Corpus
| # | Kind | Level | Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 844 | word | N2 | 風 fēng
| wind | |
| 845 | word | N2 | 空氣 kōngqì
| air | |
| 846 | word | N2 | 多 duō
| many; much; more | |
| 847 | pattern | N2 | 別買太多。 bié mǎi tài duō。 （請）別 + VP 別 is the spoken negative imperative, shorter and far commoner than 不要. 請別 softens it; 別……了 (unit 74) adds 'stop doing what you are already doing'. | Don't buy too much. | |
| 848 | pattern | N2 | 他的中文比我好得多。 tā de zhōng wén bǐ wǒ hǎo de duō。 A 比 B + Vs 得多 得多 goes after the adjective to widen the gap: 快得多 = much faster. 一點 does the opposite (快一點 = a bit faster). A 比 comparison never takes 很. | His Chinese is a great deal better than mine. | |
| 849 | pattern | N2 | 這家店比那家便宜得多。 zhè jiā diàn bǐ nà jiā pián yí de duō。 A 比 B + Vs 得多 得多 goes after the adjective to widen the gap: 快得多 = much faster. 一點 does the opposite (快一點 = a bit faster). A 比 comparison never takes 很. | This shop is much cheaper than that one. | |
| 850 | pattern | N2 | 今天比昨天熱得多。 jīn tiān bǐ zuó tiān rè de duō。 A 比 B + Vs 得多 得多 goes after the adjective to widen the gap: 快得多 = much faster. 一點 does the opposite (快一點 = a bit faster). A 比 comparison never takes 很. | It's much hotter today than yesterday. | |
| 851 | pattern | N2 | 人多了一點。 rén duō le yī diǎn。 Vs 了 一點 Vs了一點 says the quality has gone slightly past what you wanted: 大了一點 = a bit too big. Drop the 了 and it flips into a request — 大一點 = a bigger one, please. | It's a bit too crowded. | |
| 852 | pattern | N2 | 這麼多東西你拿得了嗎？ zhè me duō dōng xi nǐ ná de liǎo ma？ V 得了 / V 不了 得了／不了 is about capacity — whether you can get through the amount: 吃不了 = can't manage to eat it all. The 了 here is read liǎo, not the neutral le of the past marker. | Can you manage all this? | |
| 853 | pattern | N2 | 這麼多錢我用不了。 zhè me duō qián wǒ yòng bù liǎo。 V 得了 / V 不了 得了／不了 is about capacity — whether you can get through the amount: 吃不了 = can't manage to eat it all. The 了 here is read liǎo, not the neutral le of the past marker. | I couldn't spend that much money. | |
| 854 | pattern | N2 | 別買了，錢不多了。 bié mǎi le， qián bù duō le。 別（再）... 了 別……了 tells someone to stop what they are already doing; add 再 and it also covers 'don't start again'. The 了 is what marks the change: 別說話 on its own is just 'don't talk'. | Stop buying things, we're low on money. | |
| 855 | pattern | N2 | 我們等了一個多小時。 wǒ men děng le yī ge duō xiǎo shí。 數詞 + 多 + 量詞 多 goes after the number and before the measure word: 三十多隻 = thirty-odd. With a single unit it goes after the measure word instead — 一個多小時 = over an hour. 多 here means 'and a bit more', never 'many'. | We waited over an hour. | |
| 856 | pattern | N2 | 你哥哥多高？ nǐ gē ge duō gāo？ 多 + Vs？ 多 in front of a state verb asks for a measurement: 多深 how deep, 多高 how tall, 多長 how long. It never takes 很, and the answer is a number with a unit — not 很深. | How tall is your older brother? | |
| 857 | pattern | N2 | 慢慢吃，時間還很多。 màn màn chī， shí jiān hái hěn duō。 AA / AABB + V A doubled state verb in front of the verb says HOW it is done: 慢慢走 walk slowly, 好好休息 have a proper rest. One-syllable state verbs double as AA; two-syllable ones double as AABB (安安靜靜, 高高興興) and work the same way. Writing normally adds 地 after the doubled form; speech normally does not. | Eat slowly, there's plenty of time. | |
| 858 | pattern | N2 | 東西太多，你拿過來我幫你。 dōng xi tài duō， nǐ ná guò lái wǒ bāng nǐ。 V 過來 / V 過去 過來 and 過去 move something across a space, and the choice is fixed by where the SPEAKER stands: 走過來 crossing towards me, 走過去 crossing away from me. Unlike bare 來/去, 過來/過去 imply there is a gap being crossed. | That's too much to carry — bring it over and I'll help. | |
| 859 | pattern | N2 | 今天飯很多，你們吃個夠。 jīn tiān fàn hěn duō， nǐ men chī ge gòu。 V 個夠 V 個夠 = keep going until you have had your fill: 吃個夠, 玩個夠. It is always a good thing, and 夠 is never negated in this frame. | There's plenty — eat your fill. | |
| 860 | pattern | N2 | 他的話給我帶來很多問題。 tā de huà gěi wǒ dài lái hěn duō wèn tí。 給 …… 帶來 …… 給 + person + 帶來 + thing says what a situation brings someone. What 帶來 takes here is abstract — 方便, 希望, 問題 — never an object you could carry. | What he said landed me with a lot of problems. | |
| 861 | pattern | N2 | 你的中文多好啊！ nǐ de zhōng wén duō hǎo a！ 多 + Vs + 啊！ 多 + Vs + 啊！is an exclamation, not a question — say it with the voice falling. The same 多 + Vs with the voice rising is the question 'how … ?'. | Your Chinese is so good! | |
| 862 | pattern | N2 | 對很多人來說，台北的房子太貴了。 duì hěn duō rén lái shuō， tái běi de fáng zi tài guì le。 對 …… 來說 對 X 來說 frames whose point of view it is, and the judgement follows. It is not 'said to X' — that is 跟 X 說. | For a lot of people, housing in Taipei is simply too dear. | |
| 863 | word | N2 | 少 shǎo
| few; little; less | |
| 864 | word | Core | 不用 bùyòng
| no need to; don't bother | |
| 866 | word | N2 | 手 shǒu
| hand | |
| 867 | pattern | N2 | 孩子的手小小的。 hái zi de shǒu xiǎo xiǎo de。 狀態動詞重疊 AA A one-syllable state verb doubles as AA (大大的) and takes 的 on the end; the effect is warm and descriptive rather than measured. Two-syllable state verbs do the same as AABB — 漂亮 becomes 漂漂亮亮的, 安靜 becomes 安安靜靜的. | The child's hands are tiny. | |
| 868 | pattern | N2 | 她說分手就分手，什麼也沒多說。 tā shuō fēn shǒu jiù fēn shǒu， shén me yě méi duō shuō。 說 + V + 就 + V 說 V 就 V uses the same verb twice and means it happened straight away, with no delay and no arguing: 說走就走. The verb has to be an action verb. | She said it was over and that was that, not another word. | |
| 869 | word | N2 | 痛 tòng
| to hurt; painful | |
| 870 | word | N2 | 頭 tóu
| head | |
| 871 | word | N2 | 眼睛 yǎnjīng
| eye(s) | |
