
    Out and about
brave; courageous
2877patternN2
你看他多勇敢啊！ nǐ kàn tā duō yǒng gǎn a！
多 + Vs + 啊！

多 + Vs + 啊！is an exclamation, not a question — say it with the voice falling. The same 多 + Vs with the voice rising is the question 'how … ?'.

Look how brave he is!
2878wordCore
勇氣 yǒngqì
  • 他沒有勇氣告訴她。 tā méi yǒu yǒng qì gào sù tā。
    He hadn't the courage to tell her.
  • 面對問題要勇氣。 miàn duì wèn tí yào yǒng qì。
    Facing a problem takes courage.
    Work
  • 這種勇氣我沒有。 zhè zhǒng yǒng qì wǒ méi yǒu。
    I haven't got that kind of courage.
    At home
courage
2879wordCore
挑戰 tiǎozhàn
  • 這個任務是一個很大的挑戰。 zhè ge rèn wù shì yī ge hěn dà de tiāo zhàn。
    This task is a real challenge.
  • 他喜歡挑戰難的事。 tā xǐ huān tiāo zhàn nán de shì。
    He likes taking on difficult things.
    Work
  • 我想挑戰自己。 wǒ xiǎng tiāo zhàn zì jǐ。
    I want to test myself.
    School
to take on a challenge; a challenge
2880wordCore
堅強 jiānqiáng
  • 她比我們想的堅強。 tā bǐ wǒ men xiǎng de jiān qiáng。
    She's tougher than we thought.
  • 生病以後，他還是很堅強。 shēng bìng yǐ hòu， tā hái shì hěn jiān qiáng。
    He's stayed strong since falling ill.
    Health
  • 堅強不是不會累。 jiān qiáng bú shì bù huì lèi。
    Being strong doesn't mean never getting tired.
    At home
tough in spirit; staunch
2881wordCore
強大 qiángdà
  • 那家公司很強大。 nà jiā gōng sī hěn qiáng dà。
    That company is very powerful.
  • 他們隊比我們強大。 tā men duì bǐ wǒ men qiáng dà。
    Their team is stronger than ours.
    School
  • 一個人再強大，也要別人幫忙。 yī ge rén zài qiáng dà， yě yào bié rén bāng máng。
    However strong you are, you still need help.
    Work
powerful; formidable
2882wordN2
最佳 zuìjiā
  • 他得到最佳隊員。 tā de dào zuì jiā duì yuán。
    He was named best player.
  • 這是最佳的辦法。 zhè shì zuì jiā de bàn fǎ。
    This is the best way to do it.
    Work
  • 最佳的時間是早上。 zuì jiā de shí jiān shì zǎo shàng。
    The best time is the morning.
    Work
best (in an award or a rating); optimum
2883wordCore
成為 chéngwéi
  • 他後來成為一個老師。 tā hòu lái chéng wèi yī ge lǎo shī。
    He went on to become a teacher.
  • 她想成為醫生。 tā xiǎng chéng wèi yī shēng。
    She wants to become a doctor.
    School
  • 這家小店成為台北最有名的店。 zhè jiā xiǎo diàn chéng wèi tái běi zuì yǒu míng de diàn。
    That little shop became the best-known place in Taipei.
    Out and about
to become
2885patternN2
他不到三十歲就成為經理。 tā bú dào sān shí suì jiù chéng wèi jīng lǐ。
不到 + 數量

不到 goes in front of a quantity and means 'less than that': 不到五歲 under five. The point is almost always that it is surprisingly little.

He was a manager before he was thirty.
2886wordCore
恨 hèn
  • 他很恨那個騙子。 tā hěn hèn nà ge piàn zi。
    He hates that con man.
  • 我不恨他，我只是不想再見他。 wǒ bù hèn tā， wǒ zhǐ shì bù xiǎng zài jiàn tā。
    I don't hate him, I just don't want to see him again.
    At home
  • 她恨自己太傻。 tā hèn zì jǐ tài shǎ。
    She hates herself for being so daft.
    At home
to hate; to bitterly regret
2887wordCore
煩 fán
  • 這件事讓我很煩。 zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ hěn fán。
    This business is doing my head in.
  • 別煩我，我在工作。 bié fán wǒ， wǒ zài gōng zuò。
    Don't bother me, I'm working.
    Work
  • 他一天問十次，我都煩了。 tā yī tiān wèn shí cì， wǒ dōu fán le。
    He asks ten times a day and I've had enough.
    Work
fed up, bothered; to pester someone
2888patternN2
他聽起來很煩。 tā tīng qǐ lái hěn fán。
V 起來（看法）

V 起來 gives the impression something makes from outside: 看起來很累 looks tired, 吃起來不錯 tastes all right, 說起來容易 easy to say. The subject is the thing judged, not the judge.

