KaidarinLearn Taiwan Mandarin

Corpus

Items 3201–3400 of 4628Units u154–u166voice zh-TW-YunJheNeural (tts-preview)generated 2026-09-13

#KindLevelChineseEnglishPlay
3380patternN2
他在音樂方面很有天賦。 tā zài yīn lè fāng miàn hěn yǒu tiān fù。
（在）…… 方面

在……方面 narrows a comment to one area, and what goes inside is a noun: 在音樂方面. 在 may be dropped when the phrase is not at the head of the sentence. For a person's strengths this is the ordinary way to say it.

He has a real gift on the music side.
3381patternN2
在錢的方面你不用擔心。 zài qián de fāng miàn nǐ bù yòng dān xīn。
（在）…… 方面

在……方面 narrows a comment to one area, and what goes inside is a noun: 在音樂方面. 在 may be dropped when the phrase is not at the head of the sentence. For a person's strengths this is the ordinary way to say it.

You needn't worry on the money side.
3382patternN2
我在這方面沒有經驗。 wǒ zài zhè fāng miàn méi yǒu jīng yàn。
（在）…… 方面

在……方面 narrows a comment to one area, and what goes inside is a noun: 在音樂方面. 在 may be dropped when the phrase is not at the head of the sentence. For a person's strengths this is the ordinary way to say it.

I've no experience in this area.
3383patternN2
他在工作方面很認真。 tā zài gōng zuò fāng miàn hěn rèn zhēn。
（在）…… 方面

在……方面 narrows a comment to one area, and what goes inside is a noun: 在音樂方面. 在 may be dropped when the phrase is not at the head of the sentence. For a person's strengths this is the ordinary way to say it.

He's serious where work is concerned.
3384patternN2
他在學習方面很努力。 tā zài xué xí fāng miàn hěn nǔ lì。
（在）…… 方面

在……方面 narrows a comment to one area, and what goes inside is a noun: 在音樂方面. 在 may be dropped when the phrase is not at the head of the sentence. For a person's strengths this is the ordinary way to say it.

He works hard on the study side.
3385wordCore
小子 xiǎozi
  • 這個小子真聰明。 zhè ge xiǎo zi zhēn cōng míng。
    That lad is genuinely clever.
  • 那小子又跑到哪裡去了？ nà xiǎo zi yòu pǎo dào nǎ lǐ qù le？
    Where's that lad got to now?
    At home
  • 小子，你別亂說。 xiǎo zi， nǐ bié luàn shuō。
    Watch your mouth, kid.
    Out and about
lad, kid (familiar, sometimes rude)
3386wordCore
鬼 guǐ
  • 我不相信有鬼。 wǒ bù xiāng xìn yǒu guǐ。
    I don't believe in ghosts.
  • 小孩都怕鬼。 xiǎo hái dōu pà guǐ。
    Children are all afraid of ghosts.
    At home
  • 這個故事裡的鬼一點也不可怕。 zhè ge gù shì lǐ de guǐ yī diǎn yě bù kě pà。
    The ghost in this story isn't frightening at all.
    School
a ghost
3387wordCore
神 shén
  • 廟裡的神前面有很多花。 miào lǐ de shén qián miàn yǒu hěn duō huā。
    There are a lot of flowers in front of the god in the temple.
  • 你信神嗎？ nǐ xìn shén ma？
    Do you believe in God?
    At home
  • 他把那個老師當作神一樣。 tā bǎ nà ge lǎo shī dāng zuò shén yī yàng。
    He treats that teacher as a god.
    School
a god, a deity
3388patternN2
他把那個老師當作神一樣。 tā bǎ nà ge lǎo shī dāng zuò shén yī yàng。
把 …… 當作 / 當成 ……

把 X 當作 Y says how you CHOOSE to see X: 把房間當作教室. 當成 is the same and slightly more spoken. Y is a noun, never a verb — 把它當作用 is wrong.

He treats that teacher as a god.
3389wordN2
哎 āi
  • 哎，你怎麼又忘了？ āi， nǐ zěn me yòu wàng le？
    Oh — how have you forgotten again?
  • 哎，我的錢包不見了！ āi， wǒ de qián bāo bù jiàn le！
    Oh no — my wallet's gone!
    Out and about
  • 哎，算了，不說了。 āi， suàn le， bù shuō le。
    Ah, forget it, never mind.
    At home
oh; hey (mild dismay or surprise)
3390wordCore
作 zuò
  • 這本書是他作的。 zhè běn shū shì tā zuò de。
    This book is his own work.
  • 他不作這種事。 tā bù zuò zhè zhǒng shì。
    He doesn't do that sort of thing.
    Work
  • 學生每個星期要作一次功課。 xué shēng měi ge xīng qí yào zuò yī cì gōng kè。
    Students have to do homework once a week.
    School
to make, to compose, to write (作品, 當作)
3391wordCore
惹 rě
  • 你別惹他生氣。 nǐ bié rě tā shēng qì。
    Don't go making him angry.
  • 這孩子很乖，從不惹事。 zhè hái zi hěn guāi， cóng bù rě shì。
    This child is good as gold and never makes trouble.
    At home
  • 我不想惹麻煩。 wǒ bù xiǎng rě má fán。
    I don't want to bring trouble on myself.
    Work
to provoke; to bring (trouble) on yourself
3392wordCore
扯 chě
  • 他扯了我的衣服一下。 tā chě le wǒ de yī fú yī xià。
    He gave my shirt a tug.
  • 你別扯了，這不是真的。 nǐ bié chě le， zhè bú shì zhēn de。
    Give it a rest — that isn't true.
    Out and about
  • 小孩一直扯媽媽的手。 xiǎo hái yì zhí chě mā ma de shǒu。
    The child kept tugging at his mother's hand.
    At home
to tug, to pull; to natter, to talk rubbish
3393wordCore
新娘 xīnniáng
  • 新娘今天很漂亮。 xīn niáng jīn tiān hěn piào liàng。
    The bride looks lovely today.
  • 新娘的家人都來了嗎？ xīn niáng de jiā rén dōu lái le ma？
    Has all the bride's family come?
    Out and about
  • 那個新娘是我的同學。 nà ge xīn niáng shì wǒ de tóng xué。
    That bride was at school with me.
    Out and about
a bride
3394wordCore
女子 nǚzǐ
  • 一名女子在門口等他。 yī míng nǚ zǐ zài mén kǒu děng tā。
    A woman was waiting for him at the door.
  • 新聞說那名女子沒有受傷。 xīn wén shuō nà míng nǚ zǐ méi yǒu shòu shāng。
    The news said the woman wasn't hurt.
    Out and about
  • 這是女子的比賽嗎？ zhè shì nǚ zǐ de bǐ sài ma？
    Is this the women's event?
    Out and about
a woman, a female (news and formal register)
3395patternN2
那個女子被新聞當作英雄。 nà ge nǚ zǐ bèi xīn wén dāng zuò yīng xióng。
被 …… 當作 / 當成 ……

The 被 version drops the person doing it when you don't care who: 被當成小孩. Keep them and they sit straight after 被 — 被鄰居當作小偷. Chinese uses 被 far less than English uses the passive; prefer the 把 form when you can.

