Learn how to describe an action as it’s happening (I am reading, I am singing etc.)
Vocabulary: “to do, to eat, to call, phone, to cook, Italy, fish, to work, to read”
Make sentences like “I am driving”, “I am eating a meal” and “I am on the phone”
Practice describing actions in the present, as they are happening
Learn new vocabulary: “to browse, internet, a bar/pub, to sleep, to shop/buy, to sell”
Make sentences like “I am shopping/browsing the internet”
Learn how to describe actions that will happen in the future
Learn and review new vocabulary: “5 years, before, after/later”
Make the sentence “Where will you be in 5 years?”
Learn how to talk about future events that are predictions or estimates
Learn new vocab: “to rain, to miss (someone)”
Make sentences like “It’s going to rain tomorrow” and “I will call you”
Learn another word for talking definitively about the future
Learn new vocabulary: “want to/will”
Say “I am going to China tomorrow” and “What are you going to do this weekend”
Learn about using the past tense in Chinese
Descriptive adj. (stative verbs) VS verbs stating the way things are (adjectival verbs)
Vocab: “to be, to have, to like, to think/feel, to know, understand, to love, to want”
Learn one pattern for expressing the past tense in Chinese
Vocabulary: “lots of/a lot, yesterday, last week, last month, last year”
Make sentences like “She was pretty”, “I was a teacher” and “I had lots of money”
Learn how to express the completion of an action
Learn and review vocabulary: “hamburger, ticket”
Make sentences like “I ate three hamburgers” and “I bought the tickets”
Learn where to put the Chinese past tense indicator “le”
Vocab: “stuff, books, to eat, to live, to return/go back to, family/home, to cook”
Make sentences like “I bought lots of stuff” and “She has already cooked”
Learn how to express that you didn’t do something in the past
Learn new vocab: “grocery store/supermarket”
Make sentences like “He went to the grocery store” and “I didn’t go to China”
Learn how to express that an action did not happen
Learn how to ask whether or not an action happened
Say “What did you do last night?”, “Did you call me?”, “I went to the grocery store”
Conjunctions (and Subordinating Conjunctions)
Vocabulary Word List
A
After:
although:尽管
and: 和，而且
as: 像/就像/好像
as far as:关于/至于
as if /as though:就好像
as long as
as soon as
as well as
B
because
before
but
by the time
E
even if
even though
F
for
H
how
I
if
in as much as
in case
if only
in addition to
in order that
J
just as
L
lest
N
no matter how
nor
now that
O
once
only if
or
P
provided that
S
since
so
so that
supposing that
T
than
that
though
till
U
unless
until
W
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
while
why
Y
yet
A
After:……后/以后
