In English, certain words can have many different applications, depending on their use in a sentence or the meaning the speaker wants to convey. For example, the English word “hand” can be used in a sentence to indicate a positive skill (“He can fix any machine; he’s very handy”) or a negative assessment (“That was a very underhanded action on your part; I had no idea you could be so dishonest”).
Similarly, the Chinese word for “hand” (手, shŏu) can be used to indicate a method of writing (写作手法, xiě zuò shǒu fǎ) or the act of breaking up with your girlfriend (分手, fēn shǒu).
In the links below, you’ll find many examples (some with videos) of how to use a variety of common Chinese words and expressions in many different ways.
How do I use _______ in Chinese? (Text Examples)
- Door (门, mén)
- Hand (手, shŏu)
- Too Much/Too Many (太多, tài duō)
- The Latest (最新, zuìxīn; 新款, xīnkuǎn; 新式, xīnshì; 时髦, shímáo or 时装, shízhuāng)
- And (和, hé)
- Make (做, zuò; 让, rang; 使, shǐ; 预约, yù yuē; 泡, pào; 铺, pū)
- Meat (niú ròu, 牛肉; guǒ ròu, 果肉; gǔ ròu, 骨肉)
- No (下次吧, xià cì ba; 不用了, búyòng le; 我想想吧, wǒ xiǎngxiǎng ba; 我不太清楚, wǒ bú tài qīngchǔ)
- Roughly Speaking (左右, zuǒyòu; 大概, dàgài; 应该, yīnggāi; 前后, qiánhòu)
- Pick Up (学会, xué huì; 接, jiē; 鸡汤, jī tang; 搭讪, dāshàn)
- Can (可以, kě yǐ; 会, huì; 能, nénɡ)
- More and more (“越来越 yuè lái yuè” VS “越…越… yuè…yuè…”)
- I think
- Because and So
How do I use _______ in Chinese? (Video Examples)
- Stupid (笨蛋, bèn dàn)
- Awesome (厉害, Lì hài)
- Have to/don’t have to (得, děi; 必须, bìxū; 不用, bú yòng; 应该, yīng gāi)
- Or (还是, háishì; 或者, huòzhě)
- Have a Good Time (玩得开心, wán de kāixīn)
- You Look Pretty (你 看起来 很漂亮, Nǐ kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliang)
- Lucky and Unlucky NumbersThank you (谢谢)
- I’m sorry (不好意思, bù hǎo yì si; 对不起, duì bù qǐ; 抱歉, bào qiàn)
- No (不，bu; 没有, mei you)
- Yes (10 different ways)
Lastly, there are many words in Chinese that have no direct English equivalents. Some, like关系 (guān xì) have been around for years; others, like给力 (gěi lì) are very new. Here are ten words for you to learn: