{"id":14033,"date":"2022-03-01T05:19:51","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T05:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/?p=14033"},"modified":"2023-09-29T03:58:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T03:58:44","slug":"top-20-common-mistakes-chinese-learners-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/top-20-common-mistakes-chinese-learners-make.html","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 Common Mistakes Chinese Learners Make"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today we are going to talk about mistakes, specifically the 20 top mistakes that Chinese learners are prone to making or make repeatedly, so that we can help you avoid them in your own practice. So, if you have never made these errors before, that\u2019s great, then this article will be a nice revision or gentle reminder for you. However, if you have already made some or even all of them, then you should take a much closer look at them. For each topic we will take a look at errors and provide in-depth explanations. In order to help you check your knowledge, we also have some quick exercises under each topic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Using \u201c\u548c\u201d to connect everything<\/a><\/li>
  2. Using \u201c\u662f\u201d with adjectives <\/a><\/li>
  3. Using \u201c\u5417\u201d for all Yes\/No questions<\/a><\/li>
  4. Confusing \u201c\u4e0d\u201d with \u201c\u6ca1\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  5. The use of \u201c\u7684\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  6. Using \u201c\u4e2a\u201d for all nouns<\/a><\/li>
  7. Adding \u201c\u4eec\u201d after all nouns<\/a><\/li>
  8. Improper use of  \u201c\u4e8c\u201d \u201c\u4e24\u201d and \u201c\u4fe9\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  9. Confusing \u201c\u5c31\u201d with \u201c\u624d\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  10. Confusing \u201c\u4f1a\u201d and \u201c\u80fd\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  11. Confusing \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d and \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  12. Sentence order<\/a><\/li>
  13. Placement of Adverbial Words<\/a><\/li>
  14. Directional Complements: \u201c\u6765\u201d and \u201c\u53bb\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  15. Comparative sentences with \u201c\u6bd4\u201d<\/a><\/li>
  16. Existence Sentences<\/a><\/li>
  17. \u201c\u628a\u201d sentence<\/a><\/li>
  18. Using \u201c\u4e86\u201d to indicate all past tense situations<\/a><\/li>
  19. Improper use of approximate numbers<\/a><\/li>
  20. Errors with Chinese Punctuation<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Using \u201c\u548c\u201d to connect everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most common English words is the word \u201cand,\u201d which we use to connect nouns, verbs, phrases and sentences. \u201cAnd\u201d is often translated to \u201c\u548c(h\u00e9<\/strong>)\u201d in Chinese. However, in Chinese, you cannot use \u201c\u548c\u201d to connect sentences \u2013 the result would sound very awkward!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I live in Beijing, and I have a dog.
    \u2718 \u6211\u4f4f\u5728\u5317\u4eac\u548c\u6211\u6709\u4e00\u53ea\u72d7\u3002
    \u221a \u6211\u4f4f\u5728\u5317\u4eac\uff0c\uff08\u8fd8\u6709\uff09\u6211\u6709\u4e00\u53ea\u72d7
    (\u201c\u8fd8\u6709(h\u00e1i y\u01d2u)\u201d translates to \u201calso.\u201d Here \u201c\u8fd8\u6709\u201dcould be omitted.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You now might be wondering when we can <\/em>use \u201c\u548c\u201d. The answer is simple \u2013 we can use \u201c\u548c\u201d to connect nouns, verbs, and short non-sentence phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I have two older brothers and a younger sister.
    \u221a \u6211\u6709\u4e24\u4e2a\u54e5\u54e5\u548c\u4e00\u4e2a\u59b9\u59b9\u3002\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He likes swimming and playing basketball.
    \u221a \u4ed6\u559c\u6b22\u6e38\u6cf3\u548c\u6253\u7bee\u7403\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Put \u201c\u548c\u201d in the appropriate place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. A \u65e9\u4e0a B \u5e38\u5e38\u5403 C \u5305\u5b50 D \u9e21\u86cb\u3002<\/li>
    2. A \u559c\u6b22 B \u901b\u8857 C \u73a9\u6e38\u620f D \u804a\u5929\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1.D\n2.D\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

      (Reference: The Complete Guide to Using \u201c\u548c\u201d in Chinese<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2. Using \u201c\u662f\u201d with\nadjectives  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      You may know that the word for \u201cis \/ are\u201d in Chinese is \u201c\u662f (sh\u00ec)\u201d. Another tricky aspect of adjectives in Chinese, though, is that we never use \u201c\u662f\u201d to modify a noun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      He is tall.
      \u2718 \u4ed6\u662f\u9ad8\u3002
      \u221a \u4ed6\u5f88\u9ad8\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Beijing is big.
      \u2718 \u5317\u4eac\u662f\u5927\u3002
      \u221a \u5317\u4eac\u5f88\u5927\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As you can see, we usually use the word \u201c\u5f88(h\u011bn)\u201d, which literally means \u201cvery,\u201d instead of \u201c\u662f.\u201dNote that here \u201c\u5f88\u201d purely serves a grammatical purpose in the sentence of \u201cSubject + \u5f88 + Adjective\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. \u5979\u662f\u6f02\u4eae\u3002<\/li>
      2. \u732b\u5f88\u53ef\u7231\u3002<\/li>
      3. \u4e2d\u56fd\u83dc\u662f\u5f88\u597d\u5403\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u5979\u5f88\u6f02\u4eae\u3002\n2. T \n3. F \u4e2d\u56fd\u83dc\u5f88\u597d\u5403\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

        (Reference: How to use \u5728\u3001\u6709 and \u662f Express Existence<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        3. Using \u201c\u5417\u201d for all\nYes\/No questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Asking a question in\nChinese is one of the things many students stumble over. In Chinese, you\ntypically put the character \u201c\u5417(ma)\u201d at the\nend of the sentence to function as a question marker. Using this word can\ntransform almost any statement into a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Quick question:\nhow do you translate \u201cAre you an American?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What about this \u201c\u4f60\u662f\u4e0d\u662f<\/strong>\u7f8e\u56fd\u4eba\u5417<\/strong>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Is this your answer too? Then you are WRONG. Besides \u201c\u5417\u201d, Yes\/No questions can also follow the format \u201c\u662f\u4e0d\u662f\u201d or \u201c\u6709\u6ca1\u6709\u201d, a format which we call positive-negative inversion. It is the equivalent of saying \u201cAre you or are you not\u2026?\u201d When using this format, you do not also use \u201c\u5417\u201d, as the positive-negative inversion already marks the sentence as a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u221a \u4f60\u662f\u4e0d\u662f<\/strong>\u7f8e\u56fd\u4eba\uff1f
        \u221a (using \u201c\u5417\u201d): \u4f60\u662f<\/strong>\u7f8e\u56fd\u4eba\u5417<\/strong>\uff1f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        One more example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do you have Chinese book?
        \u2718 \u4f60\u6709\u6ca1\u6709<\/strong>\u6c49\u8bed\u4e66\u5417<\/strong>?
        \u221a \u4f60\u6709\u6ca1\u6709<\/strong>\u6c49\u8bed\u4e66?
        \u221a (using \u201c\u5417\u201d): \u4f60\u6709<\/strong>\u6c49\u8bed\u4e66\u5417<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Exercise: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Put the words in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1.  \u8fc7  \u4f60  \u5417  \u53bb  (Have you been to Shanghai?)<\/li>
        2.  \u662f  \u4ed6  \u4e0d\u662f (Is he your classmate?)<\/li>
        3.  \u6ca1\u6709  \u4f60  \u94b1  \u6709 (Do you have ten yuan?)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u4f60\u53bb\u8fc7\u4e0a\u6d77\u5417\uff1f\/\u4e0a\u6d77\u4f60\u53bb\u8fc7\u5417\uff1f\n2. \u4ed6\u662f\u4e0d\u662f\u4f60\u540c\u5b66\uff1f\n3. \u4f60\u6709\u6ca1\u6709\u5341\u5757\u94b1\uff1f\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

          Reference: The Summary of Yes\/No Questions in Chinese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          4. Confusing \u201c\u4e0d\u201d with \u201c\u6ca1\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          As we all know, the translation of the English word \u201cnot \/ no\u201d in Chinese is \u201c\u4e0d(b\u00f9)\u201d or \u201c\u6ca1(m\u00e9i)\u201d. Some learners are not familiar with their differences, so they use them interchangeably, which is a common error. \u201c\u4e0d\u201d is generally used to negate an action that you \u201cdon\u2019t want to do\u201d or \u201cdon\u2019t plan to do in the future\u201d. And when it comes to negation of adjectives, we also use \u201c\u4e0d\u201d. Opposed to \u201c\u4e0d\u201d, \u201c\u6ca1\u201d can both be used to negate an action that happened in the past or indicate that something hasn\u2019t occurred yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          He dislikes eating banana.