although:尽管/即使/就算是
and: 和/跟，而且，及/以及，与
as: 像/就像/好像/如/就如/仿佛
as far as:关于/至于
as if /as though:好像/就好像/仿佛
as long as: 只要
as soon as: 一……就……
as well as: 跟……一样/正如
B
Because……, therefore……: 因为……, 所以……
before……: 前/以前
but: 可是/但是/但
by the time: 等到/到/当……时/的时候/到时
E
even if: 即使……（的话）
even though:虽然/即使/尽管……(的话)
F
For: 为/为了…
H
How: 怎么/怎么样/怎样/如何
I
If: 如果/要是/若是/假如/ ……(的话)
in as much as: 同样/一样
in case: 万一/如果/要是
if only/unless：只有/除了/除非……才……
in addition to: 再加上/再说了/而且/并且/此外
in order that : 为了使…… /要想……就得……
J
just as: 就像/就好像/正如……一样/跟or和……相似
L
Lest: 免得/省得/以免
N
no matter how:不管怎么（样）/不论(如何)/无论(如何)……
nor: 既不……也不……
now that: 既然（是）那样/那样……就……
O
Once :一旦……就……有一次/曾经(once before),
only if: 只有/除非/除了……才……
or: 还是(for question)/或者是 (for statement)
P
provided that: 既然这样/正所以如此/因此
S
Since : 因为/正因为；自从(time)
so: 所以
so that: 以便
supposing that: 假定/假如/比如/比如说/比方说
T
Than: 比/比……更
that :那
though: 虽然/尽管
till: 到/直到/一直到
U
Unless: 除非
until: 到/直到/一直到
W
When……: 的时候/时
When?:什么时候？
whenever……:每当/每次/每回
Whenever.: 什么时候都可以
Where: 哪里/哪儿
whereas/while: 而/然而/可是/但是
wherever: 哪里都可以
whether: 是否/是，还是不是:
Why: 为什么/为何
Y
Yet: 而/然而/可是/但是
With Pinyin
A
After: ……后(hòu)/以(yǐ)后(hòu)
although:就(jiù)算(suàn)是(shì)/尽管(jǐnguǎn)/即使(jíshǐ)
and: 和(hé)/跟(gēn)，而且(érqiě)，及(jí)/以及(yǐjí)，与(yǔ)
as: 像(xiàng)/就像(jiùxiàng)/好像(hǎoxiàng)/如(rú)/就如(jiùrú)/仿佛(fǎngfú)
as far as:关于(guānyú)/至于(zhìyú)
asif/asthough:好像(hǎoxiàng)/就好像(jiùhǎoxiàng)/仿佛(fǎngfú)
aslongas: 只要(zhǐyào)
assoonas :一(yī)……就(jiù)……
aswellas: 跟(gēn)……一样(yíyàng)/正如(zhèngrú)
B
Because……, therefore……: 因为(yīnwéi)……, 所以(suǒyǐ)……
before……:前(qián)/以前(yǐqián)
but: 可是(kěshì)/但是(dànshì)/但(dàn)
bythetime: 等到(děngdào)/到(dào)/当(dāng)……时(shí)/的时候(deshíhou)/到时(dàoshí)
E
evenif: 即使(jíshǐ)……（的话(dehuà)）
eventhough:虽然(suīrán)/即使(jíshǐ)/尽管(jǐnguǎn)……(的话(dehuà))
F
For: 为(wéi)/为了(wèile)…
H
How: 怎么(zěnme)/怎么样(zěnmeyàng)/怎样(zěnyàng)/如何(rúhé)
I
If: 如果(rúguǒ)/要是(yàoshi)/若是(ruòshì)/假如(jiǎrú)/……(的话(dehuà))
inasmuchas: 同样(tóngyàng)/一样(yíyàng)
incase: 万一(wànyī)/如果(rúguǒ)/要是(yàoshi)……(的话(dehuà))
ifonly/unless：只有(zhǐyǒu)/除了(chúle)/除非(chúfēi)……才(cái)……
inadditionto: 再加上(zàijiāshang)/再说了(zàishuōle)/而且(érqiě)/并且(bìngqiě)/此(cǐ)外(wài)
inorder that : 为了使(wèileshǐ)……/要想(yàoxiǎng)……就得(jiùdé)……
J
justas: 就像(jiùxiàng)/就好像(jiùhǎoxiàng)/正如(zhèngrú)……一样(yíyàng)/跟(gēn) o r和(hé)……相似(xiāngsì)
L
Lest: 免得(miǎnde)/省得(shěngde)/以免(yǐmiǎn)
N
no matter how:不管怎么(bùguǎnzěnme)（样(yàng)）/不论(búlùn)(如何(rúhé))/无论(wúlùn)(如何(rúhé))……
nor: 既不(jìbù)……也不(yěbù)……
nowthat: 既然(jìrán)（是(shì)）那样(nàyàng)/那样(nàyàng)……就(jiù)……
O
Once :一旦(yídàn)……就(jiù)……有一次(yǒuyícì)/曾经(céngjīng)(oncebefore),
onlyif: 只有(zhǐyǒu)/除非(chúfēi)/除了(chúle)……才(cái)……
or: 还是(háishì)(forquestion)/或者是(huòzhěshì)(forstatement)
P
provided that: 既然这样(jìránzhèyàng)/正所以如此(zhèngsuǒyǐrúcǐ)/因此(yīncǐ)
S
Since :因为(yīnwéi)/正因为(zhèngyīnwéi)；自从(zìcóng)(time)
