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.
again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (again, in the past)
A familiar problem happens again
- A classmate arrives late today after being late previously.
- you你again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了。 — again又 marks today's lateness as a recurrence.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (again, in the past). 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.
you你again又late迟到了。
Read examples in context
again又rain下雨了!
- In the opening example, you你again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了。: again又 marks today's lateness as a recurrence.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了, but again又 is not confined to past events.
- tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了 anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我again又not不to know知道 uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.
Use the distinction
- again又 marks today's lateness as a recurrence.
- This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了, but again又 is not confined to past events. tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了 anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我again又not不to know知道 uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.
Try it with help closed
A classmate arrives late today after being late previously. 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: you你again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- This finished-event example uses (completed / change)了, but again又 is not confined to past events.
- tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了 anticipates a known recurrence; I / me我again又not不to know知道 uses another meaning. Choose from the whole sentence.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
all along一直 (all along, continuously)
Waiting lasts through a time span
- You wait throughout the morning for news.
- I / me我all along一直at / in在to wait for等you你(modifier / structural particle)的news消息。 — all along一直 describes the continuing wait across that span.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is all along一直 (all along, continuously). 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.
I我all along一直very很like喜欢you你。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我all along一直at / in在to wait for等you你(modifier / structural particle)的news消息。: all along一直 describes the continuing wait across that span.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- all along一直 also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直往前走.
- It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我all along一直to like喜欢music音乐 describes a lasting preference.
Use the distinction
- all along一直 describes the continuing wait across that span.
- all along一直 also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直往前走. It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我all along一直to like喜欢music音乐 describes a lasting preference.
Try it with help closed
You wait throughout the morning for news. 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: I / me我all along一直at / in在to wait for等you你(modifier / structural particle)的news消息。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- all along一直 also describes enduring habits or a spatial direction, such as all along一直往前走.
- It need not mean continuous physical activity every second: I / me我all along一直to like喜欢music音乐 describes a lasting preference.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
always总是 (always — a habit)
A classmate is usually late
- A classmate arrives late often enough for you to describe it as a habit.
- he / him他always总是to arrive late迟到。 — always总是 generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is always总是 (always — a habit). 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always总是late迟到。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, he / him他always总是to arrive late迟到。: always总是 generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- always总是 can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral.
- Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很, but he / him他always总是busy忙 is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.
Use the distinction
- always总是 generalises a recurring pattern of lateness.
- always总是 can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral. Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很, but he / him他always总是busy忙 is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.
Try it with help closed
A classmate arrives late often enough for you to describe it as a habit. 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: he / him他always总是to arrive late迟到。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- always总是 can sound critical here; it is not automatically neutral.
- Adjectives often take degree / adjective linker很, but he / him他always总是busy忙 is possible. A recurring habit is a speaker's generalisation, not a measured guarantee of no exception.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
finally终于 (finally, at last)
A long wait finally ends
- After waiting for a friend, you see the friend arrive.
- you你finally终于to / arrive到(completed / change)了! — finally终于 presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is finally终于 (finally, at last). 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.
you你finally终于arrived到了!
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, you你finally终于to / arrive到(completed / change)了!: finally终于 presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他finally终于or / still还是to be defeated失败(completed / change)了 can mark an eventual failure.
- (completed / change)了 often occurs with completed events, but finally终于clear明白(completed / change)了 and finally终于to be capable of能够independent独立to work工作 show different predicate shapes.
Use the distinction
- finally终于 presents arrival as the endpoint of a wait.
- Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他finally终于or / still还是to be defeated失败(completed / change)了 can mark an eventual failure. (completed / change)了 often occurs with completed events, but finally终于clear明白(completed / change)了 and finally终于to be capable of能够independent独立to work工作 show different predicate shapes.
Try it with help closed
After waiting for a friend, you see the friend arrive. 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: you你finally终于to / arrive到(completed / change)了!
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Finally need not be a happy result: he / him他finally终于or / still还是to be defeated失败(completed / change)了 can mark an eventual failure.
- (completed / change)了 often occurs with completed events, but finally终于clear明白(completed / change)了 and finally终于to be capable of能够independent独立to work工作 show different predicate shapes.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
almost几乎 (nearly, almost)
Check an almost-full group
- Most of a class have phones, but a few do not.
- almost几乎每个person人all / both都to have / there is有cell phone手机。 — almost几乎 makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is almost几乎 (nearly, almost). 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.
almost几乎everyone每个人all都has有a phone手机。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, almost几乎每个person人all / both都to have / there is有cell phone手机。: almost几乎 makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- almost几乎 can also precede an event without all / both都 or a negative, as in I / me我almost几乎to forget忘(completed / change)了.