He sounds fed up.
2889patternN2
他就是這種人，你別煩他。 tā jiù shì zhè zhǒng rén， nǐ bié fán tā。
就是 + 不 / 沒 ……

An emphatic 就是 means 'flatly, and there is nothing more to say': 他就是不聽. It usually takes a negative after it and refuses to give a reason.

He's just like that — leave him be.
2890wordCore
無聊 wúliáo
  • 這個節目很無聊。 zhè ge jié mù hěn wú liáo。
    This programme is dull.
  • 一個人在家很無聊。 yī ge rén zài jiā hěn wú liáo。
    It's boring at home on your own.
    At home
  • 他說了一個很無聊的玩笑。 tā shuō le yī ge hěn wú liáo de wán xiào。
    He told a very feeble joke.
    Out and about
bored; boring
2891patternN2
這本書看起來很無聊。 zhè běn shū kàn qǐ lái hěn wú liáo。
V 起來（看法）

V 起來 gives the impression something makes from outside: 看起來很累 looks tired, 吃起來不錯 tastes all right, 說起來容易 easy to say. The subject is the thing judged, not the judge.

This book looks dull.
2892wordCore
好奇 hàoqí
  • 小孩對什麼都好奇。 xiǎo hái duì shén me dōu hào qí。
    Children are curious about everything.
  • 我很好奇他們怎麼做的。 wǒ hěn hào qí tā men zěn me zuò de。
    I'm curious how they did it.
    Work
  • 好奇不是壞事。 hào qí bú shì huài shì。
    Curiosity isn't a bad thing.
    School
curious
2893wordCore
在乎 zàihū
台灣說 在乎Taiwan reads 在乎 zàihū with a full first tone; mainland neutralises 乎.
  • 他不在乎別人怎麼說。 tā bù zài hū bié rén zěn me shuō。
    He doesn't care what people say.
  • 我很在乎這件事。 wǒ hěn zài hū zhè jiàn shì。
    This matters a great deal to me.
    Work
  • 你在乎錢還是在乎人？ nǐ zài hū qián hái shì zài hū rén？
    Is it the money you care about, or the people?
    Work
to care about; to mind
2894wordCore
滿意 mǎnyì
  • 客人對我們的工作很滿意。 kè rén duì wǒ men de gōng zuò hěn mǎn yì。
    The client is very pleased with our work.
  • 他不太滿意這個結果。 tā bù tài mǎn yì zhè ge jié guǒ。
    He isn't very happy with the result.
    Work
  • 你滿意了嗎？ nǐ mǎn yì le ma？
    Are you satisfied now?
    At home
satisfied; pleased with it
2895wordCore
滿足 mǎnzú
  • 這樣的生活我很滿足。 zhè yàng de shēng huó wǒ hěn mǎn zú。
    I'm content with life as it is.
  • 這台機器不能滿足我們的要求。 zhè tái jī qì bù néng mǎn zú wǒ men de yāo qiú。
    This machine doesn't meet our requirements.
    Work
  • 人很難滿足。 rén hěn nán mǎn zú。
    People are hard to satisfy.
    Out and about
to satisfy (a need); to be content
2896wordCore
吸引 xīyǐn
  • 這個故事吸引了很多人。 zhè ge gù shì xī yǐn le hěn duō rén。
    The story drew a lot of people in.
  • 他的話很吸引我。 tā de huà hěn xī yǐn wǒ。
    What he says interests me.
    Out and about
  • 那家店用便宜的東西吸引客人。 nà jiā diàn yòng pián yí de dōng xi xī yǐn kè rén。
    That shop pulls customers in with cheap goods.
    Shopping
to attract; to draw people in
2897wordCore
迷人 mírén
  • 那位姑娘很迷人。 nà wèi gū niáng hěn mí rén。
    That young woman is charming.
  • 這個地方的晚上很迷人。 zhè ge dì fāng de wǎn shàng hěn mí rén。
    Evenings here are lovely.
    Out and about
  • 他的聲音很迷人。 tā de shēng yīn hěn mí rén。
    He has a beautiful voice.
    Out and about
charming; enchanting
2898patternN2
那個地方聽起來很迷人。 nà ge dì fāng tīng qǐ lái hěn mí rén。
V 起來（看法）