          \u2718 \u4ed6\u6ca1<\/strong>\u559c\u6b22\u5403\u9999\u8549\u3002
          \u221a \u4ed6\u4e0d<\/strong>\u559c\u6b22\u5403\u9999\u8549\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The film isn\u2019t good.
          \u2718 \u8fd9\u4e2a\u7535\u5f71\u6ca1<\/strong>\u597d\u770b\u3002
          \u221a \u8fd9\u4e2a\u7535\u5f71\u4e0d<\/strong>\u597d\u770b\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          We didn\u2019t go to that store yesterday.
          \u2718 \u6211\u4eec\u6628\u5929\u4e0d<\/strong>\u53bb\u90a3\u4e2a\u5546\u5e97\u3002
          \u221a \u6211\u4eec\u6628\u5929\u6ca1<\/strong>\u53bb\u90a3\u4e2a\u5546\u5e97\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Note that for \u201c\u662f\u201d we only use the negation word \u201c\u4e0d\u201d to mean \u201cisn\u2019t,\u201d and for \u201c\u6709\u201d we only use \u201c\u6ca1\u201d to mean \u201cdon\u2019t have\u201d. For example, \u201cWe aren\u2019t teachers.\u201d would be \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u4e0d<\/strong>\u662f\u8001\u5e08\u201d and \u201cShe doesn\u2019t have money.\u201d is \u201c\u5979\u6ca1<\/strong>\u6709\u94b1\u201d in Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Choose \u201c\u4e0d\u201d or \u201c\u6ca1\u201d to fill in the blanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          1. ___ \u529e\u6cd5\u3002<\/li>
          2. ___ \u51b7\u3002<\/li>
          3. ___ \u662f\u6211\u4eec\u7684\u4e1c\u897f<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u6ca1\n2. \u4e0d\n3. \u4e0d\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

            (Reference: The difference between \u4e0d(b\u00f9) and \u6ca1(m\u00e9i)<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            5. The use of \u201c\u7684\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            If you have been\nlearning Chinese for a while, you might notice that \u201c\u7684 (de)\u201d is one of the most frequently used characters in Chinese.\nSo why do so many learners, especially English speakers forget to use it or\nmisuse it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Well, the\nmain reason why this mistake is so common is because there isn\u2019t an equivalent\nof \u201c\u7684\u201d in English. The\nclosest equivalent is \u201c\u2019s\u201d like in the phrase, \u201cthe dog\u2019s<\/strong> voice,\u201d\nwhich shows that the voice belongs<\/em> to\nthe dog. In Chinese, we use \u201c\u7684(de)\u201d to show\nthat the voice belongs to the dog \u2013 directly translated, this would be \u201c\u72d7\u7684<\/strong>\u58f0\u97f3<\/strong>\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u201c\u7684\u201d can also attribute certain characteristics to a noun. For\nexample, \u201ca white dog\u201d would be \u201c\u767d\u8272\u7684<\/strong>\u72d7.\u201d \u201c\u767d\u8272\u72d7\u201d is a\ngrammatically incorrect expression in Chinese. But you can say \u201c\u767d\u72d7\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Confusing\nalready, right? No worries, you can check out the description down below to get\nthe full explanation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            When expressing possession, we can use the structure \u201cNoun\/Pronoun + \u7684 + Noun\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u6211\u542c\u89c1\u4e86\u72d7\u7684<\/strong>\u58f0\u97f3\u3002(I\u2019ve heard the voice of the dog.)
            \u8fd9\u662f\u6211\u7684<\/strong>\u4e66\u3002(This is my book.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            But when the noun after \u201c\u7684\u201d is kinship term or a person, the \u201c\u7684\u201d can be omitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u5979\u4e0d\u662f\u6211\u670b\u53cb\uff0c\u5979\u662f\u6211\u59d0\u59d0\u3002(She isn\u2019t my friend; she is my elder sister.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            As mentioned above, we can also use \u201c\u7684\u201d to attribute certain characteristics. In this case, we usually use the pattern \u201cNoun\/Adjective + \u7684 + Noun\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u6211\u559c\u6b22\u90a3\u53ea\u767d\u8272\u7684<\/strong>\u72d7\u3002(I like that white dog.)
            \u5979\u6709\u4e00\u53cc\u6f02\u4eae\u7684<\/strong>\u773c\u775b\u3002(She has a beautiful pair of eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Note that if the adjective has two characters, like \u201c\u6f02\u4eae\u201d \u201c\u9ad8\u5174\u201d \u201c\u5e72\u51c0\u201d etc., \u201c\u7684\u201d is generally required. But when the adjective is monosyllabic, \u201c\u7684\u201d generally isn\u2019t necessary, and that\u2019s why \u201c\u767d\u72d7\u201d is reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Translate the sentence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. He isn\u2019t my father.<\/li>
            2. We want to eat that green noodle. <\/li>
            3. His question is very difficult. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u4ed6\u4e0d\u662f\u6211\u7684\u7238\u7238\u3002\/ \u4ed6\u4e0d\u662f\u6211\u7238\u7238\u3002\n2. \u6211\u4eec\u60f3\u5403\u7eff\u8272\u7684\u9762\u6761\u3002\n3. \u4ed6\u7684\u95ee\u9898\u5f88\u96be\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

              (Reference: How to Use the Structural Particle \u201c\u7684\u201d<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              6. Using \u201c\u4e2a\u201d for all\nnouns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Please say the\nfollowing in Chinese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              1. \u4e00\u4e2a\u4eba a person<\/li>
              2. \u4e00\u4e2a\u83dc a dish<\/li>
              3. \u4e00\u4e2a\u72d7 a dog<\/li>
              4. \u4e00\u4e2a\u6c34 a water<\/li>
              5. \u4e00\u4e2a\u4e66 a book <\/li>
              6. \u4e24\u4e2a\u978b two shoes<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                \u2026\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Wait! It\u2019s getting weird. Do Chinese people say \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a\u72d7\u201d\u201c\u4e00\u4e2a\u6c34\u201d\u201c\u4e00\u4e2a\u4e66\u201d\uff1f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                There are tons\nof measure words in the Chinese language, and this becomes a quite big barrier\nfor Chinese learners because the concept doesn\u2019t\u2019 exist in English. To begin\nwith, almost every learner was told that \u201c\u4e2a(g\u00e8)\u201d can be used for almost every noun.\nIt is very versatile, though some learners will accept it as an infallible law\nto apply it in every situation. But \u201calmost\u201d is just \u201calmost\u201d which means it\ndoesn\u2019t work in every situation. For example, \u201ca glass of water\u201d is \u201c\u4e00\u676f\u6c34\u201d instead of \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a\u6c34\u201d. This is because the measure words for\n\u201c\u725b\u5976\u201d \u201c\u9152\u201d \u201c\u6c34\u201d etc. are often decided by the names of\ncertain containers or vessels. \u201cGlass\u201d is the container  here, so \u201c\u676f\u201d is the proper measure word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Besides the\nsituation above, some nouns have their own unique measure words, and \u201c\u4e2a\u201d isn\u2019t usually suitable. For example, \u201ca pair of shoes\u201d is\n\u201c\u4e00\u53cc<\/strong>\u978b\u201d in Chinese, and we generally can\u2019t say\n\u201c\u4e24\u4e2a<\/strong>\u978b\u201d . The measure word \u201c\u53cc\u201d is used to refer to a pair of things and is suitable\nfor things like \u201c\u978b\u201d \u201c\u624b\u5957\u201d and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Then, when can\nwe use \u201c\u4e2a\u201d? Generally speaking, \u201c\u4e2a\u201d is used with nouns that don\u2019t have a set\nmeasure word, which can be divided into five types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Type 1: for individual people<\/strong>, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u4eba(a person)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u5b66\u751f(a student)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u5b69\u5b50(a child)\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Type 2: for dates, seasons, etc.<\/strong>, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u661f\u671f(a week)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u6708(a month)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u5c0f\u65f6(an hour)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u6625\u5929(a spring)\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Type 3: for abstract things<\/strong>, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u95ee\u9898(a question)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u529e\u6cd5(a way)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u597d\u4e3b\u610f(a good idea)\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Type 4: for an area, country, a unit, a facility, etc<\/strong>., like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u56fd\u5bb6(a country)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u6559\u5ba4(a classroom)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u8f66\u7ad9(a station)\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Type 5: other things without a set measure word<\/strong>, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u9e21\u86cb(an egg)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u676f\u5b50(a cup)\u201d \u201c\u4e00\u4e2a<\/strong>\u8282\u65e5(a festival)\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                Choose the appropriate measure word: \u4e2a \/ \u6761 \/ \u53e3 \/ \u4ef6 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. ___ \u5f88\u5927\u7684\u6e38\u6cf3\u6c60\u3002<\/li>
