4022 word Core 須 xū
▶ 這件事你必須自己決定。 zhè jiàn shì nǐ bì xū zì jǐ jué dìng。
This is something you must decide for yourself.
▶ 開車前必須先看一下車子。 kāi chē qián bì xū xiān kàn yī xià chē zi。
You must check the car before you drive.
Getting around ▶ 要出國必須先辦好這些。 yào chū guó bì xū xiān bàn hǎo zhè xiē。
You must sort all this out before going abroad.
must — a bound form: Taiwan says 必須, never 須 on its own ▶
4024 word Core 參觀 cānguān
▶ 我們昨天去參觀了一家公司。 wǒ men zuó tiān qù cān guān le yī jiā gōng sī。
We went round a company yesterday.
▶ 這個地方不能參觀。 zhè ge dì fāng bù néng cān guān。
This place isn't open to visitors.
▶ 參觀的人要先在門口等。 cān guān de rén yào xiān zài mén kǒu děng。
Visitors have to wait at the entrance first.
to visit, to look round (a place) ▶
4025 word Core 照相 zhàoxiàng
▶ 這裡不能照相。 zhè lǐ bù néng zhào xiàng。
No photographs here.
▶ 我們在門口照相吧。 wǒ men zài mén kǒu zhào xiàng ba。
Let's have a photo at the entrance.
▶ 他照相照得很好。 tā zhào xiàng zhào de hěn hǎo。
He takes a very good photograph.
to take a photograph ▶
4026 word Core 拍照 pāizhào
▶ 可以幫我們拍照嗎？ kě yǐ bāng wǒ men pāi zhào ma？
Could you take a photo of us?
▶ 他一路上都在拍照。 tā yī lù shàng dōu zài pāi zhào。
He was taking photos the whole way.
▶ 拍照以前先看一下風景。 pāi zhào yǐ qián xiān kàn yī xià fēng jǐng。
Have a look at the view before you start taking photos.
to take a photo (the everyday word) ▶
4027 word Core 簽證 qiānzhèng
▶ 去那個國家要簽證。 qù nà ge guó jiā yào qiān zhèng。
You need a visa for that country.
▶ 我的簽證下個月就不能用了。 wǒ de qiān zhèng xià ge yuè jiù bù néng yòng le。
My visa stops being valid next month.
▶ 辦簽證要多久？ bàn qiān zhèng yào duō jiǔ？
How long does a visa take to sort out?
visa ▶
4028 word Core 東方 dōngfāng
▶ 這是東方的做法。 zhè shì dōng fāng de zuò fǎ。
This is the eastern way of doing it.
▶ 東方的茶跟外國的不一樣。 dōng fāng de chá gēn wài guó de bù yī yàng。
Eastern tea is not the same as tea abroad.
Food and drink ▶ 他對東方的東西很有興趣。 tā duì dōng fāng de dōng xi hěn yǒu xìng qù。
He's very interested in things from the East.
People the East, the Orient ▶
4029 word Core 非洲 Fēizhōu
▶ 他去過非洲三次。 tā qù guò fēi zhōu sān cì。
He's been to Africa three times.
▶ 非洲比我想的大多了。 fēi zhōu bǐ wǒ xiǎng de dà duō le。
Africa is far bigger than I imagined.
▶ 這種水果是非洲來的。 zhè zhǒng shuǐ guǒ shì fēi zhōu lái de。
This fruit comes from Africa.
Food and drink Africa ▶
4030 word Core 美洲 Měizhōu
▶ 美洲離台灣很遠。 měi zhōu lí tái wān hěn yuǎn。
The Americas are a long way from Taiwan.
▶ 這種樹只有美洲有。 zhè zhǒng shù zhǐ yǒu měi zhōu yǒu。
This tree only grows in the Americas.
▶ 他在美洲住了五年。 tā zài měi zhōu zhù le wǔ nián。
He lived in the Americas for five years.
the Americas ▶
4031 word Core 歐洲 Ōuzhōu
▶ 歐洲的冬天很長。 ōu zhōu de dōng tiān hěn cháng。
Winter is long in Europe.
▶ 去歐洲要不要簽證？ qù ōu zhōu yào bù yào qiān zhèng？
Do you need a visa for Europe?
▶ 他在歐洲讀了兩年書。 tā zài ōu zhōu dú le liǎng nián shū。
He studied in Europe for two years.
School Europe ▶
4032 word Core 亞洲 Yàzhōu
▶ 亞洲的人口最多。 yà zhōu de rén kǒu zuì duō。
Asia has the largest population.
▶ 台灣在亞洲的東邊。 tái wān zài yà zhōu de dōng biān。
Taiwan is on the eastern side of Asia.
▶ 這家公司的生意都在亞洲。 zhè jiā gōng sī de shēng yì dōu zài yà zhōu。
This company does all its business in Asia.
Work Asia ▶
4033 word Core 大陸 dàlù
▶ 非洲是一個很大的大陸。 fēi zhōu shì yī ge hěn dà de dà lù。
Africa is a very large continent.
▶ 坐船到大陸要一天。 zuò chuán dào dà lù yào yī tiān。
It takes a day by boat to the mainland.
▶ 這五個大陸他都去過。 zhè wǔ ge dà lù tā dōu qù guò。
He's been to all five continents.
a continent; the mainland ▶
4035 word Core 掛號 guàhào
▶ 看醫生以前要先掛號。 kàn yī shēng yǐ qián yào xiān guà hào。
You have to register before seeing the doctor.
▶ 我幫你掛號了，明天早上九點。 wǒ bāng nǐ guà hào le， míng tiān zǎo shàng jiǔ diǎn。
I've booked you in — nine tomorrow morning.
Health ▶ 這封信要掛號。 zhè fēng xìn yào guà hào。
This letter needs to go registered.
Work to register (at a hospital); to send by registered post ▶
4036 word Core 比方說 bǐfāngshuō
▶ 比方說，你可以先問醫生。 bǐ fāng shuō， nǐ kě yǐ xiān wèn yī shēng。
For example, you could ask the doctor first.
▶ 比方說這個藥，一天吃三次。 bǐ fāng shuō zhè ge yào， yī tiān chī sān cì。
Take this medicine, say — three times a day.
Health ▶ 比方說他好了，我們就去。 bǐ fāng shuō tā hǎo le， wǒ men jiù qù。
Say he gets better — then we'll go.
People for example, say ▶
4037 word Core 不客氣 bùkèqì
▶ 「謝謝你。」「不客氣。」 「xiè xie nǐ。」「bù kè qì。」
“Thank you.” “You're welcome.”
▶ 大家不客氣，多吃一點。 dà jiā bù kè qì， duō chī yī diǎn。
Don't stand on ceremony — have some more.
Food and drink ▶ 他對人一向不客氣。 tā duì rén yí xiàng bù kè qì。
He's never been one to mince his words.
People you're welcome; please don't stand on ceremony ▶
4038 word Core 看起來 kànqǐlái
▶ 看起來今天不會下雨。 kàn qǐ lái jīn tiān bù huì xià yǔ。
By the look of it, it won't rain today.
▶ 他看起來比實際年紀小。 tā kàn qǐ lái bǐ shí jì nián jì xiǎo。
He looks younger than he is.
People ▶ 這個藥看起來很苦。 zhè ge yào kàn qǐ lái hěn kǔ。
This medicine looks bitter.
Health it looks like, by the look of it ▶
4039 word Core 藥房 yàofáng
▶ 這條路上有兩家藥房。 zhè tiáo lù shàng yǒu liǎng jiā yào fáng。
There are two chemists' on this road.
▶ 藥房晚上十點才關。 yào fáng wǎn shàng shí diǎn cái guān。
The chemist's doesn't close until ten.
Health ▶ 這種藥藥房就買得到。 zhè zhǒng yào yào fáng jiù mǎi de dào。
You can get this medicine at any chemist's.
Health chemist's, pharmacy ▶
4040 word Core 臉色 liǎnsè
▶ 你今天的臉色不太好。 nǐ jīn tiān de liǎn sè bù tài hǎo。
You don't look very well today.
▶ 看他的臉色就知道有事。 kàn tā de liǎn sè jiù zhī dào yǒu shì。
One look at his face told you something had happened.
People ▶ 休息以後臉色好多了。 xiū xí yǐ hòu liǎn sè hǎo duō le。
His colour was much better after a rest.
Health complexion; the look on someone's face ▶
4041 word Core 小費 xiǎofèi
▶ 在台灣不用給小費。 zài tái wān bù yòng gěi xiǎo fèi。
You don't tip in Taiwan.
▶ 他留了一百塊小費。 tā liú le yì bǎi kuài xiǎo fèi。
He left a hundred as a tip.
▶ 有的國家一定要給小費。 yǒu de guó jiā yī dìng yào gěi xiǎo fèi。
In some countries you have to tip.
a tip (money) ▶
4042 word Core 零用錢 língyòngqián
▶ 孩子的零用錢一個月五百。 hái zi de líng yòng qián yī ge yuè wǔ bǎi。
The child gets five hundred a month in pocket money.
▶ 他把零用錢都買了書。 tā bǎ líng yòng qián dōu mǎi le shū。
He spent all his pocket money on books.
▶ 零用錢不夠就別買。 líng yòng qián bù gòu jiù bié mǎi。
If your pocket money won't stretch to it, don't buy it.
pocket money, spending money ▶
4043 word Core 比方 bǐfāng
▶ 我打個比方你就懂了。 wǒ dǎ ge bǐ fāng nǐ jiù dǒng le。
Let me give you an example and you'll understand.
▶ 這個比方不太好。 zhè ge bǐ fāng bù tài hǎo。
That's not a very good comparison.
People ▶ 他很會打比方。 tā hěn huì dǎ bǐ fāng。
He's good at explaining things by example.
Work an example, an analogy (打個比方 = to give an example) ▶
4044 word Core 電 diàn
▶ 昨天晚上停電了。 zuó tiān wǎn shàng tíng diàn le。
The power went off last night.
▶ 相機沒電了。 xiāng jī méi diàn le。
The camera's out of battery.
▶ 這裡的電比較貴。 zhè lǐ de diàn bǐ jiào guì。
Electricity is dearer here.
At home electricity; power, battery ▶
4046 word Core 過年 guònián
▶ 我們今年在外婆家過年。 wǒ men jīn nián zài wài pó jiā guò nián。
We're spending New Year at Grandma's this year.
▶ 過年的時候店都關了。 guò nián de shí hòu diàn dōu guān le。
The shops are all shut over New Year.
Out and about ▶ 他已經三年沒回家過年了。 tā yǐ jīng sān nián méi huí jiā guò nián le。
He hasn't been home for New Year in three years.
Family to celebrate Chinese New Year ▶
4047 word Core 熱鬧 rènao
▶ 市場早上最熱鬧。 shì chǎng zǎo shàng zuì rè nào。
The market is at its liveliest in the morning.
▶ 這條路晚上很熱鬧。 zhè tiáo lù wǎn shàng hěn rè nào。
This road is buzzing at night.
Out and about ▶ 人少一點也好，太熱鬧我受不了。 rén shǎo yī diǎn yě hǎo， tài rè nào wǒ shòu bù liǎo。
Fewer people suits me — I can't take it too busy.
People lively, buzzing, full of people ▶
4048 word Core 請客 qǐngkè
▶ 今天我請客。 jīn tiān wǒ qǐng kè。
It's on me today.
▶ 老闆昨天請客，大家都去了。 lǎo bǎn zuó tiān qǐng kè， dà jiā dōu qù le。
The boss stood everyone dinner yesterday and they all went.
Food and drink ▶ 上次你請客，這次我來。 shàng cì nǐ qǐng kè， zhè cì wǒ lái。
You paid last time — my turn now.
Food and drink to treat someone, to pay for the meal ▶
4049 word Core 一塊 yīkuài
▶ 我們一塊去吧。 wǒ men yī kuài qù ba。
Let's go together.
▶ 東西放一塊比較好找。 dōng xi fàng yī kuài bǐ jiào hǎo zhǎo。
Things are easier to find kept together.
At home ▶ 他們一塊住了十年。 tā men yī kuài zhù le shí nián。
They lived together for ten years.