The news made a hero of that woman.
3396wordCore
俱樂部 jùlèbù
  • 他們晚上在俱樂部見面。 tā men wǎn shàng zài jù lè bù jiàn miàn。
    They meet at the club in the evenings.
  • 這個俱樂部有多少人？ zhè ge jù lè bù yǒu duō shǎo rén？
    How many members has this club got?
    Out and about
  • 我也想去那個俱樂部。 wǒ yě xiǎng qù nà ge jù lè bù。
    I'd like to go to that club too.
    Out and about
a club
3398wordCore
事業 shìyè
  • 他的事業做得很成功。 tā de shì yè zuò de hěn chéng gōng。
    He's made a real success of his career.
  • 為了事業，他去了別的城市。 wèi le shì yè， tā qù le bié de chéng shì。
    He moved to another city for his career.
    Work
  • 你的事業比家人重要嗎？ nǐ de shì yè bǐ jiā rén zhòng yào ma？
    Is your career more important than your family?
    At home
a career; a business you build
3399wordCore
班 bān
  • 我們班有三十個學生。 wǒ men bān yǒu sān shí ge xué shēng。
    There are thirty students in our class.
  • 下一班車幾點？ xià yī bān chē jǐ diǎn？
    What time is the next bus?
    Out and about
  • 他不在我們班。 tā bù zài wǒ men bān。
    He isn't in our class.
    School
a class; a shift; a scheduled bus or train
3400wordCore
師父 shīfù
  • 他跟一位師父學了三年。 tā gēn yī wèi shī fù xué le sān nián。
    He studied under a master for three years.
  • 師父，這個要怎麼做？ shī fù， zhè ge yào zěn me zuò？
    Master, how is this done?
    Work
  • 他的師父不肯教他。 tā de shī fù bù kěn jiāo tā。
    His master wouldn't teach him.
    Work
a master (the one who teaches you a trade)
3401wordCore
當 dāng
  • 他當老師當了十年。 tā dāng lǎo shī dāng le shí nián。
    He's been a teacher for ten years.
  • 你以後想當什麼？ nǐ yǐ hòu xiǎng dāng shén me？
    What do you want to be when you're older?
    School
  • 他不想當經理。 tā bù xiǎng dāng jīng lǐ。
    He doesn't want to be a manager.
    Work
to be, to work as (當老師)
3402wordCore
加入 jiārù
  • 我想加入你們的俱樂部。 wǒ xiǎng jiā rù nǐ men de jù lè bù。
    I'd like to join your club.
  • 他加入了學校的球隊。 tā jiā rù le xué xiào de qiú duì。
    He joined the school team.
    School
  • 你為何不加入我們？ nǐ wèi hé bù jiā rù wǒ men？
    Why not join us?
    Out and about
to join (a group, a company)
3403wordCore
交易 jiāoyì
  • 這個交易對兩家公司都好。 zhè ge jiāo yì duì liǎng jiā gōng sī dōu hǎo。
    The deal suits both companies.
  • 他們的交易沒有成功。 tā men de jiāo yì méi yǒu chéng gōng。
    Their deal fell through.
    Work
  • 你想跟我做什麼交易？ nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ zuò shén me jiāo yì？
    What sort of deal are you after?
    Work
a deal, a transaction
3404wordCore
擁有 yǒngyǒu
台灣說 擁有Taiwan reads 擁 as yǒng — yǒngyǒu; mainland reads yōngyǒu.
  • 他擁有兩家店。 tā yōng yǒu liǎng jiā diàn。
    He owns two shops.
  • 這個國家擁有很多土地。 zhè ge guó jiā yōng yǒu hěn duō tǔ dì。
    This country has a great deal of land.
    Work
  • 他並不擁有這家店。 tā bìng bù yōng yǒu zhè jiā diàn。
    He doesn't actually own this shop.
    Work
to own, to have (formal)
3405wordCore
付出 fùchū
  • 他為家人付出很多。 tā wèi jiā rén fù chū hěn duō。
    He gives up a lot for his family.
  • 你付出的努力一定有用。 nǐ fù chū de nǔ lì yī dìng yǒu yòng。
    The effort you put in is bound to count.
    Work
  • 沒有付出，就沒有成功嗎？ méi yǒu fù chū， jiù méi yǒu chéng gōng ma？
    No effort, no success?
    Work
to put in (effort, money); to give up for
3406wordCore
私人 sīrén
  • 這是我的私人問題。 zhè shì wǒ de sī rén wèn tí。
    This is a private matter of mine.
  • 這裡是私人的地方，不能進去。 zhè lǐ shì sī rén de dì fāng， bù néng jìn qù。
    This is private property — no entry.
    Out and about
  • 你不應問這麼私人的事。 nǐ bù yīng wèn zhè me sī rén de shì。
    You oughtn't to ask anything this personal.
    Work
private, personal
3407wordCore
成就 chéngjiù
  • 這是他最大的成就。 zhè shì tā zuì dà de chéng jiù。
    This is his greatest achievement.
  • 他年紀不大，成就卻很高。 tā nián jì bù dà， chéng jiù què hěn gāo。
    He's young, and yet he's achieved a great deal.
    Work
  • 你覺得什麼是真正的成就？ nǐ jué de shén me shì zhēn zhèng de chéng jiù？
    What do you count as a real achievement?
    Work
an achievement
3409wordCore
榮幸 róngxìng
  • 能跟您一起做事，我很榮幸。 néng gēn nín yī qǐ zuò shì， wǒ hěn róng xìng。
    It's a privilege to work with you.
  • 今天能來這裡，是我的榮幸。 jīn tiān néng lái zhè lǐ， shì wǒ de róng xìng。
    It's an honour to be here today.
    Work
  • 這不是我的榮幸，是我的工作。 zhè bú shì wǒ de róng xìng， shì wǒ de gōng zuò。
    It's no privilege — it's my job.
    Work
honoured, privileged (to do something)
3410wordN2
多謝 duōxiè
  • 多謝你的幫忙。 duō xiè nǐ de bāng máng。
    Many thanks for your help.
  • 多謝，可是我不能收。 duō xiè， kě shì wǒ bù néng shōu。
    Thanks, but I can't accept it.
    Out and about
  • 多謝大家今天來。 duō xiè dà jiā jīn tiān lái。
    Thank you all for coming today.
    Work
many thanks (warmer than 謝謝)
3411wordCore
服務 fúwù
  • 這家店的服務很好。 zhè jiā diàn de fú wù hěn hǎo。
    The service at this shop is good.
  • 他在這裡服務了二十年。 tā zài zhè lǐ fú wù le r4 shí nián。
    He's served here for twenty years.
    Work
  • 服務不好，我們不會再來了。 fú wù bù hǎo， wǒ men bù huì zài lái le。
    The service is poor; we won't come back.
    Shopping
service; to serve (customers)
3412patternN2
今年的服務不如去年。 jīn nián de fú wù bù rú qù nián。
A 不如 B

A 不如 B says A comes off worse and needs no 比. A describing word may follow: 坐車不如走路快. With no A in front, 不如 + suggestion means 'we'd be better off …', which is advice, not a comparison.

The service isn't as good as last year.
3413patternN2
他們的服務好得沒話說。 tā men de fú wù hǎo de méi huà shuō。
Vs 得沒話說

Vs 得沒話說 is praise and praise only — you cannot say 壞得沒話說. It needs 得 between the describing word and 沒話說, and the whole thing behaves like one long describing word.

Their service could not be better.
3414wordCore
交換 jiāohuàn
  • 我們交換一下位置吧。 wǒ men jiāo huàn yī xià wèi zhì ba。
    Let's swap places.
  • 他們交換了名字和電話。 tā men jiāo huàn le míng zi hé diàn huà。
    They exchanged names and numbers.
    Out and about
  • 你要不要跟我交換？ nǐ yào bù yào gēn wǒ jiāo huàn？
    Do you want to swap with me?
    School
to exchange, to swap
3415wordCore
回應 huíyìng
  • 他沒有回應我的信。 tā méi yǒu huí yīng wǒ de xìn。
    He didn't answer my letter.
  • 公司到現在還沒有回應。 gōng sī dào xiàn zài hái méi yǒu huí yīng。
    The company still hasn't responded.
    Work
  • 你要怎麼回應這種話？ nǐ yào zěn me huí yīng zhè zhǒng huà？
    How do you answer something like that?
    Work
to respond; a response
3416wordCore
接 jiē
  • 我去車站接你。 wǒ qù chē zhàn jiē nǐ。
    I'll pick you up at the station.
  • 他不接我的電話。 tā bù jiē wǒ de diàn huà。
    He won't take my calls.
    At home
  • 請你接一下這個。 qǐng nǐ jiē yī xià zhè ge。
    Take hold of this a moment.
    Work
to meet, to pick up; to answer (the phone); to take hold of
3417wordCore
受 shòu
  • 這家店很受歡迎。 zhè jiā diàn hěn shòu huān yíng。
    This shop is very popular.
  • 他的工作受了很大的影響。 tā de gōng zuò shòu le hěn dà de yǐng xiǎng。
    His work was badly affected.
    Work
  • 小孩受父母的影響最大。 xiǎo hái shòu fù mǔ de yǐng xiǎng zuì dà。
    Children are influenced most by their parents.
    At home
to receive; to come under (受歡迎, 受影響)
3418patternN2
這家店很受歡迎。 zhè jiā diàn hěn shòu huān yíng。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

This shop is very popular.
3419patternN2
他的工作受天氣影響。 tā de gōng zuò shòu tiān qì yǐng xiǎng。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

His work is affected by the weather.
3420patternN2
今年的水果受天氣影響，錢也貴了。 jīn nián de shuǐ guǒ shòu tiān qì yǐng xiǎng， qián yě guì le。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

This year's fruit has been hit by the weather and costs more too.
3421patternN2
小孩受父母影響最大。 xiǎo hái shòu fù mǔ yǐng xiǎng zuì dà。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

Children are influenced most by their parents.
3422patternN2
我不想受別人影響。 wǒ bù xiǎng shòu bié rén yǐng xiǎng。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

I don't want to be swayed by other people.
3423patternN2
那家公司受了不少注意。 nà jiā gōng sī shòu le bù shǎo zhù yì。
受 + N + V

受 takes an abstract noun straight after it — 受歡迎, 受影響, 受注意 — with no 的 and no 被. It is not a full passive: 受 tells you what you are under, not who did it to you.

That company has drawn a good deal of attention.
3424wordCore
身 shēn
  • 他今天一身新衣服。 tā jīn tiān yī shēn xīn yī fú。
    He's in new clothes from head to foot.
  • 你身上有沒有錢？ nǐ shēn shàng yǒu méi yǒu qián？
    Have you any money on you?
    Out and about
  • 下雨了，他一身都是水。 xià yǔ le， tā yī shēn dōu shì shuǐ。
    It rained and he was soaked through.
    Out and about
the body; oneself (一身, 身上)
3425wordCore
女士 nǚshì
  • 陳女士，請這邊坐。 chén nǚ shì， qǐng zhè biān zuò。
    Ms Chen, please sit over here.
  • 李女士今天不在。 lǐ nǚ shì jīn tiān bù zài。
    Ms Li isn't in today.
    Work
  • 那位女士是誰？ nà wèi nǚ shì shì shéi？
    Who is that lady?
    Out and about
a lady; Ms (polite address)
3426patternN2
這裡有一位女士等你，另外還有一個電話。 zhè lǐ yǒu yī wèi nǚ shì děng nǐ， lìng wài hái yǒu yī ge diàn huà。
……，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'.