                2. ___ \u4eba\u3002<\/li>
                3. ___ \u886c\u886b\u6709\u84dd\u8272\u7684\u5417\uff1f<\/li>
                4. ___ \u88d9\u5b50\u597d\u770b\u5417\uff1f <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u4e2a\n2. \u53e3\n3. \u4ef6\n4. \u6761\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                  (Reference: Chinese Measure Words List<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  7. Adding \u201c\u4eec\u201d after all\nnouns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  As we all know,\nin English a singular noun plus the plural suffix will transform it into a\nplural form, and plural nouns can also be quantified by a number, like \u201cfive\nbooks\u201d. However, in the Chinese language, a plural word is formed by adding the\nsuffix \u201c\u4eec(men)\u201d and can\u2019t be modified by number words. For\nexample, \u201c\u4e94\u4e2a\u5b66\u751f\u4eec<\/strong>\u5728\u6559\u5ba4\u91cc\u201d, \u201c\u5b66\u751f\u4eec\u201d can\u2019t be qualified by \u201c\u4e94\u4e2a\u201d, so it\u2019s wrong and it should be corrected as \u201c\u4e94\u4e2a\u5b66\u751f\u5728\u6559\u5ba4\u91cc\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Note that adding \u201c\u4eec\u201d to form a plural word is for personal pronouns or nouns only<\/strong>. The example above \u201cfive books\u201d can\u2019t be translated into \u201c\u4e94\u672c\u4e66\u4eec<\/strong>\u201d because \u201c\u4e66\u201d isn\u2019t people, instead \u201c\u4e94\u672c\u4e66\u201d is enough. Other words like \u201c\u51e0\u201d \u201c\u6210\u5343\u4e0a\u4e07\u201d \u201c\u5f88\u591a\u201d etc. all imply quantity, so we don\u2019t need \u201c\u4eec\u201d after the noun or pronoun. For example, \u201c\u8fd9\u91cc\u6709\u51e0\u4e2a\u540c\u5b66\u4eec<\/strong>\u5728\u5199\u4f5c\u4e1a\u201d is wrong due to adding \u201c\u4eec\u201d, so we should remove it to make it \u201c\u8fd9\u91cc\u6709\u51e0\u4e2a\u540c\u5b66\u5728\u5199\u4f5c\u4e1a\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  1. \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24\u4e2a\u897f\u74dc\u4eec\u3002<\/li>
                  2. \u4ed6\u4eec\u90fd\u4e0d\u662f\u6211\u670b\u53cb\u3002<\/li>
                  3. \u6bcf\u6b21\u653e\u5047\uff0c\u6210\u5343\u4e0a\u4e07\u7684\u4eba\u4eec\u90fd\u4f1a\u53bb\u5317\u4eac\u73a9\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24\u4e2a\u897f\u74dc\u3002\n2. T \n3. F \u6bcf\u6b21\u653e\u5047\uff0c\u6210\u5343\u4e0a\u4e07\u7684\u4eba\u90fd\u4f1a\u53bb\u5317\u4eac\u73a9\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                    (Reference: All About Chinese Prefixes and Suffixes<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    8. Improper use of  \u201c\u4e8c\u201d \u201c\u4e24\u201d and \u201c\u4fe9\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    There are three ways to say \u201ctwo\u201d in Chinese, which are \u201c\u4e8c(\u00e8r)\u201d \u201c\u4e24(li\u01ceng)\u201d and \u201c\u4fe9(li\u01ce)\u201d. They are similar in meaning but different in use, which isa point that drives learners, especially elementary level learners, crazy sometimes. When used purely as a number or in ordinal, decimal, fractional\uff0cmathematical situations or in multi-digit numbers, we prefer \u201c\u4e8c\u201d rather than \u201c\u4e24\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    I have twelve kuai.
                    \u2718 \u6211\u6709\u5341\u4e24<\/strong>\u5757\u94b1\u3002
                    \u221a \u6211\u6709\u5341\u4e8c<\/strong>\u5757\u94b1\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    He is the second person who entered.
                    \u2718\u4ed6\u662f\u7b2c\u4e24<\/strong>\u4e2a\u8fdb\u6765\u7684\u4eba\u3002
                    \u221a \u4ed6\u662f\u7b2c\u4e8c<\/strong>\u4e2a\u8fdb\u6765\u7684\u4eba\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    And \u201c\u4e24\u201d is often used when followed by measure words (except for Chinese traditional units).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    It\u2019s two o\u2019clock now.
                    \u2718\u73b0\u5728\u4e8c<\/strong>\u70b9\u3002
                    \u221a \u73b0\u5728\u4e24<\/strong>\u70b9\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    I bought two books.
                    \u2718 \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e8c<\/strong>\u672c\u4e66\u3002
                    \u221a\u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24<\/strong>\u672c\u4e66\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Note that for Chinese traditional units, like \u201c\u65a4\u201d \u201c\u91cc\u201d etc. both of them can be used . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    I bought two jin of bananas.
                    Translation: \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e8c<\/strong>\u65a4\u9999\u8549\u3002or \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24<\/strong>\u65a4\u9999\u8549\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    An exception is when “\u4e24” appears as a measurement unit, only “\u4e8c” can be used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \u201cHe drank two liang of white wine.\u201d
                    \u2718 \u4ed6\u559d\u4e86\u4e24<\/strong>\u4e24\u767d\u9152\u3002
                    \u221a \u4ed6\u559d\u4e86\u4e8c<\/strong>\u4e24\u767d\u9152\u3002<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

                    By the way, \u201c\u4fe9\u201d is totally different from the other two. \u201c\u4fe9\u201d means \u201c\u4e24\u4e2a\u201d when following a noun or pronoun and cannot be followed by any other measure word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \u201cThe two of them want to go to travel this summer.\u201d
                    \u2718\u4ed6\u4eec\u4fe9<\/strong>\u4e2a\u4eca\u5e74\u590f\u5929\u60f3\u53bb\u65c5\u884c\u3002
                    \u221a \u4ed6\u4eec\u4fe9<\/strong>\u4eca\u5e74\u590f\u5929\u60f3\u53bb\u65c5\u884c\u3002 or \u4ed6\u4eec\u4e24\u4e2a<\/strong>\u4eca\u5e74\u590f\u5929\u60f3\u53bb\u65c5\u884c\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    1. \u4ed6\u4eca\u5e74\u4e8c\u5341\u4e24\u5c81<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002<\/li>
                    2. \u8bf7\u7ed9\u6211\u4e8c\u74f6<\/strong>\u767d\u9152\u3002<\/li>
                    3. \u6559\u5ba4\u91cc\u8fd8\u6709\u4e09\u5341\u4e8c\u4e2a<\/strong>\u5b66\u751f\u3002 <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u4ed6\u4eca\u5e74\u4e8c\u5341\u4e8c\u5c81\u4e86\u3002\n2. F \u8bf7\u7ed9\u6211\u4e24\u74f6\u767d\u9152\u3002\n3. T \n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                      (Reference: The Major Differences between \u4e8c and \u4e24<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      9. Confusing \u201c\u5c31\u201d with \u201c\u624d\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Quick quiz first. Which one is the correct translation? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      1) I worked until 11 p.m. because there was so much work yesterday.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      (?) <\/em>\u6628\u5929\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\u5f88\u591a\uff0c\u6211\u4e00\u76f4\u5de5\u4f5c\u5230\u665a\u4e0a<\/em>11<\/em>\u70b9\u5c31<\/strong>\u505a\u5b8c\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      (?) \u6628\u5929\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\u5f88\u591a\uff0c\u6211\u4e00\u76f4\u5de5\u4f5c\u5230\u665a\u4e0a11\u70b9\u624d<\/strong>\u505a\u5b8c\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      2) He arrived at the classroom at 6 a.m. even though the Chinese class starts at 9 a.m.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      (?) <\/em>\u6c49\u8bed\u8bfe<\/em>9<\/em>\u70b9\u4e0a\u8bfe\uff0c\u4ed6\u65e9\u4e0a<\/em>6<\/em>\u70b9\u624d<\/strong>\u5230\u6559\u5ba4\u4e86\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      (?) \u6c49\u8bed\u8bfe9\u70b9\u4e0a\u8bfe\uff0c\u4ed6\u65e9\u4e0a6\u70b9\u5c31<\/strong>\u5230\u6559\u5ba4\u4e86\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \u201c\u624d\u201d(c\u00e1i) and \u201c\u5c31\u201d(ji\u00f9) are adverbs expressing time, and\nthey are both put before verbs. Due to this similarity, some learners don\u2019t\nknow how to separate them.  In fact, \u201c\u624d\u201d indicates that the speaker feels that something\nhappened later than expected with a tone of anxiety, impatience, tiredness or\nother related emotions, while \u201c\u5c31\u201d indicates something occurred earlier\nthan expected with a feeling of surprise or amazement sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      So, do you know\nthe correct answers for the quiz now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Correct\ntranslation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      1. \u6628\u5929\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\u5f88\u591a\uff0c\u6211\u4e00\u76f4\u5de5\u4f5c\u5230\u665a\u4e0a11\u70b9\u624d<\/strong>\u505a\u5b8c\u3002<\/li>