People together (everyday Taiwan speech usually says 一起) ▶
4050 word Core 春假 chūnjià
▶ 春假只有四天。 chūn jià zhǐ yǒu sì tiān。
The spring holiday is only four days.
▶ 春假我們去南部。 chūn jià wǒ men qù nán bù。
We're going south for the spring holiday.
▶ 春假以後就沒有假了。 chūn jià yǐ hòu jiù méi yǒu jiǎ le。
After the spring holiday there are no more days off.
School the spring holiday ▶
4051 word Core 暑假 shǔjià
▶ 暑假我在餐廳打工。 shǔ jià wǒ zài cān tīng dǎ gōng。
I worked in a restaurant over the summer holiday.
▶ 暑假有兩個月。 shǔ jià yǒu liǎng ge yuè。
The summer holiday is two months long.
School ▶ 暑假的作業比較多。 shǔ jià de zuò yè bǐ jiào duō。
There's more homework over the summer.
School the summer holiday ▶
4052 word Core 寒假 hánjià
▶ 寒假比暑假短。 hán jià bǐ shǔ jià duǎn。
The winter holiday is shorter than the summer one.
▶ 寒假常常跟過年在一起。 hán jià cháng cháng gēn guò nián zài yī qǐ。
The winter holiday often runs into New Year.
School ▶ 寒假我都在家裡讀書。 hán jià wǒ dōu zài jiā lǐ dú shū。
I studied at home all through the winter holiday.
School the winter holiday ▶
4053 word Core 新年 xīnnián
▶ 新年快樂！ xīn nián kuài lè！
Happy New Year!
▶ 新年的時候路上沒什麼車。 xīn nián de shí hòu lù shàng méi shén me chē。
There's hardly any traffic on the roads at New Year.
Out and about ▶ 他寄了一張新年的卡片。 tā jì le yī zhāng xīn nián de kǎ piàn。
He sent a New Year card.
People the New Year ▶
4054 word Core 除夕 Chúxì
台灣說 除夕 Taiwan reads 夕 as xì — Chúxì; mainland reads chúxī. ▶ 除夕晚上全家一起吃飯。 chú xī wǎn shàng quán jiā yī qǐ chī fàn。
The whole family eats together on New Year's Eve.
▶ 除夕的飯桌上菜特別多。 chú xī de fàn zhuō shàng cài tè bié duō。
There's a lot of food on the table on New Year's Eve.
Food and drink ▶ 除夕那天店都早早關了。 chú xī nà tiān diàn dōu zǎo zǎo guān le。
The shops all shut early on New Year's Eve.
Shopping New Year's Eve (the lunar one) ▶
4055 word Core 春節 Chūnjié
▶ 春節放假七天。 chūn jié fàng jià qī tiān。
There's a week off for Chinese New Year.
▶ 春節的車票特別貴。 chūn jié de chē piào tè bié guì。
Tickets at Chinese New Year are especially dear.
▶ 春節以後天氣就暖和了。 chūn jié yǐ hòu tiān qì jiù nuǎn huo le。
The weather turns mild after Chinese New Year.
Weather Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival ▶
4056 word Core 節日 jiérì
▶ 這是一年裡最重要的節日。 zhè shì yī nián lǐ zuì zhòng yào de jié rì。
This is the most important festival of the year.
▶ 節日的時候大家都回家。 jié rì de shí hòu dà jiā dōu huí jiā。
Everyone goes home at festival time.
Family ▶ 不同的地方有不同的節日。 bù tóng de dì fāng yǒu bù tóng de jié rì。
Different places have different festivals.
a festival, a public holiday ▶
4058 word Core 作文 zuòwén
▶ 這次的作文很難寫。 zhè cì de zuò wén hěn nán xiě。
This composition is hard to write.
▶ 他的作文寫得很好。 tā de zuò wén xiě de hěn hǎo。
He writes a good essay.
School ▶ 作文要寫五百個字。 zuò wén yào xiě wǔ bǎi ge zì。
The composition has to be five hundred characters.
School a composition, an essay; to write one ▶
4059 word Core 減 jiǎn
▶ 十減四是六。 shí jiǎn sì shì liù。
Ten minus four is six.
▶ 這個月要減一點開支。 zhè ge yuè yào jiǎn yī diǎn kāi zhī。
We need to cut spending a bit this month.
▶ 老闆把加班的時間減了一半。 lǎo bǎn bǎ jiā bān de shí jiān jiǎn le yí bàn。
The boss cut the overtime by half.
Work minus, to subtract; to cut down ▶
4060 pattern N2 十減四是六。 shí jiǎn sì shì liù。
四則運算：加 / 減 / 乘以 / 除以
TBCL L3* 四則運算, which bands 4 and 5 both recorded as unwritable for want of 減, 乘 and 除 — three of the four words land here. In full Taiwanese usage the last two take 以: 三乘以二, 八除以四. The formal word for '=' is 等於, which the course does not teach, so these examples use 是, which is what people say out loud.
Ten minus four is six. ▶
4061 pattern N2 五加五減三是七。 wǔ jiā wǔ jiǎn sān shì qī。
四則運算：加 / 減 / 乘以 / 除以
TBCL L3* 四則運算, which bands 4 and 5 both recorded as unwritable for want of 減, 乘 and 除 — three of the four words land here. In full Taiwanese usage the last two take 以: 三乘以二, 八除以四. The formal word for '=' is 等於, which the course does not teach, so these examples use 是, which is what people say out loud.
Five plus five minus three is seven. ▶
4062 word Core 乘 chéng
▶ 三乘二是六。 sān chéng r4 shì liù。
Three times two is six.
▶ 五乘五是二十五。 wǔ chéng wǔ shì r4 shí wǔ。
Five times five is twenty-five.
School ▶ 這個要用乘的。 zhè ge yào yòng chéng de。
This one needs multiplying.
School times, multiplied by ▶
4063 pattern N2 三乘以二是六。 sān chéng yǐ r4 shì liù。
四則運算：加 / 減 / 乘以 / 除以
TBCL L3* 四則運算, which bands 4 and 5 both recorded as unwritable for want of 減, 乘 and 除 — three of the four words land here. In full Taiwanese usage the last two take 以: 三乘以二, 八除以四. The formal word for '=' is 等於, which the course does not teach, so these examples use 是, which is what people say out loud.
Three times two is six. ▶
4064 word Core 除 chú
▶ 八除二是四。 bā chú r4 shì sì。
Eight divided by two is four.
▶ 十二除四是三。 shí r4 chú sì shì sān。
Twelve divided by four is three.
School ▶ 這個字要除去。 zhè ge zì yào chú qù。
This character needs taking out.
School divided by; to remove (also 除了 = apart from) ▶
4065 pattern N2 八除以四是二。 bā chú yǐ sì shì r4。
四則運算：加 / 減 / 乘以 / 除以
TBCL L3* 四則運算, which bands 4 and 5 both recorded as unwritable for want of 減, 乘 and 除 — three of the four words land here. In full Taiwanese usage the last two take 以: 三乘以二, 八除以四. The formal word for '=' is 等於, which the course does not teach, so these examples use 是, which is what people say out loud.
Eight divided by four is two. ▶
4066 word Core 數學 shùxué
▶ 我數學一直不好。 wǒ shù xué yì zhí bù hǎo。
I've never been any good at maths.
▶ 數學課在三樓。 shù xué kè zài sān lóu。
The maths lesson is on the third floor.
School ▶ 他數學最好，別的都不行。 tā shù xué zuì hǎo， bié de dōu bù xíng。
Maths is his best subject; the rest he can't do at all.
School maths ▶
4067 word Core 華語 Huáyǔ
▶ 他在台灣學華語。 tā zài tái wān xué huá yǔ。
He's learning Chinese in Taiwan.
▶ 這是一本華語課本。 zhè shì yī běn huá yǔ kè běn。
This is a Chinese textbook.
School ▶ 華語課一個星期三次。 huá yǔ kè yī ge xīng qí sān cì。
Chinese class is three times a week.
School Chinese (the language, as taught to speakers of other languages) ▶
4068 word Core 英語 Yīngyǔ
▶ 他的英語比我好。 tā de yīng yǔ bǐ wǒ hǎo。
His English is better than mine.
▶ 英語不是他的母語。 yīng yǔ bú shì tā de mǔ yǔ。
English isn't his first language.
School ▶ 我想暑假去學英語。 wǒ xiǎng shǔ jià qù xué yīng yǔ。
I want to learn English over the summer.
School English (the language) ▶
4069 word Core 漢字 hànzì
▶ 這個漢字我不會寫。 zhè ge hàn zì wǒ bù huì xiě。
I can't write this character.
▶ 漢字要一個一個學。 hàn zì yào yī ge yī ge xué。
Characters have to be learned one at a time.
School ▶ 他認得三千個漢字。 tā rèn de sān qiān ge hàn zì。
He knows three thousand characters.
School a Chinese character ▶
4070 word Core 文法 wénfǎ
▶ 中文的文法不算難。 zhōng wén de wén fǎ bù suàn nán。
Chinese grammar isn't really difficult.
▶ 這句話的文法不對。 zhè jù huà de wén fǎ bù duì。
The grammar of this sentence is wrong.
School ▶ 文法書我看不下去。 wén fǎ shū wǒ kàn bù xià qù。
I can't get through a grammar book.
School grammar ▶
4071 word Core 書法 shūfǎ
▶ 外公的書法很好看。 wài gōng de shū fǎ hěn hǎo kàn。
Grandad's calligraphy is beautiful.
▶ 他學了三十年書法。 tā xué le sān shí nián shū fǎ。
He's studied calligraphy for thirty years.
People ▶ 書法課一個星期一次。 shū fǎ kè yī ge xīng qí yī cì。
The calligraphy class is once a week.
School calligraphy ▶
4073 word Core 放假 fàngjià
▶ 我們下星期放假。 wǒ men xià xīng qí fàng jià。
We break up next week.
▶ 放假的時候他都在家。 fàng jià de shí hòu tā dōu zài jiā。
He stays at home when he's off.
At home ▶ 學校放假了，路上的學生少了很多。 xué xiào fàng jià le， lù shàng de xué shēng shǎo le hěn duō。
The school has broken up and there are far fewer students about.
School to have time off, to break up (for a holiday) ▶
4074 word Core 散步 sànbù
▶ 吃完飯我們去散步。 chī wán fàn wǒ men qù sàn bù。
Let's go for a walk after dinner.
▶ 外公每天早上散步半小時。 wài gōng měi tiān zǎo shàng sàn bù bàn xiǎo shí。
Grandad walks for half an hour every morning.
Health ▶ 下雨天不能散步。 xià yǔ tiān bù néng sàn bù。
You can't go for a walk when it rains.
Out and about to go for a walk, to stroll ▶
4075 word Core 慢跑 mànpǎo
▶ 他每天早上慢跑。 tā měi tiān zǎo shàng màn pǎo。
He goes for a run every morning.
▶ 慢跑比打球輕鬆。 màn pǎo bǐ dǎ qiú qīng sōng。
Jogging is easier than playing ball.
Health ▶ 我慢跑的時候喜歡聽音樂。 wǒ màn pǎo de shí hòu xǐ huān tīng yīn lè。
I like music on when I'm running.
Health to jog, to go running ▶
4076 word Core 輕鬆 qīngsōng
▶ 這份工作比較輕鬆。 zhè fèn gōng zuò bǐ jiào qīng sōng。
This job is fairly easy.
▶ 放假的時候心情特別輕鬆。 fàng jià de shí hòu xīn qíng tè bié qīng sōng。
You feel especially relaxed when you're off.
People ▶ 他說得很輕鬆，做起來可不容易。 tā shuō de hěn qīng sōng， zuò qǐ lái kě bù róng yì。
He makes it sound easy — doing it is another matter.
Work relaxed, easy, not hard work ▶
4077 word Core 宿舍 sùshè
▶ 我住學校的宿舍。 wǒ zhù xué xiào de sù shè。
I live in the school halls.
▶ 宿舍的房間很小。 sù shè de fáng jiān hěn xiǎo。
The rooms in halls are small.
School ▶ 宿舍十一點就關門。 sù shè shí yī diǎn jiù guān mén。
The halls lock up at eleven.