There's a lady waiting for you, and a phone call as well.
3427wordCore
夫人 fūrén
台灣說 夫人Taiwan reads 夫人 fūrén with a full second tone; mainland neutralises 人.
  • 王夫人也一起來了。 wáng fū rén yě yī qǐ lái le。
    Mrs Wang came along too.
  • 請問夫人在家嗎？ qǐng wèn fū rén zài jiā ma？
    Is the lady of the house in?
    At home
  • 他跟夫人住在台北。 tā gēn fū rén zhù zài tái běi。
    He and his wife live in Taipei.
    At home
Mrs; madam (formal, of another man's wife)
3429wordCore
彼此 bǐcǐ
  • 他們彼此很了解。 tā men bǐ cǐ hěn liǎo jiě。
    They understand each other well.
  • 我們應該彼此幫忙。 wǒ men yīng gāi bǐ cǐ bāng máng。
    We ought to help one another.
    Work
  • 兩個人彼此都不說話。 liǎng ge rén bǐ cǐ dōu bù shuō huà。
    Neither of them was speaking to the other.
    At home
each other, one another
3430wordCore
對方 duìfāng
  • 你要先聽對方的意思。 nǐ yào xiān tīng duì fāng de yì si。
    You should hear the other side first.
  • 對方還沒回應。 duì fāng hái méi huí yīng。
    The other side hasn't responded yet.
    Work
  • 打電話的時候，對方是誰？ dǎ diàn huà de shí hòu， duì fāng shì shéi？
    Who was on the other end of the phone?
    Work
the other party, the other side
3431wordCore
互相 hùxiāng
  • 他們互相幫忙。 tā men hù xiāng bāng máng。
    They help each other.
  • 大家互相尊重就好。 dà jiā hù xiāng zūn zhòng jiù hǎo。
    As long as everyone respects each other, that's fine.
    Work
  • 你們為何不互相說清楚？ nǐ men wèi hé bù hù xiāng shuō qīng chǔ？
    Why don't you two talk it out with each other?
    At home
each other, mutually
3432wordCore
同 tóng
  • 我跟他同一天生日。 wǒ gēn tā tóng yī tiān shēng rì。
    He and I have the same birthday.
  • 他們同住在一個房間。 tā men tóng zhù zài yī ge fáng jiān。
    They share a room.
    At home
  • 這兩個字的意思同不同？ zhè liǎng ge zì de yì si tóng bù tóng？
    Do these two characters mean the same?
    School
the same; together with (written)
3433patternN2
弟弟比同年紀的孩子來得高。 dì di bǐ tóng nián jì de hái zi lái de gāo。
A 比 B 來得 Vs

比……來得 Vs is the plain 比 comparison with 來得 added, and belongs to careful speech and writing. 來得 sits between the second item and the describing word, and 更 cannot be added on top of it.

My brother is taller than children his age.
3434wordCore
相當 xiāngdāng
  • 這件事相當重要。 zhè jiàn shì xiāng dāng zhòng yào。
    This is quite important.
  • 他的中文相當好。 tā de zhōng wén xiāng dāng hǎo。
    His Chinese is pretty good.
    School
  • 這個工作相當不容易。 zhè ge gōng zuò xiāng dāng bù róng yì。
    This job is far from easy.
    Work
quite, rather; equal to
3435wordCore
差 chà
  • 我們差五分鐘就到了。 wǒ men chà wǔ fēn zhōng jiù dào le。
    We were five minutes short of getting there.
  • 這家店的服務很差。 zhè jiā diàn de fú wù hěn chà。
    The service at this shop is poor.
    Shopping
  • 他們兩個人差幾歲？ tā men liǎng ge rén chà jǐ suì？
    How many years apart are those two?
    At home
poor, not up to it; to be short of, to differ by
3436patternN2
他差一點就遲到了。 tā chà yī diǎn jiù chí dào le。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

He very nearly arrived late.
3437patternN2
我差一點忘了帶錢。 wǒ chà yī diǎn wàng le dài qián。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

I almost forgot to bring money.
3438patternN2
那個病人差一點就沒命了。 nà ge bìng rén chà yī diǎn jiù méi mìng le。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

That patient very nearly didn't make it.
3439patternN2
車子差一點撞到那隻狗。 chē zi chà yī diǎn zhuàng dào nà zhī gǒu。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

The car all but hit that dog.
3440patternN2
我差一點沒認出你。 wǒ chà yī diǎn méi rèn chū nǐ。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

I almost didn't recognise you.
3441patternN2
他差一點就成功了。 tā chà yī diǎn jiù chéng gōng le。
差一點（就）……

差一點 means it did NOT happen, whichever way the verb runs: 差一點遲到 and 差一點沒遲到 both mean he was on time. 就 is optional and adds the sense of 'and then'.

He came within an inch of pulling it off.
3442wordCore
比如 bǐrú
  • 我喜歡水果，比如香蕉、西瓜。 wǒ xǐ huān shuǐ guǒ， bǐ rú xiāng jiāo、 xī guā。
    I like fruit — bananas and watermelon, for instance.
  • 比如這件事，你會怎麼做？ bǐ rú zhè jiàn shì， nǐ huì zěn me zuò？
    Take this, for instance — what would you do?
    Work
  • 有些字不好寫，比如「藥」。 yǒu xiē zì bù hǎo xiě， bǐ rú 「yào」。
    Some characters are hard to write — 藥, for one.
    School
for example, such as
3443wordCore
一面 yīmiàn
  • 這張紙只有一面寫了字。 zhè zhāng zhǐ zhǐ yǒu yí miàn xiě le zì。
    Only one side of this sheet has writing on it.
  • 他一面走一面看手機。 tā yí miàn zǒu yí miàn kàn shǒu jī。
    He walks along looking at his phone.
    Out and about
  • 你為何只看事情的一面？ nǐ wèi hé zhǐ kàn shì qíng de yí miàn？
    Why look at only one side of it?
    Work
one side; while doing (一面……一面……)
3444patternN2
他一面吃飯，一面看電視。 tā yí miàn chī fàn， yí miàn kàn diàn shì。
一面 ……，一面 ……

一面……一面…… puts two actions in the same stretch of time, and both halves need the SAME subject. 一邊……一邊…… means the same and is what people say; 一面 is a shade more written.

He eats with the television on.
3445patternN2
大家一面走路，一面說話。 dà jiā yí miàn zǒu lù， yí miàn shuō huà。
一面 ……，一面 ……

一面……一面…… puts two actions in the same stretch of time, and both halves need the SAME subject. 一邊……一邊…… means the same and is what people say; 一面 is a shade more written.

They walked along talking.
3446patternN2
她一面走，一面說她沒事。 tā yí miàn zǒu， yí miàn shuō tā méi shì。
一面 ……，一面 ……

一面……一面…… puts two actions in the same stretch of time, and both halves need the SAME subject. 一邊……一邊…… means the same and is what people say; 一面 is a shade more written.

She walked on, saying all the while that she was fine.
3447patternN2
他一面上班，一面唸書。 tā yí miàn shàng bān， yí miàn niàn shū。
一面 ……，一面 ……

一面……一面…… puts two actions in the same stretch of time, and both halves need the SAME subject. 一邊……一邊…… means the same and is what people say; 一面 is a shade more written.

He works and studies at the same time.
3448patternN2
你別一面開車，一面看手機。 nǐ bié yí miàn kāi chē， yí miàn kàn shǒu jī。
一面 ……，一面 ……

一面……一面…… puts two actions in the same stretch of time, and both halves need the SAME subject. 一邊……一邊…… means the same and is what people say; 一面 is a shade more written.

Don't look at your phone while you're driving.
3449wordCore
各位 gèwèi
  • 各位早安。 gè wèi zǎo ān。
    Good morning, everyone.
  • 多謝各位今天來。 duō xiè gè wèi jīn tiān lái。
    Thank you all for coming today.
    Work
  • 各位有沒有問題？ gè wèi yǒu méi yǒu wèn tí？
    Any questions, everyone?
    School
everyone (polite address to a group)
3450wordCore
同志 tóngzhì
  • 台灣的同志可以結婚。 tái wān de tóng zhì kě yǐ jié hūn。
    Gay people in Taiwan can marry.
  • 他是同志，家人都知道。 tā shì tóng zhì， jiā rén dōu zhī dào。
    He's gay, and his family all know.
    At home
  • 這個俱樂部歡迎每一位同志。 zhè ge jù lè bù huān yíng měi yī wèi tóng zhì。
    This club welcomes every LGBT person.
    Out and about
(Taiwan) a gay or LGBT person; (older, mainland) comrade
3452wordCore
手術 shǒushù
  • 他明天要做手術。 tā míng tiān yào zuò shǒu shù。
    He's having an operation tomorrow.
  • 這個手術要多久？ zhè ge shǒu shù yào duō jiǔ？
    How long does the operation take?
    At home
  • 手術以後他還很痛。 shǒu shù yǐ hòu tā hái hěn tòng。
    He was still in pain after the operation.
    At home
an operation, surgery
3453patternN2
我以為手術很難，誰知道兩個小時就好了。 wǒ yǐ wèi shǒu shù hěn nán， shéi zhī dào liǎng ge xiǎo shí jiù hǎo le。
誰知道 ……

誰知道 is not a question — it marks what happened next as a surprise, and always sits at the head of the second clause. The first clause usually carries 以為 or 說, i.e. what everybody wrongly believed.

I thought the operation would be hard, and it was over in two hours.
3454wordCore
腹 fù
  • 醫生說他的腹裡有問題。 yī shēng shuō tā de fù lǐ yǒu wèn tí。
    The doctor says there's something wrong in his abdomen.
  • 腹痛的時候要看醫生。 fù tòng de shí hòu yào kàn yī shēng。
    See a doctor if you have abdominal pain.
    At home
  • 這種病跟腹沒關係。 zhè zhǒng bìng gēn fù méi guān xi。
    This illness has nothing to do with the abdomen.
    At home
the abdomen (written and medical; everyday speech says 肚子)
3455wordCore
醒 xǐng
  • 我今天很早就醒了。 wǒ jīn tiān hěn zǎo jiù xǐng le。
    I woke up very early today.
  • 他還沒醒，別叫他。 tā hái méi xǐng， bié jiào tā。
    He isn't awake yet — don't call him.
    At home
  • 手術以後，他三個小時才醒。 shǒu shù yǐ hòu， tā sān ge xiǎo shí cái xǐng。
    He didn't come round for three hours after the operation.
    At home
to wake up; to be awake
3456patternN2
他病了三天，昨天才醒過來。 tā bìng le sān tiān， zuó tiān cái xǐng guò lái。
V 過來

V 過來 is not only physical: with 改, 想 and 醒 it means bringing something round to how it should be — 改過來 = put right. The plain direction sense (this way, towards me) is the same word.