V 起來 gives the impression something makes from outside: 看起來很累 looks tired, 吃起來不錯 tastes all right, 說起來容易 easy to say. The subject is the thing judged, not the judge.

That place sounds lovely.
2899wordCore
嫉妒 jídù
  • 他很嫉妒他哥的成績。 tā hěn jí dù tā gē de chéng jī。
    He's jealous of his brother's marks.
  • 別嫉妒別人，做自己的事。 bié jí dù bié rén， zuò zì jǐ de shì。
    Don't envy others — get on with your own work.
    School
  • 她不嫉妒，她只是也想要。 tā bù jí dù， tā zhǐ shì yě xiǎng yào。
    She isn't jealous — she just wants one too.
    At home
to be jealous of; to envy
2901patternN2
我哪裡在嫉妒他？ wǒ nǎ lǐ zài jí dù tā？
哪裡 ……！

哪裡 said with the voice falling is a denial dressed as a question: 我哪裡知道？how would I know! It expects no answer and is not asking where.

Jealous of him? Hardly.
2902wordCore
瘋 fēng
  • 你瘋了嗎？ nǐ fēng le ma？
    Are you mad?
  • 那天大家都瘋了。 nà tiān dà jiā dōu fēng le。
    Everyone went wild that day.
    Out and about
  • 他一聽到這個消息就瘋了。 tā yī tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī jiù fēng le。
    He went crazy the moment he heard.
    Out and about
mad; crazy; to go wild
2903wordCore
情緒 qíngxù
  • 他今天的情緒不太好。 tā jīn tiān de qíng xù bù tài hǎo。
    He's in a poor mood today.
  • 工作的時候不要帶情緒。 gōng zuò de shí hòu bú yào dài qíng xù。
    Leave your mood at the door when you work.
    Work
  • 小孩的情緒一下好一下不好。 xiǎo hái de qíng xù yī xià hǎo yī xià bù hǎo。
    Children's moods swing from one minute to the next.
    At home
mood; state of mind
2904patternN2
小孩的情緒一下好一下不好。 xiǎo hái de qíng xù yī xià hǎo yī xià bù hǎo。
一下 ……，一下 ……

一下 A 一下 B means it keeps swinging between the two, and the speaker is complaining about the swinging. Do not confuse it with V 一下, 'do it briefly'.

A child's mood is fine one minute and not the next.
2905wordCore
內心 nèixīn
  • 他的內心很痛苦。 tā de nèi xīn hěn tòng kǔ。
    Inside, he's in a great deal of pain.
  • 她內心很怕，可是不說。 tā nèi xīn hěn pà， kě shì bù shuō。
    Inside she was frightened, but she said nothing.
    At home
  • 內心的話最難說出來。 nèi xīn de huà zuì nán shuō chū lái。
    What you feel inside is the hardest thing to say.
    At home
the heart; what you feel inside
2906wordCore
興奮 xīngfèn
  • 小孩很興奮，一直跑來跑去。 xiǎo hái hěn xìng fèn， yì zhí pǎo lái pǎo qù。
    The children are excited and keep running about.
  • 他興奮得說不出話。 tā xìng fèn de shuō bù chū huà。
    He was too excited to speak.
    Out and about
  • 聽到勝利的消息，大家都很興奮。 tīng dào shèng lì de xiāo xī， dà jiā dōu hěn xìng fèn。
    Everyone was thrilled at the news of the win.
    Out and about
excited
2907wordCore
激動 jīdòng
  • 他說到那件事就很激動。 tā shuō dào nà jiàn shì jiù hěn jī dòng。
    He gets worked up whenever that comes up.
  • 別激動，先坐下來。 bié jī dòng， xiān zuò xià lái。
    Calm down — sit down first.
    Work
  • 她激動得說話很大聲。 tā jī dòng de shuō huà hěn dà shēng。
    She got so worked up she was shouting.
    At home
worked up; stirred up
2908patternN2
他一下坐下，一下站起來，很激動。 tā yī xià zuò xià， yī xià zhàn qǐ lái， hěn jī dòng。
一下 ……，一下 ……

一下 A 一下 B means it keeps swinging between the two, and the speaker is complaining about the swinging. Do not confuse it with V 一下, 'do it briefly'.