so: 所以(suǒyǐ)
sothat: 以便(yǐbiàn)
supposing that: 假定(jiǎdìng)/假如(jiǎrú)/比如(bǐrú)/比如说(bǐrúshuō)/比方说(bǐfāngshuō)
T
Than: 比(bǐ)/比(bǐ)……更(gèng)
that : 那(nà)
though: 虽然(suīrán)/尽管(jǐnguǎn)
till: 到(dào)/直到(zhídào)/一直到(yìzhídào)
U
Unless: 除非(chúfēi)
until: 到(dào)/直到(zhídào)/一直到(yìzhídào)
W
When……: 的时候(deshíhou)/时(shí)
When?:什么时候(shénmeshíhòu)？
whenever……:每当(měidāng)/每次(měicì)/每回(měihuí)
Whenever.: 什么时候都可以(shénmeshíhòudōukěyǐ)
Where: 哪里(nǎlǐ)/哪儿(nǎer)
whereas/while: 而(ér)/然而(ránér)/可是(kěshì)/但是(dànshì)
wherever: 哪里都可以(nǎlǐdōukěyǐ)
whether: 是否(shìfǒu)/是(shì)，还是不是(háishìbúshì):
Why: 为什么(wèishénme)/为何(wèihé)
Y
Yet: 而(ér)/然(rán)而(ér)/可(kě)是(shì)/但(dàn)是(shì)
一、并列关系Parallel relationship
**********************************
1、既……，也（又）……： do both
§ 她既努力学习，又积极锻炼身体。
§
2、又……，又……： both……
§ 她又聪明，又努力。
§
3、也……，也……：both/also
§ 儿子也睡了，妻子（太太）也睡了，只有他在看电视。
§
4、有时（有时候，有的时候）……，有時（有時候，有的時候）……：some times
§ 星期日我有时看电视，有时上网。
§
5、一会儿……，一会儿……：for a little while do this, then do that
§ 他们俩一会儿用汉语聊天，一会儿用韩语聊天。
§
6-a、一边……，一边……（口语 speaking）：do two things at the same time
§ 他们一边看电视，一边聊天。
§
6-b、一面……，一面……（书面语 written）:do two things at the same time
§ 他一面跟客人打招呼，一面接过客人手里行李。
§
7-a、一来……，二来……（口语 ）：first it can……,then it can……
§ 这样做，一来可以认识更多的中国朋友，二来可以锻炼你的口语。
§
7-b、一方面……，（另，又）一方面……：one for…… another reason/way……
§ 这次到北京来，一方面想游览北京的名胜古迹，另一方面也想看看多年不见的老朋友。
§
§
7-c、一则……，二则……（书面语）：one for…… another reason/way……
§ 她倒床就睡，一则是因为累了一天，二则是因为她生病了。
§
**********************************
二、选择关系 | Selected relationship
**********************************
1、或者（或，或是）……，或者（或是）……：…… or ……
§ 午饭或者吃饺子，或者吃米饭。
§
2、要么……，要么……：…… or ……
§ 要么去广州旅游，要么去上海旅游。
3、（是）……，还是……：…… or ……
§ 她是忘了，还是故意 (purposely) 不来。
§
4、不是……，就是（便是）……：either…… or ……
§ 这件事不是你做的，就是她做的。
§
5、不是……，而是……：not...... , but rather
§ 她不是口语老师，而是听力老师。
6、宁可（宁肯，宁愿）……，也不（决不，不）……：rather do/be…… , but not……
§ 我宁愿骑车去，也不愿意坐车去。
7、与其……，不如（还不如，倒不如）……（口语）：instead of……, rather do/be……
§ 与其在这儿等他，还不如先去呢。
8、与其……，宁肯……：（书面语）instead of……, rather do/be……
§ 与其看电视，我宁肯上网。
**********************************
三、递进关系 | Progressive relationship
**********************************
1、不但（不仅、不光、不只）……，而且（并且，且）……：not only, but also
§ 他不但长得帅，而且很聪明。
2、不但不（不但没，非但不，非但没）……，反而（反倒还）：not only……, but rather……
§ 吃了减肥药以后，她不但没瘦，反而胖了。
§
3、……，甚至（甚至于/甚至连）……：not even
§ 他不但不认识我，甚至连我的名字都不知道。
§
4、……，况且……（书面语）：not to mention……
§ 上海那么大，况且你又不知道他的地址，怎么能一下子找到呢？
§
§
5、……，再说……（口语）：in addition/also
§ 这儿的条件不怎么样，再说也太贵了，我们还是去别的地方吧。
§
6、……，何况（更不必说，更不用说）……：not to mention……
§ 这个问题连你都不会，何况是我呢？
7、别说（不要说，甭说，不要说）……，就是（即使）：not only….., even……
§ 这个问题很难，别说是我，就是连她也不会。
§
**********************************
四、转折关系 | Turning point in relationship
**********************************
1、虽然（虽说，虽）……，但是（可是）……：although……, but……
§ 天气虽然这么冷，但是我身上还在出汗呢。
§
2、虽然（虽说，虽）……，但是（不过）……：although……, but……
§ 汉语虽然难学，不过我一定要坚持。
§