- Keep the scope clear: almost几乎all / both都to know知道 is almost all know, while almost几乎not不to know知道 is hardly know.
Use the distinction
- almost几乎 makes the claim almost universal rather than fully universal.
- almost几乎 can also precede an event without all / both都 or a negative, as in I / me我almost几乎to forget忘(completed / change)了. Keep the scope clear: almost几乎all / both都to know知道 is almost all know, while almost几乎not不to know知道 is hardly know.
Try it with help closed
Most of a class have phones, but a few do not. 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: almost几乎每个person人all / both都to have / there is有cell phone手机。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- almost几乎 can also precede an event without all / both都 or a negative, as in I / me我almost几乎to forget忘(completed / change)了.
- Keep the scope clear: almost几乎all / both都to know知道 is almost all know, while almost几乎not不to know知道 is hardly know.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
only只 (only)
State the limit of a family's size
- You have one older brother and no other older brothers.
- I / me我only have ...只有一个older brother哥哥。 — only只 limits the number of older brothers to one.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is only只 (only). 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.
I我only只have有one一个older brother哥哥。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我only have ...只有一个older brother哥哥。: only只 limits the number of older brothers to one.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- In this frame only只 precedes to have / there is有, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context.
- only have ...只有he / him他to know知道 means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只 always limits the verb's action alone.
Use the distinction
- only只 limits the number of older brothers to one.
- In this frame only只 precedes to have / there is有, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context. only have ...只有he / him他to know知道 means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只 always limits the verb's action alone.
Try it with help closed
You have one older brother and no other older brothers. 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: I / me我only have ...只有一个older brother哥哥。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- In this frame only只 precedes to have / there is有, but its scope is supplied by the predicate and context.
- only have ...只有he / him他to know知道 means only he knows; do not turn the common position into a claim that only只 always limits the verb's action alone.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (how long you haven't …)
Friends meet after a long gap
- Two friends have not met for ten years and are now greeting each other.
- we / us我们already已经十年not / haven't没to appear见(completed / change)了。 — 十年 measures the period with no meeting.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (how long you haven't …). 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.
we我们already已经ten years十年haven't没met见了。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, we / us我们already已经十年not / haven't没to appear见(completed / change)了。: 十年 measures the period with no meeting.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- Compare we / us我们to meet见面to speak谈(completed / change)了两个hour小时, where the duration follows the completed talking.
- Final (completed / change)了 marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.
Use the distinction
- 十年 measures the period with no meeting.
- Compare we / us我们to meet见面to speak谈(completed / change)了两个hour小时, where the duration follows the completed talking. Final (completed / change)了 marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.
Try it with help closed
Two friends have not met for ten years and are now greeting each other. 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: we / us我们already已经十年not / haven't没to appear见(completed / change)了。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Compare we / us我们to meet见面to speak谈(completed / change)了两个hour小时, where the duration follows the completed talking.
- Final (completed / change)了 marks the current relevance of the gap; this greeting does not promise that the gap will continue after the reunion.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Time + only then / not until才 (not until — lateness)
Arrival feels late against a schedule
- You expected to be home by eight, but arrived at eleven.
- I / me我十一点only then / not until才to / arrive到home家。 — only then / not until才 evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Time + only then / not until才 (not until — lateness). 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.
I我yesterday昨天eleven o'clock十一点not until才got home到家。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我十一点only then / not until才to / arrive到home家。: only then / not until才 evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule.
- Time+only then / not until才 often omits (completed / change)了 in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才 and (completed / change)了.
Use the distinction
- only then / not until才 evaluates the eleven-o'clock arrival as late in this context.
- The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule. Time+only then / not until才 often omits (completed / change)了 in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才 and (completed / change)了.
Try it with help closed
You expected to be home by eight, but arrived at eleven. 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: I / me我十一点only then / not until才to / arrive到home家。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- The expectation is essential; eleven is not intrinsically late for every schedule.
- Time+only then / not until才 often omits (completed / change)了 in basic examples, but do not extend that tendency to a ban on all constructions with only then / not until才 and (completed / change)了.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
early先 … ,again / then再 … (first …, then …)
A meal has an order of actions
- Before eating, someone tells you to wash your hands.