He kept sitting down and standing up again, thoroughly worked up.
2909patternN2
一談起那件事，大家都很激動。 yī tán qǐ nà jiàn shì， dà jiā dōu hěn jī dòng。
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.

Bring that up and everyone gets worked up.
2910wordCore
傷心 shāngxīn
  • 她分手以後很傷心。 tā fēn shǒu yǐ hòu hěn shāng xīn。
    She was heartbroken after the break-up.
  • 別讓爸媽傷心。 bié ràng bà mā shāng xīn。
    Don't upset your parents.
    At home
  • 那個故事讓我很傷心。 nà ge gù shì ràng wǒ hěn shāng xīn。
    That story upset me.
    Out and about
heartbroken; upset
2911patternN2
她一下笑一下傷心。 tā yī xià xiào yī xià shāng xīn。
一下 ……，一下 ……

一下 A 一下 B means it keeps swinging between the two, and the speaker is complaining about the swinging. Do not confuse it with V 一下, 'do it briefly'.

She's laughing one moment and upset the next.
2912wordCore
悲傷 bēishāng
  • 爺爺去世的時候，全家都很悲傷。 yé yé qù shì de shí hòu， quán jiā dōu hěn bēi shāng。
    When Grandad died the whole family grieved.
  • 悲傷的歌我不想聽。 bēi shāng de gē wǒ bù xiǎng tīng。
    I don't want to hear sad songs.
    At home
  • 他的信裡有很多悲傷。 tā de xìn lǐ yǒu hěn duō bēi shāng。
    There's a lot of grief in his letter.
    At home
sorrowful; grieving
2913wordCore
憤怒 fènnù
  • 大家對這個事件很憤怒。 dà jiā duì zhè ge shì jiàn hěn fèn nù。
    People are furious about the incident.
  • 他憤怒得站起來走了。 tā fèn nù de zhàn qǐ lái zǒu le。
    He was so angry he got up and left.
    Work
  • 憤怒不能解決問題。 fèn nù bù néng jiě jué wèn tí。
    Anger solves nothing.
    Work
angry; indignant
2914wordCore
寂寞 jímò
台灣說 寂寞Taiwan reads 寂 as jí — jímò; mainland reads jìmò.
  • 一個人住有時候很寂寞。 yī ge rén zhù yǒu shí hòu hěn jì mò。
    Living alone can be lonely.
  • 他不寂寞，他有一隻狗。 tā bù jì mò， tā yǒu yī zhī gǒu。
    He isn't lonely — he has a dog.
    At home
  • 寂寞的晚上最長。 jì mò de wǎn shàng zuì cháng。
    Lonely evenings are the longest.
    At home
lonely
2915wordCore
孤獨 gūdú
  • 他一生都很孤獨。 tā yī shēng dōu hěn gū dú。
    He was solitary all his life.
  • 孤獨跟寂寞不一樣。 gū dú gēn jì mò bù yī yàng。
    Being solitary isn't the same as being lonely.
    Out and about
  • 那隻老狼很孤獨。 nà zhī lǎo láng hěn gū dú。
    That old wolf keeps to itself.
    Out and about
solitary; alone in the world
2917wordCore
街 jiē
  • 這條街有很多小吃店。 zhè tiáo jiē yǒu hěn duō xiǎo chī diàn。
    There are a lot of food shops on this street.
  • 我家在街的那一邊。 wǒ jiā zài jiē de nà yī biān。
    My house is on the other side of the street.
    At home
  • 晚上這條街很熱鬧。 wǎn shàng zhè tiáo jiē hěn rè nào。
    This street is lively at night.
    Out and about
a street
2918patternN2
一說起這條街，他就很開心。 yī shuō qǐ zhè tiáo jiē， tā jiù hěn kāi xīn。
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.