                      2. \u6c49\u8bed\u8bfe9\u70b9\u4e0a\u8bfe\uff0c\u4ed6\u65e9\u4e0a6\u70b9\u5c31<\/strong>\u5230\u6559\u5ba4\u4e86\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                        \u201c\u5de5\u4f5c\u5f88\u591a\u201d can lead to a negative feeling and \u201c\u665a\u4e0a\u5341\u4e00\u70b9\u201d is pretty late, so \u201c\u624d\u201d is used. However, in the second\nexample, compared to \u201c9\u70b9\u4e0a\u8bfe\u201d, \u201c6\u70b9\u201d is quite early, so \u201c\u5c31\u201d is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        But \u201c\u624d\u201d doesn\u2019t always imply lateness, for example \u201cIt\u2019s only 7 o\u2019clock.\u201d can be translated to \u201c\u73b0\u5728\u624d<\/strong>7\u70b9\u201d in Chinese, where \u201c\u624d\u201d follows a time word to express the idea of \u201cjust, only\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        Fill in the\nblanks with \u201c\u624d\u201d or \u201c\u5c31\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        1. ___ \u7ed9\u6211\u6253\u7535\u8bdd\u3002<\/li>
                        2. ___ \u770b\u5b8c\u4e86\u3002<\/li>
                        3. ___ 7\u70b9\uff0c\u4f60\u4e0d\u5403\u65e9\u996d\u4e86\u5417\uff1f<\/li>
                        4. ___ \u8981\u4eae\u4e86\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u518d\u7b49\u4e00\u4f1a\u513f\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u624d\n2. \u5c31\n3. \u624d\n4. \u5c31\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                          (Reference: The difference between \u624d and \u5c31<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          10. Confusing \u201c\u4f1a\u201d and \u201c\u80fd\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                           \u201c\u80fd(n\u00e9ng)\u201d and \u201c\u4f1a(hu\u00ec)\u201d, as we all know, can indicate someone has the\nability to do something in Chinese. However, there are slight differences\nbetween them in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \u201c\u4f1a\u201d tends to indicate people have obtained an ability through learning, while \u201c\u80fd\u201d stresses inherent ability. Sometimes we can also understand them as \u201c\u4f1a\u201d is “to know how to do something” and \u201c\u80fd\u201d is “to be able to do something”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Can you see that tree over there?
                          \u2718 \u4f60\u4f1a<\/strong>\u770b\u89c1\u90a3\u8fb9\u7684\u90a3\u68f5\u6811\u5417?
                          \u221a\u4f60\u80fd<\/strong>\u770b\u89c1\u90a3\u8fb9\u7684\u90a3\u68f5\u6811\u5417? (The inherent ability; be able to)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          How would you\ntranslate \u201c\u4f60\u80fd<\/strong>\u5403\u6389\u6240\u6709\u7684\u997a\u5b50\u5417?\u201d in English?   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                           \u201c\u80fd\u201d is used to indicate possibility and\ncan be combined with \u201c\u5417\u201d in interrogative sentences, for\nexample \u201c\u4f60\u4e00\u4e2a\u4eba\u80fd<\/strong>\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u5417?\u201d(Is it possible for yourself to go to\nthe school?)  While \u201c\u4f1a\u201d can indicate something will happen in the future, which\nis closer to \u201cwill\u201d in English, for example \u201c\u4eca\u5929\u4f1a<\/strong>\u4e0b\u96e8\u201d means \u201cIt will rain today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                          Translate the\nsentence (\u4f1avs\u80fd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          1. May I come in?<\/li>
                          2. I can write ten Chinese characters.<\/li>
                          3. Can you see that picture? <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u6211\u80fd\u8fdb\u6765\u5417\uff1f\n2. \u6211\u80fd\u5199\u5341\u4e2a\u6c49\u5b57\u3002\/ \u6211\u4f1a\u5199\u5341\u4e2a\u6c49\u5b57\u3002\n3. \u4f60\u80fd\u770b\u89c1\u90a3\u526f\u753b\u5417\uff1f\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                            (Reference: Translating \u201ccan\u201d into Chinese: \u53ef\u4ee5, \u4f1a  and\u80fd<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            11. Confusing \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d and \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            A: <\/em>\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u8ff7\u8def\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            B: <\/em>\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1<\/strong>\u8ff7\u8def\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Question\uff1aDid A and B get lost or not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Answer: Both A\nand B didn\u2019t get lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            C: <\/em>\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u8003\u4e0a\u4e86\u5927\u5b66\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            D: <\/em>\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1<\/strong>\u8003\u4e0a\u5927\u5b66\u3002<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Question\uff1aDid C and D get in the university or not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Answer: C didn\u2019t\nget in the university, but D got it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            You might be\nconfused now. Actually, when expressing something undesired that almost occurred\n(but actually didn\u2019t) we use \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f(ch\u00e0 di\u01cen\u2019r)\u201d in Chinese. For example,\n\u201cI almost forgot.\u201d is \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u5fd8\u4e86\u201d in Chinese with the implication \u201cI\ndidn\u2019t forget.\u201d Sometimes the predicate can also be something desired, and then\n\u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d implies a regretful tone as it can\u2019t come true. For\nexample, \u201cI almost got that money.\u201d is \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u5c31\u62ff\u5230\u90a3\u4e9b\u94b1\u4e86\u201d in Chinese with the implication \u201cI\ndidn\u2019t get that money.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1(ch\u00e0 di\u01cen\u2019r m\u00e9i)\u201d seems just like an negative form of \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201dsince \u201c\u6ca1\u201d is added. In fact, you\u2019d better think of \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d as a chunk so that it makes more sense. The patterns of \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d and \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d are identical, but their usage doesn\u2019t overlap at all. \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d and \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d are only equivalent when there is something undesired and \u201c\u6ca1\u201d appears meaningless. For example, \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1<\/strong>\u8ff7\u8def\u201d and \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u8ff7\u8def\u201d have the same meaning of \u201cI didn\u2019t get lost.\u201d Otherwise, if there is a desired result after \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u201d, it indicates a totally different idea than that of \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u201d.  For instance, \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1<\/strong>\u8003\u4e0a\u5927\u5b66\u201d means \u201cI was admitted by the university.\u201d while \u201c\u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f<\/strong>\u8003\u4e0a\u4e86\u5927\u5b66\u201d means \u201cI wasn\u2019t admitted by the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                            1. \u6628\u5929\u592a\u51b7\u4e86\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u611f\u5192\u4e86\u3002 Q\uff1a\u6211\u4eec\u611f\u5192\u4e86\u5417\uff1f<\/li>
                            2. \u6211\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u4e70\u7b14\u3002 Q\uff1a\u6211\u4eec\u4e70\u7b14\u4e86\u5417\uff1f<\/li>
                            3. \u8fd9\u6b21\u4ed6\u4eec\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u5f97\u4e86\u51a0\u519b\u3002 Q\uff1a\u8fd9\u6b21\u4ed6\u4eec\u5f97\u51a0\u519b\u4e86\u5417\uff1f <\/li>