School dormitory, halls of residence ▶
4078 word Core 室友 shìyǒu
▶ 我的室友每天很晚回來。 wǒ de shì yǒu měi tiān hěn wǎn huí lái。
My roommate gets in late every night.
▶ 我跟室友一塊買了一台冰箱。 wǒ gēn shì yǒu yī kuài mǎi le yī tái bīng xiāng。
My flatmate and I bought a fridge between us.
At home ▶ 好的室友不容易找。 hǎo de shì yǒu bù róng yì zhǎo。
A good flatmate is hard to find.
People roommate, flatmate ▶
4079 word Core 學期 xuéqí
台灣說 學期 Taiwan (TBCL) reads 期 as qí — xuéqí; mainland reads xuéqī. ▶ 這學期我選了五門課。 zhè xué qī wǒ xuǎn le wǔ mén kè。
I've taken five courses this term.
▶ 下學期我想住外面。 xià xué qī wǒ xiǎng zhù wài miàn。
I want to live out next term.
School ▶ 一學期有四個多月。 yī xué qī yǒu sì ge duō yuè。
A term is a bit over four months.
School term, semester ▶
4080 word Core 體育 tǐyù
▶ 體育課下午兩點開始。 tǐ yù kè xià wǔ liǎng diǎn kāi shǐ。
PE starts at two in the afternoon.
▶ 他體育最好，數學最差。 tā tǐ yù zuì hǎo， shù xué zuì chà。
He's best at PE and worst at maths.
School ▶ 下雨天的體育課在教室裡上。 xià yǔ tiān de tǐ yù kè zài jiào shì lǐ shàng。
On rainy days PE is held in the classroom.
School PE, sport (as a subject) ▶
4081 word Core 日記 rìjì
▶ 他每天晚上寫日記。 tā měi tiān wǎn shàng xiě rì jì。
He writes his diary every evening.
▶ 這本日記寫了十年。 zhè běn rì jì xiě le shí nián。
This diary covers ten years.
At home ▶ 我的日記從來不給別人看。 wǒ de rì jì cóng lái bù gěi bié rén kàn。
I never let anybody read my diary.
People a diary ▶
4082 word Core 鬧鐘 nàozhōng
▶ 我的鬧鐘每天六點半。 wǒ de nào zhōng měi tiān liù diǎn bàn。
My alarm goes off at half six every day.
▶ 鬧鐘壞了，我遲到了。 nào zhōng huài le， wǒ chí dào le。
The alarm clock broke and I was late.
At home ▶ 放假的時候不用鬧鐘。 fàng jià de shí hòu bù yòng nào zhōng。
You don't need an alarm when you're off.
At home alarm clock ▶
4084 word Core 年輕 niánqīng
▶ 他比我年輕五歲。 tā bǐ wǒ nián qīng wǔ suì。
He's five years younger than me.
▶ 外婆年輕的時候很會唱歌。 wài pó nián qīng de shí hòu hěn huì chàng gē。
Grandma was a good singer when she was young.
Family ▶ 年輕人比較不怕改變。 nián qīng rén bǐ jiào bù pà gǎi biàn。
Young people are less afraid of change.
People young ▶
4085 word Core 帥 shuài
▶ 他年輕的時候很帥。 tā nián qīng de shí hòu hěn shuài。
He was very handsome when he was young.
▶ 這件大衣穿起來很帥。 zhè jiàn dà yī chuān qǐ lái hěn shuài。
This coat looks smart on you.
Shopping ▶ 他不帥，可是很有意思。 tā bù shuài， kě shì hěn yǒu yì si。
He isn't handsome, but he's interesting.
People handsome, smart-looking (of a man) ▶
4086 word Core 害羞 hàixiū
▶ 這個孩子有一點害羞。 zhè ge hái zi yǒu yī diǎn hài xiū。
This child is a bit shy.
▶ 他害羞得不敢說話。 tā hài xiū de bù gǎn shuō huà。
He was too shy to speak.
People ▶ 害羞的人不一定不聰明。 hài xiū de rén bù yí dìng bù cōng míng。
A shy person isn't necessarily a slow one.
People shy ▶
4087 word Core 有名 yǒumíng
▶ 這家店在市區很有名。 zhè jiā diàn zài shì qū hěn yǒu míng。
This shop is well known in the town centre.
▶ 他是一位很有名的畫家。 tā shì yī wèi hěn yǒu míng de huà jiā。
He's a very well-known painter.
People ▶ 有名不一定好，也有壞處。 yǒu míng bù yí dìng hǎo， yě yǒu huài chù。
Being famous isn't all good — it has its downsides.
People famous, well known ▶
4088 word Core 伯伯 bóbo
▶ 這位伯伯住在我們樓下。 zhè wèi bó bo zhù zài wǒ men lóu xià。
This gentleman lives downstairs from us.
▶ 伯伯，請問車站怎麼走？ bó bo， qǐng wèn chē zhàn zěn me zǒu？
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?
Out and about ▶ 我伯伯過年才回來一次。 wǒ bó bo guò nián cái huí lái yī cì。
My uncle only comes back once a year, at New Year.
Family uncle (father's elder brother); (to an older man) sir ▶
4089 word Core 伯父 bófù
▶ 我伯父是醫生。 wǒ bó fù shì yī shēng。
My uncle is a doctor.
▶ 伯父今年才從公司退休。 bó fù jīn nián cái cóng gōng sī tuì xiū。
My uncle only retired from the company this year.
Family ▶ 他從小住在伯父家。 tā cóng xiǎo zhù zài bó fù jiā。
He grew up at his uncle's.
Family uncle (father's elder brother — the formal word) ▶
4090 word Core 伯母 bómǔ
▶ 伯母做的菜最好吃。 bó mǔ zuò de cài zuì hǎo chī。
My aunt's cooking is the best.
▶ 伯母的身體不太好。 bó mǔ de shēn tǐ bù tài hǎo。
My aunt isn't in good health.
Family ▶ 伯母比伯父年輕十歲。 bó mǔ bǐ bó fù nián qīng shí suì。
My aunt is ten years younger than my uncle.
Family aunt (the wife of 伯父) ▶
4091 word Core 關係 guānxì
台灣說 關係 Taiwan reads 係 with a full fourth tone — guānxì; mainland neutralises it. ▶ 他們兩家的關係很好。 tā men liǎng jiā de guān xì hěn hǎo。
The two families get on well.
▶ 這件事跟他沒有關係。 zhè jiàn shì gēn tā méi yǒu guān xì。
This has nothing to do with him.
Work ▶ 因為工作的關係，他常常出國。 yīn wèi gōng zuò de guān xì， tā cháng cháng chū guó。
Because of work he's often abroad.
Work relationship, connection; (沒關係) it doesn't matter ▶
4092 pattern N2 因為工作的關係，他很少在家。 yīn wèi gōng zuò de guān xì， tā hěn shǎo zài jiā。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
Because of work he's hardly ever at home. ▶
4093 pattern N2 因為天氣的關係，比賽改到下星期。 yīn wèi tiān qì de guān xì， bǐ sài gǎi dào xià xīng qí。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
Because of the weather the match has moved to next week. ▶
4094 pattern N2 因為交通的關係，我們遲到了。 yīn wèi jiāo tōng de guān xì， wǒ men chí dào le。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
We were late because of the traffic. ▶
4095 pattern N2 因為時差的關係，我兩天都很累。 yīn wèi shí chà de guān xì， wǒ liǎng tiān dōu hěn lèi。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
Because of the time difference I was tired for two days. ▶
4096 pattern N2 因為身高的關係，他從小就打籃球。 yīn wèi shēn gāo de guān xì， tā cóng xiǎo jiù dǎ lán qiú。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
Because of his height he's played basketball since he was small. ▶
4097 pattern N2 他不來不是因為錢的關係。 tā bù lái bú shì yīn wèi qián de guān xì。
因為 + N + 的關係，……
TBCL L4 因為……的關係. 因為……所以…… takes a whole clause; this takes a bare noun and turns it into the reason: 因為工作的關係 = 'because of work'. 所以 is not used with it. It is a shade more formal than plain 因為, and very common in speech about arrangements.
It isn't over money that he isn't coming. ▶
4098 word Core 老太太 lǎotàitai
▶ 那位老太太今年九十了。 nà wèi lǎo tài tai jīn nián jiǔ shí le。
That elderly lady is ninety this year.
▶ 老太太一個人住在鄉下。 lǎo tài tai yī ge rén zhù zài xiāng xià。
The old lady lives on her own in the country.
Family ▶ 我幫老太太拿了東西。 wǒ bāng lǎo tài tai ná le dōng xi。
I carried the old lady's shopping.
Out and about an elderly lady ▶
4099 word Core 身高 shēngāo
▶ 他的身高是一百八十。 tā de shēn gāo shì yì bǎi bā shí。
He's a hundred and eighty tall.
▶ 兩個孩子的身高差不多。 liǎng ge hái zi de shēn gāo chà bù duō。
The two children are about the same height.
Family ▶ 打籃球的人身高都比較高。 dǎ lán qiú de rén shēn gāo dōu bǐ jiào gāo。
People who play basketball tend to be taller.
Out and about height (of a person) ▶
4101 word Core 開玩笑 kāiwánxiào
▶ 我跟你開玩笑的。 wǒ gēn nǐ kāi wán xiào de。
I was only joking.
▶ 這種事不能開玩笑。 zhè zhǒng shì bù néng kāi wán xiào。
This isn't something to joke about.
People ▶ 他很愛開玩笑，可是心很好。 tā hěn ài kāi wán xiào， kě shì xīn hěn hǎo。
He's a great one for jokes, but his heart is in the right place.
People to joke, to be joking ▶
4102 word Core 不但 bùdàn
▶ 他不但會畫，還會做音樂。 tā bù dàn huì huà， hái huì zuò yīn lè。
He can not only paint but also make music.
▶ 這家店不但便宜，東西也好。 zhè jiā diàn bù dàn pián yí， dōng xi yě hǎo。
This shop isn't just cheap — the goods are good too.
Shopping ▶ 他不但沒生氣，還請我吃飯。 tā bù dàn méi shēng qì， hái qǐng wǒ chī fàn。
He not only wasn't cross, he bought me dinner.
People not only (… but also) ▶
4103 word Core 最好 zuìhǎo
▶ 你最好早點出門。 nǐ zuì hǎo zǎo diǎn chū mén。
You'd best leave a bit early.
▶ 這件事最好別說。 zhè jiàn shì zuì hǎo bié shuō。
It'd be best not to mention this.
People ▶ 下雨天最好不要開車。 xià yǔ tiān zuì hǎo bù yào kāi chē。
It's best not to drive in the rain.
Getting around you'd best, it would be best to ▶
4104 word Core 類 lèi
▶ 這類音樂我聽不懂。 zhè lèi yīn lè wǒ tīng bù dǒng。
I don't get this kind of music.
▶ 書店把書分成十幾類。 shū diàn bǎ shū fēn chéng shí jǐ lèi。
The bookshop sorts its books into a dozen or so categories.
Shopping ▶ 這一類的問題最難答。 zhè yī lèi de wèn tí zuì nán dá。
Questions of this sort are the hardest to answer.
School (measure word) a kind, a category ▶
4105 word Core 美術 měishù
▶ 他大學念的是美術。 tā dà xué niàn de shì měi shù。
He read art at university.
▶ 美術課我最喜歡。 měi shù kè wǒ zuì xǐ huān。
Art is my favourite lesson.
School ▶ 這間學校的美術很有名。 zhè jiān xué xiào de měi shù hěn yǒu míng。
This school's art department is well known.
School fine art, art (as a subject) ▶
4106 word Core 畫家 huàjiā
▶ 他是一位很有名的畫家。 tā shì yī wèi hěn yǒu míng de huà jiā。
He's a well-known painter.
▶ 這位畫家只畫山。 zhè wèi huà jiā zhǐ huà shān。
This artist only paints mountains.
People ▶ 畫家的日子不一定好過。 huà jiā de rì zi bù yí dìng hǎo guò。
An artist's life isn't necessarily an easy one.