3、尽管……，然而……：although……, but……
§ 尽管他住得比较远，然而却来得最早。
§
4、……，但是（可是）……则（却、倒）……：but/however
§ 她身体不好，但是精神却不错。
§
5、……，而……：but/however
§ 冬天的时候广州很热，而北京很冷。
§
**********************************
五、条件关系 | Condition relationship
**********************************
1、只要……，就（更）……：as long as……, then……
§ 只要努力，就一定可以学好汉语。
§
2、一旦……，就（便）……：once do……, then……
§ 这个题你一旦错了，就说明你没有努力学习。
§
3、只有（惟有）……，才……：Only if ……., then……
§ 只有同心协力，才能把事情办好。
§
4、除非……，才（否则，要不然）……：unless……, then……
§ 除非你来，否则我是不会去的。
§
5、任凭……，也……（书面语）：no matter……, still……
§ 任凭什么困难，也挡不住我们前进的愿望。
§
6、不论（无论，不管）……，都……：no matter……, still……
§ 无论春夏秋冬，那里的气候都很好。
§
**********************************
六、假设关系 Hypothesized relationships
**********************************
1、如果（要是，假如，假设，假使，假若，倘若，倘使）……，就（那么，便）……：if……, then……
§ 如果她不愿意来，就算了。
§
2、……的话，就……：if……, then……
§ 明天是晴天的话，就去逛街吧。
§
3、即使（就是，就算，哪怕，纵使，纵然）……，也……：even if…… still……
§ 明天即使下雨，我也要去。
§
4、再……，也……：no matter how……still……
§ 天气再冷，我也要坚持锻炼。
§
**********************************
七、因果关系 | Causality
**********************************
1、因为……，所以……：because……, therefore……
§ 因为他身体不好，所以不能上课。
§
2、由于……，（因此）……：because……, therefore……
§ 由于大家的帮助，因此她很快就找到了那把钥匙。
§
3、……，因而……：because of it……
§ 节日快到了，因而很多人买礼物。
§
4、……，以至于（以至，以致，致使）……：as a result……
§ 河里结了冰，致使轮船不能通过。
5、……，从而……：subsequently……
§ 她调整了作息时间，从而大大提高了学习质量。
§
6、……，于是……：because of it……
§ 外面下起了大雨，于是我们都不想出去玩了。
§
7、因为（因，由于）……而……：because of……,therefore
§ 这个孩子因为家里贫穷而不能上学。
§
8、之所以……，是因为（是由于）……：the reason……, is because……
§ 他之所以成绩好，是因为一直都很努力。
§
**********************************
八、目的关系 | Purposes relationship
**********************************
1、为（为了）……：in order to……/ for the reason of……
§ 为了学好汉语，他来到了中国。
§
2、……，是为了，（为的是）：is for ……
§ 他正在积极准备，为的是顺利地通过考试。
§
3、……，好……（口语 | 口語）：so that one can……
§ 晚上你一定要来，我们好一起去看电影。
§
4、……，以便（以，以求，用以）……：so that one can
§ 我们要抓紧时间，以提高学习成绩。
§
5、……，使……：it makes……
§ 这种学习方法，使我的学习成绩有了很大的提高。
§
6、……，省得（免得）……（口语）：in order not to……
§ 我再说明一下，免得引起误会。
§
7、……，以免（以防）……（书面语）：in order not to……
§ 请不要带危险品，以免发生意外。
§
https://quizlet.com/81014405/chinese-conjunction-words-p1-with-pinyin-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/85391737/chinese-conjunctions-p2-with-pinyin-flash-cards/
Go to Yoyo Chinese and click on: Lesson 52 Potential Complement - Introduction to “can” and “cannot” (Part 1)
Lesson 52 Potential Complement – Introduction to “can” and “cannot” (Part 1)
cannot - learned skill bú huì 不会
I can’t speak French. wǒ bú huì shuō fǎ yǔ。 我不会说法语。
cannot - not allowed / not permitted bù néng 不能 /bù kě yǐ 不可以
You can’t fall asleep (in her class). nǐ bù néng shuì zháo。 你不能睡着。
to fall asleep shuì zháo 睡着 cannot - allowed but not able to (potential complement)
I can’t fall asleep (after I watch a scary movie). wǒ shuì bù zháo。 我睡不着。
“Tīng bu dǒng.” 听不懂.
zhǎo de dào” (找得到) and “zhǎo bu dào” (找不到).