He was ill for three days and only came round yesterday.
3457wordCore
躺 tǎng
  • 他躺在床上看書。 tā tǎng zài chuáng shàng kàn shū。
    He's lying on the bed reading.
  • 你躺一下會舒服一點。 nǐ tǎng yī xià huì shū fú yī diǎn。
    You'll feel better if you lie down a while.
    At home
  • 醫生說他不能躺太久。 yī shēng shuō tā bù néng tǎng tài jiǔ。
    The doctor says he mustn't lie down too long.
    At home
to lie down
3458wordCore
吐 tǔ
  • 他吃了以後就吐了。 tā chī le yǐ hòu jiù tǔ le。
    He was sick after eating.
  • 小孩坐車會吐嗎？ xiǎo hái zuò chē huì tǔ ma？
    Do children get sick in the car?
    Out and about
  • 這種東西吃了會想吐。 zhè zhǒng dōng xi chī le huì xiǎng tǔ。
    Eating this makes you want to throw up.
    Food and drink
to be sick; to spit out
3459wordCore
全身 quánshēn
  • 他全身都痛。 tā quán shēn dōu tòng。
    He aches all over.
  • 你是不是全身都痛？ nǐ shì bú shì quán shēn dōu tòng？
    Do you ache all over?
    At home
  • 下雨以後他全身都是水。 xià yǔ yǐ hòu tā quán shēn dōu shì shuǐ。
    After the rain he was soaked from head to foot.
    Out and about
the whole body, all over
3460wordCore
氣 qì
  • 他很氣，什麼都不說。 tā hěn qì， shén me dōu bù shuō。
    He's furious and saying nothing.
  • 你氣什麼？ nǐ qì shén me？
    What are you cross about?
    At home
  • 他跑得太快，氣都快沒了。 tā pǎo de tài kuài， qì dōu kuài méi le。
    He ran so fast he was nearly out of breath.
    Out and about
anger (我很氣); breath, air
3461patternN2
你自己說要一個人去的。所以啦，別氣了。 nǐ zì jǐ shuō yào yī ge rén qù de。 suǒ yǐ la， bié qì 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.

You said yourself you wanted to go alone. So don't be cross about it.
3462wordCore
近 jìn
  • 我家離醫院很近。 wǒ jiā lí yī yuàn hěn jìn。
    My home is close to the hospital.
  • 這裡近不近？ zhè lǐ jìn bù jìn？
    Is it near here?
    Out and about
  • 學校近，走路五分鐘就到。 xué xiào jìn， zǒu lù wǔ fēn zhōng jiù dào。
    The school's close — five minutes on foot.
    School
near, close
3463wordCore
瞎 xiā
  • 他的右眼瞎了。 tā de yòu yǎn xiā le。
    He's gone blind in the right eye.
  • 你別瞎說，我沒答應。 nǐ bié xiā shuō， wǒ méi dá yīng。
    Don't talk nonsense — I never agreed.
    Work
  • 那隻狗的一隻眼是瞎的。 nà zhī gǒu de yī zhī yǎn shì xiā de。
    That dog is blind in one eye.
    At home
blind; (of talk) for nothing, groundless
3464wordCore
整天 zhěngtiān
  • 他整天躺在床上。 tā zhěng tiān tǎng zài chuáng shàng。
    He lies in bed all day.
  • 你整天在家做什麼？ nǐ zhěng tiān zài jiā zuò shén me？
    What do you do at home all day?
    At home
  • 我整天沒吃東西。 wǒ zhěng tiān méi chī dōng xi。
    I haven't eaten all day.
    Food and drink
all day long
3466wordCore
引起 yǐnqǐ
  • 這件事引起很多問題。 zhè jiàn shì yǐn qǐ hěn duō wèn tí。
    This has caused a lot of problems.
  • 他的話引起大家生氣。 tā de huà yǐn qǐ dà jiā shēng qì。
    What he said made everybody angry.
    Work
  • 這種病會引起別的病嗎？ zhè zhǒng bìng huì yǐn qǐ bié de bìng ma？
    Can this illness lead to others?
    At home
to cause, to give rise to
3467wordCore
發 fā
  • 老師發了一張紙給每個學生。 lǎo shī fā le yī zhāng zhǐ gěi měi ge xué shēng。
    The teacher handed a sheet to every student.
  • 公司下個月發錢。 gōng sī xià ge yuè fā qián。
    The company pays out next month.
    Work
  • 你為何不發一個消息給他？ nǐ wèi hé bù fā yī ge xiāo xī gěi tā？
    Why not send him a message?
    Work
to hand out, to send out; to break out
3468wordCore
成 chéng
  • 這件事成了。 zhè jiàn shì chéng le。
    It's come off.
  • 這個方法成不成？ zhè ge fāng fǎ chéng bù chéng？
    Will this method work or not?
    Work
  • 他們兩個人成了朋友。 tā men liǎng ge rén chéng le péng yǒu。
    The two of them became friends.
    At home
to become; to come off, to work (成不成)
3469patternN2
請你把英文寫成中文。 qǐng nǐ bǎ yīng wén xiě chéng zhōng wén。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

Please put the English into Chinese.
3470patternN2
你把我的名字寫成別人的了。 nǐ bǎ wǒ de míng zi xiě chéng bié rén de le。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

You've written my name down as somebody else's.
3471patternN2
他把好事做成壞事。 tā bǎ hǎo shì zuò chéng huài shì。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

He turned a good thing into a bad one.
3472patternN2
別把小問題想成大問題。 bié bǎ xiǎo wèn tí xiǎng chéng dà wèn tí。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

Don't build a small problem into a big one.
3473patternN2
他把一張紙做成了一隻鳥。 tā bǎ yī zhāng zhǐ zuò chéng le yī zhī niǎo。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

He made a sheet of paper into a bird.
3474patternN2
他被人打成這樣，還是不肯說話。 tā bèi rén dǎ chéng zhè yàng， hái shì bù kěn shuō huà。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

He was beaten to this state and still wouldn't talk.
3475patternN2
我的名字被寫成別人的了。 wǒ de míng zi bèi xiě chéng bié rén de le。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

My name got written down as someone else's.
3476patternN2
那條路被雨下成了一條河。 nà tiáo lù bèi yǔ xià chéng le yī tiáo hé。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

The rain turned that road into a river.
3477patternN2
好事被他做成壞事。 hǎo shì bèi tā zuò chéng huài shì。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

He turned a good thing into a bad one.
3478patternN2
這件事被大家說成別的樣子。 zhè jiàn shì bèi dà jiā shuō chéng bié de yàng zi。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

Everyone has turned this into something else in the telling.
3479patternN2
那本書被小孩畫成這樣。 nà běn shū bèi xiǎo hái huà chéng zhè yàng。
被 …… V 成 ……

Same result shape as 把……V成, told from the other end, and the doer may be dropped: 被寫成別人的. Chinese reaches for 被 mainly when the outcome is unwelcome, so a cheerful 被……成 sentence usually reads oddly.

The children have drawn all over that book like this.
3480patternN2
我們本來不認識，後來成了朋友。 wǒ men běn lái bù rèn shí， hòu lái chéng le péng yǒu。
本來 ……，後來 ……

本來 sets up how things were before they changed, and usually pairs with 後來 or 現在. 本來就 is different: it means 'that was always the case', with no change at all.

We didn't know each other at first, and then became friends.
3481wordCore
變 biàn
  • 天氣變了。 tiān qì biàn le。
    The weather's changed.
  • 他變得不愛說話。 tā biàn de bù ài shuō huà。
    He's turned quiet.
    At home
  • 你為何變成這樣？ nǐ wèi hé biàn chéng zhè yàng？
    How did you come to be like this?
    At home
to change, to turn into
3482patternN2
這件事由小變大，沒有人想到。 zhè jiàn shì yóu xiǎo biàn dà， méi yǒu rén xiǎng dào。
由 A 到 B

由 A 到 B marks a span — of place, of time or of degree — and is the written twin of 從 A 到 B. Where 從 is neutral, 由 also carries 'done by': 由我來做. The two senses never share a sentence.

Nobody expected this to go from small to large.
3483wordCore
反應 fǎnyìng
  • 大家的反應都不一樣。 dà jiā de fǎn yīng dōu bù yī yàng。
    Everyone reacted differently.
  • 他聽了以後沒有反應。 tā tīng le yǐ hòu méi yǒu fǎn yīng。
    He didn't react when he heard.
    Work
  • 你的反應太快了。 nǐ de fǎn yīng tài kuài le。
    You reacted too fast.
    Out and about
a reaction; to react
3484wordCore
結 jié
  • 這條線上有一個結。 zhè tiáo xiàn shàng yǒu yī ge jié。
    There's a knot in this thread.
  • 水在外面結成冰了。 shuǐ zài wài miàn jié chéng bīng le。
    The water outside has turned to ice.
    Out and about
  • 這個結你打得開嗎？ zhè ge jié nǐ dǎ de kāi ma？
    Can you get this knot undone?
    At home
a knot; to tie, to form
3485patternN2
他把水結成冰。 tā bǎ shuǐ jié chéng bīng。
把 …… V 成 ……

把 X V 成 Y gives the RESULT of the action, so Y is what X ends up as: 把英文寫成中文. 成 here is not 'to become' on its own — it needs the verb in front of it.

He froze the water into ice.
3486wordCore
增加 zēngjiā
  • 今年的人數增加了。 jīn nián de rén shù zēng jiā le。
    Numbers are up this year.
  • 公司增加了十個位置。 gōng sī zēng jiā le shí ge wèi zhì。
    The company has added ten places.
    Work
  • 你為何不增加一點時間？ nǐ wèi hé bù zēng jiā yī diǎn shí jiān？
    Why not allow a bit more time?
    Work
to increase, to add to
3487wordCore
受到 shòudào
  • 這件事受到很多人注意。 zhè jiàn shì shòu dào hěn duō rén zhù yì。
    This has drawn a lot of attention.
  • 他的家人受到很大的影響。 tā de jiā rén shòu dào hěn dà de yǐng xiǎng。
    His family were badly affected.
    At home
  • 那家店沒有受到影響嗎？ nà jiā diàn méi yǒu shòu dào yǐng xiǎng ma？
    Was that shop not affected?
    Shopping
to come under, to receive (受到影響 / 注意)
3488wordCore
果然 guǒrán
  • 他果然沒來。 tā guǒ rán méi lái。
    Sure enough, he didn't come.
  • 我說會下雨，果然下了。 wǒ shuō huì xià yǔ， guǒ rán xià le。
    I said it would rain, and sure enough it did.
    Out and about
  • 這家店果然很好吃。 zhè jiā diàn guǒ rán hěn hǎo chī。
    This place really is as good as they say.
    Food and drink
sure enough, just as expected
3489patternN2
他果然沒來。 tā guǒ rán méi lái。
果然 ……

果然 confirms something already suspected or foretold, so there must be an earlier expectation for it to land on. It is a satisfied word; for an unexpected outcome use 竟然 or 居然 instead.

Sure enough, he didn't come.
3490patternN2
我說會下雨，果然下了。 wǒ shuō huì xià yǔ， guǒ rán xià le。
果然 ……

果然 confirms something already suspected or foretold, so there must be an earlier expectation for it to land on. It is a satisfied word; for an unexpected outcome use 竟然 or 居然 instead.

I said it would rain, and sure enough it did.
3491patternN2
這家店果然很好吃。 zhè jiā diàn guǒ rán hěn hǎo chī。
果然 ……

果然 confirms something already suspected or foretold, so there must be an earlier expectation for it to land on. It is a satisfied word; for an unexpected outcome use 竟然 or 居然 instead.

This place really is as good as they say.
3492patternN2
他果然是對的。 tā guǒ rán shì duì de。
果然 ……

果然 confirms something already suspected or foretold, so there must be an earlier expectation for it to land on. It is a satisfied word; for an unexpected outcome use 竟然 or 居然 instead.

He was right after all.
3493patternN2
你果然沒忘。 nǐ guǒ rán méi wàng。
果然 ……

果然 confirms something already suspected or foretold, so there must be an earlier expectation for it to land on. It is a satisfied word; for an unexpected outcome use 竟然 or 居然 instead.

So you didn't forget after all.
3494wordCore
明明 míngmíng
  • 我明明告訴過他了。 wǒ míng míng gào sù guò tā le。
    I plainly told him.
  • 這裡明明寫著不可停車。 zhè lǐ míng míng xiě zhe bù kě tíng chē。
    It says here quite plainly: no parking.
    Out and about
  • 你明明知道，為何不說？ nǐ míng míng zhī dào， wèi hé bù shuō？
    You clearly knew — why say nothing?
    At home
plainly, clearly (and yet …)
3496wordCore
獨自 dúzì
  • 他獨自一個人住。 tā dú zì yī ge rén zhù。
    He lives on his own.
  • 你為何獨自來？ nǐ wèi hé dú zì lái？
    Why have you come alone?
    Out and about
  • 她獨自走完了那條路。 tā dú zì zǒu wán le nà tiáo lù。
    She walked the whole road by herself.
    Out and about
alone, by oneself
3497wordCore
單獨 dāndú
  • 我想單獨跟你談。 wǒ xiǎng dān dú gēn nǐ tán。
    I'd like a word with you alone.
  • 他單獨做完了這件事。 tā dān dú zuò wán le zhè jiàn shì。
    He got it done on his own.
    Work
  • 老師會單獨跟每個學生說話嗎？ lǎo shī huì dān dú gēn měi ge xué shēng shuō huà ma？
    Will the teacher speak to each student separately?
    School
separately, on one's own (單獨談)
3498wordN2
這樣子 zhèyàngzi
  • 這樣子就好了。 zhè yàng zi jiù hǎo le。
    Like this is fine.
  • 你為何這樣子做？ nǐ wèi hé zhè yàng zi zuò？
    Why do it this way?
    Work
  • 這樣子不行，我們再想想。 zhè yàng zi bù xíng， wǒ men zài xiǎng xiǎng。
    This won't do — let's think again.
    Work
like this, this way (spoken)
3499wordCore
重 zhòng
  • 這個箱子很重。 zhè ge xiāng zi hěn zhòng。
    This box is heavy.
  • 東西太重，我拿不動。 dōng xi tài zhòng， wǒ ná bù dòng。
    It's too heavy for me to lift.
    Shopping
  • 他的病重不重？ tā de bìng zhòng bù zhòng？
    Is he seriously ill?
    At home
heavy; serious
3500patternN2
我們重新做一次，這樣一來大家都清楚了。 wǒ men chóng xīn zuò yī cì， zhè yàng yī lái dà jiā dōu qīng chǔ le。
……，這樣一來 ……

這樣一來 reports what follows from what was just done, so something concrete has to come before it. It opens the second clause, never the first, and takes no 就 of its own — though 就 often turns up inside that clause.

Let's do it again, and then everyone will be clear.
3501wordCore
現實 xiànshí
  • 這就是現實。 zhè jiù shì xiàn shí。
    That's reality for you.
  • 你要面對現實。 nǐ yào miàn duì xiàn shí。
    You need to face reality.
    Work
  • 他很現實，只想錢。 tā hěn xiàn shí， zhǐ xiǎng qián。
    He's hard-headed — money is all he thinks about.
    Work
reality; (of a person) hard-headed
3502wordN2
不少 bùshǎo
  • 來的人不少。 lái de rén bù shǎo。
    Quite a few people came.
  • 這裡有不少東西可以看。 zhè lǐ yǒu bù shǎo dōng xi kě yǐ kàn。
    There's a fair bit to see here.
    Out and about
  • 你是不是花了不少錢？ nǐ shì bú shì huā le bù shǎo qián？
    Have you spent quite a bit?
    Shopping
quite a few, a good many
3503wordCore
根本 gēnběn
  • 我根本不知道這件事。 wǒ gēn běn bù zhī dào zhè jiàn shì。
    I knew nothing about this at all.
  • 他根本沒來過。 tā gēn běn méi lái guò。
    He's never been here at all.
    Out and about
  • 這根本不是我的問題。 zhè gēn běn bú shì wǒ de wèn tí。
    This simply isn't my problem.
    Work
at all (根本不); fundamentally
3504wordCore
無 wú
  • 這件事無人知道。 zhè jiàn shì wú rén zhī dào。
    Nobody knows about this.
  • 他無話可說。 tā wú huà kě shuō。
    He had nothing to say.
    Work
  • 這裡無水，也無人住。 zhè lǐ wú shuǐ， yě wú rén zhù。
    There's no water here and nobody lives here.
    Out and about
no, without (the written 沒有)
3505wordCore
尤其 yóuqí
  • 我喜歡水果，尤其是西瓜。 wǒ xǐ huān shuǐ guǒ， yóu qí shì xī guā。
    I like fruit, watermelon especially.
  • 夏天很熱，尤其是中午。 xià tiān hěn rè， yóu qí shì zhōng wǔ。
    Summer's hot, especially at noon.
    Out and about
  • 他對人很客氣，尤其對老人。 tā duì rén hěn kè qì， yóu qí duì lǎo rén。
    He's polite to everyone, particularly the elderly.
    Out and about
especially (尤其是)
3506patternN2
他每天都很忙，尤其是星期一。 tā měi tiān dōu hěn máng， yóu qí shì xīng qí yī。
……，尤其（是）……

TBCL L3* 尤其（是）. 尤其 picks the worst or best case out of a group that has already been named, so something always comes before it — it cannot open a sentence cold. 尤其是 goes in front of a noun (尤其是芒果), plain 尤其 in front of a clause or a verb (尤其怕熱). It is the everyday spoken word; 特別是 is interchangeable and 更是 is heavier.

He's busy every day, Mondays worst of all.
3507patternN2
這裡夏天很熱，尤其是中午。 zhè lǐ xià tiān hěn rè， yóu qí shì zhōng wǔ。
……，尤其（是）……

TBCL L3* 尤其（是）. 尤其 picks the worst or best case out of a group that has already been named, so something always comes before it — it cannot open a sentence cold. 尤其是 goes in front of a noun (尤其是芒果), plain 尤其 in front of a clause or a verb (尤其怕熱). It is the everyday spoken word; 特別是 is interchangeable and 更是 is heavier.

It's hot here in summer, especially at midday.
3508patternN2
很多人怕看醫生，尤其是小孩子。 hěn duō rén pà kàn yī shēng， yóu qí shì xiǎo hái zi。
……，尤其（是）……

TBCL L3* 尤其（是）. 尤其 picks the worst or best case out of a group that has already been named, so something always comes before it — it cannot open a sentence cold. 尤其是 goes in front of a noun (尤其是芒果), plain 尤其 in front of a clause or a verb (尤其怕熱). It is the everyday spoken word; 特別是 is interchangeable and 更是 is heavier.