| 872 | pattern | N2 | 他的眼睛大大的。 tā de yǎn jīng dà dà de。 狀態動詞重疊 AA A one-syllable state verb doubles as AA (大大的) and takes 的 on the end; the effect is warm and descriptive rather than measured. Two-syllable state verbs do the same as AABB — 漂亮 becomes 漂漂亮亮的, 安靜 becomes 安安靜靜的. | He has lovely big eyes. | |
| 873 | word | N2 | 累 lèi
| tired | |
| 874 | pattern | N2 | 這個工作很累，而且錢很少。 zhè ge gōng zuò hěn lèi， ér qiě qián hěn shǎo。 A，而且 B 而且 adds a second point pulling the same way, so the two halves must agree in feeling — good plus good, bad plus bad. For a contrast use 可是／但是 instead. | This job is tiring, and badly paid too. | |
| 875 | pattern | N2 | 我一點也不累。 wǒ yī diǎn yě bù lèi。 一點也/都 + 不/沒 ... 一點也／都 plus a negative is the strongest 'not at all'. When there is an object it slides in between: 一點酒也沒喝 = didn't drink a drop. | I'm not in the least tired. | |
| 876 | pattern | N2 | 你好像很累。 nǐ hǎo xiàng hěn lèi。 好像 + clause 好像 goes before the verb and turns a statement into a guess: 'it seems / it looks like'. Very common in speech to sound less blunt. | You look tired. | |
| 877 | word | N2 | 餓 è
| hungry | |
| 878 | pattern | N2 | 我很餓，也很累。 wǒ hěn è， yě hěn lèi。 A 很 + adjective Adjectives work without 是. 很 fills the gap and is often nearly meaningless ('very' only when stressed). 'A 高' alone sounds like a comparison. | I'm hungry, and tired too. | |
| 879 | word | N2 | 飽 bǎo
| full (after eating) | |
| 880 | pattern | N2 | 我才吃了一點就飽了。 wǒ cái chī le yī diǎn jiù bǎo le。 才 ... 就 ... 才 before the first verb says how little had happened; 就 before the second says how soon the next thing came. The pattern carries the speaker's surprise at the short gap, so it is not a neutral statement of time. | I'd barely eaten anything and I was full. | |
| 881 | word | N2 | 身體 shēntǐ
| body; health | |
| 882 | pattern | N2 | 他最近身體怎麼樣？ tā zuì jìn shēn tǐ zěn me yàng？ …… 怎麼樣？ 怎麼樣 asks for a verdict, not a method: 這個怎麼樣？ = what do you make of it? As an answer, 不怎麼樣 means 'nothing special'. For 'how do you do it', use 怎麼 + verb. | How's his health been lately? | |
| 883 | word | N2 | 耳朵 ěrduo
| ear(s) | |
| 884 | word | N2 | 嘴巴 zuǐba / zuǐ
| mouth | |
| 886 | word | N2 | 病 bìng
| illness; disease | |
| 887 | word | N2 | 生病 shēngbìng
| to fall ill; to be sick | |
| 888 | pattern | N2 | 因為他生病了，所以他沒來。 yīn wèi tā shēng bìng le， suǒ yǐ tā méi lái。 因為 A，所以 B 因為 … 所以 … normally appear together in Chinese ('because …, so …'). Either can be dropped in casual speech. | Because he is ill, he didn't come. | |
| 889 | pattern | N2 | 他好像生病了。 tā hǎo xiàng shēng bìng le。 好像 + clause 好像 goes before the verb and turns a statement into a guess: 'it seems / it looks like'. Very common in speech to sound less blunt. | He seems to be ill. | |
| 890 | word | N2 | 感冒 gǎnmào
| a cold; to catch a cold | |
| 891 | word | N2 | 看病 kànbìng
| to see a doctor | |
| 892 | word | N2 | 藥 yào
| medicine | |
| 893 | pattern | N2 | 吃了藥以後，他多少好了一點。 chī le yào yǐ hòu， tā duō shǎo hǎo le yī diǎn。 多少 + V + 一點 多少 in front of a verb means 'to some degree, at least a bit': 多少知道一點. It is not the question 'how much' — that 多少 goes in front of a measure word. | After the medicine he was a bit better. | |
| 894 | word | N2 | 醫生 yīshēng / yīshī
| doctor | |
| 895 | pattern | N2 | 醫生還沒來。 yī shēng hái méi lái。 還沒（有）+ V 還沒（有）is 'not yet': the event is still expected. 沒 on its own only says it did not happen; adding 還 leaves the door open. 不 is never used here. | The doctor hasn't come yet. | |
| 896 | pattern | N2 | 他應該去看醫生。 tā yīng gāi qù kàn yī shēng。 A 應該 / 別 + verb 應該 = should; 別 = don't (imperative), a spoken shortening of 不要. Both sit directly before the verb. | He should go and see a doctor. | |
| 897 | word | N2 | 休息 xiūxí
| to rest; to take a break | |
| 898 | pattern | N2 | 我們休息休息吧。 wǒ men xiū xí xiū xí ba。 動詞重疊 ABAB A two-syllable verb repeats whole — ABAB (研究研究), never ABB or A一AB. It softens the verb to 'have a bit of a go at it'. One-syllable verbs repeat as AA or A一A instead (看看, 看一看). | Let's have a bit of a rest. | |
| 899 | pattern | N2 | 好好休息，明天再說。 hǎo hǎo xiū xí， míng tiān zài shuō。 AA / AABB + V A doubled state verb in front of the verb says HOW it is done: 慢慢走 walk slowly, 好好休息 have a proper rest. One-syllable state verbs double as AA; two-syllable ones double as AABB (安安靜靜, 高高興興) and work the same way. Writing normally adds 地 after the doubled form; speech normally does not. | Have a proper rest; we'll talk tomorrow. | |
| 900 | pattern | N2 | 大家坐下來休息一下。 dà jiā zuò xià lái xiū xí yī xià。 V 下來 / V 下去 下來 and 下去 both mark downward movement; which one you use depends on where the SPEAKER is. 走下來 they come down towards me, 走下去 they go down away from me. 坐下來 'sit down' is fixed. The other 下去 — carry on doing it — has nothing to do with direction. | Everyone sit down and have a rest. | |
| 901 | pattern | N2 | 他在休息中，等一下再問他。 tā zài xiū xí zhōng， děng yí xià zài wèn tā。 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. | He's on a break — ask him later. | |
| 902 | pattern | N2 | 你應該休息。 nǐ yīng gāi xiū xí。 A 應該 / 別 + verb 應該 = should; 別 = don't (imperative), a spoken shortening of 不要. Both sit directly before the verb. | You should rest. | |
| 903 | pattern | N2 | 我想休息一下。 wǒ xiǎng xiū xí yī xià。 V + 一下 一下 after the verb makes the action short and softens a request: 看一下, 等一下. It is the politest way to ask for something small. | I'd like a little rest. | |
| 904 | pattern | N2 | 醫生讓我休息一下。 yī shēng ràng wǒ xiū xí yī xià。 A 讓 B + V 讓 + person + verb = let or make someone do something. Negate it with 不 in front of 讓. | The doctor told me to rest a while. | |
| 905 | word | N2 | 怕 pà
| to fear; to be afraid of | |