- early先to wash one's hands洗手,again / then再to have a meal吃饭。 — The instruction puts washing before eating.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is early先 … ,again / then再 … (first …, then …). 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.
first先wash hands洗手then,再eat吃。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, early先to wash one's hands洗手,again / then再to have a meal吃饭。: The instruction puts washing before eating.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- again / then再 links the second step; it does not require a second meal.
- The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后 can link later steps too.
Use the distinction
- The instruction puts washing before eating.
- again / then再 links the second step; it does not require a second meal. The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后 can link later steps too.
Try it with help closed
Before eating, someone tells you to wash your hands. 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: early先to wash one's hands洗手,again / then再to have a meal吃饭。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- again / then再 links the second step; it does not require a second meal.
- The sentence specifies order but not the exact delay between actions. then / after然后 can link later steps too.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
one side一边 … one side一边 … (doing two things at once)
Two activities overlap
- You listen to music while preparing a meal.
- I / me我one side一边to prepare a meal做饭,one side一边to listen to听music音乐。 — The two activities overlap in time.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is one side一边 … one side一边 … (doing two things at once). 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.
I我often常常while一边showering洗澡,一边sing唱歌。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我one side一边to prepare a meal做饭,one side一边to listen to听music音乐。: The two activities overlap in time.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant.
- one side一边to laugh笑one side一边to cry哭 can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.
Use the distinction
- The two activities overlap in time.
- This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant. one side一边to laugh笑one side一边to cry哭 can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.
Try it with help closed
You listen to music while preparing a meal. 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: I / me我one side一边to prepare a meal做饭,one side一边to listen to听music音乐。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- This does not mean every small movement occurs at exactly the same instant.
- one side一边to laugh笑one side一边to cry哭 can describe overlapping reactions without claiming deliberate control over both; do not impose intention as a universal condition.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
always老是 (always — a complaint)
A complaint names a recurring interruption
- A friend keeps interrupting you during conversations.
- you你how / why怎么always老是to interrupt打断I / me我? — always老是 presents the repeated interruption with frustration.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is always老是 (always — a complaint). 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.
you你why怎么always老是late迟到?
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, you你how / why怎么always老是to interrupt打断I / me我?: always老是 presents the repeated interruption with frustration.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- always老是 often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他prefix used before the…老to be / is是to help帮I / me我 can express appreciation in context.
- always总是 can also be used critically.
Use the distinction
- always老是 presents the repeated interruption with frustration.
- always老是 often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他prefix used before the…老to be / is是to help帮I / me我 can express appreciation in context. always总是 can also be used critically.
Try it with help closed
A friend keeps interrupting you during conversations. 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: you你how / why怎么always老是to interrupt打断I / me我?
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- always老是 often occurs in complaints but is not forbidden with positive predicates: he / him他prefix used before the…老to be / is是to help帮I / me我 can express appreciation in context.
- always总是 can also be used critically.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
only then / not until才 + Number (only — a small amount)
A fare seems surprisingly small
- You expected a ticket to cost more than twenty yuan.
- this这张票only then / not until才二十块。 — only then / not until才 presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is only then / not until才 + Number (only — a small amount). 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.
you你only才twenty二十岁?
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, this这张票only then / not until才二十块。: only then / not until才 presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint.
- 二十块only then / not until才enough (sufficient)够 instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.
Use the distinction
- only then / not until才 presents the price as only twenty yuan against that expectation.
- The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint. 二十块only then / not until才enough (sufficient)够 instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.
Try it with help closed
You expected a ticket to cost more than twenty yuan. 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: this这张票only then / not until才二十块。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- The price is a small amount from the speaker's viewpoint.
- 二十块only then / not until才enough (sufficient)够 instead means only twenty yuan is sufficient; word position and predicate change the scope.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
only then / not until才 vs then / just就 (late vs early)
One clock time supports two reactions
- An early worker expects arrival at six; a late worker expects arrival at nine.
- he / him他八点then / just就to / arrive到(completed / change)了。she / her她八点only then / not until才to / arrive到。 — then / just就 and only then / not until才 present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is only then / not until才 vs then / just就 (late vs early). 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six o'clock六点already就get up起床了。
Read examples in context
he他nine o'clock九点not until才get up起床。
- In the opening example, he / him他八点then / just就to / arrive到(completed / change)了。she / her她八点only then / not until才to / arrive到。: then / just就 and only then / not until才 present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- Check the expected time, not only the clock number.
- (completed / change)了 is common in the completed then / just就 example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.
Use the distinction
- then / just就 and only then / not until才 present the same arrival time as early or late against different expectations.