Plenty of people are afraid of the doctor, children most of all.
3509patternN2
這條路白天很吵，尤其是早上。 zhè tiáo lù bái tiān hěn chǎo， yóu qí shì zǎo shàng。
……，尤其（是）……

TBCL L3* 尤其（是）. 尤其 picks the worst or best case out of a group that has already been named, so something always comes before it — it cannot open a sentence cold. 尤其是 goes in front of a noun (尤其是芒果), plain 尤其 in front of a clause or a verb (尤其怕熱). It is the everyday spoken word; 特別是 is interchangeable and 更是 is heavier.

This road is noisy in the daytime, mornings especially.
3510wordCore
更加 gèngjiā
  • 下雨以後，路更加不好走。 xià yǔ yǐ hòu， lù gèng jiā bù hǎo zǒu。
    The road is even worse after rain.
  • 他走了以後，我更加想他。 tā zǒu le yǐ hòu， wǒ gèng jiā xiǎng tā。
    I've missed him even more since he left.
    At home
  • 這樣做不會更加容易嗎？ zhè yàng zuò bù huì gèng jiā róng yì ma？
    Wouldn't that make it even easier?
    Work
even more so
3512wordCore
更 gèng
  • 這個比那個更好。 zhè ge bǐ nà ge gèng hǎo。
    This one is even better than that.
  • 明天會更熱嗎？ míng tiān huì gèng rè ma？
    Will it be even hotter tomorrow?
    Out and about
  • 他比我更不喜歡這件事。 tā bǐ wǒ gèng bù xǐ huān zhè jiàn shì。
    He dislikes it even more than I do.
    Work
more, even more (更好)
3513wordCore
仍 réng
  • 他到現在仍不知道。 tā dào xiàn zài réng bù zhī dào。
    He still doesn't know.
  • 下了雨，天氣仍很熱。 xià le yǔ， tiān qì réng hěn rè。
    It rained and it's still hot.
    Out and about
  • 這個問題仍沒有答案。 zhè ge wèn tí réng méi yǒu dá àn。
    This question still has no answer.
    Work
still, yet (the written 還)
3514wordCore
挺 tǐng
  • 這家店的東西挺好的。 zhè jiā diàn de dōng xi tǐng hǎo de。
    The things in this shop are pretty good.
  • 他中文說得挺不錯。 tā zhōng wén shuō de tǐng bù cuò。
    He speaks Chinese pretty well.
    School
  • 這裡挺安靜，你不覺得嗎？ zhè lǐ tǐng ān jìng， nǐ bù jué de ma？
    It's quite quiet here, don't you think?
    Out and about
quite, rather (挺好的)
3515wordCore
多麼 duóme
台灣說 多麼Taiwan reads 多 as duó here — duóme; mainland reads duōme.
  • 你看，這裡多麼安靜！ nǐ kàn， zhè lǐ duō me ān jìng！
    Look how quiet it is here!
  • 他多麼想回家，你知道嗎？ tā duō me xiǎng huí jiā， nǐ zhī dào ma？
    Do you know how badly he wants to go home?
    At home
  • 這件事多麼不容易。 zhè jiàn shì duō me bù róng yì。
    How hard this is.
    Work
how … ! (多麼好)
3516wordCore
大約 dàyuē
  • 他大約三十歲。 tā dà yuē sān shí suì。
    He's about thirty.
  • 走路大約十分鐘。 zǒu lù dà yuē shí fēn zhōng。
    It's about ten minutes on foot.
    Out and about
  • 你大約什麼時候到？ nǐ dà yuē shén me shí hòu dào？
    About when will you get here?
    Out and about
about, approximately
3517wordCore
盡量 jìnliàng
  • 我會盡量早到。 wǒ huì jǐn liàng zǎo dào。
    I'll get there as early as I can.
  • 請盡量不要說話。 qǐng jǐn liàng bú yào shuō huà。
    Please try not to talk.
    School
  • 你能不能盡量快一點？ nǐ néng bù néng jǐn liàng kuài yī diǎn？
    Could you be as quick as you can?
    Work
as much as you can, as far as possible
3518wordCore
無所謂 wúsuǒwèi
  • 去不去都無所謂。 qù bù qù dōu wú suǒ wèi。
    It makes no difference whether we go.
  • 他對這件事無所謂。 tā duì zhè jiàn shì wú suǒ wèi。
    He's indifferent about it.
    Work
  • 你真的無所謂嗎？ nǐ zhēn de wú suǒ wèi ma？
    Do you genuinely not mind?
    At home
it doesn't matter; I don't mind either way
3519wordCore
照 zhào
  • 照我看，這樣比較好。 zhào wǒ kàn， zhè yàng bǐ jiào hǎo。
    The way I see it, this is better.
  • 你照著這張紙做就好。 nǐ zhào zhe zhè zhāng zhǐ zuò jiù hǎo。
    Just follow this sheet and you'll be fine.
    Work
  • 太陽照在牆上。 tài yáng zhào zài qiáng shàng。
    The sun is falling on the wall.
    Out and about
going by, according to (照我看); to shine on
3520patternN2
我照著媽媽的方式包水餃。 wǒ zhào zhe mā ma de fāng shì bāo shuǐ jiǎo。
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

I make dumplings the way my mother does.
3521patternN2
照我看，這樣比較好。 zhào wǒ kàn， zhè yàng bǐ jiào hǎo。
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

The way I see it, this is better.
3522patternN2
你照著這張紙做就好。 nǐ zhào zhe zhè zhāng zhǐ zuò jiù hǎo。
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

Just follow this sheet.
3523patternN2
他沒有照老師說的做。 tā méi yǒu zhào lǎo shī shuō de zuò。
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

He didn't do it the way the teacher said.
3524patternN2
照時間來說，他早就該到了。 zhào shí jiān lái shuō， tā zǎo jiù gāi dào le。
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

Going by the time, he should have got here long ago.
3525patternN2
我們是不是照原來的方式做？ wǒ men shì bú shì zhào yuán lái de fāng shì zuò？
照（著）……

照 + noun means 'going by that' (照我看, 照時間), and 照著 + noun means physically following it (照著紙做). 照 is not the 按照 of rules and regulations — that is heavier and more official.

Shall we do it the way we did before?
3526patternN2
下雨了，比賽照打。 xià yǔ le， bǐ sài zhào dǎ。
照 V

照 V means going on with the action although something should have stopped it: 照付, 照做, 照打. It is one syllable plus the verb, with no 著 and no object in between — 照付錢 is wrong; say 錢照付.

It's raining and the match is going ahead.
3527patternN2
他不答應，我照做。 tā bù dá yīng， wǒ zhào zuò。
照 V

照 V means going on with the action although something should have stopped it: 照付, 照做, 照打. It is one syllable plus the verb, with no 著 and no object in between — 照付錢 is wrong; say 錢照付.

He wouldn't agree; I did it anyway.
3528patternN2
老師說不用寫，他照寫。 lǎo shī shuō bù yòng xiě， tā zhào xiě。
照 V

照 V means going on with the action although something should have stopped it: 照付, 照做, 照打. It is one syllable plus the verb, with no 著 and no object in between — 照付錢 is wrong; say 錢照付.

The teacher said there was no need and he wrote it anyway.
3529patternN2
東西壞了，他照用。 dōng xi huài le， tā zhào yòng。
照 V

照 V means going on with the action although something should have stopped it: 照付, 照做, 照打. It is one syllable plus the verb, with no 著 and no object in between — 照付錢 is wrong; say 錢照付.

The thing is broken and he uses it regardless.
3530wordCore
便 biàn
  • 他說完便走了。 tā shuō wán biàn zǒu le。
    He finished speaking and left.
  • 東西一到，我便告訴你。 dōng xi yī dào， wǒ biàn gào sù nǐ。
    The moment it arrives I'll tell you.
    Work
  • 這樣便可以了嗎？ zhè yàng biàn kě yǐ le ma？
    Will that do, then?
    Work
then, and so (the written 就)
3531wordCore
從來 cónglái
  • 我從來沒去過那裡。 wǒ cóng lái méi qù guò nà lǐ。
    I've never been there.
  • 他從來不騙人。 tā cóng lái bù piàn rén。
    He never lies to anyone.
    At home
  • 你從來沒聽過這個消息嗎？ nǐ cóng lái méi tīng guò zhè ge xiāo xī ma？
    Have you really never heard this?
    Out and about
ever, never (從來不 / 從來沒)
3533wordCore
空間 kōngjiān
  • 這個房間的空間很大。 zhè ge fáng jiān de kōng jiān hěn dà。
    There's a lot of space in this room.
  • 車上沒有空間了。 chē shàng méi yǒu kōng jiān le。
    There's no room left in the car.
    Out and about
  • 你需要多大的空間？ nǐ xū yào duō dà de kōng jiān？
    How much space do you need?
    At home
space, room
3534wordCore
周圍 zhōuwéi
  • 學校周圍有很多店。 xué xiào zhōu wéi yǒu hěn duō diàn。
    There are a lot of shops round the school.
  • 他看了看周圍，沒有人。 tā kàn le kàn zhōu wéi， méi yǒu rén。
    He looked around: nobody there.
    Out and about
  • 這裡周圍安靜嗎？ zhè lǐ zhōu wéi ān jìng ma？
    Is it quiet round here?
    Out and about
the surroundings, all round
3535wordCore
內部 nèibù
  • 這台機器的內部壞了。 zhè tái jī qì de nèi bù huài le。
    The inside of this machine has gone.
  • 公司內部的事我不清楚。 gōng sī nèi bù de shì wǒ bù qīng chǔ。
    I'm not clear on the company's internal business.
    Work
  • 你看過廟的內部嗎？ nǐ kàn guò miào de nèi bù ma？
    Have you seen inside the temple?
    Out and about
the inside, the interior; internal
3536wordCore
地點 dìdiǎn
  • 開會的地點在哪裡？ kāi huì de dì diǎn zài nǎ lǐ？
    Where's the meeting being held?
  • 這個地點很好找。 zhè ge dì diǎn hěn hǎo zhǎo。
    This spot is easy to find.
    Out and about
  • 我們還沒決定地點。 wǒ men hái méi jué dìng dì diǎn。
    We haven't settled on a venue yet.
    Work
a place, a venue (for something arranged)
3537wordCore
處 chù
  • 這裡有好幾處可以坐。 zhè lǐ yǒu hǎo jǐ chù kě yǐ zuò。
    There are several spots here you can sit.
  • 一個人住有很多好處。 yī ge rén zhù yǒu hěn duō hǎo chù。
    Living alone has a great many advantages.
    At home
  • 這種事沒有好處，只有麻煩。 zhè zhǒng shì méi yǒu hǎo chù， zhǐ yǒu má fán。
    There's nothing to be gained here, only trouble.
    Work
a spot, a place (好處 an advantage; 售票處 ticket office)
3538wordCore
間 jiān
  • 這間房子有三個房間。 zhè jiān fáng zi yǒu sān ge fáng jiān。
    This house has three bedrooms.
  • 他家有幾間房？ tā jiā yǒu jǐ jiān fáng？
    How many rooms has his place?
    At home
  • 這間店我沒進去過。 zhè jiān diàn wǒ méi jìn qù guò。
    I've never been into this shop.
    Shopping
(measure word) for rooms, shops and houses
3539patternN2
這裡本來是一間店。 zhè lǐ běn lái shì yī jiān diàn。
本來 ……，後來 ……