People painter, artist ▶
4107 word Core 樂器 yuèqì
▶ 你會不會一種樂器？ nǐ huì bù huì yī zhǒng lè qì？
Do you play an instrument?
▶ 這類樂器要學很久。 zhè lèi lè qì yào xué hěn jiǔ。
Instruments of this kind take a long time to learn.
People ▶ 他家裡放了四五種樂器。 tā jiā lǐ fàng le sì wǔ zhǒng lè qì。
There are four or five instruments in his house.
At home a musical instrument ▶
4108 word Core 吉他 jítā
▶ 他學吉他學了十年。 tā xué jí tā xué le shí nián。
He's been learning the guitar for ten years.
▶ 這把吉他是他外公的。 zhè bǎ jí tā shì tā wài gōng de。
This guitar was his grandad's.
Family ▶ 吉他比別的樂器容易學。 jí tā bǐ bié de lè qì róng yì xué。
The guitar is easier to learn than most instruments.
People guitar ▶
4109 word Core 茶館 cháguǎn
▶ 我們在茶館坐了一個下午。 wǒ men zài chá guǎn zuò le yī ge xià wǔ。
We sat in a teahouse for a whole afternoon.
▶ 這家茶館開了六十年。 zhè jiā chá guǎn kāi le liù shí nián。
This teahouse has been going sixty years.
Out and about ▶ 茶館裡有人帶著吉他唱歌。 chá guǎn lǐ yǒu rén dài zhe jí tā chàng gē。
Somebody was singing with a guitar in the teahouse.
Out and about teahouse ▶
4110 word Core 電影院 diànyǐngyuàn
▶ 電影院就在百貨公司樓上。 diàn yǐng yuàn jiù zài bǎi huò gōng sī lóu shàng。
The cinema is upstairs in the department store.
▶ 電影院裡不能吃東西。 diàn yǐng yuàn lǐ bù néng chī dōng xi。
You can't eat in the cinema.
Out and about ▶ 這家電影院星期二打折。 zhè jiā diàn yǐng yuàn xīng qí r4 dǎ zhé。
This cinema does a discount on Tuesdays.
Out and about cinema ▶
4112 word Core 圓 yuán
▶ 這張桌子是圓的。 zhè zhāng zhuō zi shì yuán de。
This table is round.
▶ 他的臉圓圓的，很可愛。 tā de liǎn yuán yuán de， hěn kě ài。
He's got a round face — very sweet.
People ▶ 這種糖不是圓的。 zhè zhǒng táng bú shì yuán de。
This kind of sweet isn't round.
Food and drink round ▶
4113 word Core 換 huàn
▶ 這件太小了，可以換嗎？ zhè jiàn tài xiǎo le， kě yǐ huàn ma？
This one's too small — can I change it?
▶ 我想換一個大一點的。 wǒ xiǎng huàn yī ge dà yī diǎn de。
I'd like to swap it for a bigger one.
Shopping ▶ 回家先換衣服。 huí jiā xiān huàn yī fú。
Get changed as soon as you're home.
At home to change, to swap, to exchange ▶
4114 word Core 套 tào
▶ 他買了一套新衣服。 tā mǎi le yī tào xīn yī fú。
He bought a new suit of clothes.
▶ 這套書一共十本。 zhè tào shū yī gòng shí běn。
This set has ten books in it.
Shopping ▶ 他有一套自己的做法。 tā yǒu yī tào zì jǐ de zuò fǎ。
He's got a way of doing things all his own.
Work (measure word) a set, a suit (of clothes) ▶
4115 word Core 存 cún
▶ 他每個月存三千塊。 tā měi ge yuè cún sān qiān kuài。
He saves three thousand a month.
▶ 這些東西可以存在這裡。 zhè xiē dōng xi kě yǐ cún zài zhè lǐ。
You can leave these things here.
▶ 零用錢存了一年才買得起。 líng yòng qián cún le yī nián cái mǎi de qǐ。
It took a year's pocket money before he could afford it.
to save (money); to keep, to store ▶
4116 word Core 雨衣 yǔyī
▶ 下雨天他從來不穿雨衣。 xià yǔ tiān tā cóng lái bù chuān yǔ yī。
He never wears a raincoat in the rain.
▶ 雨衣放在車上了。 yǔ yī fàng zài chē shàng le。
The raincoat's in the car.
Getting around ▶ 這件雨衣是黃的。 zhè jiàn yǔ yī shì huáng de。
This raincoat is yellow.
Shopping raincoat ▶
4117 word Core 內衣 nèiyī
▶ 內衣要每天換。 nèi yī yào měi tiān huàn。
Underwear should be changed daily.
▶ 內衣放在最下面。 nèi yī fàng zài zuì xià miàn。
The underwear is at the very bottom.
At home ▶ 冬天他多穿一件內衣。 dōng tiān tā duō chuān yī jiàn nèi yī。
In winter he wears an extra layer underneath.
Weather underwear ▶
4118 word Core 上衣 shàngyī
▶ 他今天穿了一件新的上衣。 tā jīn tiān chuān le yī jiàn xīn de shàng yī。
He's wearing a new top today.
▶ 他的上衣上有一個洞。 tā de shàng yī shàng yǒu yī ge dòng。
There's a hole in his top.
At home ▶ 上衣跟大衣不一樣。 shàng yī gēn dà yī bù yī yàng。
A top isn't the same thing as an overcoat.
Shopping top, upper garment ▶
4119 word Core 皮鞋 píxié
▶ 上班要穿皮鞋。 shàng bān yào chuān pí xié。
You wear leather shoes to the office.
▶ 這雙皮鞋穿了十年。 zhè shuāng pí xié chuān le shí nián。
I've had these leather shoes ten years.
Shopping ▶ 皮鞋不能下水。 pí xié bù néng xià shuǐ。
Leather shoes shouldn't go in water.
At home leather shoes ▶
4120 word Core 手套 shǒutào
▶ 冬天出門記得戴手套。 dōng tiān chū mén jì de dài shǒu tào。
Remember your gloves when you go out in winter.
▶ 我的手套丟了一隻。 wǒ de shǒu tào diū le yī zhī。
I've lost one of my gloves.
At home ▶ 這雙手套是外婆做的。 zhè shuāng shǒu tào shì wài pó zuò de。
Grandma made these gloves.
Family gloves ▶
4121 word Core 黃色 huángsè
▶ 我想買一件黃色的上衣。 wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī jiàn huáng sè de shàng yī。
I'd like a yellow top.
▶ 黃色的雨衣比較容易看到。 huáng sè de yǔ yī bǐ jiào róng yì kàn dào。
A yellow raincoat is easier to see.
Out and about ▶ 他不喜歡黃色。 tā bù xǐ huān huáng sè。
He doesn't like yellow.
People yellow ▶
4123 word Core 味 wèi
▶ 廚房裡的味道真好。 chú fáng lǐ de wèi dào zhēn hǎo。
The kitchen smells wonderful.
▶ 這家的口味比較重。 zhè jiā de kǒu wèi bǐ jiào zhòng。
The food here is on the salty side.
Food and drink ▶ 藥的味道我受不了。 yào de wèi dào wǒ shòu bù liǎo。
I can't stand the taste of the medicine.
Health smell, taste — a bound form: Taiwan says 味道 or 口味 ▶
4124 word Core 聞 wén
▶ 你聞聞看，這是什麼？ nǐ wén wén kàn， zhè shì shén me？
Have a smell of this — what is it?
▶ 我聞到了很奇怪的味道。 wǒ wén dào le hěn qí guài de wèi dào。
I can smell something very odd.
At home ▶ 你聞得到嗎？我什麼都聞不到。 nǐ wén de dào ma？ wǒ shén me dōu wén bú dào。
Can you smell it? I can't smell a thing.
Out and about to smell (something) ▶
4125 word Core 嚐 cháng
▶ 你嚐一口就知道了。 nǐ cháng yī kǒu jiù zhī dào le。
One taste and you'll know.
▶ 這道菜我還沒嚐過。 zhè dào cài wǒ hái méi cháng guò。
I haven't tried this dish yet.
Food and drink ▶ 他嚐了一下，說太鹹。 tā cháng le yī xià， shuō tài xián。
He had a taste and said it was too salty.
Food and drink to taste, to try (food) ▶
4126 word Core 熟 shóu
台灣說 熟 Taiwan reads 熟 as shóu (肉熟了 ròu shóu le); mainland reads shú. ▶ 肉還沒熟，再等一下。 ròu hái méi shú， zài děng yí xià。
The meat isn't done yet — wait a bit.
▶ 這些水果還不熟。 zhè xiē shuǐ guǒ hái bù shú。
This fruit isn't ripe yet.
Food and drink ▶ 我跟他不太熟。 wǒ gēn tā bù tài shú。
I don't know him very well.
People cooked through; ripe; well acquainted ▶
4127 word Core 香 xiāng
▶ 剛剛做好的麵包最香。 gāng gāng zuò hǎo de miàn bāo zuì xiāng。
Bread smells best straight out of the oven.
▶ 這杯茶真香。 zhè bēi chá zhēn xiāng。
This tea smells wonderful.
Food and drink ▶ 他煮的東西又香又好吃。 tā zhǔ de dōng xi yòu xiāng yòu hǎo chī。
What he cooks smells good and tastes good.
Food and drink fragrant, smelling good ▶
4128 word Core 牛排 niúpái
▶ 這塊牛排要幾分熟？ zhè kuài niú pái yào jǐ fēn shú？
How would you like the steak done?
▶ 他點了一份牛排。 tā diǎn le yī fèn niú pái。
He ordered a steak.
Food and drink ▶ 我不喜歡太熟的牛排。 wǒ bù xǐ huān tài shú de niú pái。
I don't like steak overdone.
Food and drink steak ▶
4129 word Core 海鮮 hǎixiān
▶ 南部的海鮮特別好。 nán bù de hǎi xiān tè bié hǎo。
The seafood in the south is especially good.
▶ 我不吃海鮮。 wǒ bù chī hǎi xiān。
I don't eat seafood.
Food and drink ▶ 海鮮一定要新鮮。 hǎi xiān yī dìng yào xīn xiān。
Seafood has to be fresh.
Food and drink seafood ▶
4130 word Core 火腿 huǒtuǐ
▶ 早餐是火腿加蛋。 zǎo cān shì huǒ tuǐ jiā dàn。
Breakfast is ham and egg.
▶ 這種火腿比較鹹。 zhè zhǒng huǒ tuǐ bǐ jiào xián。
This ham is on the salty side.
Food and drink ▶ 火腿要放冰箱。 huǒ tuǐ yào fàng bīng xiāng。
Ham needs to go in the fridge.
At home ham ▶
4131 word Core 芒果 mángguǒ
▶ 夏天的芒果最好吃。 xià tiān de máng guǒ zuì hǎo chī。
Mangoes are best in summer.
▶ 這種芒果不太甜。 zhè zhǒng máng guǒ bù tài tián。
This kind of mango isn't very sweet.
Food and drink ▶ 芒果冰淇淋賣完了。 máng guǒ bīng qí lín mài wán le。
The mango ice cream has sold out.
Food and drink mango ▶
4132 pattern N2 我很喜歡台灣的水果，尤其是芒果。 wǒ hěn xǐ huān tái wān de shuǐ guǒ， yóu qí shì máng guǒ。
……，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.
I love Taiwanese fruit, mangoes most of all. ▶
4133 word Core 餅乾 bǐnggān
▶ 我買了一盒餅乾。 wǒ mǎi le yī hé bǐng qián。
I bought a box of biscuits.
▶ 這種餅乾不甜，很香。 zhè zhǒng bǐng qián bù tián， hěn xiāng。
These biscuits aren't sweet, but they smell lovely.
Food and drink ▶ 孩子把餅乾都吃完了。 hái zi bǎ bǐng qián dōu chī wán le。
The child has eaten all the biscuits.
Family biscuit ▶
4135 pattern N2 他吃著餅乾看電視。 tā chī zhe bǐng qián kàn diàn shì。
V 著 + VP
TBCL L3 V著2, and L2 V著1 with it. 著 on the FIRST verb turns that verb into the background — the state you are in, or the thing your hands are busy with — and the second verb is what you actually do: 他戴著帽子走進來 (he came in, wearing a hat). It is not 一邊……一邊……, which weighs two activities equally; here the 著 verb is scenery for the other one. Only the first verb takes 著, and a bare 著 verb with nothing after it is an order to stay put: 站著！ Do not confuse it with 睡著, where 著 is read zháo and means the action came off.