                            4. \u5979\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u6ca1\u8fdf\u5230\u3002 Q\uff1a\u5979\u8fdf\u5230\u4e86\u5417\uff1f <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u6211\u4eec\u6ca1\u6709\u611f\u5192\n2. \u6211\u4eec\u4e70\u7b14\u4e86\u3002\n3. \u4ed6\u4eec\u6ca1\u5f97\u51a0\u519b\u3002\n4. \u5979\u6ca1\u8fdf\u5230\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                              (Reference: Using \u201c\u5dee\u70b9\u513f\u201d,\u201c\u51e0\u4e4e\u201dand\u201c\u5dee\u4e0d\u591a\u201d<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              12. Sentence order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                              Some Chinese\nlearners are not familiar or well acquainted with the sentence order rules of the\nChinese language, so they are prone to translating word by word but ignore\norder. And the result most often turns out to be wrong. For example, \u201cWe go to\nthe school with him.\u201d may be written like \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u548c\u4ed6\u201d. But \u201c\u548c\u4ed6\u201d is the target of the action, which\nshould be placed before the verb and after the subject in Chinese, so the\ncorrect sentence would be \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u548c\u4ed6\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              So what is the correct\nsentence order in Chinese? At the very beginning, you may have already seen\nthis basic order, that\u2019s “SVO” which stands for “Subject +\nVerb +Object<\/strong>\u201d, like \u201c\u6211\u7231\u4f60\u201d \u201c\u4ed6\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u201d or \u201c\u6211\u559d\u8336\u201d. For these simple sentences, the\nChinese sentence order can match that of English word by word. Although you\nshould also realize that there are quite a few forms that don’t match\uff0clike \u201c\u4ed6\u662f\u6211\u670b\u53cb\u201d or \u201c\u5c0f\u72d7\u5f88\u53ef\u7231\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Here is more information on this basic order. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding time<\/strong>\uff1a<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Verb + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u6211\u660e\u5929<\/strong>\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u3002<\/em>\u201d\nOr \u201c<\/em>\u660e\u5929<\/em><\/strong>\u6211\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding manner: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Manner + Verb + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u4ed6\u6628\u5929\u9ad8\u5174\u5730<\/strong>\u56de\u5bb6\u4e86\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding place<\/strong>\uff1a<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Place + Manner + Verb + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u6211\u521a\u521a\u5728\u529e\u516c\u5ba4<\/strong>\u5f00\u4f1a\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding Negation: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Negation + Place + Manner + Verb + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u4eca\u5929\u4ed6\u4e0d<\/strong>\u5728\u5bb6\u5403\u996d\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding Auxiliary words: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Negation + Auxiliary + Place + Manner + Verb + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u4f60\u4eec\u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u5438\u70df\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding Complement<\/strong>\uff1a<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Negation + Auxiliary + Place + Manner + Verb + Complement + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u73b0\u5728\u5403\u4e0d\u5b8c<\/strong>\u8fd9\u4e9b\u83dc\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Adding Target: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              (Time) + Subject\n+ (Time) + Negation + Auxiliary + (Target) + Place + (Target) + Manner + Verb +\nComplement + Object<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u201c<\/em>\u4e0d\u60f3\u548c\u4ed6<\/strong>\u5728\u8def\u4e0a\u5927\u58f0\u5730\u5435\u67b6\u3002<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Keep in mind the order above is a general structure, which isn\u2019t fixed forever. Some parts are flexible, and once you change the place, the meaning changes too. For example: \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u4e0d\u90fd<\/strong>\u662f\u5b66\u751f\u201d and \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u90fd\u4e0d<\/strong>\u662f\u5b66\u751f\u201d are quite distinct in meaning. \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u4e0d\u90fd<\/strong>\u662f\u5b66\u751f\u201d means \u201cWe are not all students.\u201d while \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u90fd\u4e0d<\/strong>\u662f\u5b66\u751f\u201d is \u201cWe all aren\u2019t students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                              Put the words in\norder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              1. \u90a3\u91cc \u4e70 \u5728 \u725b\u5976 \u60f3 \u4e0d We don\u2019t want to buy milk there. <\/li>
                              2. \u5c0f\u732b \u5f00\u5fc3\u5730 \u8dd1 The kitty run away happily.<\/li>
                              3. \u7ed9\u6211 \u6253\u7535\u8bdd \u5728\u5916\u9762 He called me outside.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u6211\u4eec\u4e0d\u60f3\u5728\u90a3\u91cc\u4e70\u725b\u5976\u3002\n2. \u5c0f\u732b\u5f00\u5fc3\u5730\u8dd1\u4e86\u3002\n3. \u4ed6\u5728\u5916\u9762\u7ed9\u6211\u6253\u7535\u8bdd\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                (Reference: The Basic Sentence Structure in Chinese<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                13. Placement of Adverbial Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                Adverbial words indicate place, way, status, manner, frequency, target, etc. which serve to add details to a sentence. Adverbials by themselves isn\u2019t too tough, but the placement of adverbial words is one of most common errors in syntactic structure in Chinese. In some languages, taking English for example, adverbials are mainly tacked on at the end of the sentence, but they need to be placed before the predicate and after the subject in Chinese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                I eat noodles in that restaurant.
                                \u2718 \u6211\u5403\u9762\u6761\u5728\u90a3\u4e2a\u996d\u9986<\/strong>\u3002
                                \u221a \u6211\u5728\u90a3\u4e2a\u996d\u9986<\/strong>\u5403\u996d\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                We will go to China at 4 p.m.
                                \u2718 \u6211\u4eec\u8981\u53bb\u4e2d\u56fd\u4e0b\u53484\u70b9<\/strong>\u3002
                                \u221a \u6211\u4eec\u4e0b\u53484\u70b9<\/strong>\u8981\u53bb\u4e2d\u56fd\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                She dislikes to work by mobile phone.
                                \u2718 \u5979\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u5de5\u4f5c\u7528\u624b\u673a<\/strong>\u3002
                                \u221a \u5979\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u7528\u624b\u673a<\/strong>\u5de5\u4f5c\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Note that when\nthe time adverbial is a noun, like \u201c\u660e\u5929\u201d \u201c\u665a\u4e0a\u201d \u201c\u4e0b\u4e2a\u661f\u671f\u201d and so on, it can also be placed\nbefore the subject. For example: \u201cHe will come here tomorrow.\u201d can be \u201c\u4ed6\u660e\u5929<\/strong>\u6765\u8fd9\u91cc\u201d or \u201c\u660e\u5929<\/strong>\u4ed6\u6765\u8fd9\u91cc\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                1. \u4ed6\u60f3\u53bb\u901b\u8857\u548c\u4f60\u3002<\/li>
                                2. \u4ed6\u548c\u6211\u8bf4\u8bdd\u54ed\u7740\u3002<\/li>
                                3. \u90a3\u4e2a\u4eba\u4e00\u76f4\u5728\u8bf4\u8bdd\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u4ed6\u60f3\u548c\u4f60\u53bb\u901b\u8857\u3002\n2. F \u4ed6\u54ed\u7740\u548c\u6211\u8bf4\u8bdd\u3002\n3. T \n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                  (Reference: Tell Tenses in Chinese -Use the Adverbs and Nouns of Time Correctly<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  14. Directional Complements: \u201c\u6765\u201d and \u201c\u53bb\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                  You might already know that \u201c\u6765\u201d means \u201ccome\u201d and describes an action moving towards the place where the speaker is; \u201c\u53bb\u201d means \u201cgo\u201d and indicates an action moving away from the place where the speaker is. And you may have also learned \u201c\u6765\/\u53bb\u201d can follow a verb, like \u201c\u4e0a\/\u4e0b\u201d \u201c\u8fdb\/\u51fa\u201d \u201c\u8fc7\u201d \u201c\u56de\u201d \u201c\u62ff\u201d \u201c\u5bc4\u201d \u201c\u9001\u201d etc. to indicate the speaker’s position in a directional complement. Some learners might be confused when it comes to directional complements, since there is no such concept of using a word to indicate direction in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  I sent a box of oranges to my younger brother.
                                  \u2718 \u6211\u7ed9\u6211\u5f1f\u5f1f\u5bc4\u6765<\/strong>\u4e86\u4e00\u7bb1\u6854\u5b50\u3002
                                  \u221a \u6211\u7ed9\u6211\u5f1f\u5f1f\u5bc4\u53bb<\/strong>\u4e86\u4e00\u7bb1\u6854\u5b50\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  From \u201cI\u201d to \u201cmy younger brother\u201d is moving away from where \u201cI\u201d am, so we should use \u201c\u53bb\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  She is still outside and hasn\u2019t come in.
