1只有……才…… / 只有……才能……
Definition: Only if / only then; a necessary condition
Example
因为只有儿童才能无忧无虑。
Yīnwèi zhǐyǒu értóng cái néng wúyōuwúlǜ.
Because only children can be carefree.
How to use it: 只有 introduces the necessary condition; 才 or 才能 belongs in the result.
2一……就……
Definition: As soon as A happens, B happens
Example
我一进大学就开始回忆童年。
Wǒ yí jìn dàxué jiù kāishǐ huíyì tóngnián.
As soon as I entered university, I began recalling childhood.
How to use it: Place 一 before the first action and 就 before the second.
3其实
Definition: Actually; in fact; contrary to an expectation
Example
其实，年轻的时候，我很少回忆童年的生活。
Qíshí, niánqīng de shíhou, wǒ hěn shǎo huíyì tóngnián de shēnghuó.
Actually, when I was young, I rarely thought back on childhood.
How to use it: Often introduces a contrast between what is assumed and what is true.
4好像
Definition: It seems / as though; an uncertain impression
Example
我第一次认真回忆童年，好像是在大学的时候。
Wǒ dì yī cì rènzhēn huíyì tóngnián, hǎoxiàng shì zài dàxué de shíhou.
It seems I first seriously recalled childhood when I was at university.
How to use it: Use for an impression or uncertain recollection.
5由于
Definition: Owing to / because of; introduces a cause
Example
由于父母注重教育，我从小与书为友。
Yóuyú fùmǔ zhùzhòng jiàoyù, wǒ cóngxiǎo yǔshūwéiyǒu.
Because my parents valued education, I was friends with books from childhood.
How to use it: Often begins a cause clause, sometimes followed by 所以.
6不仅……同时也……
Definition: Not only A but also B at the same time
Example
父母不仅鼓励我学习，同时也教我与人为善。
Fùmǔ bùjǐn gǔlì wǒ xuéxí, tóngshí yě jiāo wǒ yǔrénwéishàn.
My parents encouraged both studying and treating others kindly.
How to use it: Expresses two related activities or effects.
7自从……以后 / 之后……
Definition: Ever since a past event; a continuing change
Example
自从那次谈话以后，我常常回想童年。
Zìcóng nà cì tánhuà yǐhòu, wǒ chángcháng huíxiǎng tóngnián.
Ever since that conversation, I often recall childhood.
How to use it: Use 自从 with a starting event; 以后/之后 can mark the time following it.
8仍然
Definition: Still; a situation continues
Example
长大以后，我仍然相信童年的经历影响成长。
Zhǎng dà yǐhòu, wǒ réngrán xiāngxìn tóngnián de jīnglì yǐngxiǎng chéngzhǎng.
After growing up, I still believe childhood experiences influence development.
How to use it: Use when a state persists despite time or change.
9再也不……了
Definition: No longer / never again
Example
从那次谈话以后，我再也不忽视童年了。
Cóng nà cì tánhuà yǐhòu, wǒ zài yě bù hūshì tóngnián le.
After that conversation, I never ignored childhood again.
How to use it: Signals that a former behavior or state has ended.
10假如……就……
Definition: If / supposing A, then B (hypothetical)
Example
假如我的童年不同，我就可能成为不同的人。
Jiǎrú wǒ de tóngnián bù tóng, wǒ jiù kěnéng chéngwéi bù tóng de rén.
If my childhood had been different, I might have become a different person.
How to use it: 假如 sets up a hypothetical condition, usually with 就 in the result.
11影响（动词 / 名词）
Definition: Influence / impact; can be a verb or noun
Example
童年的经历对成长有很大的影响。
Tóngnián de jīnglì duì chéngzhǎng yǒu hěn dà de yǐngxiǎng.
Childhood experiences have a major influence on growth.
How to use it: Noun: 对……有影响. Verb: 童年的经历影响成长.
12好好 + 动词
Definition: Do an action properly / earnestly
Example
父母鼓励我好好学习。
Fùmǔ gǔlì wǒ hǎohāo xuéxí.
My parents encouraged me to study hard.
How to use it: 好好 comes before the verb being done carefully or earnestly.
13使 + 人 + 结果
Definition: Make someone feel\/become a certain way
Example
这本书使我很好奇。
Zhè běn shū shǐ wǒ hěn hàoqí.
This book made me curious.
How to use it: The cause comes first, then 使, then the affected person and result.
14依我看 / 在我看来
Definition: In my opinion / as I see it
Example
依我看，邓小平是一个很不平凡的人物。
Yī wǒ kàn, Dèng Xiǎopíng shì yí ge hěn bù píngfán de rénwù.
In my opinion, Deng Xiaoping was a very unusual historical figure.
How to use it: Introduces the speaker's own view; 在我看来 is a close equivalent.
15根据
Definition: According to / based on a source; basis
Example
根据书上的说法，邓小平是一个冷静而诚实的人。
Gēnjù shū shàng de shuōfǎ, Dèng Xiǎopíng shì yí ge lěngjìng ér chéngshí de rén.