He watched television eating biscuits. ▶
4136 word Core 考 kǎo
▶ 明天要考中文。 míng tiān yào kǎo zhōng wén。
We've got a Chinese test tomorrow.
▶ 他考上了那間學校。 tā kǎo shàng le nà jiān xué xiào。
He got into that school.
School ▶ 這次考得不太好。 zhè cì kǎo de bù tài hǎo。
I didn't do very well this time.
School to sit (an exam); to test ▶
4137 pattern N2 六十分以下要再考一次。 liù shí fēn yǐ xià yào zài kǎo yī cì。
數量 + 以上 / 以下
TBCL L3* 以+上/下/內/外, the half the course could not write before (the 以內 and 以外 frames shipped in band 5). 以上 and 以下 follow the amount, never precede it: 八十分以上, not 以上八十分. In careful Taiwanese use the figure itself counts as included. In writing, 以上 also means 'the above' and 以下 'the following', looking back or forward at the text.
Under sixty and you sit it again. ▶
4138 word Core 題 tí
▶ 這次的考試有五十題。 zhè cì de kǎo shì yǒu wǔ shí tí。
There are fifty questions in this exam.
▶ 最後一題我不會。 zuì hòu yī tí wǒ bù huì。
I couldn't do the last question.
School ▶ 這一題要用乘的。 zhè yī tí yào yòng chéng de。
This question needs multiplying.
School (measure word) a question, an item on a paper ▶
4139 pattern N2 這一題要用乘的，不是用加的。 zhè yī tí yào yòng chéng de， bú shì yòng jiā de。
四則運算：加 / 減 / 乘以 / 除以
TBCL L3* 四則運算, which bands 4 and 5 both recorded as unwritable for want of 減, 乘 and 除 — three of the four words land here. In full Taiwanese usage the last two take 以: 三乘以二, 八除以四. The formal word for '=' is 等於, which the course does not teach, so these examples use 是, which is what people say out loud.
This question needs multiplying, not adding. ▶
4140 word Core 念書 niànshū
▶ 他在美國念書。 tā zài měi guó niàn shū。
He's studying in America.
▶ 考試以前要好好念書。 kǎo shì yǐ qián yào hǎo hǎo niàn shū。
You need to study properly before an exam.
School ▶ 他不愛念書，可是很會做事。 tā bù ài niàn shū， kě shì hěn huì zuò shì。
He doesn't like studying, but he's good at getting things done.
People to study, to read (for school) ▶
4141 word Core 遍 biàn
▶ 這本書我看了三遍。 zhè běn shū wǒ kàn le sān biàn。
I've read this book three times through.
▶ 請再說一遍。 qǐng zài shuō yī biàn。
Say that once more, please.
People ▶ 這部電影我看過兩遍。 zhè bù diàn yǐng wǒ kàn guò liǎng biàn。
I've seen this film twice.
Out and about (measure word) a time through, from start to finish ▶
4142 word Core 題目 tímù
▶ 這次作文的題目很難。 zhè cì zuò wén de tí mù hěn nán。
The essay title this time is difficult.
▶ 題目看清楚再答。 tí mù kàn qīng chǔ zài dá。
Read the question properly before answering.
School ▶ 他的題目是「我的家人」。 tā de tí mù shì 「wǒ de jiā rén」。
His title is “My family”.
School the question; the title (of an essay) ▶
4143 word Core 例子 lìzi
▶ 老師給了兩個例子。 lǎo shī gěi le liǎng ge lì zi。
The teacher gave two examples.
▶ 這個例子不太好。 zhè ge lì zi bù tài hǎo。
That's not a very good example.
School ▶ 他自己就是最好的例子。 tā zì jǐ jiù shì zuì hǎo de lì zi。
He's the best example of it himself.
People an example ▶
4144 word Core 程度 chéngdù
▶ 這本書的程度太高了。 zhè běn shū de chéng dù tài gāo le。
This book is at too high a level.
▶ 兩個班的程度差不多。 liǎng ge bān de chéng dù chà bu duō。
The two classes are at about the same level.
School ▶ 他的中文程度比我好。 tā de zhōng wén chéng dù bǐ wǒ hǎo。
His Chinese is at a higher level than mine.
School level, standard ▶
4145 word Core 知識 zhīshì
台灣說 知識 Taiwan reads 識 with a full fourth tone — zhīshì; mainland neutralises it. ▶ 書上的知識不一定夠用。 shū shàng de zhī shí bù yí dìng gòu yòng。
Book knowledge isn't always enough.
▶ 這方面的知識我沒有。 zhè fāng miàn de zhī shí wǒ méi yǒu。
I've no knowledge in that area.
Work ▶ 知識是考不完的。 zhī shí shì kǎo bù wán de。
Knowledge is something no exam can finish.
School knowledge ▶
4146 word Core 以上 yǐshàng
▶ 八十分以上才算好。 bā shí fēn yǐ shàng cái suàn hǎo。
Eighty and above counts as good.
▶ 十八歲以上才能考。 shí bā suì yǐ shàng cái néng kǎo。
Only people of eighteen and over can sit it.
School ▶ 以上是今天的三件事。 yǐ shàng shì jīn tiān de sān jiàn shì。
Those are the three items for today.
Work and above, or more; (in writing) the above ▶
4147 word Core 以下 yǐxià
▶ 六十分以下要再考一次。 liù shí fēn yǐ xià yào zài kǎo yī cì。
Under sixty and you sit it again.
▶ 十二歲以下不用買票。 shí r4 suì yǐ xià bù yòng mǎi piào。
Under-twelves don't need a ticket.
Out and about ▶ 以下是這學期的題目。 yǐ xià shì zhè xué qī de tí mù。
The following are this term's questions.
School and below, or less; (in writing) the following ▶
4149 word Core 長大 zhǎngdà
▶ 我是在鄉下長大的。 wǒ shì zài xiāng xià cháng dà de。
I grew up in the country.
▶ 孩子長大得真快。 hái zi cháng dà de zhēn kuài。
Children grow up so fast.
Family ▶ 他長大以後想當老師。 tā cháng dà yǐ hòu xiǎng dāng lǎo shī。
He wants to be a teacher when he grows up.
School to grow up ▶
4150 word Core 教書 jiāoshū
▶ 他在中學教書。 tā zài zhōng xué jiāo shū。
He teaches at a secondary school.
▶ 教書比我想的難。 jiāo shū bǐ wǒ xiǎng de nán。
Teaching is harder than I thought.
Work ▶ 她教書教了三十年。 tā jiāo shū jiāo le sān shí nián。
She taught for thirty years.
Work to teach (as a job) ▶
4151 word Core 例如 lìrú
▶ 很多課都要考，例如數學跟英語。 hěn duō kè dōu yào kǎo， lì rú shù xué gēn yīng yǔ。
There are exams in a lot of classes, maths and English for example.
▶ 例如這本書，就很有用。 lì rú zhè běn shū， jiù hěn yǒu yòng。
Take this book, for example — very useful.
School ▶ 有的東西不能買，例如時間。 yǒu de dōng xi bù néng mǎi， lì rú shí jiān。
Some things can't be bought — time, for example.
People for example, such as ▶
4152 word Core 總 zǒng
▶ 他總是最後一個走。 tā zǒng shì zuì hòu yī ge zǒu。
He's always the last to leave.
▶ 你總不能什麼都不做吧。 nǐ zǒng bù néng shén me dōu bù zuò ba。
You surely can't just do nothing.
People ▶ 她總說自己不累。 tā zǒng shuō zì jǐ bù lèi。
She always says she isn't tired.
People always, invariably (in speech usually 總是) ▶
4153 word Core 大學生 dàxuéshēng
▶ 這附近住了很多大學生。 zhè fù jìn zhù le hěn duō dà xué shēng。
A lot of students live round here.
▶ 大學生的生活比較自由。 dà xué shēng de shēng huó bǐ jiào zì yóu。
Student life is fairly free.
School ▶ 他是大學生，還在念書。 tā shì dà xué shēng， hái zài niàn shū。
He's a university student — still studying.
School university student ▶
4154 word Core 教授 jiàoshòu
▶ 這位教授很有名。 zhè wèi jiāo shòu hěn yǒu míng。
This professor is well known.
▶ 教授明天要開會。 jiāo shòu míng tiān yào kāi huì。
The professor has a meeting tomorrow.
Work ▶ 我把題目交給教授看。 wǒ bǎ tí mù jiāo gěi jiāo shòu kàn。
I gave my title to the professor to look at.
School professor ▶
4155 word Core 中學 zhōngxué
▶ 他中學的時候住宿舍。 tā zhōng xué de shí hòu zhù sù shě。
He lived in halls when he was at secondary school.
▶ 中學比小學難多了。 zhōng xué bǐ xiǎo xué nán duō le。
Secondary school is much harder than primary.
School ▶ 這間中學就在我家旁邊。 zhè jiān zhōng xué jiù zài wǒ jiā páng biān。
This secondary school is right next to my house.
School secondary school ▶
4156 word Core 學院 xuéyuàn
▶ 他在美術學院教書。 tā zài měi shù xué yuàn jiāo shū。
He teaches at the art college.
▶ 這間學院只有五百個學生。 zhè jiān xué yuàn zhǐ yǒu wǔ bǎi ge xué shēng。
This college has only five hundred students.
School ▶ 他從音樂學院出來的。 tā cóng yīn lè xué yuàn chū lái de。
He came out of the music college.
People a college, a faculty ▶
4157 word Core 校園 xiàoyuán
▶ 校園裡到處是樹。 xiào yuán lǐ dào chù shì shù。
There are trees all over the campus.
▶ 我們在校園裡散步。 wǒ men zài xiào yuán lǐ sàn bù。
We went for a walk round the campus.
School ▶ 校園晚上十點關門。 xiào yuán wǎn shàng shí diǎn guān mén。
The campus closes at ten at night.
School campus ▶
4158 word Core 操場 cāochǎng
▶ 體育課在操場上。 tǐ yù kè zài cāo chǎng shàng。
PE is on the sports field.
▶ 下雨天操場不能用。 xià yǔ tiān cāo chǎng bù néng yòng。
The field can't be used when it rains.
School ▶ 他每天在操場慢跑。 tā měi tiān zài cāo chǎng màn pǎo。
He jogs round the field every day.
Health sports field, playground ▶
4160 word Core 淺 qiǎn
▶ 這條河很淺，走得過去。 zhè tiáo hé hěn qiǎn， zǒu de guò qù。
This river is shallow — you can walk across.
▶ 淺一點的顏色比較好看。 qiǎn yī diǎn de yán sè bǐ jiào hǎo kàn。
A lighter colour looks better.
Shopping ▶ 這本書寫得太淺了。 zhè běn shū xiě de tài qiǎn le。
This book is pitched too low.
School shallow; light (of a colour) ▶
4161 word Core 流 liú
▶ 水一直流，關不起來。 shuǐ yì zhí liú， guān bù qǐ lái。
The water keeps running and won't turn off.
▶ 這條河流得很慢。 zhè tiáo hé liú de hěn màn。
This river flows very slowly.
Out and about ▶ 他的手流血了。 tā de shǒu liú xiě le。
His hand was bleeding.
Health to flow, to run (of liquid) ▶
4162 word Core 流汗 liúhàn
▶ 跑了十分鐘就開始流汗。 pǎo le shí fēn zhōng jiù kāi shǐ liú hàn。
After ten minutes' running I started sweating.
▶ 這種天氣站著也流汗。 zhè zhǒng tiān qì zhàn zhe yě liú hàn。
In this weather you sweat just standing still.
Weather ▶ 他流汗流得頭上都是水。 tā liú hàn liú de tóu shàng dōu shì shuǐ。
He sweated until his head was soaking.
Health to sweat ▶
4163 word Core 汙染 wūrǎn
▶ 這條河被汙染了。 zhè tiáo hé bèi wū rǎn le。
This river has been polluted.