本來 sets up how things were before they changed, and usually pairs with 後來 or 現在. 本來就 is different: it means 'that was always the case', with no change at all.

This used to be a shop.
3540patternN2
這間教室有一個球場那麼大。 zhè jiān jiào shì yǒu yī ge qiú chǎng nà me dà。
A 有 B（這 / 那麼）……

A 有 B 那麼 Vs measures A against B and is the natural way to say 'as … as'. Negate it with 沒有, not 不有: 沒有那裡那麼黑. 這麼 is for something close at hand, 那麼 for anything else.

This classroom is as big as a ball court.
3541wordCore
部 bù
  • 這部電影我看過三次。 zhè bù diàn yǐng wǒ kàn guò sān cì。
    I've seen this film three times.
  • 他買了一部新車。 tā mǎi le yī bù xīn chē。
    He's bought a new car.
    Shopping
  • 這是哪一部的事？ zhè shì nǎ yī bù de shì？
    Which department does this belong to?
    Work
(measure word) for films, cars and machines; a department
3542patternN2
這部電影還在拍嗎？還在拍中。 zhè bù diàn yǐng hái zài pāi ma？ hái zài pāi zhōng。
V 中

V 中 marks something as ongoing and belongs on signs and notices: 調查中, 會議中. It is written register — in speech you would say 正在調查 — and only a small set of verbs takes it.

Is the film still shooting? Yes, still in production.
3543wordCore
內 nèi
  • 請在三天內回應。 qǐng zài sān tiān nèi huí yīng。
    Please respond within three days.
  • 這件事公司內沒有人知道。 zhè jiàn shì gōng sī nèi méi yǒu rén zhī dào。
    Nobody inside the company knows about this.
    Work
  • 你能在一個小時內做完嗎？ nǐ néng zài yī ge xiǎo shí nèi zuò wán ma？
    Can you finish inside an hour?
    Work
inside, within (三天內)
3544patternN2
請在三天以內回應。 qǐng zài sān tiān yǐ nèi huí yīng。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

Please respond within three days.
3545patternN2
一個小時之內我一定到。 yī ge xiǎo shí zhī nèi wǒ yī dìng dào。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

I'll be there inside the hour.
3546patternN2
這件事在一個星期以內就能做完。 zhè jiàn shì zài yī ge xīng qí yǐ nèi jiù néng zuò wán。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

This can be finished within a week.
3547patternN2
五分鐘之內沒有人說話。 wǔ fēn zhōng zhī nèi méi yǒu rén shuō huà。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

Nobody spoke for five minutes.
3548patternN2
學校以內不可以騎車。 xué xiào yǐ nèi bù kě yǐ qí chē。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

No cycling inside the school grounds.
3549patternN2
一千塊以內的東西我都可以買。 yī qiān kuài yǐ nèi de dōng xi wǒ dōu kě yǐ mǎi。
…… 以內 / 之內

以內 and 之內 are the same word, 之內 being the written one, and both follow the amount: 三天以內. Use 內 alone after a short measure — 三天內 — but never 內三天.

I can buy anything up to a thousand dollars.
3550wordCore
往 wǎng
  • 這班車往台北。 zhè bān chē wǎng tái běi。
    This bus is bound for Taipei.
  • 從這裡往前走就到了。 cóng zhè lǐ wǎng qián zǒu jiù dào le。
    Go straight on from here and you're there.
    Out and about
  • 你要往哪裡去？ nǐ yào wǎng nǎ lǐ qù？
    Where are you headed?
    Out and about
to head for; bound for (往台北)
3551patternN2
從學校往圖書館走就到了。 cóng xué xiào wǎng tú shū guǎn zǒu jiù dào le。
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

Walk from the school towards the library and you're there.
3552patternN2
從這裡往前走五分鐘。 cóng zhè lǐ wǎng qián zǒu wǔ fēn zhōng。
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

Go straight on from here for five minutes.
3553patternN2
從車站往北是我家。 cóng chē zhàn wǎng běi shì wǒ jiā。
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

My place is north from the station.
3554patternN2
你從哪裡往哪裡走？ nǐ cóng nǎ lǐ wǎng nǎ lǐ zǒu？
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

Where were you walking from and to?
3555patternN2
從這個地點往上看，什麼都看得見。 cóng zhè ge dì diǎn wǎng shàng kàn， shén me dōu kàn de jiàn。
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

Look up from this spot and you can see everything.
3556patternN2
別從這裡往裡面走，沒有路。 bié cóng zhè lǐ wǎng lǐ miàn zǒu， méi yǒu lù。
從 …… 往 ……

從 marks where you set off and 往 which way you face, so both come before the verb: 從這裡往前走. 往 takes a direction or a destination, never a person.

Don't head inwards from here — there's no path.
3557wordCore
架 jià
  • 天上有一架飛機。 tiān shàng yǒu yī jià fēi jī。
    There's a plane in the sky.
  • 那架飛機幾點到？ nà jià fēi jī jǐ diǎn dào？
    What time does that plane land?
    Out and about
  • 書都放在那個架上。 shū dōu fàng zài nà ge jià shàng。
    The books are all on that rack.
    At home
(measure word) for aircraft; a rack, a frame
3559wordCore
有效 yǒuxiào
  • 這個藥很有效。 zhè ge yào hěn yǒu xiào。
    This medicine works well.
  • 這張票有效嗎？ zhè zhāng piào yǒu xiào ma？
    Is this ticket valid?
    Out and about
  • 這個方法對我不太有效。 zhè ge fāng fǎ duì wǒ bù tài yǒu xiào。
    This method doesn't really work for me.
    At home
effective; valid
3560wordCore
實際 shíjì
  • 實際的情況比這個難。 shí jì de qíng kuàng bǐ zhè ge nán。
    The real situation is harder than this.
  • 他很實際，不會想太多。 tā hěn shí jì， bù huì xiǎng tài duō。
    He's practical and doesn't over-think.
    Work
  • 實際上你錯了。 shí jì shàng nǐ cuò le。
    In fact you're wrong.
    Work
actual, real; down-to-earth
3561wordCore
畢竟 bìjìng
  • 他畢竟還是個孩子。 tā bì jìng hái shì ge hái zi。
    He's still a child, after all.
  • 這件事畢竟不是他做的。 zhè jiàn shì bì jìng bú shì tā zuò de。
    After all, he wasn't the one who did it.
    Work
  • 你畢竟是老師，應該懂。 nǐ bì jìng shì lǎo shī， yīng gāi dǒng。
    You are the teacher, after all — you ought to know.
    School
after all (allowing for what he is)
3562wordCore
故意 gùyì
  • 他不是故意的。 tā bú shì gù yì de。
    He didn't do it on purpose.
  • 你是故意的嗎？ nǐ shì gù yì de ma？
    Did you do that deliberately?
    At home
  • 他故意走得很慢。 tā gù yì zǒu de hěn màn。
    He walked slowly on purpose.
    Out and about
on purpose, deliberately
3563wordCore
看來 kànlái
台灣說 看來Taiwan reads 看來 kànlái with a full second tone; mainland neutralises 來.
  • 看來今天不會下雨。 kàn lái jīn tiān bù huì xià yǔ。
    It looks as though it won't rain today.
  • 看來他不會來了。 kàn lái tā bù huì lái le。
    It looks as though he isn't coming.
    Out and about
  • 這樣看來，我們得早點走。 zhè yàng kàn lái， wǒ men de zǎo diǎn zǒu。
    Looked at that way, we'd better leave early.
    Out and about
it looks as though
3564wordCore
能夠 nénggòu
  • 他能夠一個人做完。 tā néng gòu yī ge rén zuò wán。
    He's able to finish it on his own.
  • 我不能夠答應你這件事。 wǒ bù néng gòu dá yīng nǐ zhè jiàn shì。
    I'm not in a position to promise you this.
    Work
  • 你能夠在三天內做好嗎？ nǐ néng gòu zài sān tiān nèi zuò hǎo ma？
    Can you get it done within three days?
    Work
to be able to, to be in a position to
3565wordCore
本來 běnlái
  • 我本來不想去。 wǒ běn lái bù xiǎng qù。
    I didn't want to go in the first place.
  • 他本來是老師，後來做生意。 tā běn lái shì lǎo shī， hòu lái zuò shēng yì。
    He was a teacher originally and then went into business.
    Work
  • 這本來不是我的位置。 zhè běn lái bú shì wǒ de wèi zhì。
    This wasn't my seat to begin with.
    Out and about
originally, in the first place
3566wordCore
重大 zhòngdà
  • 這是一個重大的決定。 zhè shì yī ge zhòng dà de jué dìng。
    This is a major decision.
  • 這件事並不重大。 zhè jiàn shì bìng bù zhòng dà。
    This isn't a big matter at all.
    Work
  • 重大的問題要大家一起想。 zhòng dà de wèn tí yào dà jiā yī qǐ xiǎng。
    Big questions need everybody's heads.
    Work
major, momentous
3567wordCore
特殊 tèshū
  • 這是一個特殊的情況。 zhè shì yī ge tè shū de qíng kuàng。
    This is a special case.
  • 他的身體情況很特殊。 tā de shēn tǐ qíng kuàng hěn tè shū。
    His physical condition is unusual.
    At home
  • 沒有特殊的原因，我不想說。 méi yǒu tè shū de yuán yīn， wǒ bù xiǎng shuō。
    Without a particular reason I'd rather not say.
    Work
special, out of the ordinary
3568wordCore
通常 tōngcháng
  • 我通常七點起床。 wǒ tōng cháng qī diǎn qǐ chuáng。
    I usually get up at seven.
  • 他通常不吃早餐嗎？ tā tōng cháng bù chī zǎo cān ma？
    Doesn't he usually eat breakfast?
    Food and drink
  • 這種事通常不會發生。 zhè zhǒng shì tōng cháng bù huì fā shēng。
    This sort of thing doesn't usually happen.
    Work
usually, as a rule
3570wordCore
時 shí
  • 上課時不可說話。 shàng kè shí bù kě shuō huà。
    No talking during the lesson.
  • 吃飯時他不看手機。 chī fàn shí tā bù kàn shǒu jī。
    He doesn't look at his phone while eating.
    At home
  • 下雨時，這條路很難走。 xià yǔ shí， zhè tiáo lù hěn nán zǒu。
    When it rains this road is hard going.
    Out and about
when (V + 時, the written 的時候)
3571patternN2
這件事我一時想不過來。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ yī shí xiǎng bù guò lái。
V 過來