| 906 | pattern | N2 | 我才不怕呢。 wǒ cái bù pà ne。 才 + 不 / 沒 …… 呢 才 + a negative + 呢 is a flat, slightly indignant denial, and needs the 呢 to land: 我才不怕呢. It is speech only. This is not the 才 of 'only then'. | I'm not a bit afraid. | |
| 907 | word | N2 | 鼻子 bí(zi)
| nose | |
| 908 | word | Core | 感覺 gǎnjué
| to feel; a feeling, a sense | |
| 911 | word | N2 | 衣服 yīfú / yī
| clothes | |
| 912 | pattern | N2 | 衣服大了一點。 yī fú dà le yī diǎn。 Vs 了 一點 Vs了一點 says the quality has gone slightly past what you wanted: 大了一點 = a bit too big. Drop the 了 and it flips into a request — 大一點 = a bigger one, please. | The clothes are slightly too big. | |
| 913 | pattern | N2 | 衣服拿進來吧，外面好像快下雨了。 yī fú ná jìn lái ba， wài miàn hǎo xiàng kuài xià yǔ le。 V + 進/出/上/回 + 來/去 A direction (進 出 上 下 回) plus 來 or 去 stacks two facts onto one verb: which way, and towards or away from the speaker. 走進來 in towards me, 走進去 in away from me. An object sits between the direction and 來/去 — 拿回一本書來 — though speech usually fronts it with 把 instead. | Bring the washing in — it looks like rain. | |
| 914 | word | N2 | 穿 chuān
| to wear; to put on | |
| 915 | word | N2 | 鞋子 xié(zi)
| shoes | |
| 916 | pattern | N2 | 我的鞋子跟你的一樣。 wǒ de xié zi gēn nǐ de yī yàng。 A 跟 B 一樣 (+ adjective) A 跟 B 一樣 = A is the same as B. Add an adjective on the end for 'just as tall / just as good'. | My shoes are the same as yours. | |
| 917 | word | N2 | 件 jiàn
| measure word for clothes and matters | |
| 918 | pattern | N2 | 他買了好幾件衣服。 tā mǎi le hǎo jǐ jiàn yī fú。 好 + 幾/多 + M + N 好 in front of 幾 or 多 is not 'good' — it exaggerates the number: 好幾個 = quite a few, 好多年 = a good many years. 好些 does the same job but is much rarer in Taiwan. The measure word still follows the normal rules. | He bought quite a few clothes. | |
| 919 | pattern | N2 | 誰都知道這件事。 shéi dōu zhī dào zhè jiàn shì。 疑問詞 + 都 + V A question word plus 都 stops asking and starts covering everything: 誰都知道 = everybody knows, 哪裡都不去 = go nowhere. The 都 is compulsory and always sits before the verb. | Everybody knows about this. | |
| 920 | pattern | N2 | 他什麼都告訴我，就是沒說這件事。 tā shén me dōu gào sù wǒ， jiù shì méi shuō zhè jiàn shì。 什麼都 ...，就是 ... 什麼都 sweeps everything in and 就是 names the single exception. 就是 here means 'except precisely that' — nothing to do with the 就 that means 'then'. | He told me everything except this. | |
| 921 | pattern | N2 | 這件事我做得了。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ zuò de liǎo。 V 得了 / V 不了 得了／不了 is about capacity — whether you can get through the amount: 吃不了 = can't manage to eat it all. The 了 here is read liǎo, not the neutral le of the past marker. | This I can manage. | |
| 922 | pattern | N2 | 這件事我不再說了。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ bù zài shuō le。 不再 ... 了 不再……了 marks a state that has ended: 不再喝了 = doesn't drink any more. Contrast 再不……了, which is a promise about the future — 'never again'. | I shan't mention this again. | |
| 923 | pattern | N2 | 這件事不是他做的就是我做的。 zhè jiàn shì bú shì tā zuò de jiù shì wǒ zuò de。 不是 A 就是 B 不是……就是…… says it has to be one of exactly two: 不是他就是我. It is not a negative — the 不是 belongs to the frame, so never add a second 不. | Either he did it or I did. | |
| 924 | pattern | N2 | 誰叫你做這件事？ shéi jiào nǐ zuò zhè jiàn shì？ A 叫 B + V 叫 + person + verb means 'tell someone to do it' — an instruction, firmer than 讓 (let, allow). 請 + person + verb is the polite version of the same shape. | Who told you to do this? | |
| 925 | pattern | N2 | 這件事太麻煩了。 zhè jiàn shì tài má fán le。 太 + Vs + 了 太 + state verb + 了 is a complaint or an exclamation, not a neutral degree: 太深了 means deeper than it ought to be. The 了 is not a past marker and is not dropped in speech. | This is far too much trouble. | |
| 926 | pattern | N2 | 我的朋友都知道這件事。 wǒ de péng yǒu dōu zhī dào zhè jiàn shì。 S 都 + V 都 means 'all' and points BACKWARDS, to whatever came before it: 我們都 = all of us. It stands after the subject and before the verb — never at the front the way English 'all' can. With a negative, 都不 means none at all, while 不都 means not every one. | All my friends know about this. | |
| 927 | pattern | N2 | 這件事有點麻煩。 zhè jiàn shì yǒu diǎn má fán。 有（一）點 + Vs 有（一）點 goes in front of a state verb and always carries a complaint: 有點貴 = a bit dearer than it should be. Nobody says 有點漂亮. In speech the 一 is normally dropped. For a neutral 'a bit', put 一點 after the verb instead. | This is a bit of a nuisance. | |
| 928 | pattern | N2 | 這件大一點，那件小一點。 zhè jiàn dà yī diǎn， nà jiàn xiǎo yī diǎn。 Vs + 一點 Vs + 一點 asks for a small adjustment: 快一點 a bit faster, 小心一點 a bit more careful. As an instruction it is softer than the bare state verb. 有（一）點 + Vs is the mirror image and is a complaint, not a request. | This one's a bit bigger, that one's a bit smaller. | |
| 929 | pattern | N2 | 那件事，你別再問了。 nà jiàn shì， nǐ bié zài wèn le。 話題，+ 說明 Chinese puts what the sentence is ABOUT at the front and then comments on it. The topic is not the subject of the verb and takes no 把 and no 對 — it simply stands first, with a small pause. English needs 'as for…' to do the same job; Chinese needs nothing at all. | That business — don't ask about it again. | |
| 930 | pattern | N2 | 這家店的東西件件都很貴。 zhè jiā diàn de dōng xi jiàn jiàn dōu hěn guì。 MM + 都 … A doubled measure word means 'every single one' and nearly always brings 都 with it: 顆顆都很甜. It doubles the measure word, never the noun, and it cannot be used in a question — for that you still need 每一 or 所有的. | Everything in this shop is expensive, item by item. | |
| 931 | pattern | N2 | 你說這件事要不要告訴他？ nǐ shuō zhè jiàn shì yào bù yào gào sù tā？ 你說，……？ 你說 at the front hands the judgement to the listener: 你說這樣對嗎？ It is not 'you say' — that would need 你說的. | Do you think we should tell him? | |