- Check the expected time, not only the clock number. (completed / change)了 is common in the completed then / just就 example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.
Try it with help closed
An early worker expects arrival at six; a late worker expects arrival at nine. 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: he / him他八点then / just就to / arrive到(completed / change)了。she / her她八点only then / not until才to / arrive到。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Check the expected time, not only the clock number.
- (completed / change)了 is common in the completed then / just就 example; the words themselves do not assign a tense to every sentence.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
just now刚 vs just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 (just now: adverb vs time-word)
Place a recent-time expression correctly
- A friend left shortly before you arrived.
- he / him他just now刚to walk走。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他still / also还at / in在here这儿。 — just now刚 modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 names the earlier time when he was here.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is just now刚 vs just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 (just now: adverb vs time-word). 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just刚leave走。
Read examples in context
a moment ago刚才he他be at在here这儿。
- In the opening example, he / him他just now刚to walk走。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他still / also还at / in在here这儿。: just now刚 modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 names the earlier time when he was here.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- just now刚 can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到school学校then / just就to rain下雨(completed / change)了.
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才(modifier / structural particle)的telephone电话; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚.
Use the distinction
- just now刚 modifies the leaving; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 names the earlier time when he was here.
- just now刚 can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到school学校then / just就to rain下雨(completed / change)了. just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才(modifier / structural particle)的telephone电话; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚.
Try it with help closed
A friend left shortly before you arrived. 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: he / him他just now刚to walk走。just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他still / also还at / in在here这儿。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- just now刚 can describe a short interval relative to a stated event, as in 刚到school学校then / just就to rain下雨(completed / change)了.
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 can occur before or after the subject and in just now (variant of 刚才)刚才(modifier / structural particle)的telephone电话; it is a time expression, not merely a longer just now刚.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
a little有点 vs a bit一点 (a bit too… vs a little …er)
An evaluation becomes a request
- A coat costs more than you want to pay, so you ask for a small reduction.
- 这件clothes衣服a little有点expensive贵。cheap便宜a bit一点(suggestion)吧。 — a little有点expensive贵 evaluates the price; cheap便宜a bit一点 asks for a lower price.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is a little有点 vs a bit一点 (a bit too… vs a little …er). 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(measure word)件clothes衣服a bit有点expensive贵。
Read examples in context
cheap便宜a little一点吧!
- In the opening example, 这件clothes衣服a little有点expensive贵。cheap便宜a bit一点(suggestion)吧。: a little有点expensive贵 evaluates the price; cheap便宜a bit一点 asks for a lower price.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- a little有点 precedes the adjective and a bit一点 follows it here.
- a little有点 often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点happy高兴; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.
Use the distinction
- a little有点expensive贵 evaluates the price; cheap便宜a bit一点 asks for a lower price.
- a little有点 precedes the adjective and a bit一点 follows it here. a little有点 often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点happy高兴; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.
Try it with help closed
A coat costs more than you want to pay, so you ask for a small reduction. 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: 这件clothes衣服a little有点expensive贵。cheap便宜a bit一点(suggestion)吧。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- a little有点 precedes the adjective and a bit一点 follows it here.
- a little有点 often expresses an unwanted state but can express mild surprise or feelings such as a little有点happy高兴; negative evaluation is usual, not compulsory.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
again / then再 vs again又 (again: future vs past)
Distinguish a new plan from a known recurrence
- A visitor came today and plans another visit tomorrow.
- today今天he / him他again又to come来(completed / change)了,tomorrow明天again / then再to come来。 — again又 marks today's recurrence; again / then再 proposes the next visit.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is again / then再 vs again又 (again: future vs past). 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again又late迟到了。
Read examples in context
tomorrow明天again再come来吧!
- In the opening example, today今天he / him他again又to come来(completed / change)了,tomorrow明天again / then再to come来。: again又 marks today's recurrence; again / then再 proposes the next visit.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system.
- tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一 is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再 also links subsequent steps, as in 先看to say again再说.
Use the distinction
- again又 marks today's recurrence; again / then再 proposes the next visit.
- This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system. tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一 is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再 also links subsequent steps, as in 先看to say again再说.
Try it with help closed
A visitor came today and plans another visit tomorrow. 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: today今天he / him他again又to come来(completed / change)了,tomorrow明天again / then再to come来。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- This is a useful basic contrast, not a past/future tense system.
- tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一 is a known recurrence in the future; again / then再 also links subsequent steps, as in 先看to say again再说.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.