Mention that street and he lights up.
2919patternN2
經過一年，這條街完全不一樣了。 jīng guò yī nián， zhè tiáo jiē wán quán bù yī yàng le。
經過 ……，……

經過 + a stretch of time or something you had to go through, then the outcome. 通過 stresses the means used; 經過 stresses that time passed and something was got through.

A year on, the street is completely different.
2920patternN2
這條街的店，沒有一家不忙的。 zhè tiáo jiē de diàn， méi yǒu yī jiā bù máng de。
沒有一 M（N）不 / 沒 …… 的

A double negative meaning 'every single one': 沒有一個不說好的 = nobody has a bad word for it. The 的 at the end is compulsory and the measure word must match the noun.

Not one shop on this street is quiet.
2921wordCore
城 chéng
  • 那是一個很老的城。 nà shì yī ge hěn lǎo de chéng。
    It's a very old town.
  • 他住在城裡。 tā zhù zài chéng lǐ。
    He lives in town.
    At home
  • 從山上可以看見那個城。 cóng shān shàng kě yǐ kàn jian nà ge chéng。
    You can see the town from the mountain.
    Out and about
a city, a walled town (older word)
2922wordCore
區 qū
  • 我住在這個區。 wǒ zhù zài zhè ge qū。
    I live in this district.
  • 這一區的房子很貴。 zhè yī qū de fáng zi hěn guì。
    Housing in this district is expensive.
    At home
  • 台北有十二個區。 tái běi yǒu shí r4 ge qū。
    Taipei has twelve districts.
    Out and about
a district; an area of a city
2923patternN2
這一區有很多店，像藥局、超市什麼的。 zhè yī qū yǒu hěn duō diàn， xiàng yào jú、 chāo shì shén me de。
像 A、B 什麼的

像 A、B 什麼的 gives a couple of examples and leaves the rest open. It is spoken, and the 的 at the end cannot be dropped.

This district has plenty of shops — chemists, supermarkets and so on.
2924patternN2
這家店算是這一區最老的。 zhè jiā diàn suàn shì zhè yī qū zuì lǎo de。
算（是）……

算（是）= counts as, can be called. It is a judgement with a little room left in it, which is exactly what a flat 是 does not give you.

This is about the oldest shop in the district.
2925wordCore
鄉 xiāng
  • 他從鄉下來台北工作。 tā cóng xiāng xià lái tái běi gōng zuò。
    He came up from the country to work in Taipei.
  • 鄉下的空氣比較好。 xiāng xià de kōng qì bǐ jiào hǎo。
    The air is better in the country.
    Out and about
  • 他每年回鄉一次。 tā měi nián huí xiāng yī cì。
    He goes back to his home village once a year.
    Out and about
the countryside; your home village; a township
2926wordCore
東 dōng
  • 這條街的東邊有一家郵局。 zhè tiáo jiē de dōng biān yǒu yī jiā yóu jú。
    There's a post office at the east end of this street.
  • 太陽從東邊出來。 tài yáng cóng dōng biān chū lái。
    The sun comes up in the east.
    Out and about
  • 他家在城的東邊。 tā jiā zài chéng de dōng biān。
    His house is on the east side of town.
    At home
east
2927wordCore
北 běi
  • 台北在台灣的北邊。 tái běi zài tái wān de běi biān。
    Taipei is in the north of Taiwan.
  • 晚上的風從北邊來。 wǎn shàng de fēng cóng běi biān lái。
    The evening wind comes from the north.
    Out and about
  • 這條路一直到城的北邊。 zhè tiáo lù yì zhí dào chéng de běi biān。
    This road runs right up to the north side of town.
    Out and about
north
2928wordCore
當地 dāngdì
  • 當地的人都知道這家店。 dāng dì de rén dōu zhī dào zhè jiā diàn。
    Everyone local knows this shop.
  • 我們找了一個當地的司機。 wǒ men zhǎo le yī ge dāng dì de sī jī。
    We got a local driver.
    Out and about
  • 當地的小吃很有名。 dāng dì de xiǎo chī hěn yǒu míng。
    The local food is well known.
    Food and drink
local; the local area
2929patternN2
對當地人來說，這條街是家。 duì dāng dì rén lái shuō， zhè tiáo jiē shì jiā。
對 …… 來說

對 X 來說 frames whose point of view it is, and the judgement follows. It is not 'said to X' — that is 跟 X 說.

