Comparing similar functions

Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.

反而 vs 相反 (instead vs on the contrary)

A reversal differs from a contrasting proposition

• An explanation was expected to help but instead made things less clear.
• 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。 — 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 反而 vs 相反 (instead vs on the contrary). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

illness病bìnginstead反而fǎn érmore更gèngserious重zhòng了le。

Read examples in context

on the contrary相反xiāng fǎn，I我wǒagree同意tóng yì。

• In the opening example, 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。: 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties.
• In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.

Use the distinction

• 反而 marks a result opposite to the expected improvement.
• 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties. In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.

Try it with help closed

An explanation was expected to help but instead made things less clear. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 解释后，我反而更糊涂了。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 相反 can open a contrasting statement or describe opposite properties.
• In this frame 反而 modifies the predicate, rather than merely naming any difference.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

肯定 vs 确定 vs 一定 (sure / certain)

Confidence differs from confirming a detail

• A friend predicts an arrival, while you have not confirmed the time.
• 他一定会来；我还没确定时间。 — 一定 expresses a confident prediction and 确定 refers to confirming the time.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 肯定 vs 确定 vs 一定 (sure / certain). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

he他tācertainly一定yí dìngwill会huìcome来lái。

Read examples in context

I我wǒyet还háinot没méiconfirm确定què dìng。

• In the opening example, 他一定会来；我还没确定时间。: 一定 expresses a confident prediction and 确定 refers to confirming the time.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 肯定 can also express confidence, and it has verb uses such as 肯定成绩.
• Word class depends on the construction; confident wording is not proof of the future.

Use the distinction

• 一定 expresses a confident prediction and 确定 refers to confirming the time.
• 肯定 can also express confidence, and it has verb uses such as 肯定成绩. Word class depends on the construction; confident wording is not proof of the future.

Try it with help closed

A friend predicts an arrival, while you have not confirmed the time. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 他一定会来；我还没确定时间。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 肯定 can also express confidence, and it has verb uses such as 肯定成绩.
• Word class depends on the construction; confident wording is not proof of the future.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

适合 vs 合适 (to suit vs suitable)

Use the object with the right suitable-word

• A job suits someone's abilities.
• 这个工作适合你。 — 适合 takes 你 as its object in the suitability relation.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 适合 vs 合适 (to suit vs suitable). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

this这zhè(measure word)个gejob工作gōng zuòsuit适合shì héyou你nǐ。

Read examples in context

this这zhè(measure word)个geprice价格jià gévery很hěnsuitable合适hé shì。

• In the opening example, 这个工作适合你。: 适合 takes 你 as its object in the suitability relation.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 合适 instead functions as an adjective, as in 对你很合适.
• Shared meaning does not allow the same word order everywhere.

Use the distinction

• 适合 takes 你 as its object in the suitability relation.
• 合适 instead functions as an adjective, as in 对你很合适. Shared meaning does not allow the same word order everywhere.

Try it with help closed

A job suits someone's abilities. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 这个工作适合你。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 合适 instead functions as an adjective, as in 对你很合适.
• Shared meaning does not allow the same word order everywhere.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.