According to the book, Deng Xiaoping was calm and honest.
How to use it: 根据 may mean 'according to' or a basis; 证据 means evidence.
16为了……不仅……而且还……
Definition: In order to A, not only B but also C
Example
为了了解邓小平，甲不仅看书，而且还问朋友的评价。
Wèile liǎojiě Dèng Xiǎopíng, Jiǎ bùjǐn kàn shū, érqiě hái wèn péngyou de píngjià.
To understand Deng, 甲 not only read but also asked friends for their evaluations.
How to use it: 为了 gives the purpose; 不仅 and 而且还 pair the two actions.
17不但……而且……
Definition: Not only A, but also B
Example
我不但敬佩他，而且很怀念他。
Wǒ búdàn jìngpèi tā, érqiě hěn huáiniàn tā.
I not only admire him but also remember him fondly.
How to use it: Links two parallel or escalating statements.
18……是不得已的
Definition: Have no alternative; be compelled by circumstances
Example
我这样做是不得已的。
Wǒ zhèyàng zuò shì bùdéyǐ de.
I had no choice but to act this way.
How to use it: Explains that circumstances forced a choice, not necessarily that it was justified.
19就……而言 / 就……来说
Definition: As far as a particular aspect is concerned
Example
就外表而言，他还算大方。
Jiù wàibiǎo ér yán, tā hái suàn dàfang.
As far as appearance is concerned, he was fairly poised.
How to use it: Introduces the dimension being evaluated.
20看上去
Definition: Look / appear a certain way
Example
邓小平看上去很冷静。
Dèng Xiǎopíng kàn shàngqu hěn lěngjìng.
Deng Xiaoping appears calm.
How to use it: Describes an impression based on appearance, not a verified inner state.
21还算
Definition: Fairly / reasonably / still counts as
Example
虽然他不太英俊，但是还算大方。
Suīrán tā bú tài yīngjùn, dànshì hái suàn dàfang.
Although not particularly handsome, he was fairly poised.
How to use it: Moderate praise, weaker than 非常 or 很 in many contexts.
22虽然……但是……
Definition: Although A, nevertheless B
Example
虽然他有普通人的弱点，但是也有伟人的远见。
Suīrán tā yǒu pǔtōngrén de ruòdiǎn, dànshì yě yǒu wěirén de yuǎnjiàn.
Although he had ordinary weaknesses, he also had a great person's vision.
How to use it: Contrasts two facts; in Chinese, using both 虽然 and 但是 is natural.
23无论……都……
Definition: No matter who/what/how, the result holds
Example
无论谁在他的位子上，都会面对困难。
Wúlùn shéi zài tā de wèizi shàng, dōu huì miànduì kùnnan.
No matter who held his position, they would face difficulties.
How to use it: The standard paired word is 都.
24难道……？
Definition: Rhetorical question implying an expected answer
Example
这难道不是自私自利吗？
Zhè nándào bú shì zìsīzìlì ma?
Isn't this selfish? (The speaker implies yes.)
How to use it: Signals disbelief, challenge, or an answer the speaker thinks is obvious.
25因为……而……
Definition: Because of one cause, [do] an action\/result
Example
他不会因为一时的冲动而下令杀人。
Tā bú huì yīnwèi yìshí de chōngdòng ér xiàlìng shārén.
He would not order killing because of a momentary impulse (甲's reasoning).
How to use it: Used to connect a reason and the resulting action.
26或多或少
Definition: More or less / to some degree
Example
每个人的性情中，或多或少都存在着一些矛盾。
Měi ge rén de xìngqíng zhōng, huòduōhuòshǎo dōu cúnzài zhe yìxiē máodùn.
Everyone has some contradictions in their character, more or less.
How to use it: Expresses varying degrees while still making a broad statement.
27到……的地步
Definition: Reach the point of / to such an extent
Example
他也还没到心狠手辣的地步。
Tā yě hái méi dào xīnhěnshǒulà de dìbù.
He had not reached the point of being ruthless.
How to use it: Marks an extreme degree or endpoint of a condition.
28也许
Definition: Perhaps / maybe; uncertain possibility
Example
他那样做也许有不得已的苦衷。
Tā nàyàng zuò yěxǔ yǒu bùdéyǐ de kǔzhōng.
Perhaps he had unavoidable difficulties (乙's speculation).
How to use it: A hedge indicating the speaker is not sure.
29太……了
Definition: Too / so + adjective
Example
你的想法太偏激了。
Nǐ de xiǎngfǎ tài piānjī le.
Your opinion is too extreme.
How to use it: Place 太 before the adjective, with 了 at the end.
30采取 + 手段 / 措施
Definition: Adopt / take measures or methods
Example
在紧要关头，人们可能采取激烈的手段。
Zài jǐnyào guāntóu, rénmen kěnéng cǎiqǔ jīliè de shǒuduàn.
At a critical moment, people may adopt forceful measures.
How to use it: Common collocations: 采取手段, 采取措施.