To the people who live here, this street is home.
2930patternN2
這家店靠當地的客人。 zhè jiā diàn kào dāng dì de kè rén。
靠 / 靠著 ……

靠 + what you depend on: 靠自己, 靠運氣. 靠著 is the same with more of a 'by means of' feel; used physically it means leaning against something.

This shop lives on local custom.
2931wordCore
各 gè
  • 各位請坐。 gè wèi qǐng zuò。
    Please be seated, everyone.
  • 各區的情況不一樣。 gè qū de qíng kuàng bù yī yàng。
    Each district is different.
    Work
  • 這本書各部分都很重要。 zhè běn shū gè bù fèn dōu hěn zhòng yào。
    Every part of this book matters.
    School
each; every one of a set
2932wordCore
眼前 yǎnqián
  • 眼前的路很難走。 yǎn qián de lù hěn nán zǒu。
    The road ahead is a hard one.
  • 先辦好眼前的事。 xiān bàn hǎo yǎn qián de shì。
    Deal with what's in front of you first.
    Work
  • 他把錢放在我眼前。 tā bǎ qián fàng zài wǒ yǎn qián。
    He put the money down in front of me.
    Work
right in front of you; right now
2933wordCore
隨著 suízhe
  • 隨著時間過去，這條街上的店越來越多。 suí zhe shí jiān guò qù， zhè tiáo jiē shàng de diàn yuè lái yuè duō。
    As time went on, more and more shops opened on the street.
  • 隨著年紀大了，他走得比較慢。 suí zhe nián jì dà le， tā zǒu de bǐ jiào màn。
    As he's got older he walks more slowly.
    Health
  • 隨著這個消息出來，公司的壓力也大了。 suí zhe zhè ge xiāo xī chū lái， gōng sī de yā lì yě dà le。
    As the news came out the pressure on the company grew.
    Work
along with; as (something changes)
2935wordCore
鬆 sōng
  • 這件褲子太鬆了。 zhè jiàn kù zi tài sōng le。
    These trousers are too loose.
  • 他的手一鬆，杯子就破了。 tā de shǒu yī sōng， bēi zi jiù pò le。
    His grip slipped and the cup smashed.
    At home
  • 工作完了，我的心就鬆了。 gōng zuò wán le， wǒ de xīn jiù sōng le。
    Once the work was done I could relax.
    Work
loose, slack; relaxed (輕鬆 = relaxed, at ease)
2936wordCore
緊急 jǐnjí
  • 這是一件很緊急的事。 zhè shì yī jiàn hěn jǐn jí de shì。
    This is urgent.
  • 緊急的時候打這個電話。 jǐn jí de shí hòu dǎ zhè ge diàn huà。
    Ring this number in an emergency.
    Health
  • 醫院有一個緊急的門。 yī yuàn yǒu yī ge jǐn jí de mén。
    The hospital has an emergency door.
    Health
urgent; an emergency
2937wordCore
當心 dāngxīn
  • 當心，路上有車。 dāng xīn， lù shàng yǒu chē。
    Watch out — there's traffic.
  • 下雨的時候當心一點。 xià yǔ de shí hòu dāng xīn yī diǎn。
    Take extra care when it's raining.
    Out and about
  • 當心你的錢包。 dāng xīn nǐ de qián bāo。
    Mind your purse.
    Out and about
to watch out; to take care
2938patternN2
當心一點，不然會受傷。 dāng xīn yī diǎn， bù rán huì shòu shāng。
……，（要）不然 ……

（要）不然 = or else, and what follows it is the bad outcome. 要不然 is slightly more spoken; both stand at the front of the second clause.

