Chinese Midterm L1-L2

Definition: Only if / only then; a necessary condition
Grammar: 只有……才…… / 只有……才能……
zhǐyǒu … cái … / zhǐyǒu … cái néng …
Example from the lesson/theme
因为只有儿童才能无忧无虑。
Yīnwèi zhǐyǒu értóng cái néng wúyōuwúlǜ.
Because only children can be carefree.
Tip: 只有 introduces the necessary condition; 才 or 才能 belongs in the result.

Blank: 只有
Definition: Only if / only then; a necessary condition
Grammar: 只有……才…… / 只有……才能……
zhǐyǒu … cái … / zhǐyǒu … cái néng …
Example from the lesson/theme
因为只有儿童才能无忧无虑。
Yīnwèi zhǐyǒu értóng cái néng wúyōuwúlǜ.
Because only children can be carefree.
Tip: 只有 introduces the necessary condition; 才 or 才能 belongs in the result.

Definition: As soon as A happens, B happens
Grammar: 一……就……
yī … jiù …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Place 一 before the first action and 就 before the second.

Blank: 就
Definition: As soon as A happens, B happens
Grammar: 一……就……
yī … jiù …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Place 一 before the first action and 就 before the second.

Definition: Actually; in fact; contrary to an expectation
Grammar: 其实
qíshí
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Often introduces a contrast between what is assumed and what is true.

Blank: 其实
Definition: Actually; in fact; contrary to an expectation
Grammar: 其实
qíshí
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Often introduces a contrast between what is assumed and what is true.

Definition: It seems / as though; an uncertain impression
Grammar: 好像
hǎoxiàng
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use for an impression or uncertain recollection.

Blank: 好像
Definition: It seems / as though; an uncertain impression
Grammar: 好像
hǎoxiàng
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use for an impression or uncertain recollection.

Definition: Owing to / because of; introduces a cause
Grammar: 由于
yóuyú
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Often begins a cause clause, sometimes followed by 所以.

Blank: 由于
Definition: Owing to / because of; introduces a cause
Grammar: 由于
yóuyú
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Often begins a cause clause, sometimes followed by 所以.

Definition: Not only A but also B at the same time
Grammar: 不仅……同时也……
bùjǐn … tóngshí yě …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Expresses two related activities or effects.

Blank: 同时
Definition: Not only A but also B at the same time
Grammar: 不仅……同时也……
bùjǐn … tóngshí yě …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Expresses two related activities or effects.

Definition: Ever since a past event; a continuing change
Grammar: 自从……以后 / 之后……
zìcóng … yǐhòu / zhīhòu …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use 自从 with a starting event; 以后/之后 can mark the time following it.

Blank: 自从
Definition: Ever since a past event; a continuing change
Grammar: 自从……以后 / 之后……
zìcóng … yǐhòu / zhīhòu …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use 自从 with a starting event; 以后/之后 can mark the time following it.

Definition: Still; a situation continues
Grammar: 仍然
réngrán
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use when a state persists despite time or change.

Blank: 仍然
Definition: Still; a situation continues
Grammar: 仍然
réngrán
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Use when a state persists despite time or change.

Definition: No longer / never again
Grammar: 再也不……了
zài yě bù … le
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Signals that a former behavior or state has ended.

Blank: 再也不
Definition: No longer / never again
Grammar: 再也不……了
zài yě bù … le
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Signals that a former behavior or state has ended.

Definition: If / supposing A, then B (hypothetical)
Grammar: 假如……就……
jiǎrú … jiù …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 假如 sets up a hypothetical condition, usually with 就 in the result.

Blank: 就
Definition: If / supposing A, then B (hypothetical)
Grammar: 假如……就……
jiǎrú … jiù …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 假如 sets up a hypothetical condition, usually with 就 in the result.

Definition: Influence / impact; can be a verb or noun
Grammar: 影响（动词 / 名词）
yǐngxiǎng (dòngcí / míngcí)
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Noun: 对……有影响. Verb: 童年的经历影响成长.

Blank: 影响
Definition: Influence / impact; can be a verb or noun
Grammar: 影响（动词 / 名词）
yǐngxiǎng (dòngcí / míngcí)
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Noun: 对……有影响. Verb: 童年的经历影响成长.