| 932 | pattern | N2 | 這件事我是知道，可是我不能說。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ shì zhī dào， kě shì wǒ bù néng shuō。 …… 是 ……，可是 …… An unstressed 是 in front of the verb concedes the point before you qualify it: 我是想去，可是…… . Take it out and the sentence still stands; leave it in and you sound like you are giving ground. | I do know about it, but I can't say. | |
| 933 | pattern | N2 | 我們公司沒有一個人不知道這件事的。 wǒ men gōng sī méi yǒu yī ge rén bù zhī dào zhè jiàn shì de。 沒有一 M（N）不 / 沒 …… 的 A double negative meaning 'every single one': 沒有一個不說好的 = nobody has a bad word for it. The 的 at the end is compulsory and the measure word must match the noun. | There isn't a soul in the company who doesn't know. | |
| 934 | pattern | N2 | 這件事我多少知道一點。 zhè jiàn shì wǒ duō shǎo zhī dào yī diǎn。 多少 + V + 一點 多少 in front of a verb means 'to some degree, at least a bit': 多少知道一點. It is not the question 'how much' — that 多少 goes in front of a measure word. | I know something about it. | |
| 935 | pattern | N2 | 我看這件事沒有那麼簡單。 wǒ kàn zhè jiàn shì méi yǒu nà me jiǎn dān。 我看，…… 我看 offers a judgement, not eyesight: 我看他不會來了 = if you ask me, he isn't coming. It is softer than 我覺得 and very common in speech. | I don't think it's as simple as that. | |
| 936 | pattern | N2 | 這件衣服怎麼樣？我可以穿嗎？ zhè jiàn yī fú zěn me yàng？ wǒ kě yǐ chuān ma？ …… 怎麼樣？ 怎麼樣 asks for a verdict, not a method: 這個怎麼樣？ = what do you make of it? As an answer, 不怎麼樣 means 'nothing special'. For 'how do you do it', use 怎麼 + verb. | How's this one? Can I wear it? | |
| 937 | pattern | N2 | 所以啦，這件事跟我沒關係。 suǒ yǐ la， zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ méi guān xi。 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. | So there you have it — this has nothing to do with me. | |
| 938 | pattern | N2 | 那件衣服多少錢？ nà jiàn yī fú duō shǎo qián？ 多少錢？ / 幾 + M + N 幾 asks about a small number and always takes a measure word. 多少 asks about a larger one and needs none — 多少錢 is the everyday 'how much?' | How much is that piece of clothing? | |
| 939 | word | N2 | 起床 qǐchuáng
| to get up (out of bed) | |
| 940 | pattern | N2 | 她每天七點起床。 tā měi tiān qī diǎn qǐ chuáng。 time + A + verb Time words go at the start or straight after the subject, never at the end like English. 昨天我去 or 我昨天去, not 我去昨天. | She gets up at seven every day. | |
| 941 | word | N2 | 睡覺 shuìjiào
| to sleep; to go to bed | |
| 942 | pattern | N2 | 你多久沒睡覺了？ nǐ duō jiǔ méi shuì jiào le？ 時段 + 沒 + V（了） When nothing happened, the length of time comes BEFORE 沒: 三天沒吃飯. Compare 吃了三天, where the duration follows the verb because the action did take place. | How long is it since you slept? | |
| 943 | word | N2 | 起來 qǐlái
| to get up; to rise | |
| 944 | pattern | N2 | 你看起來不太好，是不是病了？ nǐ kàn qǐ lái bù tài hǎo， shì bú shì bìng le？ 是不是 + VP？ 是不是 turns a whole statement into a yes-no question and adds the speaker's hunch — 'am I right that…?'. It sits after the subject or in front of the verb phrase, and takes no 嗎 as well. | You don't look well — are you ill? | |
| 945 | pattern | N2 | 他站起來走出教室。 tā zhàn qǐ lái zǒu chū jiào shì。 V + 起來 (往上) V + 起來 here keeps 起來's literal direction: the action moves upward. 站起來 stand up, 飛起來 take off, 拿起來 pick up. The same shape later means 'start doing' (下起雨來) and 'judging by' (看起來); this is the one you can see. | He stood up and walked out of the classroom. | |
| 946 | pattern | N2 | 你坐了那麼久，起來走一走吧。 nǐ zuò le nà me jiǔ， qǐ lái zǒu yī zǒu ba。 V + 起來 (往上) V + 起來 here keeps 起來's literal direction: the action moves upward. 站起來 stand up, 飛起來 take off, 拿起來 pick up. The same shape later means 'start doing' (下起雨來) and 'judging by' (看起來); this is the one you can see. | You've been sitting for ages — get up and walk about. | |
| 947 | pattern | N2 | 老師一進來，同學都站起來了。 lǎo shī yī jìn lái， tóng xué dōu zhàn qǐ lái le。 V + 起來 (往上) V + 起來 here keeps 起來's literal direction: the action moves upward. 站起來 stand up, 飛起來 take off, 拿起來 pick up. The same shape later means 'start doing' (下起雨來) and 'judging by' (看起來); this is the one you can see. | The moment the teacher came in, the students all stood up. | |
| 948 | pattern | N2 | 你怎麼了？看起來很累。 nǐ zěn me le？ kàn qǐ lái hěn lèi。 （S）怎麼了？ 怎麼了 asks what has happened, and it expects something to be wrong: 你怎麼了？ = what's the matter? It is a complete question and never takes 嗎. 怎麼樣 is a different question — that asks how something is, or how it went. | What's the matter? You look worn out. | |
| 949 | pattern | N2 | 跟他比起來，我的工作簡單多了。 gēn tā bǐ qǐ lái， wǒ de gōng zuò jiǎn dān duō le。 跟 / 和 …… 比起來 跟 / 和 X 比起來，…… puts the yardstick first and the judgement after. Use it when the comparison itself is the point; A 比 B + Vs is the plain everyday form. | Next to his, my job is simple. | |
| 950 | pattern | N2 | 你今天看起來很累。 nǐ jīn tiān kàn qǐ lái hěn lèi。 V 起來（看法） V 起來 gives the impression something makes from outside: 看起來很累 looks tired, 吃起來不錯 tastes all right, 說起來容易 easy to say. The subject is the thing judged, not the judge. | You look tired today. | |
| 951 | pattern | N2 | 這件事說起來容易，做起來難。 zhè jiàn shì shuō qǐ lái róng yì， zuò qǐ lái nán。 V 起來（看法） V 起來 gives the impression something makes from outside: 看起來很累 looks tired, 吃起來不錯 tastes all right, 說起來容易 easy to say. The subject is the thing judged, not the judge. | It's easy to say and hard to do. | |
| 952 | word | N2 | 方便 fāngbiàn
| convenient | |
| 953 | word | Core | 小心 xiǎoxīn
| to be careful; careful, watch out | |
| 954 | pattern | N2 | 千萬要小心。 qiān wàn yào xiǎo xīn。 千萬 + 不要 / 要 …… 千萬 is an urgent plea, not a quantity, and only ever attaches to an instruction: 千萬別, 千萬要. It cannot describe a statement — 他千萬很好 is wrong. | Do be careful. | |
| 955 | word | Core | 清楚 qīngchǔ 台灣說 清楚Same word, different reading: Taiwan says qīngchǔ, mainland qīngchu.