▶ 市區的空氣汙染比較重。 shì qū de kōng qì wū rǎn bǐ jiào zhòng。
Air pollution is worse in the town centre.
Out and about ▶ 汙染的問題不是一天來的。 wū rǎn de wèn tí bú shì yī tiān lái de。
Pollution isn't a problem that arrived in a day.
Work to pollute; pollution ▶
4164 word Core 傘 sǎn
▶ 還好我帶了傘。 hái hǎo wǒ dài le sǎn。
Just as well I brought an umbrella.
▶ 我的傘丟在巴士上了。 wǒ de sǎn diū zài bā shì shàng le。
I left my umbrella on the coach.
Getting around ▶ 這把傘太小，兩個人不夠。 zhè bǎ sǎn tài xiǎo， liǎng ge rén bù gòu。
This umbrella is too small for two.
Out and about umbrella ▶
4165 word Core 汗 hàn
▶ 他頭上都是汗。 tā tóu shàng dōu shì hàn。
His head was covered in sweat.
▶ 擦一擦汗再進來。 cā yī cā hàn zài jìn lái。
Wipe the sweat off before you come in.
Health ▶ 一身汗的時候別喝冰水。 yī shēn hàn de shí hòu bié hē bīng shuǐ。
Don't drink iced water when you're covered in sweat.
Health sweat ▶
4166 word Core 底 dǐ
▶ 杯子的底有一點東西。 bēi zi de dǐ yǒu yī diǎn dōng xi。
There's something in the bottom of the cup.
▶ 月底以前要交房租。 yuè dǐ yǐ qián yào jiāo fáng zū。
The rent has to be paid by the end of the month.
▶ 這條河的底我們看得到。 zhè tiáo hé de dǐ wǒ men kàn de dào。
We can see the bottom of this river.
Out and about the bottom; the end (of a month or year) ▶
4167 word Core 開水 kāishuǐ
▶ 多喝開水對身體好。 duō hē kāi shuǐ duì shēn tǐ hǎo。
Drinking plenty of water is good for you.
▶ 桌上有一杯開水。 zhuō shàng yǒu yī bēi kāi shuǐ。
There's a glass of water on the table.
At home ▶ 他只喝開水，不喝汽水。 tā zhǐ hē kāi shuǐ， bù hē qì shuǐ。
He drinks only water, never pop.
Health boiled water; drinking water ▶
4168 word Core 溫泉 wēnquán
▶ 山上有一個很有名的溫泉。 shān shàng yǒu yī ge hěn yǒu míng de wēn quán。
There's a well-known hot spring up the mountain.
▶ 冬天泡溫泉最舒服。 dōng tiān pào wēn quán zuì shū fú。
A hot spring is best in winter.
▶ 這個溫泉的水不太熱。 zhè ge wēn quán de shuǐ bù tài rè。
The water at this spring isn't very hot.
hot spring ▶
4169 word Core 環保 huánbǎo
▶ 這家公司很注意環保。 zhè jiā gōng sī hěn zhù yì huán bǎo。
This company pays attention to the environment.
▶ 環保不只是少用一個袋子。 huán bǎo bù zhǐ shì shǎo yòng yī ge dài zi。
Being green is more than using one bag fewer.
Out and about ▶ 環保跟汙染是同一件事的兩面。 huán bǎo gēn wū rǎn shì tóng yī jiàn shì de liǎng miàn。
Green thinking and pollution are two sides of one thing.
Work protecting the environment, being green ▶
4171 word Core 刷 shuā
▶ 他一天刷三次牙。 tā yī tiān shuā sān cì yá。
He brushes his teeth three times a day.
▶ 這個地方要用力刷。 zhè ge dì fāng yào yòng lì shuā。
This bit needs a good hard scrub.
At home ▶ 孩子忘了刷牙就去睡覺。 hái zi wàng le shuā yá jiù qù shuì jiào。
The child went to bed without brushing his teeth.
Family to brush, to scrub; a brush ▶
4172 word Core 乾 gān
▶ 衣服還沒乾。 yī fú hái méi qián。
The clothes aren't dry yet.
▶ 太陽這麼大，一下就乾了。 tài yáng zhè me dà， yī xià jiù qián le。
With sun like this it'll be dry in no time.
Weather ▶ 這條路上一點水也沒有，全乾了。 zhè tiáo lù shàng yī diǎn shuǐ yě méi yǒu， quán qián le。
There isn't a drop of water on this road — it's completely dry.
Out and about dry, to be dry ▶
4173 word Core 濕 shī
▶ 地上很濕，小心一點。 dì shàng hěn shī， xiǎo xīn yī diǎn。
The floor's wet — mind how you go.
▶ 我的鞋子濕了。 wǒ de xié zi shī le。
My shoes are wet.
Out and about ▶ 濕的衣服別放在床上。 shī de yī fú bié fàng zài chuáng shàng。
Don't put wet clothes on the bed.
At home wet, damp ▶
4174 word Core 浴室 yùshì
▶ 浴室裡沒有窗戶。 yù shì lǐ méi yǒu chuāng hù。
There's no window in the bathroom.
▶ 浴室的燈壞了。 yù shì de dēng huài le。
The bathroom light has gone.
At home ▶ 三個人用一間浴室不太夠。 sān ge rén yòng yī jiān yù shì bù tài gòu。
One bathroom between three isn't really enough.
At home bathroom ▶
4175 word Core 拖鞋 tuōxié
▶ 進門請換拖鞋。 jìn mén qǐng huàn tuō xié。
Please change into slippers when you come in.
▶ 浴室的拖鞋是濕的。 yù shì de tuō xié shì shī de。
The bathroom slippers are wet.
At home ▶ 他穿拖鞋就出門了。 tā chuān tuō xié jiù chū mén le。
He went out in his flip-flops.
Out and about slippers, flip-flops ▶
4176 word Core 牙膏 yágāo
▶ 牙膏用完了。 yá gāo yòng wán le。
The toothpaste has run out.
▶ 這種牙膏不太甜。 zhè zhǒng yá gāo bù tài tián。
This toothpaste isn't very sweet.
At home ▶ 牙膏放在浴室，不要拿走。 yá gāo fàng zài yù shì， bú yào ná zǒu。
The toothpaste stays in the bathroom — don't take it away.
At home toothpaste ▶
4177 word Core 衛生紙 wèishēngzhǐ
▶ 浴室裡沒有衛生紙了。 yù shì lǐ méi yǒu wèi shēng zhǐ le。
There's no toilet paper in the bathroom.
▶ 買東西的時候記得買衛生紙。 mǎi dōng xi de shí hòu jì de mǎi wèi shēng zhǐ。
Remember the toilet paper when you go shopping.
Shopping ▶ 他用衛生紙擦了擦手。 tā yòng wèi shēng zhǐ cā le cā shǒu。
He wiped his hands on a tissue.
At home toilet paper, tissue ▶
4178 word Core 籃子 lánzi
▶ 髒衣服放在籃子裡。 zāng yī fú fàng zài lán zi lǐ。
The dirty clothes go in the basket.
▶ 我買了一個籃子放水果。 wǒ mǎi le yī ge lán zi fàng shuǐ guǒ。
I bought a basket to keep fruit in.
At home ▶ 籃子滿了，該洗衣服了。 lán zi mǎn le， gāi xǐ yī fú le。
The basket's full — time to do the washing.
At home basket ▶
4179 word Core 男人 nánrén
▶ 這間屋子住了兩個男人。 zhè jiān wū zi zhù le liǎng ge nán rén。
Two men live in this house.
▶ 那個男人是誰？ nà ge nán rén shì shéi？
Who is that man?
People ▶ 男人也要學做家事。 nán rén yě yào xué zuò jiā shì。
Men need to learn to do housework too.
People a man ▶
4180 word Core 女人 nǚrén
▶ 住樓上的是一個女人。 zhù lóu shàng de shì yī ge nǚ rén。
The person upstairs is a woman.
▶ 這家店的客人多半是女人。 zhè jiā diàn de kè rén duō bàn shì nǚ rén。
Most of this shop's customers are women.
Shopping ▶ 那個女人我好像在哪裡見過。 nà ge nǚ rén wǒ hǎo xiàng zài nǎ lǐ jiàn guò。
I feel as if I've seen that woman somewhere.
People a woman ▶
4182 word Core 紅 hóng
▶ 她一說話，臉就紅了。 tā yī shuō huà， liǎn jiù hóng le。
The moment she spoke her face went red.
▶ 這雙鞋太紅了，我不敢穿。 zhè shuāng xié tài hóng le， wǒ bù gǎn chuān。
These shoes are too red — I daren't wear them.
▶ 那家店最近很紅。 nà jiā diàn zuì jìn hěn hóng。
That shop is very much the place at the moment.
red; (of a person) hugely popular right now ▶
4183 word Core 綠 lǜ
▶ 山上的樹都綠了。 shān shàng de shù dōu lǜ le。
The trees on the hill have all gone green.
▶ 燈綠了，快走吧。 dēng lǜ le， kuài zǒu ba。
The light's green — go.
Out and about ▶ 這條路兩邊又綠又乾淨。 zhè tiáo lù liǎng biān yòu lǜ yòu qián jìng。
Both sides of this road are green and clean.
Out and about green ▶
4184 word Core 亮 liàng
台灣說 亮 Same reading either side; Taiwan uses 亮 where mainland often says 明亮. ▶ 這個房間白天很亮。 zhè ge fáng jiān bái tiān hěn liàng。
This room is very bright in the daytime.
▶ 天亮了，我們該走了。 tiān liàng le， wǒ men gāi zǒu le。
It's light — we should go.
Out and about ▶ 她一聽到這個消息，眼睛就亮了。 tā yī tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī， yǎn jīng jiù liàng le。
Her eyes lit up the moment she heard.
People bright; (of daylight or a lamp) to come up ▶
4185 word Core 厚 hòu
▶ 這本書太厚了，我看不完。 zhè běn shū tài hòu le， wǒ kàn bù wán。
This book is too thick — I'll never finish it.
▶ 天冷了，穿厚一點。 tiān lěng le， chuān hòu yī diǎn。
It's turned cold — dress warmly.
▶ 他寫了一封很厚的信。 tā xiě le yī fēng hěn hòu de xìn。
He wrote a very fat letter.
People thick ▶
4186 word Core 細 xì
▶ 她的頭髮又細又長。 tā de tóu fà yòu xì yòu cháng。
Her hair is fine and long.
▶ 雨下得很細，不用帶傘。 yǔ xià de hěn xì， bù yòng dài sǎn。
The rain is so fine you don't need an umbrella.
Weather ▶ 這件事你想得太細了。 zhè jiàn shì nǐ xiǎng de tài xì le。
You're thinking about this in far too much detail.
People fine, thin, slender; (of thought) painstaking ▶
4187 word Core 平 píng
▶ 這張桌子不平，寫字很難。 zhè zhāng zhuō zi bù píng， xiě zì hěn nán。
This table isn't level, so writing on it is hard.
▶ 路很平，走起來很舒服。 lù hěn píng， zǒu qǐ lái hěn shū fú。
The road is flat and easy to walk on.
Out and about ▶ 把紙放平再寫。 bǎ zhǐ fàng píng zài xiě。
Lay the paper flat before you write.
School flat, level, even ▶
4188 word Core 醜 chǒu
▶ 這個杯子有點醜，可是很好用。 zhè ge bēi zi yǒu diǎn chǒu， kě shì hěn hǎo yòng。
This cup is a bit ugly, but it works well.
▶ 他從來不說別人醜。 tā cóng lái bù shuō bié rén chǒu。
He never calls anybody ugly.
People ▶ 那件衣服的顏色太醜了。 nà jiàn yī fú de yán sè tài chǒu le。
The colour of that garment is horrible.
ugly ▶
4189 word Core 難看 nánkàn
▶ 你寫的字太難看了。 nǐ xiě de zì tài nán kàn le。
Your handwriting is dreadful.
▶ 他聽了以後，臉色很難看。 tā tīng le yǐ hòu， liǎn sè hěn nán kàn。
His face went grim when he heard.