Definition: Do an action properly / earnestly
Grammar: 好好 + 动词
hǎohāo + dòngcí
Example from the lesson/theme
父母鼓励我好好学习。
Fùmǔ gǔlì wǒ hǎohāo xuéxí.
My parents encouraged me to study hard.
Tip: 好好 comes before the verb being done carefully or earnestly.

Blank: 好好
Definition: Do an action properly / earnestly
Grammar: 好好 + 动词
hǎohāo + dòngcí
Example from the lesson/theme
父母鼓励我好好学习。
Fùmǔ gǔlì wǒ hǎohāo xuéxí.
My parents encouraged me to study hard.
Tip: 好好 comes before the verb being done carefully or earnestly.

Definition: Make someone feel\/become a certain way
Grammar: 使 + 人 + 结果
shǐ + rén + jiéguǒ
Example from the lesson/theme
这本书使我很好奇。
Zhè běn shū shǐ wǒ hěn hàoqí.
This book made me curious.
Tip: The cause comes first, then 使, then the affected person and result.

Blank: 使
Definition: Make someone feel\/become a certain way
Grammar: 使 + 人 + 结果
shǐ + rén + jiéguǒ
Example from the lesson/theme
这本书使我很好奇。
Zhè běn shū shǐ wǒ hěn hàoqí.
This book made me curious.
Tip: The cause comes first, then 使, then the affected person and result.

Definition: In my opinion / as I see it
Grammar: 依我看 / 在我看来
yī wǒ kàn / zài wǒ kànlái
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Introduces the speaker's own view; 在我看来 is a close equivalent.

Blank: 依我看
Definition: In my opinion / as I see it
Grammar: 依我看 / 在我看来
yī wǒ kàn / zài wǒ kànlái
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Introduces the speaker's own view; 在我看来 is a close equivalent.

Definition: According to / based on a source; basis
Grammar: 根据
gēnjù
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 根据 may mean 'according to' or a basis; 证据 means evidence.

Blank: 根据
Definition: According to / based on a source; basis
Grammar: 根据
gēnjù
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 根据 may mean 'according to' or a basis; 证据 means evidence.

Definition: In order to A, not only B but also C
Grammar: 为了……不仅……而且还……
wèile … bùjǐn … érqiě hái …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 为了 gives the purpose; 不仅 and 而且还 pair the two actions.

Blank: 而且
Definition: In order to A, not only B but also C
Grammar: 为了……不仅……而且还……
wèile … bùjǐn … érqiě hái …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: 为了 gives the purpose; 不仅 and 而且还 pair the two actions.

Definition: Not only A, but also B
Grammar: 不但……而且……
búdàn … érqiě …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Links two parallel or escalating statements.

Blank: 而且
Definition: Not only A, but also B
Grammar: 不但……而且……
búdàn … érqiě …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Links two parallel or escalating statements.

Definition: Have no alternative; be compelled by circumstances
Grammar: ……是不得已的
… shì bùdéyǐ de
Example from the lesson/theme
我这样做是不得已的。
Wǒ zhèyàng zuò shì bùdéyǐ de.
I had no choice but to act this way.
Tip: Explains that circumstances forced a choice, not necessarily that it was justified.

Blank: 是不得已的
Definition: Have no alternative; be compelled by circumstances
Grammar: ……是不得已的
… shì bùdéyǐ de
Example from the lesson/theme
我这样做是不得已的。
Wǒ zhèyàng zuò shì bùdéyǐ de.
I had no choice but to act this way.
Tip: Explains that circumstances forced a choice, not necessarily that it was justified.

Definition: As far as a particular aspect is concerned
Grammar: 就……而言 / 就……来说
jiù … ér yán / jiù … lái shuō
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Introduces the dimension being evaluated.

Blank: 就
Definition: As far as a particular aspect is concerned
Grammar: 就……而言 / 就……来说
jiù … ér yán / jiù … lái shuō
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Introduces the dimension being evaluated.

Definition: Look / appear a certain way
Grammar: 看上去
kàn shàngqu
Example from the lesson/theme
邓小平看上去很冷静。
Dèng Xiǎopíng kàn shàngqu hěn lěngjìng.
Deng Xiaoping appears calm.
Tip: Describes an impression based on appearance, not a verified inner state.