Be careful or you'll hurt yourself.
2939wordCore
保重 bǎozhòng
  • 你要保重身體。 nǐ yào bǎo zhòng shēn tǐ。
    You must look after yourself.
  • 「請保重。」他說。 「qǐng bǎo zhòng。」 tā shuō。
    "Take care of yourself," he said.
    Health
  • 年紀大了要保重。 nián jì dà le yào bǎo zhòng。
    At your age you have to look after yourself.
    Health
to look after yourself
2940patternN2
你要保重，不然會生病。 nǐ yào bǎo zhòng， bù rán huì shēng bìng。
……，（要）不然 ……

（要）不然 = or else, and what follows it is the bad outcome. 要不然 is slightly more spoken; both stand at the front of the second clause.

Look after yourself or you'll be ill.
2941wordCore
耐心 nàixīn
  • 教小孩要有耐心。 jiāo xiǎo hái yào yǒu nài xīn。
    Teaching children takes patience.
  • 他很有耐心。 tā hěn yǒu nài xīn。
    He's very patient.
    Work
  • 我對這種事沒有耐心。 wǒ duì zhè zhǒng shì méi yǒu nài xīn。
    I've no patience for this sort of thing.
    Work
patience; to be patient
2942patternN2
你要有耐心，不然小孩不會聽你的。 nǐ yào yǒu nài xīn， bù rán xiǎo hái bù huì tīng nǐ de。
……，（要）不然 ……

（要）不然 = or else, and what follows it is the bad outcome. 要不然 is slightly more spoken; both stand at the front of the second clause.

Be patient, or the children won't listen to you.
2943wordCore
忍受 rěnshòu
  • 這種痛他忍受了三年。 zhè zhǒng tòng tā rěn shòu le sān nián。
    He put up with that pain for three years.
  • 我不能忍受這麼吵的地方。 wǒ bù néng rěn shòu zhè me chǎo de dì fāng。
    I can't bear a place this noisy.
    At home
  • 她忍受了很多，可是從來不抱怨。 tā rěn shòu le hěn duō， kě shì cóng lái bù bào yuàn。
    She has borne a great deal and never complains.
    At home
to bear; to put up with
2944wordCore
清醒 qīngxǐng
  • 喝了咖啡以後，我比較清醒。 hē le kā fēi yǐ hòu， wǒ bǐ jiào qīng xǐng。
    I'm sharper after a coffee.
  • 他喝醉了，一點都不清醒。 tā hē zuì le， yī diǎn dōu bù qīng xǐng。
    He's drunk — not thinking straight at all.
    Out and about
  • 清醒的時候再決定。 qīng xǐng de shí hòu zài jué dìng。
    Decide when your head is clear.
    Work
clear-headed; awake; sober
2945patternN2
趁他還清醒，問他一下。 chèn tā hái qīng xǐng， wèn tā yī xià。
趁（著）……

趁（著）marks a window that is going to close: 趁天氣好 while the weather holds. For a plain 'when' use ……的時候.

Ask him while he's still sober.
2946wordCore
穩定 wěndìng
  • 他的工作很穩定。 tā de gōng zuò hěn wěn dìng。
    He has a steady job.
  • 病人的情況已經穩定了。 bìng rén de qíng kuàng yǐ jīng wěn dìng le。
    The patient's condition has stabilised.
    Health
  • 這台機器不太穩定。 zhè tái jī qì bù tài wěn dìng。
    This machine isn't very reliable.
    Work
steady; stable
2947patternN2
經過一個晚上，他的情緒穩定了。 jīng guò yī ge wǎn shàng， tā de qíng xù wěn dìng le。
經過 ……，……

經過 + a stretch of time or something you had to go through, then the outcome. 通過 stresses the means used; 經過 stresses that time passed and something was got through.

A night later he had calmed down.
2948wordCore
避免 bìmiǎn
  • 我們要避免這種事故。 wǒ men yào bì miǎn zhè zhǒng shì gù。
    We have to prevent accidents like this.
  • 避免跟他吵架。 bì miǎn gēn tā chǎo jià。
    Avoid arguing with him.
    At home
  • 這個問題很難避免。 zhè ge wèn tí hěn nán bì miǎn。
    This problem is hard to avoid.
    Work
to avoid; to prevent
2949wordCore
放手 fàngshǒu
  • 他不想放手。 tā bù xiǎng fàng shǒu。
    He doesn't want to let go.
  • 你放手，我自己來。 nǐ fàng shǒu， wǒ zì jǐ lái。
    Let go — I'll do it myself.
    At home
  • 有時候放手才是對的。 yǒu shí hòu fàng shǒu cái shì duì de。
    Sometimes letting go is the right thing.
    At home
to let go; to hand it over, to stop controlling it
2951wordCore
約 yuē
  • 我約他明天見面。 wǒ yuē tā míng tiān jiàn miàn。
    I've arranged to meet him tomorrow.
  • 他約了三個客戶。 tā yuē le sān ge kè hù。
    He's got three clients booked in.
    Work
  • 我們約好七點。 wǒ men yuē hǎo qī diǎn。
    We've agreed on seven o'clock.
    Out and about
to arrange to meet; to ask someone out; roughly
2952wordCore
約會 yuēhuì
  • 她今天晚上有約會。 tā jīn tiān wǎn shàng yǒu yuē huì。
    She's got a date tonight.
  • 他們的第一次約會在酒吧。 tā men de dì yī cì yuē huì zài jiǔ ba。
    Their first date was in a bar.
    Out and about
  • 這個約會很重要。 zhè ge yuē huì hěn zhòng yào。
    This appointment matters.
    Work
a date; an appointment
2953wordCore
待 dài
  • 你在這裡待一下。 nǐ zài zhè lǐ dài yī xià。
    Wait here a moment.
  • 他在台北待了三年。 tā zài tái běi dài le sān nián。
    He stayed in Taipei for three years.
    Out and about
  • 他待客人很客氣。 tā dài kè rén hěn kè qì。
    He treats his guests very courteously.
    Work
to wait, to stay; to treat (someone) a certain way
2954wordCore
待會 dàihuǐ
台灣說 待會Taiwan reads 待會 dàihuǐ (待會兒 dàihuǐr); mainland says dāihuǐr.
  • 待會見。 dài huì jiàn。
    See you in a bit.
  • 待會我打電話給你。 dài huì wǒ dǎ diàn huà gěi nǐ。
    I'll ring you in a minute.
    Work
  • 待會再說，我現在很忙。 dài huì zài shuō， wǒ xiàn zài hěn máng。
    Later — I'm busy just now.
    Work
in a minute; shortly
2955wordCore
等到 děngdào
  • 等到他來，我們再開始。 děng dào tā lái， wǒ men zài kāi shǐ。
    We'll start once he gets here.
  • 等到明年，我就要結婚了。 děng dào míng nián， wǒ jiù yào jié hūn le。
    By next year I'll be married.
    At home
  • 等到我有錢，我要買一台車。 děng dào wǒ yǒu qián， wǒ yào mǎi yī tái chē。
    When I've got the money I'll buy a car.
    Shopping
to wait until; by the time that
2956wordCore
聚會 jùhuì
  • 今年的家族聚會在台北。 jīn nián de jiā zú jù huì zài tái běi。
    This year's family gathering is in Taipei.
  • 這個聚會有三十個人。 zhè ge jù huì yǒu sān shí ge rén。
    There are thirty people at this get-together.
    Out and about
  • 我們每個月有一次聚會。 wǒ men měi ge yuè yǒu yī cì jù huì。
    We have a get-together once a month.
    Out and about
a get-together; a gathering
2957wordCore
慶祝 qìngzhù
  • 我們要慶祝他的生日。 wǒ men yào qìng zhù tā de shēng rì。
    We're going to celebrate his birthday.
  • 他們開了一個聚會慶祝勝利。 tā men kāi le yī ge jù huì qìng zhù shèng lì。
    They threw a party to celebrate the win.
    Out and about
  • 值得慶祝的事不多。 zhí de qìng zhù de shì bù duō。
    There isn't much worth celebrating.
    At home
to celebrate
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儀式 yíshì
  • 婚禮的儀式很短。 hūn lǐ de yí shì hěn duǎn。
    The wedding ceremony was short.
  • 這個儀式已經有一百年了。 zhè ge yí shì yǐ jīng yǒu yì bǎi nián le。
    This ceremony is a hundred years old.
    Out and about
  • 儀式完畢以後，大家一起吃飯。 yí shì wán bì yǐ hòu， dà jiā yī qǐ chī fàn。
    When the ceremony was over they all ate together.
    Out and about
a ceremony