                                  \u2718 \u5979\u8fd8\u5728\u5916\u9762\uff0c\u8fd8\u6ca1\u6709\u8fdb\u53bb<\/strong>\u3002
                                  \u221a \u5979\u8fd8\u5728\u5916\u9762\uff0c\u8fd8\u6ca1\u6709\u8fdb\u6765<\/strong>\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  Here the speaker\nis inside, and \u201c\u5979\u201d is outside, so movement from outside to inside is coming\ntowards the speaker, so here we should use \u201c\u6765\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  The sentence position for objects in directional complements is another problem for learners, especially when the object is a place. For example, \u201cWe enter the room.\u201d should be \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u8fdb<\/strong>\u623f\u95f4\u53bb<\/strong>\u201d but someone may instead say \u201c\u6211\u4eec\u8fdb\u53bb<\/strong>\u623f\u95f4\u201d which is absolutely wrong since place objects should be placed between the verb and \u201c\u6765\/\u53bb\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  Exercise:<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                  Translate the\nsentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  1. He doesn\u2019t want to go back home now.<\/li>
                                  2. You two can go upstairs.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                                    Put the words in order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                    1. \u8dd1 \u4ed6\u4eec \u4e0b \u53bb \u5c71 \u8fd8\u6ca1<\/li>
                                    2. \u4e66 \u628a \u4f60 \u62ff \u6559\u5ba4 \u8fdb \u6765 <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\nTranslate the sentence.\n1. \u4ed6\u73b0\u5728\u4e0d\u60f3\u56de\u5bb6\u53bb\u3002\n2. \u4f60\u4eec\u4e24\u4e2a\u53ef\u4ee5\u4e0a\u697c\u53bb\u3002\n Put the words in order. \n1. \u4ed6\u73b0\u5728\u4e0d\u60f3\u56de\u5bb6\u53bb\u3002\n2. \u4f60\u628a\u4e66\u62ff\u8fdb\u6559\u5ba4\u6765\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                      (Reference: the Simple Directional Complement verb \u6765\uff0c\u53bb<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      15. Comparative sentences with \u201c\u6bd4\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                      \u201c\u6bd4\u201d is used to form a comparison in Chinese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      The basic structure: \u201cA \u6bd4 B + Adjective\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      For example, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      He is taller than me.
                                      \u4ed6\u6bd4<\/strong>\u6211\u9ad8\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      What about \u201cHe\nis much taller than me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      \u4ed6\u6bd4\u6211\u5f88\u9ad8\u3002Is this correct?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      Pay attention\nthat adverbs like \u201c\u5f88\u201d can\u2019t be placed before adjectives in\ncomparative sentences, so it should be translated into \u201c\u4ed6\u6bd4\u6211\u9ad8<\/strong>\u5f97\u591a\u201d instead of \u201c\u4ed6\u6bd4\u6211\u5f88\u9ad8<\/strong>\u201d in Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      The opposite of \u201c\u6bd4\u201d is \u201c\u6ca1\u6709\u201d(not as\u2026 as\u2026). But you might have also learned another tricky negative comparison \u201c\u4e0d\u6bd4\u201d(not more\u2026 than\u2026) which is a direct negation of \u201c\u6bd4\u201d and much easier for learners to accept mentally. However, the fact is that they’re indeed the negative forms but not exactly the same thing! Such as the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      Today isn\u2019t as hot as yesterday.
                                      \u4eca\u5929\u6ca1\u6709<\/strong>\u6628\u5929\u70ed\u3002
                                      (It indicates yesterday is definitely hotter than today and they are not the same)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      Today isn\u2019t hotter than yesterday.
                                      \u4eca\u5929\u4e0d\u6bd4<\/strong>\u6628\u5929\u70ed\u3002
                                      (It indicates today isn\u2019t hotter than yesterday, but they might be equally hot.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                      Translate the\nsentence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      1. She is cuter than my younger sister.<\/li>
                                      2. He isn\u2019t smarter than me. <\/li>
                                      3. This watermelon isn\u2019t as expensive as that one. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u5979\u6bd4\u6211\u7684\u59b9\u59b9\u53ef\u7231\u3002\n2. \u4eca\u5929\u6bd4\u6628\u5929\u70ed\u5f97\u591a\u3002\n3. \u4ed6\u6ca1\u6709\u6211\u806a\u660e\u3002\n4. \u8fd9\u4e2a\u897f\u74dc\u4e0d\u6bd4\u90a3\u4e2a\u897f\u74dc\u8d35\u3002 [o1]\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                        (Reference: The Comparative Sentence \u201c\u6bd4(b\u01d0)\u201d Sentence<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                        16. Existence Sentences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                        Translation\npractice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                        1. There are two books on the table.<\/li>
                                        2. There is a girl looking for you outside\nthe office.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                                          Many learners\nwould put them like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                          1. \u6709\u4e24\u672c\u4e66\u5728\u684c\u5b50\u3002<\/li>
                                          2. \u4e00\u4e2a\u5973\u5b69\u627e\u4f60\u5728\u529e\u516c\u5ba4\u5916\u9762\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                                            But are they\ncorrect? Definitely NOT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            To express\nexistence and appearance in a place, we can use existence sentences in Chinese,\nwhich follow the form of \u201cPlace + Verb + Someone\/Something\u201d. In existence\nsentences, the first part usually is \u201cNoun\/ Pronoun + Location Words\u201d, like \u201c\u5bb6\u91cc\u201d \u201c\u6559\u5ba4\u5916\u9762\u201d etc., prepositions such as \u201c\u5728\u201d \u201c\u4ece\u201d and so on cannot be used. It is quite clear,\nbut leaving out location words or adding redundant prepositions is a frequent\nerror among learners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            Correct\ntranslation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            1. \u5353\u5b50\u4e0a<\/strong>\u653e\u7740\u4e24\u672c\u4e66\u3002<\/li>
                                            2. \u529e\u516c\u5ba4\u5916\u9762<\/strong>\u6709\u4e2a\u5973\u5b69\u627e\u4f60\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                                              Exercise\uff1a<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                              Translate the\nsentence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                              1. There is nobody in the classroom.<\/li>
                                              2. There sits a dog under the tree.<\/li>
                                              3. There are ten tables and ten chairs in the library. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u6559\u5ba4\u91cc\u6ca1\u6709\u4eba\u3002\n2. \u6811\u4e0b\u5750\u7740\u4e00\u53ea\u72d7\u3002\n3. \u56fe\u4e66\u9986\u91cc\u6709\u5341\u5f20\u684c\u5b50\u548c\u5341\u628a\u6905\u5b50\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                                (Reference: How to use \u5728\u3001\u6709 and \u662f Express Existence in Chinese<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                17. \u201c\u628a\u201d sentence <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                                There are\nseveral special sentence structures in the Chinese language. To emphasize\ninitiative of an action, we use \u201c\u628a(b\u01ce)\u201d, which has no equivalent in other\nlanguages, including English. Without a doubt, it is one of the most difficult\nparts for learners not only because of the headache-inducing rules but the\ntiming to use it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                As we all know,\nthe basic structure is <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                \u201cDoer + <\/strong>\u628a<\/strong> + Receiver + Verb + Other elements<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                The Doer performs an action while the Receiver is influenced by it. But the placement is misused at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                The elder brother closed the computer.
                                                \u54e5\u54e5\u628a\u7535\u8111<\/strong>\u5173\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                \n\nHere \u201c\u54e5\u54e5\u201d is the agent and \u201c\u7535\u8111\u201d is the recipient of the action \u201c\u5173\u201d.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                Using \u201c\u628a\u201d for all verbs is a common error of many learners. And main reason is probably that the user doesn\u2019t know clearly what the right situation is to use \u201c\u628a\u201d in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                He has known that thing.