Blank: 看上去
Definition: Look / appear a certain way
Grammar: 看上去
kàn shàngqu
Example from the lesson/theme
邓小平看上去很冷静。
Dèng Xiǎopíng kàn shàngqu hěn lěngjìng.
Deng Xiaoping appears calm.
Tip: Describes an impression based on appearance, not a verified inner state.

Definition: Fairly / reasonably / still counts as
Grammar: 还算
hái suàn
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Moderate praise, weaker than 非常 or 很 in many contexts.

Blank: 还算
Definition: Fairly / reasonably / still counts as
Grammar: 还算
hái suàn
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Moderate praise, weaker than 非常 or 很 in many contexts.

Definition: Although A, nevertheless B
Grammar: 虽然……但是……
suīrán … dànshì …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Contrasts two facts; in Chinese, using both 虽然 and 但是 is natural.

Blank: 但是
Definition: Although A, nevertheless B
Grammar: 虽然……但是……
suīrán … dànshì …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Contrasts two facts; in Chinese, using both 虽然 and 但是 is natural.

Definition: No matter who/what/how, the result holds
Grammar: 无论……都……
wúlùn … dōu …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: The standard paired word is 都.

Blank: 无论
Definition: No matter who/what/how, the result holds
Grammar: 无论……都……
wúlùn … dōu …
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: The standard paired word is 都.

Definition: Rhetorical question implying an expected answer
Grammar: 难道……？
nándào …?
Example from the lesson/theme
这难道不是自私自利吗？
Zhè nándào bú shì zìsīzìlì ma?
Isn't this selfish? (The speaker implies yes.)
Tip: Signals disbelief, challenge, or an answer the speaker thinks is obvious.

Blank: 难道
Definition: Rhetorical question implying an expected answer
Grammar: 难道……？
nándào …?
Example from the lesson/theme
这难道不是自私自利吗？
Zhè nándào bú shì zìsīzìlì ma?
Isn't this selfish? (The speaker implies yes.)
Tip: Signals disbelief, challenge, or an answer the speaker thinks is obvious.

Definition: Because of one cause, [do] an action\/result
Grammar: 因为……而……
yīnwèi … ér …
Example from the lesson/theme
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).
Tip: Used to connect a reason and the resulting action.

Blank: 而
Definition: Because of one cause, [do] an action\/result
Grammar: 因为……而……
yīnwèi … ér …
Example from the lesson/theme
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).
Tip: Used to connect a reason and the resulting action.

Definition: More or less / to some degree
Grammar: 或多或少
huòduōhuòshǎo
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Expresses varying degrees while still making a broad statement.

Blank: 或多或少
Definition: More or less / to some degree
Grammar: 或多或少
huòduōhuòshǎo
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Expresses varying degrees while still making a broad statement.

Definition: Reach the point of / to such an extent
Grammar: 到……的地步
dào … de dìbù
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Marks an extreme degree or endpoint of a condition.

Blank: 到
Definition: Reach the point of / to such an extent
Grammar: 到……的地步
dào … de dìbù
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Marks an extreme degree or endpoint of a condition.

Definition: Perhaps / maybe; uncertain possibility
Grammar: 也许
yěxǔ
Example from the lesson/theme
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).
Tip: A hedge indicating the speaker is not sure.

Blank: 也许
Definition: Perhaps / maybe; uncertain possibility
Grammar: 也许
yěxǔ
Example from the lesson/theme
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).
Tip: A hedge indicating the speaker is not sure.

Definition: Too / so + adjective
Grammar: 太……了
tài … le
Example from the lesson/theme
你的想法太偏激了。
Nǐ de xiǎngfǎ tài piānjī le.
Your opinion is too extreme.
Tip: Place 太 before the adjective, with 了 at the end.

Blank: 太
Definition: Too / so + adjective
Grammar: 太……了
tài … le
Example from the lesson/theme
你的想法太偏激了。
Nǐ de xiǎngfǎ tài piānjī le.
Your opinion is too extreme.
Tip: Place 太 before the adjective, with 了 at the end.

Definition: Adopt / take measures or methods
Grammar: 采取 + 手段 / 措施
cǎiqǔ + shǒuduàn / cuòshī
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Common collocations: 采取手段, 采取措施.

Blank: 采取
Definition: Adopt / take measures or methods
Grammar: 采取 + 手段 / 措施
cǎiqǔ + shǒuduàn / cuòshī
Example from the lesson/theme
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.
Tip: Common collocations: 采取手段, 采取措施.