| clear, distinct; to be clear about | |
| 957 | pattern | N2 | 他說得太快，我聽不清楚。 tā shuō de tài kuài， wǒ tīng bù qīng chǔ。 V 得 / V 不 + 結果 得 and 不 sit between the verb and its result to say whether the result is reachable: 看得懂 = can understand by reading, 聽不懂 = can't make it out. To ask, add 嗎 to the 得 form. | He talks too fast — I can't catch it. | |
| 958 | pattern | N2 | 我不太清楚。 wǒ bù tài qīng chǔ。 不太 / 不很 + Vs 不太 is the everyday way to soften a negative: 不太好 is 'not great', much gentler than 不好. 不很 means the same but is bookish and rare in speech. | I'm not too sure. | |
| 959 | pattern | N2 | 我聽得不很清楚。 wǒ tīng de bù hěn qīng chǔ。 不太 / 不很 + Vs 不太 is the everyday way to soften a negative: 不太好 is 'not great', much gentler than 不好. 不很 means the same but is bookish and rare in speech. | I couldn't hear it all that clearly. | |
| 960 | pattern | N2 | 講到吃，他最清楚。 jiǎng dào chī， tā zuì qīng chǔ。 說到／談到／講到 …，… 說到／談到／講到 opens a new topic by picking up something just said: 說到棒球… = speaking of baseball… The topic follows the verb, then a comma, then the comment. All three are interchangeable. 提到 is a different verb — that reports that someone mentioned something. | When it comes to food, he knows best. | |
| 961 | pattern | N2 | 她把那件事說清楚了。 tā bǎ nà jiàn shì shuō qīng chǔ le。 把 + O + V + 結果 把 + object + verb + a result word says what state the object ended in: 弄破了 broken, 洗好了 clean, 說清楚了 made clear. The object has to be something both speakers already know about. | She made the whole thing clear. | |
| 962 | word | N1 | 車子 chē(zi)
| car; vehicle | |
| 963 | pattern | N1 | 車快要來了。 chē kuài yào lái le。 快要 ... 了 快要……了 puts an event just round the corner. 要……了 on its own does the same job and 快 only sharpens it. The 了 is compulsory — never drop it. | The bus is about to come. | |
| 964 | pattern | N1 | 請小心開車。 qǐng xiǎo xīn kāi chē。 （請）+ VP A bare verb phrase is the plain command; 請 in front turns it into a request. Taiwanese speech softens it further with 一下 (請等一下) or 好不好 on the end. | Please drive carefully. | |
| 965 | pattern | N1 | 我看得見前面的車。 wǒ kàn de jiàn qián miàn de chē。 V 得 / V 不 + 結果 得 and 不 sit between the verb and its result to say whether the result is reachable: 看得懂 = can understand by reading, 聽不懂 = can't make it out. To ask, add 嗎 to the 得 form. | I can see the car in front. | |
| 966 | pattern | N1 | 別喝了，你開車。 bié hē le， nǐ kāi chē。 別（再）... 了 別……了 tells someone to stop what they are already doing; add 再 and it also covers 'don't start again'. The 了 is what marks the change: 別說話 on its own is just 'don't talk'. | Stop drinking, you're driving. | |
| 967 | pattern | N1 | 我的朋友有的會開車，有的不會。 wǒ de péng yǒu yǒu de huì kāi chē， yǒu de bù huì。 有的 …，有的 … 有的 takes part of a known group; 有的…有的… splits it in two. It needs the group to be established first (這些樹, 我的同學) and stands where the subject stands. For a list of two named things use 一個…一個… instead. | Some of my friends can drive and some can't. | |
| 968 | pattern | N1 | 在車上的東西記得拿。 zài chē shàng de dōng xi jì de ná。 （在）+ PW + 的 + N A place phrase before 的 describes the noun: 在桌上的電腦 = the computer on the table. The 在 is usually dropped in speech (桌上的電腦) but 的 never is. English puts the place after the noun; Chinese always puts it before. | Remember to take the things in the car. | |
| 969 | pattern | N1 | 你慢慢走，車站就在前面。 nǐ màn màn zǒu， chē zhàn jiù zài qián miàn。 AA / AABB + V A doubled state verb in front of the verb says HOW it is done: 慢慢走 walk slowly, 好好休息 have a proper rest. One-syllable state verbs double as AA; two-syllable ones double as AABB (安安靜靜, 高高興興) and work the same way. Writing normally adds 地 after the doubled form; speech normally does not. | Walk slowly — the stop is just ahead. | |
| 970 | pattern | N1 | 從我家到公司開車要四十分鐘。 cóng wǒ jiā dào gōng sī kāi chē yào sì shí fēn zhōng。 從 A 到 B + 距離／時間 從 A 到 B for a journey: A is where you set off, B where you arrive, and the distance or time follows the whole phrase — 從家到公司開車要四十分鐘. Both halves are needed; dropping one changes the meaning. The same pair does time spans: 從八點到五點. | From my house to the office is forty minutes by car. | |
| 971 | pattern | N1 | 他把車開到門口來了。 tā bǎ chē kāi dào mén kǒu lái le。 把 + O + V 到 …… 來 / 去 把 O V 到 + place says where the object ended up, and 來 / 去 says which way that is from where the speaker stands: 拿到樓上去 up and away, 帶到學校來 in here to me. | He's driven the car round to the door. | |
| 972 | pattern | N1 | 他哪裡有錢買車？ tā nǎ lǐ yǒu qián mǎi chē？ 哪裡 ……！ 哪裡 said with the voice falling is a denial dressed as a question: 我哪裡知道？how would I know! It expects no answer and is not asking where. | Where would he get the money for a car? | |
| 973 | pattern | N1 | 他已經很累了，還要開車回家。 tā yǐ jīng hěn lèi le， hái yào kāi chē huí jiā。 ……，還 …… This 還 piles one more thing on top, usually with a sigh: 白天上班，晚上還去教書. It is not 'still' in the sense of time — it is 'and what's more'. | He's exhausted and still has to drive home. | |
| 974 | pattern | N1 | 他不會開車。 tā bù huì kāi chē。 A 會 / 能 / 可以 + verb 會 = can (learned skill) or will (likely); 能 = can (ability or circumstance); 可以 = may (permission). All negate with 不. | He can't drive. | |
| 975 | pattern | N1 | 爸爸不讓我開車。 bà ba bù ràng wǒ kāi chē。 A 讓 B + V 讓 + person + verb = let or make someone do something. Negate it with 不 in front of 讓. | Dad won't let me drive. | |
| 976 | word | N1 | 開車 kāichē
| to drive (a car) | |
| 977 | word | N1 | 公共汽車 gōnggòngqìchē / gōngchē 台灣說 公共汽車Taiwan says 公車 (or 公共汽車); mainland says 公交車.