People ▶ 這個顏色其實不難看。 zhè ge yán sè qí shí bù nán kàn。
That colour actually isn't bad at all.
unsightly, a poor sight; (of a face) grim ▶
4190 word Core 英俊 yīngjùn
▶ 他年輕的時候很英俊。 tā nián qīng de shí hòu hěn yīng jùn。
He was very handsome when he was young.
▶ 這張照片上的男人很英俊。 zhè zhāng zhào piān shàng de nán rén hěn yīng jùn。
The man in this photograph is good-looking.
People ▶ 英俊不英俊不重要，對人好才重要。 yīng jùn bù yīng jùn bú zhòng yào， duì rén hǎo cái zhòng yào。
Handsome or not doesn't matter; being good to people does.
People handsome, good-looking (of a man) ▶
4191 word Core 大小 dàxiǎo
▶ 這雙鞋的大小剛剛好。 zhè shuāng xié de dà xiǎo gāng gāng hǎo。
These shoes are exactly the right size.
▶ 兩個房間的大小差不多。 liǎng ge fáng jiān de dà xiǎo chà bu duō。
The two rooms are about the same size.
At home ▶ 請問你穿什麼大小？ qǐng wèn nǐ chuān shén me dà xiǎo？
What size do you take?
size ▶
4193 word Core 醒來 xǐnglái
▶ 我今天六點就醒來了。 wǒ jīn tiān liù diǎn jiù xǐng lái le。
I woke up at six today.
▶ 他一醒來就想喝水。 tā yī xǐng lái jiù xiǎng hē shuǐ。
The moment he wakes up he wants a drink of water.
At home ▶ 昨天晚上我醒來過兩次。 zuó tiān wǎn shàng wǒ xǐng lái guò liǎng cì。
I woke twice in the night.
At home to wake up ▶
4194 word Core 睡著 shuìzháo
▶ 他看電視看到睡著了。 tā kàn diàn shì kàn dào shuì zhe le。
He watched television until he dropped off.
▶ 孩子在車上睡著了。 hái zi zài chē shàng shuì zhe le。
The child fell asleep in the car.
Out and about ▶ 昨天太吵，我到三點才睡著。 zuó tiān tài chǎo， wǒ dào sān diǎn cái shuì zhe。
It was so noisy last night I didn't get to sleep until three.
At home to fall asleep, to drop off (著 here is read zháo, not the zhe particle) ▶
4195 word Core 做夢 zuòmèng
▶ 我昨天晚上一直在做夢。 wǒ zuó tiān wǎn shàng yì zhí zài zuò mèng。
I was dreaming all night.
▶ 你別做夢了，這是不可能的。 nǐ bié zuò mèng le， zhè shì bù kě néng de。
Stop dreaming — it isn't going to happen.
People ▶ 他很少做夢。 tā hěn shǎo zuò mèng。
He hardly ever dreams.
At home to dream; (in a telling-off) to be dreaming ▶
4196 word Core 刷牙 shuāyá
▶ 我每天早上都刷牙。 wǒ měi tiān zǎo shàng dōu shuā yá。
I brush my teeth every morning.
▶ 孩子刷牙刷得不乾淨。 hái zi shuā yá shuā de bù qián jìng。
The child doesn't brush his teeth properly.
At home ▶ 睡覺以前記得刷牙。 shuì jiào yǐ qián jì de shuā yá。
Remember to brush your teeth before bed.
At home to brush one's teeth ▶
4197 word Core 牙齒 yáchǐ
▶ 我的牙齒有一點痛。 wǒ de yá chǐ yǒu yī diǎn tòng。
My teeth ache a bit.
▶ 他的牙齒又白又好看。 tā de yá chǐ yòu bái yòu hǎo kàn。
His teeth are white and good-looking.
People ▶ 小孩子的牙齒會換。 xiǎo hái zi de yá chǐ huì huàn。
Children's teeth get replaced.
At home teeth ▶
4198 word Core 打掃 dǎsǎo
▶ 我星期六都會打掃房間。 wǒ xīng qí liù dōu huì dǎ sǎo fáng jiān。
I clean my room on Saturdays.
▶ 這裡誰打掃？ zhè lǐ shéi dǎ sǎo？
Who cleans in here?
At home ▶ 打掃完以後，家裡舒服多了。 dǎ sǎo wán yǐ hòu， jiā lǐ shū fú duō le。
The house feels much better once it's been cleaned.
At home to clean up, to sweep out ▶
4199 word Core 整齊 zhěngqí
▶ 他的書桌總是很整齊。 tā de shū zhuō zǒng shì hěn zhěng qí。
His desk is always tidy.
▶ 這些字寫得很整齊。 zhè xiē zì xiě de hěn zhěng qí。
These characters are written very neatly.
School ▶ 房間打掃過以後很整齊。 fáng jiān dǎ sǎo guò yǐ hòu hěn zhěng qí。
The room is tidy now it's been cleaned.
At home neat, tidy, in good order ▶
4200 word Core 馬桶 mǎtǒng
▶ 馬桶壞了，我打電話請人來看。 mǎ tǒng huài le， wǒ dǎ diàn huà qǐng rén lái kàn。
The toilet is broken; I've rung someone to come and look.
▶ 用完請把馬桶弄乾淨。 yòng wán qǐng bǎ mǎ tǒng nòng qián jìng。
Please leave the toilet clean.
At home ▶ 這間房子的馬桶是新的。 zhè jiān fáng zi de mǎ tǒng shì xīn de。
The toilet in this flat is new.
At home toilet, lavatory pan ▶
4201 word Core 好好 hǎohǎo
▶ 你要好好休息。 nǐ yào hǎo hǎo xiū xí。
You need a proper rest.
▶ 這件事我們好好談一談。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ men hǎo hǎo tán yī tán。
Let's talk this through properly.
People ▶ 他沒有好好刷牙，所以牙齒不好。 tā méi yǒu hǎo hǎo shuā yá， suǒ yǐ yá chǐ bù hǎo。
He never brushed his teeth properly, so his teeth are bad.
At home properly, thoroughly, as it should be done ▶
4202 word Core 天天 tiāntiān
▶ 他天天走路上班。 tā tiān tiān zǒu lù shàng bān。
He walks to work every single day.
▶ 我不可能天天做飯。 wǒ bù kě néng tiān tiān zuò fàn。
There's no way I can cook every day.
At home ▶ 天天下雨，衣服都乾不了。 tiān tiān xià yǔ， yī fú dōu qián bù liǎo。
It rains every day and the washing never dries.
Weather every single day ▶
4204 word Core 肩 jiān
▶ 他的肩上背著一個大包。 tā de jiān shàng bèi zhe yī ge dà bāo。
He had a big bag on his shoulder.
▶ 孩子的頭靠在媽媽的肩上。 hái zi de tóu kào zài mā ma de jiān shàng。
The child's head rested on his mother's shoulder.
At home ▶ 他兩肩都受傷了。 tā liǎng jiān dōu shòu shāng le。
He hurt both shoulders.
Health the shoulder — mostly in set phrases (肩上, 兩肩); everyday speech says 肩膀 ▶
4205 word Core 肩膀 jiānbǎng
▶ 我的肩膀很痛。 wǒ de jiān bǎng hěn tòng。
My shoulders ache.
▶ 他拍了拍我的肩膀。 tā pāi le pāi wǒ de jiān bǎng。
He patted me on the shoulder.
People ▶ 她把頭放在他的肩膀上。 tā bǎ tóu fàng zài tā de jiān bǎng shàng。
She rested her head on his shoulder.
People shoulder, shoulders ▶
4206 word Core 腦 nǎo
▶ 這件事要用腦，不能只用手。 zhè jiàn shì yào yòng nǎo， bù néng zhǐ yòng shǒu。
This needs brains, not just hands.
▶ 他的腦很清楚，什麼都記得。 tā de nǎo hěn qīng chǔ， shén me dōu jì de。
His mind is sharp; he remembers everything.
People ▶ 電腦跟人腦不一樣。 diàn nǎo gēn rén nǎo bù yī yàng。
A computer and a human brain are not the same thing.
the brain; the mind. The list also carries 腦子, the everyday spoken form of the same word ▶
4207 word Core 拉肚子 lādùzi
▶ 我昨天吃壞了，拉肚子拉了一天。 wǒ zuó tiān chī huài le， lā dù zi lā le yī tiān。
Something I ate yesterday upset me; I had a bad stomach all day.
▶ 他一喝牛奶就拉肚子。 tā yī hē niú nǎi jiù lā dù zi。
Milk gives him a bad stomach every time.
Health ▶ 小孩子拉肚子要多喝水。 xiǎo hái zi lā dù zi yào duō hē shuǐ。
A child with diarrhoea needs plenty to drink.
Health to have diarrhoea, to have a bad stomach ▶
4208 word Core 流血 liúxiě
▶ 他的手流血了。 tā de shǒu liú xiě le。
His hand is bleeding.
▶ 別動，你的腳在流血。 bié dòng， nǐ de jiǎo zài liú xiě。
Don't move — your foot is bleeding.
Health ▶ 看到流血他就怕。 kàn dào liú xiě tā jiù pà。
The sight of blood frightens him.
Health to bleed ▶
4209 word Core 體重 tǐzhòng
▶ 我的體重比去年重了一點。 wǒ de tǐ zhòng bǐ qù nián zhòng le yī diǎn。
I weigh a little more than last year.
▶ 醫生要我注意體重。 yī shēng yào wǒ zhù yì tǐ zhòng。
The doctor wants me to watch my weight.
Health ▶ 他的體重一直沒變。 tā de tǐ zhòng yì zhí méi biàn。
His weight has never changed.
Health body weight ▶
4210 word Core 體力 tǐlì
▶ 這個工作很花體力。 zhè ge gōng zuò hěn huā tǐ lì。
This job takes a lot out of you physically.
▶ 爬完山，我一點體力都沒有了。 pá wán shān， wǒ yī diǎn tǐ lì dōu méi yǒu le。
After that climb I had no strength left at all.
Out and about ▶ 打球很花體力，可是身體會比較好。 dǎ qiú hěn huā tǐ lì， kě shì shēn tǐ huì bǐ jiào hǎo。
Ball games take stamina, but they do you good.
physical strength, stamina ▶
4211 word Core 弱 ruò
▶ 他生病以後身體變弱了。 tā shēng bìng yǐ hòu shēn tǐ biàn ruò le。
He's been weaker since the illness.
▶ 這個孩子身體比較弱。 zhè ge hái zi shēn tǐ bǐ jiào ruò。
This child isn't very strong.
Health ▶ 他的聲音很弱，我聽不清楚。 tā de shēng yīn hěn ruò， wǒ tīng bù qīng chǔ。
His voice was so weak I couldn't make it out.
People weak ▶
4212 word Core 忍 rěn
▶ 太痛的時候別忍，快去看醫生。 tài tòng de shí hòu bié rěn， kuài qù kàn yī shēng。
When it hurts that much don't put up with it — see a doctor.
▶ 他忍了很久才說出來。 tā rěn le hěn jiǔ cái shuō chū lái。
He held it in for a long time before saying anything.
People ▶ 這種事誰忍得住？ zhè zhǒng shì shéi rěn de zhù？
Who could put up with a thing like that?
People to bear it, to hold it in (the official list tags this Vs; it is an action verb) ▶
4213 word Core 受得了 shòudeliǎo
▶ 這麼吵，你受得了嗎？ zhè me chǎo， nǐ shòu de liǎo ma？
Can you stand it being this noisy?
▶ 這麼熱的天氣，只有他受得了。 zhè me rè de tiān qì， zhǐ yǒu tā shòu de liǎo。
Weather this hot, he's the only one who can stand it.
Weather ▶ 他說話很直，可是我受得了。 tā shuō huà hěn zhí， kě shì wǒ shòu de liǎo。
He speaks very bluntly, but I can take it.
People can stand it, can put up with it ▶
4215 word Core 醋 cù
▶ 這個菜要放一點醋。 zhè ge cài yào fàng yī diǎn cù。
This dish needs a little vinegar.
▶ 家裡的醋用完了。 jiā lǐ de cù yòng wán le。
We've run out of vinegar.
At home ▶ 他吃麵一定要加醋。 tā chī miàn yī dìng yào jiā cù。
He always has vinegar on his noodles.