                                                Incorrect expression: \u4ed6\u628a\u90a3\u4ef6\u4e8b<\/strong>\u77e5\u9053\u4e86\u3002
                                                Correct expression: \u4ed6\u77e5\u9053\u90a3\u4ef6\u4e8b<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                Intellectual and\nmental state verbs, like \u201c\u559c\u6b22\u201d \u201c\u77e5\u9053\u201d \u201c\u8ba4\u8bc6\u201d etc. can\u2019t be used in \u201c\u628a\u201d sentences. So here the pattern SVO would be better.\nThen comes the question when we should use \u201c\u628a\u201d? Briefly speaking, when \u201c\u628a\u201d is used, the doer must make some change or have some influence\non the receiver. For example, \u201cI put your book on the table.\u201d Here the doer is\n\u201cI\u201d, the receiver is \u201cyour book\u201d, and \u201cI\u201d makes the position of \u201cyour book\u201d\nchange, so we should use \u201c\u628a\u201d. The whole sentence would be \u201c\u6211\u628a\u4f60\u7684\u4e66\u653e\u5728\u684c\u5b50\u4e0a<\/strong>\u4e86\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                What\u2019s more,\n\u201cother elements\u201d is easy to overlook too. For example, \u201c\u4e0a\u5348\u6211\u8981\u628a\u8fd9\u7bc7\u6587\u7ae0\u5199\u201d lacks some \u201cother elements\u201d, making the sentence incomplete.\nAnd the complete form would be \u201c\u4e0a\u5348\u6211\u8981\u628a\u8fd9\u7bc7\u6587\u7ae0\u5199\u5b8c<\/strong>\u201d (I will write and finish this article\nthis morning.). \u201c\u5b8c\u201d is the complement of \u201c\u5199\u201d to show the change made by \u201c\u5199\u201d on \u201c\u6587\u7ae0\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                Another thing we should keep an eye on is the placement for the negation word \u201c\u6ca1\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                For example, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                He didn\u2019t finish the homework.
                                                \u4ed6\u628a\u4f5c\u4e1a\u6ca1<\/strong>\u5199\u5b8c\u3002 X<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                This is a pretty typical error where \u201c\u6ca1\u201d is misplaced. Actually, the negation word should precede \u201c\u628a\u201d, so the correct version is \u201c\u4ed6\u6ca1<\/strong>\u628a\u4f5c\u4e1a\u5199\u5b8c\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                Furthermore, the parts following \u201c\u628a\u201d should be taken into account too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                For example, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                \u6211\u628a\u4e00\u672c<\/strong>\u4e66\u6254\u4e86\u3002X<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                 \u201c\u4e00\u672c\u4e66\u201d is indefinite, which contradicts the\nrule that receiver is normally definite. So this sentence can be changed into \u201c\u6211\u628a\u90a3\u672c<\/strong>\u4e66\u6254\u4e86\u201d (I threw that book.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                or \u201c\u6211\u628a\u8fd9\u672c<\/strong>\u4e66\u6254\u4e86\u201d (I threw this book.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                Exercise: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                                Put the words in\norder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                1. \u6211\u7684 \u4f60 \u628a \u54ea\u91cc \u653e\u5728 \u4e86<\/li>
                                                2. \u628a \u95e8 \u6ca1 \u6253\u5f00<\/li>
                                                3. \u6211\u4eec \u628a \u623f\u95f4 \u5e72\u51c0 \u4e86<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u4f60\u628a\u6211\u7684\u6c34\u653e\u5728\u54ea\u91cc\u4e86\uff1f\n2. \u4ed6\u6ca1\u628a\u95e8\u6253\u5f00\u3002\n3. \u6211\u4eec\u628a\u623f\u95f4\u6253\u626b\u5e72\u51c0\u4e86\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                                  (Reference:  \u628a(ba) Sentence<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  18. Using \u201c\u4e86\u201d to indicate all\npast tense situations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                                  Unlike in English, changing tenses in Chinese is done by using time markers, like \u201c\u6628\u5929\u201d \u201c\u660e\u5929\u201d etc. or adding a particle, like \u201c\u4e86\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  For example,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  I will go to school tomorrow.
                                                  \u6211\u660e\u5929\u53bb\u5b66\u6821\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  \u201c\u660e\u5929\u201d implies the future tense. \u201c\u4ed6\u5403\u4e86<\/strong>\u5348\u996d\u201d(He ate lunch.) where \u201c\u4e86\u201d after the verb \u201c\u5403\u201d expresses that this action has been\ndone in the past. Adding time markers can easily be mastered by learners, but \u201c\u4e86\u201d is quite tough for some people even if they have\nreached a fairly high level in Chinese. One of the biggest problems is that some\nlearners would add \u201c\u4e86\u201d after all verbs to express past tense,\nwhich is an absolute misunderstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  Back to \u201c\u4e86\u201d, it can be used after a verb to indicate an action has been completed, but it doesn\u2019t mean it is equivalent to past tense. As a matter of fact, it can be used in any tense, no matter what time frame we’re talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  I went to that store.
                                                  \u6211\u53bb\u4e86<\/strong>\u90a3\u4e2a\u5546\u5e97\u3002(the past)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  I will play the game after eating next time.
                                                  \u4e0b\u6b21\u6211\u5403\u4e86<\/strong>\u996d\u518d\u73a9\u6e38\u620f\u3002 (the future)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  You may be confused\nby the second example as to how it implies future tense with \u201c\u4e86\u201d in the sentence? That\u2019s because the speaker intends to\nfinish the first action \u201c\u5403\u996d\u201d and then continue the second action \u201c\u73a9\u6e38\u620f\u201d, so the speaker uses an aspect particle \u201c\u4e86\u201d to show the completion of the first action. However,\nthe thing is, when the speaker is saying this sentence, these actions all haven\u2019t\nfinished yet and they will actually happen next time instead, so it is future\ntense but still includes \u201c\u4e86\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  And if the action is habitual or continuous, we also don\u2019t use \u201c\u4e86\u201d even it occurred in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  He often studied Chinese in the morning before.
                                                  \u2718 \u4ed6\u4ee5\u524d\u5e38\u5e38\u5728\u65e9\u4e0a\u5b66\u4e86<\/strong>\u4e2d\u6587\u3002
                                                  \u221a \u4ed6\u4ee5\u524d\u5e38\u5e38\u5728\u65e9\u4e0a\u5b66\u4e2d\u6587\u3002 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  He works overtime every night.
                                                  \u2718 \u4ed6\u6bcf\u5929\u665a\u4e0a\u52a0\u4e86<\/strong>\u73ed\u3002
                                                  \u221a \u4ed6\u6bcf\u5929\u665a\u4e0a\u52a0\u73ed\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                                  Translate the\nsentence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                  1. He often went to the hospital last year.<\/li>
                                                  2. I have been to Beijing twice.<\/li>
                                                  3. I have my hands washed before dinner. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. \u4ed6\u53bb\u5e74\u7ecf\u5e38\u53bb\u533b\u9662\u3002\n2. \u6211\u53bb\u8fc7\u5317\u4eac\u4e24\u6b21\u4e86\u3002\n3. \u5403\u996d\u524d\u6211\u6d17\u4e86\u624b\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                                    (Reference: The use of \u2018\u4e86\u2019\uff08le\uff09in Chinese<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    19. Improper use of approximate numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                                    Could you try to\ntranslate \u201cThere are thirteen or fourteen students in the classroom.\u201d<\/em> into\nChinese? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    In Chinese,\nthere are many ways to present approximate numbers, but here we are going to\njust focus on three ways you may frequently use. One of them, as shown above,\nis to use two adjacent digits together. For example, \u201c\u4e09\u56db<\/strong>\u4e2a\u4eba\u201d means \u201cthree or four people\u201d, \u201c\u5341\u4e00\u4e8c<\/strong>\u672c\u4e66\u201d means \u201celeven or twelve books\u201d, \u201c\u56db\u4e94<\/strong>\u5341\u5c81\u201d means \u201cforty or fifty years old\u201d. So\n\u201cThere are thirteen or fourteen students in the classroom\u201d is \u201c\u6559\u5ba4\u91cc\u6709\u5341\u4e09\u56db<\/strong>\u4e2a\u5b66\u751f\u201d in Chinese. Note that \u201c\u4e5d\u201d and \u201c\u5341\u201d are seldom used together to express an\napproximate number in order to not be confused with \u201c\u4e5d\u5341\u201d(ninety). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    Another frequently used way is adding \u201c\u591a(du\u014d)\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    For example,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    I bought over five jin of apples.
                                                    \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u591a\u4e94\u65a4\u82f9\u679c\u3002\u2718
                                                    \u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e94\u591a\u65a4\u82f9\u679c\u3002\u2718<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    In Chinese, we usually use \u201c\u591a\u201d in the structure \u201cNumber + Measure + \u591a\u201d where usually the number is a single unit or multi-digit with single units, or we use the pattern \u201cNumber + \u591a + Measure\u201d when the number is ten or integers that ends with a zero. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    For example, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    \u4e00\u4e2a\u591a\u6708 (over one month),
                                                    \u4e09\u5343\u591a\u4e2a\u4eba (over three thousand people),
                                                    \u5341\u591a\u4ef6\u8863\u670d (over ten clothes). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    So the sentence\n\u201cI bought over five jin of apples.\u201d should be \u201c\u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u4e94\u65a4\u591a\u82f9\u679c\u201d in Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    Sometimes you may see this kind of sentence \u201c\u6211\u8fd9\u91cc\u53ea\u6709\u51e0\u5341\u591a\u5757\u94b1\u201d  from some Chinese learners. You may be surprised to see \u201c\u51e0\u201d used to express an approximate number. \u201c\u51e0\u201d can be substituted for numbers less than ten followed by a measure word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    For example, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    I have several Chinese friends.