| bus (Taiwan usually says 公車) | |
| 978 | word | N2 | 計程車 jìchéngchē 台灣說 計程車Taiwan says 計程車; mainland says 出租車 (or 打車 for taking one).
| taxi | |
| 979 | word | N2 | 火車 huǒchē
| train | |
| 980 | pattern | N2 | 火車比公車快。 huǒ chē bǐ gōng chē kuài。 A 比 B + adjective A 比 B + adjective = A is more … than B. No 很 in a 比 sentence. Negative: A 沒有 B (那麼) + adjective. | The train is faster than the bus. | |
| 981 | word | N2 | 飛機 fēijī
| aeroplane | |
| 982 | word | N2 | 輛 liàng
| measure word for vehicles | |
| 983 | word | N2 | 路 lù
| road; way; route | |
| 984 | pattern | N2 | 只要不下雨，我們就走路去。 zhǐ yào bù xià yǔ， wǒ men jiù zǒu lù qù。 只要 A，就 B 只要 names the one condition that is enough, and 就 introduces what follows from it. Contrast 只有……才……, which says that condition is the ONLY one that will do. | As long as it isn't raining, we'll walk. | |
| 985 | pattern | N2 | 我有時候坐車，有時候走路。 wǒ yǒu shí hòu zuò chē， yǒu shí hòu zǒu lù。 有時候 A，有時候 B 有時候 is a time word, so it sits after the subject and before the verb: 我有時候……. Putting it right at the front (有時候我……) is also fine and slightly more emphatic. | Sometimes I take the bus, sometimes I walk. | |
| 986 | pattern | N2 | 我們走路去還是坐車去？ wǒ men zǒu lù qù hái shì zuò chē qù？ A 還是 B？ 還是 offers a choice inside a question and takes the place of 嗎 — never use both. In a statement ('either will do') Taiwan says 或者 or 或是; 還是 belongs to the question. It joins two whole predicates: 穿褲子還是穿裙子, with the second verb often left out. | Shall we walk or take the bus? | |
| 987 | pattern | N2 | 我不是走路來的，我是坐車來的。 wǒ bú shì zǒu lù lái de， wǒ shì zuò chē lái de。 （是）… 的 （是）…的 talks about the circumstances of something both sides already know happened: how, when, where, with whom. The 的 goes at the end and is never dropped; the 是 often is. Never add 了 as well — 我是昨天來的, not 我是昨天來了的. | I didn't walk — I came by car. | |
| 988 | pattern | N2 | 才下了一個小時的雨，誰知道路都不能走了。 cái xià le yī ge xiǎo shí de yǔ， shéi zhī dào lù dōu bù néng zǒu 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. | It rained for only an hour, and then the roads were impassable. | |
| 989 | pattern | N2 | 所以啦，還是走路比較快。 suǒ yǐ la， hái shì zǒu lù bǐ jiào kuài。 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. | So you see, walking is quicker after all. | |
| 990 | pattern | N2 | 走路比坐車來得快。 zǒu lù bǐ zuò chē lái de kuài。 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. | Walking is quicker than going by car. | |
| 991 | pattern | N2 | 走路比較慢。 zǒu lù bǐ jiào màn。 A 比較 + adjective 比較 + adjective = rather / more. Unlike 比, nothing is named to compare against — it is left understood. | Walking is slower. | |
| 992 | word | N2 | 或者 huòzhě
| or; either ... or (in a statement) | |
| 993 | word | N2 | 必須 bìxū
| must; have to | |
| 996 | word | N2 | 公園 gōngyuán
| park | |
| 997 | pattern | N2 | 下了課我們就去公園。 xià le kè wǒ men jiù qù gōng yuán。 V 了 O，就 … V了…就… puts two actions in order: the second follows the moment the first is finished. The 了 marks completion of the first verb only and says nothing about past time — 明天我吃了飯就去 works exactly the same way. 就 stands before the second verb, not at the front of its clause. | We'll go to the park as soon as class ends. | |
| 998 | pattern | N2 | 我們在公園。 wǒ men zài gōng yuán。 A 在 + place 在 = to be at / in. It is the verb here — no 是. Place words often end in 裡 / 上 / 面. | We are at the park. | |
| 999 | word | N2 | 地方 dìfāng
| place | |
| 1000 | pattern | N2 | 這裡有很多地方，你想坐哪裡都可以。 zhè lǐ yǒu hěn duō dì fāng， nǐ xiǎng zuò nǎ lǐ dōu kě yǐ。 疑問詞 + 都 + V A question word plus 都 stops asking and starts covering everything: 誰都知道 = everybody knows, 哪裡都不去 = go nowhere. The 都 is compulsory and always sits before the verb. | There's plenty of room — sit wherever you like. | |
| 1001 | pattern | N2 | 這個地方你介紹介紹。 zhè ge dì fāng nǐ jiè shào jiè shào。 動詞重疊 ABAB A two-syllable verb repeats whole — ABAB (研究研究), never ABB or A一AB. It softens the verb to 'have a bit of a go at it'. One-syllable verbs repeat as AA or A一A instead (看看, 看一看). | Tell us a bit about this place. | |
| 1002 | pattern | N2 | 這個地方很好走。 zhè ge dì fāng hěn hǎo zǒu。 好 / 難 + V 好+V means 'easy or pleasant to V' and 難+V 'hard to V'. The pattern describes the thing, not the person: 這個字很難寫 = this character is hard to write. 好看 and 好吃 are the same pattern, frozen into everyday words. | This is easy ground to walk on. | |
| 1003 | pattern | N2 | 這個地方也可以吃飯也可以休息。 zhè ge dì fāng yě kě yǐ chī fàn yě kě yǐ xiū xí。 也 A 也 B 也 A 也 B puts two things on an equal footing — 'both … and …'. Each 也 sits before its own verb phrase. 又……又…… does the same job with more emphasis. | You can both eat and rest here. | |
| 1004 | pattern | N2 | 這個地方不太好找。 zhè ge dì fāng bù tài hǎo zhǎo。 不太 / 不很 + Vs 不太 is the everyday way to soften a negative: 不太好 is 'not great', much gentler than 不好. 不很 means the same but is bookish and rare in speech. | This place isn't easy to find. | |