V 過來 is not only physical: with 改, 想 and 醒 it means bringing something round to how it should be — 改過來 = put right. The plain direction sense (this way, towards me) is the same word.

I can't get my head round this just now.
3572wordCore
時代 shídài
  • 那是一個很不一樣的時代。 nà shì yī ge hěn bù yī yàng de shí dài。
    That was a very different age.
  • 我爺爺的時代沒有電話。 wǒ yé yé de shí dài méi yǒu diàn huà。
    There were no telephones in my grandfather's day.
    At home
  • 現在的時代，什麼都很快。 xiàn zài de shí dài， shén me dōu hěn kuài。
    In the present age everything is fast.
    Out and about
an era, an age
3573wordCore
年代 niándài
  • 這張照片是七十年代的。 zhè zhāng zhào piān shì qī shí nián dài de。
    This photo is from the seventies.
  • 那個年代的人很辛苦。 nà ge nián dài de rén hěn xīn kǔ。
    People in those days had a hard time of it.
    At home
  • 你知道這是哪個年代的東西嗎？ nǐ zhī dào zhè shì nǎ ge nián dài de dōng xi ma？
    Do you know what period this is from?
    Shopping
a decade; a period
3574wordCore
世紀 shìjì
  • 這個廟有兩個世紀了。 zhè ge miào yǒu liǎng ge shì jì le。
    This temple is two centuries old.
  • 上個世紀的人沒有手機。 shàng ge shì jì de rén méi yǒu shǒu jī。
    People last century had no mobile phones.
    School
  • 這是不是二十世紀的照片？ zhè shì bú shì r4 shí shì jì de zhào piān？
    Is this a twentieth-century photograph?
    At home
a century
3575wordCore
當初 dāngchū
  • 當初我不該答應他。 dāng chū wǒ bù gāi dá yīng tā。
    I shouldn't have agreed to it at the time.
  • 當初你為何不說？ dāng chū nǐ wèi hé bù shuō？
    Why didn't you say so back then?
    At home
  • 當初這裡什麼都沒有。 dāng chū zhè lǐ shén me dōu méi yǒu。
    There was nothing here to begin with.
    Out and about
at the time, back at the start
3576wordCore
如今 rújīn
  • 如今大家都用手機。 rú jīn dà jiā dōu yòng shǒu jī。
    Nowadays everyone uses a phone.
  • 如今這種店已經不多了。 rú jīn zhè zhǒng diàn yǐ jīng bù duō le。
    There aren't many shops like this left now.
    Shopping
  • 如今你還會想當初的事嗎？ rú jīn nǐ hái huì xiǎng dāng chū de shì ma？
    Do you still think about those days now?
    At home
nowadays, as things are now
3577patternN2
這裡原來是一間店，如今是公園。 zhè lǐ yuán lái shì yī jiān diàn， rú jīn shì gōng yuán。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

This used to be a shop; now it's a park.
3578patternN2
他原來很瘦，如今胖了。 tā yuán lái hěn shòu， rú jīn pàng le。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

He used to be thin; these days he's put on weight.
3579patternN2
原來大家寫信，如今都用手機。 yuán lái dà jiā xiě xìn， rú jīn dōu yòng shǒu jī。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

People used to write letters; now they all use phones.
3580patternN2
這條路原來很小，如今很寬。 zhè tiáo lù yuán lái hěn xiǎo， rú jīn hěn kuān。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

This road used to be narrow; now it's wide.
3581patternN2
原來的老師走了，如今是新的。 yuán lái de lǎo shī zǒu le， rú jīn shì xīn de。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

The old teacher has left; there's a new one now.
3582patternN2
原來要三個小時，如今一個小時就到。 yuán lái yào sān ge xiǎo shí， rú jīn yī ge xiǎo shí jiù dào。
原來 A，如今 B

原來 in this frame means 'as it was before', not the 原來 of a penny dropping. 如今 belongs to written and speech-making register — in ordinary talk 現在 does the job.

It used to take three hours; now it's one.
3583wordCore
有時 yǒushí
  • 他有時來，有時不來。 tā yǒu shí lái， yǒu shí bù lái。
    Sometimes he comes, sometimes he doesn't.
  • 我有時會忘了吃藥。 wǒ yǒu shí huì wàng le chī yào。
    I sometimes forget to take my medicine.
    At home
  • 你有時也會這樣嗎？ nǐ yǒu shí yě huì zhè yàng ma？
    Are you sometimes like that too?
    At home
sometimes
3584wordCore
最終 zuìzhōng
  • 他們最終還是分開了。 tā men zuì zhōng hái shì fēn kāi le。
    In the end they separated anyway.
  • 這件事最終沒有結果。 zhè jiàn shì zuì zhōng méi yǒu jié guǒ。
    Nothing came of it in the end.
    Work
  • 最終誰會做這個決定？ zuì zhōng shéi huì zuò zhè ge jué dìng？
    Who makes the final decision?
    Work
in the end, ultimately
3585wordN2
不停 bùtíng
  • 他不停地說話。 tā bù tíng dì shuō huà。
    He talks non-stop.
  • 外面的雨不停，我們走不了。 wài miàn de yǔ bù tíng， wǒ men zǒu bù liǎo。
    The rain outside won't let up and we can't leave.
    Out and about
  • 你為何不停地看時間？ nǐ wèi hé bù tíng dì kàn shí jiān？
    Why do you keep looking at the clock?
    Work
non-stop, without letting up
3586wordCore
正好 zhènghǎo
  • 你來得正好。 nǐ lái de zhèng hǎo。
    You've come at just the right moment.
  • 這件衣服的大小正好。 zhè jiàn yī fú de dà xiǎo zhèng hǎo。
    This is exactly the right size.
    Shopping
  • 我正好也要去那裡。 wǒ zhèng hǎo yě yào qù nà lǐ。
    As it happens I'm going there too.
    Out and about
just right; as it happens
3588wordCore
命運 mìngyùn
  • 他不相信命運。 tā bù xiāng xìn mìng yùn。
    He doesn't believe in fate.
  • 這就是命運嗎？ zhè jiù shì mìng yùn ma？
    Is this what they call fate?
    At home
  • 兩個人的命運從那天起就不同了。 liǎng ge rén de mìng yùn cóng nà tiān qǐ jiù bù tóng le。
    From that day the two had different fates.
    At home
fate, destiny
3589wordCore
驚喜 jīngxǐ
  • 這是給你的驚喜。 zhè shì gěi nǐ de jīng xǐ。
    This is a surprise for you.
  • 他沒想到會有這個驚喜。 tā méi xiǎng dào huì yǒu zhè ge jīng xǐ。
    He didn't expect a surprise like this.
    At home
  • 你喜歡這種驚喜嗎？ nǐ xǐ huān zhè zhǒng jīng xǐ ma？
    Do you like surprises of this sort?
    At home
a pleasant surprise
3590wordCore
好運 hǎoyùn
  • 我今天的好運用完了。 wǒ jīn tiān de hǎo yùn yòng wán le。
    I've used up today's luck.
  • 這是好運還是本來就會這樣？ zhè shì hǎo yùn hái shì běn lái jiù huì zhè yàng？
    Is that luck, or was it always going to happen?
    Out and about
  • 他沒有好運，只有努力。 tā méi yǒu hǎo yùn， zhǐ yǒu nǔ lì。
    He's had no luck, only hard work.
    Work
good luck