                                                    \u6211\u6709\u51e0<\/strong>\u4e2a\u4e2d\u56fd\u670b\u53cb\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    \u201c\u6211\u8fd9\u91cc\u53ea\u6709\u51e0<\/strong>\u5341\u591a<\/strong>\u5757\u94b1\u201d doesn\u2019t exist because \u201c\u51e0\u201d and \u201c\u591a\u201d cannot be used together to indicate an\napproximate number. So, it can be changed to \u201c\u6211\u8fd9\u91cc\u53ea\u6709\u51e0<\/strong>\u5341\u5757\u94b1\u201d or \u201c\u6211\u8fd9\u91cc\u53ea\u6709\u5341\u591a<\/strong>\u5757\u94b1\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    Another error that\nmay occur is combining \u201c\u51e0\u201d with a definite number, such as \u201c\u8fd9\u91cc\u6709\u51e0\u5341\u4e5d\u672c\u4e66\u3002\u201d \u201c\u4e5d\u201d is a definite number which cannot be\nused with \u201c\u51e0\u201d here. So the sentence should be \u201c\u8fd9\u91cc\u6709\u51e0\u5341\u672c\u4e66\u201d(There are dozens of books.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                                    True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                    1. \u7238\u7238\u7ed9\u4e86\u6211\u4e09\u5341\u5757\u591a\u94b1\u3002<\/li>
                                                    2. \u6211\u770b\u5230\u5916\u9762\u6709\u51e0\u591a\u4e2a\u4eba\u5728\u8bf4\u8bdd\u3002<\/li>
                                                    3. \u4ed6\u4eca\u5e74\u5341\u4e00\u591a\u5c81\u4e86\u3002 <\/li>
                                                    4. \u8fd9\u5f20\u684c\u5b50\u6709\u5341\u51e0\u591a\u65a4\u91cd\u3002 <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u7238\u7238\u7ed9\u4e86\u6211\u4e09\u5341\u591a\u5757\u94b1\u3002\n2. F \u6211\u770b\u5230\u5916\u9762\u6709\u51e0\u4e2a\u4eba\u5728\u8bf4\u8bdd\u3002\n3. F \u4ed6\u4eca\u5e74\u5341\u4e00\u5c81\u591a\u4e86\u3002\n4. F \u8fd9\u5f20\u684c\u5b50\u6709\u5341\u51e0\u65a4\u91cd\u3002\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                                      (Reference: Expressing an \u201cApproximate Number\u201d in Mandarin<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      20. Errors with Chinese Punctuation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Now let\u2019s take a\nlook at one thing which is almost ignored by most instructors, that\u2019s Chinese\npunctuation. Chinese punctuation marks are similar in function to those in\nEnglish, but some of them differ in form. Because of this subtle relationship,\nthere are always mistakes happening with punctuation, even for advanced\nlearners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      To begin with, in English people are used to using \u201c.\u201d to end a statement, so some learners will continue to use \u201c.\u201d In Chinese, which is absolutely wrong because we only use \u201c\u3002\u201d to mark a full stop in Chinese.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      We are Japanese.
                                                      \u2718 \u6211\u4eec\u662f\u65e5\u672c\u4eba.<\/u><\/strong>
                                                      \u221a \u6211\u4eec\u662f\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3002<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      In addition,\ncommas are another one lots of learners struggle with. Just like the comma in\nEnglish, it\u2019s used to separate clauses and indicate pauses. For example, \u201c\u56e0\u4e3a\u5916\u9762\u4e0b\u96e8\u4e86\uff0c<\/strong>\u6240\u4ee5\u6211\u4e0d\u60f3\u51fa\u53bb\u201d(I don\u2019t want to go out because it\u2019s\nraining outside.) Then, you may wonder what about enumeration commas? Are they\nthe same? The answer is no, though their function is similar. In fact, the\nenumeration comma is used to separate words in a list. For example, \u201c\u6211\u4e70\u4e86\u86cb\u7cd5\u3001<\/strong>\u7cd6\u548c\u6c34\u679c\u201d(I bought cake, sugar and fruit.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Some learners will omit them or confuse the regular comma with the enumeration comma or put them in a wrong position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Her face is red and looks like a red apple.
                                                      \u2718 \u5979\u7684\u8138\u5f88\u7ea2\u548c<\/strong>\u50cf\u4e00\u4e2a\u7ea2\u82f9\u679c\u3002
                                                      \u221a \u5979\u7684\u8138\u5f88\u7ea2,<\/u><\/strong> \u50cf\u4e00\u4e2a\u7ea2\u82f9\u679c\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Here, we don\u2019t need \u201c\u548c\u201d to connect because it\u2019s just a pause, the connection is continuous. So, a regular comma is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      There is milk, fruit, vegetables, notebooks etc. in the supermarket.
                                                      \u2718 \u8d85\u5e02\u91cc\u6709\u725b\u5976\uff0c\u6c34\u679c\uff0c\u852c\u83dc\uff0c\u672c\u5b50\u7b49\u7b49\u3002
                                                      \u221a \u8d85\u5e02\u91cc\u6709\u725b\u5976\u3001\u6c34\u679c\u3001\u852c\u83dc\u3001\u672c\u5b50\u7b49\u7b49\u3002 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Here, it\u2019s stating\na list and there is only a slight pause between \u201c\u725b\u5976\u201d \u201c\u6c34\u679c\u201d \u201c\u852c\u83dc\u201d and \u201c\u672c\u5b50\u201d in coordination. So, the enumeration comma\nis used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      Exercise:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                                      True or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                      1. \u4ed6\u4eec\u5728\u5403\u996d\u6211\u4eec\u5728\u770b\u4e66\u3002<\/li>
                                                      2. \u59d0\u59d0\u4e0d\u559c\u6b22\u5403\u9762\u5305.<\/li>
                                                      3. \u4ed6\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24\u53cc\u978b\uff0c\u4e09\u53cc\u889c\u5b50\uff0c\u4e94\u6761\u88e4\u5b50\uff0c\u4e00\u4ef6\u886c\u886b\u548c\u4e00\u4ef6\u5927\u8863\u3002<\/li>
                                                      4. 8\u70b9\u4e86\uff0c\u4f46\u662f\u5916\u9762\u8fd8\u662f\u5f88\u4eae\u3002<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n[vc_toggle title=”Check answers”]\n1. F \u4ed6\u4eec\u5728\u5403\u996d\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u5728\u770b\u4e66\u3002\n2. T\n3. F \u4ed6\u4e70\u4e86\u4e24\u53cc\u978b\u3001\u4e09\u53cc\u889c\u5b50\u3001\u4e94\u6761\u88e4\u5b50\u3001\u4e00\u4ef6\u886c\u886b\u548c\u4e00\u4ef6\u5927\u8863\u3002\n4. T\n[\/vc_toggle]\n\n\n\n

                                                        So, there are\nthe top 20 most frequent mistakes we see made by Chinese learners. I hope this\narticle helped you confirm what you already knew and even taught you something\nnew that you can now apply in your studies. If you\u2019re paying attention to all\nof these points, it will really take your Chinese to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                                        If you\u2019re hoping\nto get even more information about these topics, be sure to check out the links\nprovided in each section, and if you can\u2019t find an answer to your questions\nthere, leave us a comment down below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                                        Today we are going to talk about mistakes, specifically the 20 top mistakes that Chinese learners are prone to making or make repeatedly, so that we can help you avoid them in your own practice. So, if you have never made these errors before, that\u2019s great, then this article will be a nice revision or…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":14034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,176],"tags":[77,7,78,80],"post_series":[],"yoast_head":"\nTop 20 Common Mistakes Chinese Learners Make<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/top-20-common-mistakes-chinese-learners-make.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top 20 Common Mistakes Chinese Learners Make\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Today we are going to talk about mistakes, specifically the 20 top mistakes that Chinese learners are prone to making or make repeatedly, so that we can help you avoid them in your own practice. 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