| 1005 | pattern | N2 | 我們都很喜歡這個地方。 wǒ men dōu hěn xǐ huān zhè ge dì fāng。 S 都 + V 都 means 'all' and points BACKWARDS, to whatever came before it: 我們都 = all of us. It stands after the subject and before the verb — never at the front the way English 'all' can. With a negative, 都不 means none at all, while 不都 means not every one. | We all like this place a lot. | |
| 1006 | pattern | N2 | 那家店今天沒開，我只好去別的地方。 nà jiā diàn jīn tiān méi kāi， wǒ zhǐ hǎo qù bié de dì fāng。 …，只好 + VP 只好 means there was nothing else for it: the second-best option, forced on you. It follows the problem and stands before the verb. 只能 says plainly that you cannot do otherwise; 只好 adds the reluctance. | That shop wasn't open today, so I had to go somewhere else. | |
| 1007 | pattern | N2 | 那個地方我就是找不到。 nà ge dì fāng wǒ jiù shì zhǎo bú dào。 就是 + 不 / 沒 …… An emphatic 就是 means 'flatly, and there is nothing more to say': 他就是不聽. It usually takes a negative after it and refuses to give a reason. | I just cannot find the place. | |
| 1008 | pattern | N2 | 你覺得這個地方怎麼樣？ nǐ jué de zhè ge dì fāng zěn me yàng？ …… 怎麼樣？ 怎麼樣 asks for a verdict, not a method: 這個怎麼樣？ = what do you make of it? As an answer, 不怎麼樣 means 'nothing special'. For 'how do you do it', use 怎麼 + verb. | What do you think of this place? | |
| 1009 | pattern | N2 | 我一次也沒去過那個地方。 wǒ yī cì yě méi qù guò nà ge dì fāng。 連 …… 都 / 也 + 不 / 沒 …… 連 marks the most surprising case and the second half must carry 都 or 也: 連小孩都知道. With a number, 一……都/也+不/沒 is the same shape: 一次也沒去過. 連 without 都/也 is wrong. | I haven't been to that place even once. | |
| 1010 | word | N2 | 附近 fùjìn
| nearby; in the vicinity | |
| 1011 | word | N2 | 左 zuǒ(biān)
| left (左邊) | |
| 1012 | word | N2 | 右 yòu(biān)
| right (右邊) | |
| 1013 | pattern | N2 | 走路十分鐘左右就到了。 zǒu lù shí fēn zhōng zuǒ yòu jiù dào le。 數 + 量詞 + 左右 左右 goes AFTER the whole measured phrase — 三十歲左右, not 左右三十歲 — and needs a number plus its measure word. For an estimate without a number, use 大概 in front instead. | It's about ten minutes' walk. | |
| 1014 | pattern | N2 | 這件衣服一千塊左右。 zhè jiàn yī fú yī qiān kuài zuǒ yòu。 數 + 量詞 + 左右 左右 goes AFTER the whole measured phrase — 三十歲左右, not 左右三十歲 — and needs a number plus its measure word. For an estimate without a number, use 大概 in front instead. | This one's a thousand dollars or so. | |
| 1015 | pattern | N2 | 我們等了半個小時左右。 wǒ men děng le bàn ge xiǎo shí zuǒ yòu。 數 + 量詞 + 左右 左右 goes AFTER the whole measured phrase — 三十歲左右, not 左右三十歲 — and needs a number plus its measure word. For an estimate without a number, use 大概 in front instead. | We waited half an hour or so. | |
| 1016 | pattern | N2 | 這裡住了五十個人左右。 zhè lǐ zhù le wǔ shí ge rén zuǒ yòu。 數 + 量詞 + 左右 左右 goes AFTER the whole measured phrase — 三十歲左右, not 左右三十歲 — and needs a number plus its measure word. For an estimate without a number, use 大概 in front instead. | About fifty people live here. | |
| 1017 | word | N2 | 旁 páng(biān)
| side; beside (旁邊) | |
| 1018 | pattern | N2 | 他在公園旁邊等你。 tā zài gōng yuán páng biān děng nǐ。 A 在 + place 在 = to be at / in. It is the verb here — no 是. Place words often end in 裡 / 上 / 面. | He's waiting for you beside the park. | |
| 1019 | word | N2 | 邊 biān / biānr
| side; edge | |
| 1020 | pattern | N2 | 他一邊吃飯一邊看手機。 tā yī biān chī fàn yī biān kàn shǒu jī。 一邊 V1 一邊 V2 Both halves need their own 一邊, each sitting directly before its verb. The two actions must genuinely overlap in time — for one after the other use 先……再……. | He eats with one eye on his phone. | |
| 1021 | pattern | N2 | 我一邊走一邊想。 wǒ yī biān zǒu yī biān xiǎng。 一邊 V1 一邊 V2 Both halves need their own 一邊, each sitting directly before its verb. The two actions must genuinely overlap in time — for one after the other use 先……再……. | I think as I walk. | |
| 1022 | pattern | N2 | 別一邊開車一邊打電話。 bié yī biān kāi chē yī biān dǎ diàn huà。 一邊 V1 一邊 V2 Both halves need their own 一邊, each sitting directly before its verb. The two actions must genuinely overlap in time — for one after the other use 先……再……. | Don't use the phone while driving. | |
| 1023 | pattern | N2 | 他一邊工作一邊讀書。 tā yī biān gōng zuò yī biān dú shū。 一邊 V1 一邊 V2 Both halves need their own 一邊, each sitting directly before its verb. The two actions must genuinely overlap in time — for one after the other use 先……再……. | He studies while holding down a job. | |
| 1024 | word | N2 | 外頭 wàitou
| outside (colloquial) | |
| 1025 | word | N2 | 山 shān
| mountain; hill | |
| 1026 | pattern | N2 | 在山上的那家店很小。 zài shān shàng de nà jiā diàn hěn xiǎo。 （在）+ PW + 的 + N A place phrase before 的 describes the noun: 在桌上的電腦 = the computer on the table. The 在 is usually dropped in speech (桌上的電腦) but 的 never is. English puts the place after the noun; Chinese always puts it before. | The shop up the hill is tiny. | |
| 1027 | pattern | N2 | 山上的天氣，說下雨就下雨。 shān shàng de tiān qì， shuō xià yǔ jiù xià yǔ。 說 + V + 就 + V 說 V 就 V uses the same verb twice and means it happened straight away, with no delay and no arguing: 說走就走. The verb has to be an action verb. | Mountain weather: it says rain and it rains. | |