Food and drink vinegar; (figuratively) jealousy — 吃醋 = to be jealous ▶
4216 pattern N2 他拿著一瓶醋回來。 tā ná zhe yī píng cù huí lái。
V 著 + VP
TBCL L3 V著2, and L2 V著1 with it. 著 on the FIRST verb turns that verb into the background — the state you are in, or the thing your hands are busy with — and the second verb is what you actually do: 他戴著帽子走進來 (he came in, wearing a hat). It is not 一邊……一邊……, which weighs two activities equally; here the 著 verb is scenery for the other one. Only the first verb takes 著, and a bare 著 verb with nothing after it is an order to stay put: 站著！ Do not confuse it with 睡著, where 著 is read zháo and means the action came off.
He came back holding a bottle of vinegar. ▶
4217 word Core 醬油 jiàngyóu
▶ 醬油放太多，菜太鹹了。 jiàng yóu fàng tài duō， cài tài xián le。
Too much soy sauce went in; the dish is too salty.
▶ 請幫我拿一下醬油。 qǐng bāng wǒ ná yī xià jiàng yóu。
Pass me the soy sauce, would you.
Food and drink ▶ 這家店的醬油是自己做的。 zhè jiā diàn de jiàng yóu shì zì jǐ zuò de。
This shop makes its own soy sauce.
soy sauce ▶
4218 word Core 燒 shāo
▶ 水燒好了，可以泡茶了。 shuǐ shāo hǎo le， kě yǐ pào chá le。
The water's boiled — we can make tea.
▶ 他把信燒了。 tā bǎ xìn shāo le。
He burnt the letter.
People ▶ 這種菜要用大火燒。 zhè zhǒng cài yào yòng dà huǒ shāo。
This dish has to be cooked over a high flame.
Food and drink to burn; to heat up, to cook over heat ▶
4219 word Core 廚師 chúshī
▶ 這家店的廚師是他爸爸。 zhè jiā diàn de chú shī shì tā bà ba。
The cook in this place is his father.
▶ 他想當廚師，所以去學做菜。 tā xiǎng dāng chú shī， suǒ yǐ qù xué zuò cài。
He wants to be a chef, so he went off to learn to cook.
Work ▶ 好的廚師不會用太多醬油。 hǎo de chú shī bù huì yòng tài duō jiàng yóu。
A good cook doesn't drown things in soy sauce.
Food and drink chef, cook ▶
4220 word Core 口味 kǒuwèi
▶ 這個菜的口味很重。 zhè ge cài de kǒu wèi hěn zhòng。
This dish is strongly flavoured.
▶ 每個人的口味不一樣。 měi ge rén de kǒu wèi bù yī yàng。
Everybody's taste is different.
People ▶ 你要什麼口味的茶？ nǐ yào shén me kǒu wèi de chá？
What flavour of tea would you like?
taste — both what a person likes and the flavour a dish has ▶
4221 word Core 淡 dàn
▶ 湯太淡了，再加一點鹽。 tāng tài dàn le， zài jiā yī diǎn yán。
The soup is too bland — add a bit more salt.
▶ 我喜歡喝淡一點的茶。 wǒ xǐ huān hē dàn yī diǎn de chá。
I like my tea on the weak side.
Food and drink ▶ 這個顏色太淡，看不清楚。 zhè ge yán sè tài dàn， kàn bù qīng chǔ。
This colour is too pale to see clearly.
bland, weak in taste; light in colour; slack (of trade) ▶
4222 word Core 拿手 náshǒu
▶ 做飯是他最拿手的事。 zuò fàn shì tā zuì ná shǒu de shì。
Cooking is the thing he's best at.
▶ 這個菜我很拿手。 zhè ge cài wǒ hěn ná shǒu。
This dish is one of my specialities.
Food and drink ▶ 他最拿手的是唱歌。 tā zuì ná shǒu de shì chàng gē。
What he's really good at is singing.
People to be really good at (a dish, a skill) ▶
4223 word Core 配 pèi
▶ 這個菜配飯很好吃。 zhè ge cài pèi fàn hěn hǎo chī。
This dish is good with rice.
▶ 紅酒配牛排最好。 hóng jiǔ pèi niú pái zuì hǎo。
Red wine goes best with steak.
Food and drink ▶ 這雙鞋配什麼衣服都好看。 zhè shuāng xié pèi shén me yī fú dōu hǎo kàn。
These shoes look good with anything.
to go with, to match; to serve alongside ▶
4224 word Core 慢用 mànyòng
▶ 服務生說：「請慢用。」 fú wù shēng shuō：「qǐng màn yòng。」
The waiter said, “Enjoy your meal.”
▶ 菜都上了，請慢用。 cài dōu shàng le， qǐng màn yòng。
That's everything — please enjoy it.
▶ 「慢用」是台灣店家常說的話。 「màn yòng」 shì tái wān diàn jiā cháng shuō de huà。
“慢用” is what shops in Taiwan say as they serve you.
enjoy your meal — what the waiter says as the food lands on the table ▶
4225 word Core 熱水 rèshuǐ
▶ 這裡沒有熱水，只有冷水。 zhè lǐ méi yǒu rè shuǐ， zhǐ yǒu lěng shuǐ。
There's no hot water here, only cold.
▶ 早上洗澡要等熱水。 zǎo shàng xǐ zǎo yào děng rè shuǐ。
You have to wait for hot water to shower in the morning.
At home ▶ 他喝熱水，不喝冰的。 tā hē rè shuǐ， bù hē bīng de。
He drinks hot water, never anything cold.
At home hot water ▶
4227 word Core 麵條 miàntiáo
▶ 我中午吃了一碗麵條。 wǒ zhōng wǔ chī le yī wǎn miàn tiáo。
I had a bowl of noodles at lunchtime.
▶ 這家的麵條比較細。 zhè jiā de miàn tiáo bǐ jiào xì。
The noodles here are on the thin side.
Food and drink ▶ 麵條煮太久就不好吃了。 miàn tiáo zhǔ tài jiǔ jiù bù hǎo chī le。
Noodles boiled too long are no good.
Food and drink noodles ▶
4228 word Core 米粉 mǐfěn
▶ 這家店的米粉很有名。 zhè jiā diàn de mǐ fěn hěn yǒu míng。
This shop is famous for its rice noodles.
▶ 米粉比麵條細得多。 mǐ fěn bǐ miàn tiáo xì de duō。
Rice noodles are much finer than wheat noodles.
Food and drink ▶ 我不吃麵條，我要米粉。 wǒ bù chī miàn tiáo， wǒ yào mǐ fěn。
I don't want wheat noodles, I want rice ones.
Food and drink rice noodles ▶
4229 word Core 水餃 shuǐjiǎo
▶ 我們今天晚上吃水餃。 wǒ men jīn tiān wǎn shàng chī shuǐ jiǎo。
We're having dumplings tonight.
▶ 十個水餃他一下就吃完了。 shí ge shuǐ jiǎo tā yī xià jiù chī wán le。
He got through ten dumplings in no time.
Food and drink ▶ 水餃要配醋才好吃。 shuǐ jiǎo yào pèi cù cái hǎo chī。
Dumplings need vinegar with them.
Food and drink boiled dumplings ▶
4230 word Core 餅 bǐng
▶ 早上我買了一個餅。 zǎo shàng wǒ mǎi le yī ge bǐng。
I bought a flatcake this morning.
▶ 這種餅裡面有肉。 zhè zhǒng bǐng lǐ miàn yǒu ròu。
This kind has meat inside.
Food and drink ▶ 餅要熱的才好吃。 bǐng yào rè de cái hǎo chī。
A flatcake is only good hot.
Food and drink a flat cake — the pancake-like snacks sold hot on the street ▶
4231 word Core 西餐 xīcān
▶ 他不常吃西餐。 tā bù cháng chī xī cān。
He doesn't often eat Western food.
▶ 這家西餐很貴。 zhè jiā xī cān hěn guì。
Western food here is expensive.
▶ 吃西餐要用刀子。 chī xī cān yào yòng dāo zi。
You need a knife for Western food.
Food and drink Western food ▶
4232 word Core 中餐 zhōngcān
▶ 我比較喜歡中餐。 wǒ bǐ jiào xǐ huān zhōng cān。
I prefer Chinese food.
▶ 中餐跟西餐哪個貴？ zhōng cān gēn xī cān nǎ ge guì？
Which is dearer, Chinese or Western?
▶ 這家店中餐、西餐都有。 zhè jiā diàn zhōng cān、 xī cān dōu yǒu。
This place does both Chinese and Western.
Chinese food (said in contrast with 西餐) ▶
4233 word Core 吃喝玩樂 chīhēwánlè
▶ 他一放假就只想吃喝玩樂。 tā yī fàng jià jiù zhǐ xiǎng chī hē wán lè。
The moment he's off work all he wants to do is live it up.
▶ 人不能天天吃喝玩樂。 rén bù néng tiān tiān chī hē wán lè。
Nobody can eat, drink and play every day of the week.
People ▶ 那幾天我們就是吃喝玩樂。 nà jǐ tiān wǒ men jiù shì chī hē wán lè。
Those few days were nothing but eating, drinking and enjoying ourselves.
Out and about to eat, drink and be merry; to live it up ▶
4234 word Core 聚 jù
▶ 我們每年都聚一次。 wǒ men měi nián dōu jù yī cì。
We get together once a year.
▶ 老同學很久沒聚了。 lǎo tóng xué hěn jiǔ méi jù le。
The old classmates haven't met up in ages.
People ▶ 大家聚在一起吃飯。 dà jiā jù zài yī qǐ chī fàn。
Everybody got together for a meal.
People to get together, to gather ▶
4235 word Core 走走 zǒuzǒu
▶ 吃完飯我們去走走吧。 chī wán fàn wǒ men qù zǒu zǒu ba。
Let's go for a walk after we've eaten.
▶ 天氣好，出去走走。 tiān qì hǎo， chū qù zǒu zǒu。
It's a nice day — get out for a bit.
Out and about ▶ 他每天晚上都去公園走走。 tā měi tiān wǎn shàng dōu qù gōng yuán zǒu zǒu。
He takes a stroll in the park every evening.
Out and about to go for a stroll, to get out for a bit ▶
4236 word Core 過日子 guòrìzi
▶ 他一個人過日子，也很快樂。 tā yī ge rén guò rì zi， yě hěn kuài lè。
He lives on his own and is perfectly happy.
▶ 沒有錢也要過日子。 méi yǒu qián yě yào guò rì zi。
You still have to live, money or no money.
People ▶ 這幾年他過日子過得很簡單。 zhè jǐ nián tā guò rì zi guò de hěn jiǎn dān。
These last few years he's lived very simply.
People to get by, to live one's life day to day ▶
4238 word Core 白菜 báicài
▶ 今天的白菜很便宜。 jīn tiān de bái cài hěn pián yí。
Cabbage is cheap today.
▶ 白菜煮湯很好喝。 bái cài zhǔ tāng hěn hǎo hē。
Cabbage makes a good soup.
Food and drink ▶ 她買了兩顆白菜。 tā mǎi le liǎng kē bái cài。
She bought two cabbages.
Chinese cabbage ▶
4239 word Core 玉米 yùmǐ
▶ 這裡的玉米又大又甜。 zhè lǐ de yù mǐ yòu dà yòu tián。
The sweetcorn here is big and sweet.
▶ 我買了三根玉米。 wǒ mǎi le sān gēn yù mǐ。
I bought three cobs of sweetcorn.
▶ 湯裡面有玉米跟白菜。 tāng lǐ miàn yǒu yù mǐ gēn bái cài。
There's sweetcorn and cabbage in the soup.
Food and drink sweetcorn, maize ▶
4240 word Core 紅豆 hóngdòu
▶ 我最喜歡紅豆的餅。 wǒ zuì xǐ huān hóng dòu de bǐng。
Red-bean flatcakes are my favourite.
▶ 這碗紅豆湯太甜了。 zhè wǎn hóng dòu tāng tài tián le。
This red-bean soup is too sweet.
Food and drink ▶ 紅豆要煮很久。 hóng dòu yào zhǔ hěn jiǔ。
Red beans take a long time to cook.
Food and drink red bean — the usual sweet filling ▶