| 1028 | pattern | N2 | 山上的天氣一下冷一下熱。 shān shàng de tiān qì yī xià lěng yī xià rè。 一下 ……，一下 …… 一下 A 一下 B means it keeps swinging between the two, and the speaker is complaining about the swinging. Do not confuse it with V 一下, 'do it briefly'. | The weather up the mountain is cold one minute and warm the next. | |
| 1029 | word | N2 | 花 huā / huār
| flower; to spend (money, time) | |
| 1032 | pattern | N2 | 就是花很多錢，他也要買。 jiù shì huā hěn duō qián， tā yě yào mǎi。 就是 ……，也 …… 就是……也…… grants the hardest case and then holds the line, and works with real and imagined cases alike. 即使 and 就算 are the same shape in more formal and more spoken registers. Do not confuse this 就是 with the 就是 that means 'exactly'. | Even if it costs a lot he means to buy it. | |
| 1033 | word | N1 | 年 nián
| year | |
| 1034 | pattern | N1 | 我才學了一年就會說了。 wǒ cái xué le yī nián jiù huì shuō le。 才 ... 就 ... 才 before the first verb says how little had happened; 就 before the second says how soon the next thing came. The pattern carries the speaker's surprise at the short gap, so it is not a neutral statement of time. | I'd only studied a year and I could already speak. | |
| 1035 | pattern | N1 | 我們好多年沒見了。 wǒ men hǎo duō nián méi jiàn le。 好 + 幾/多 + M + N 好 in front of 幾 or 多 is not 'good' — it exaggerates the number: 好幾個 = quite a few, 好多年 = a good many years. 好些 does the same job but is much rarer in Taiwan. The measure word still follows the normal rules. | We haven't seen each other for a good many years. | |
| 1036 | pattern | N1 | 他兩年沒回家了。 tā liǎng nián méi huí jiā le。 時段 + 沒 + V（了） When nothing happened, the length of time comes BEFORE 沒: 三天沒吃飯. Compare 吃了三天, where the duration follows the verb because the action did take place. | He hasn't been home for two years. | |
| 1037 | pattern | N1 | 我們好幾年沒見了。 wǒ men hǎo jǐ nián méi jiàn le。 時段 + 沒 + V（了） When nothing happened, the length of time comes BEFORE 沒: 三天沒吃飯. Compare 吃了三天, where the duration follows the verb because the action did take place. | We haven't seen each other for years. | |
| 1038 | pattern | N1 | 孩子一年比一年高。 hái zi yī nián bǐ yī nián gāo。 一 M 比 一 M + Vs 一M比一M sets the same measure against itself to show a steady change: 一天比一天冷 = colder by the day. The measure word is repeated exactly, and a state verb has to follow. | The children grow taller every year. | |
| 1039 | pattern | N1 | 東西一年比一年貴。 dōng xi yī nián bǐ yī nián guì。 一 M 比 一 M + Vs 一M比一M sets the same measure against itself to show a steady change: 一天比一天冷 = colder by the day. The measure word is repeated exactly, and a state verb has to follow. | Things get dearer year after year. | |
| 1040 | pattern | N1 | 我在那裡住了十多年。 wǒ zài nà lǐ zhù le shí duō nián。 數詞 + 多 + 量詞 多 goes after the number and before the measure word: 三十多隻 = thirty-odd. With a single unit it goes after the measure word instead — 一個多小時 = over an hour. 多 here means 'and a bit more', never 'many'. | I lived there for over ten years. | |
| 1041 | pattern | N1 | 我學中文學了兩三年了。 wǒ xué zhōng wén xué le liǎng sān nián le。 概數：兩三 + M / 十幾 + M Two neighbouring numbers side by side make an estimate: 兩三隻 two or three, 五六個 five or six. 十幾 is 'ten-something' (11–19); 幾十 is 'tens of'. Never put 或者 between the two numbers. | I've been learning Chinese for two or three years now. | |
| 1042 | pattern | N1 | 過年的時候，小孩玩個夠。 guò nián de shí hòu， xiǎo hái wán ge gòu。 V 個夠 V 個夠 = keep going until you have had your fill: 吃個夠, 玩個夠. It is always a good thing, and 夠 is never negated in this frame. | At New Year the children play to their hearts' content. | |
| 1043 | pattern | N1 | 這個地方像十年前一樣嗎？ zhè ge dì fāng xiàng shí nián qián yī yàng ma？ A 像 B 一樣 …… 像 B 一樣 + describing word gives the comparison: 像他一樣高. Drop 一樣 and 像 B 高 is wrong. For 'not as … as', negate 像: 不像昨天一樣冷 — or use 沒有 B 那麼 ……. | Is this place the same as it was ten years ago? | |
| 1044 | pattern | N1 | 我學中文學了兩年。 wǒ xué zhōng wén xué le liǎng nián。 V + 了 + duration The length of time comes AFTER the verb and its 了 — 我等了十分鐘, not 我十分鐘等了. | I've studied Chinese for two years. | |
| 1045 | pattern | N1 | 我在台灣住了三年。 wǒ zài tái wān zhù le sān nián。 V + 了 + duration The length of time comes AFTER the verb and its 了 — 我等了十分鐘, not 我十分鐘等了. | I lived in Taiwan for three years. | |
| 1046 | word | N1 | 今年 jīnnián
| this year | |
| 1047 | word | N2 | 明年 míngnián
| next year | |
| 1048 | pattern | N2 | 我明年開始學英文。 wǒ míng nián kāi shǐ xué yīng wén。 A 開始 + V 開始 takes the verb straight after it — 開始學, 開始工作. No 'to' in between. | I'm starting English next year. | |
| 1049 | word | N2 | 去年 qùnián
| last year | |
| 1050 | word | N2 | 月 yuè
| month; moon | |
| 1051 | pattern | N2 | 我才學了三個月。 wǒ cái xué le sān ge yuè。 S + 才 + 數量 才 in front of a number says the amount is smaller than expected: 才五十塊 = only fifty dollars. It is the mirror of 就, which says something came sooner or more easily than expected. | I've only been studying three months. | |
| 1052 | pattern | N2 | 三個月以後他就回來了。 sān ge yuè yǐ hòu tā jiù huí lái le。 …… 以後 以後 follows the event, unlike English 'after': 吃飯以後 = after eating. Alone at the front of a sentence it means 'from now on'. 自從……以後 narrows it to 'ever since'. | He'll be back in three months. |