“kàn de dào” (看得到) and “kàn bu dào” (看不到).
.............................................................................................................................................
Use these potential complement phrases when SHOPPING:
Mǎi bu qǐ 买不起
This means "can't afford to buy" and can be helpful in a bargaining situation.
If a vendor quotes you a high price, you can scoff and say “mǎi bu qǐ.” Although, the vendor might scoff back and say, “You’re a foreigner! Of course you can afford it!” – “Nǐ shì yí gè wài gúo rén, dāng rán mǎi de qǐ!” (你是一个外国人，当然买得起！)
You also hear this one a lot when people are talking about the high prices of real estate in China. So many people “mǎi bu qǐ fángzi” (买不起房子), or "cannot afford to buy a house."
Mǎi bu dào 买不到 (Unable to buy)
This describes a situation where you intend to buy something, but cannot because it's sold out or the stores are out of stock.
It's often the case that you “mǎi bu dào” train tickets in China during a national holiday, because too many people are traveling at those times.
You can also use this phrase if you want to say, “Money cannot buy happiness,” which is “qián mǎi bu dào xìng fú” (钱买不到幸福).
Chuān bu shàng 穿不上/穿不了(Chuānbu liǎo
Many Western-sized people unfortunately have to put this phrase to good use when trying to buy clothes or shoes in China. It means “can’t put it on” and you can use it to refer to things that are too small to wear.
Use these potential complement phrases when DINING:
Zuò de xià 坐得下
You use this phrase to talk about how many people can sit around a table.
If you have a large group of people eating together at a restaurant, you’ll discover that most Chinese banquet-style round tables “zuò de xià” ten people comfortably, and any more than twelve people is definitely “zuò bu xià” (坐不下).
Chī bu xià吃不下
This one is so descriptive! It literally means “cannot eat down,” as if you’re unable to swallow another bite, because your
stomach is just too full.
This phrase is especially useful when you’re at a Chinese banquet or invited to someone’s home and some well-meaning person is practically force-feeding you yet ANOTHER bite of food.
Just say, “Wǒ chī bu xià le!” (我吃不下了！) They will get the message that you’re busting at the seams.
Chī bu wán 吃不完
This one is similar to the last one, but means “cannot finish eating.”
In China, the host of a meal will traditionally prepare or order so much food that it’s “chī bu wán.”
If it’s just enough to “chī de wán”, and there’s no food left on the table at the end of the meal, then the host will probably start ordering more, assuming that everyone is still hungry.
Use these potential complement phrases for added drama in your STORYTELLING:
Shòu bu liǎo 受不了
This one means “can’t stand it.”
If you want to tell someone about how something is driving you crazy and you just can't or couldn't take it for one more second, then you can say, “Wǒ shòu bu liǎo le!” (我受不了了！)
You can really add some drama by exaggerating the fourth tone of “shòu” too.
I heard a neighbor use this phrase once when complaining very animatedly to building management about the noise levels coming from the floor above her.
Wàng bu liǎo 忘不了
If you cannot forget something, even if perhaps you’d LIKE to forget it, then you’re in a “wàng bu liǎo” situation.
There’s something dramatic and romantic about the phrase, so there are several Chinese songs and at least one movie that have the title “wàng bu liǎo.”
If you’re telling someone about something amazing that happened, you can say, “It’s forever etched into my memory.” “Wǒ yóng yuǎn wàng bu liǎo.” (我永远忘不了.)
Máng bu guò lái 忙不过来
Okay, so this one is four syllables, not three, but I think it deserves to be on this list because we all experience the feeling of “máng bu guò lái” every now and then: it means something like “too busy to manage” or “can’t keep up with everything I have to do.”
You can use this one when complaining to someone about your situation at work, or if you need an effective way of asking for help with something. Just say, “It’s too much for me to do on my own.” “Wǒ yí ge rén máng bu guò lái.” (我一个人忙不过来).
Use “All” to make subjects (I/me, you, he/her/it) plural (we, you guys, them)
Learn new vocab: “all/both, wife, doctor, okay/fine, friend”
Say “We all like to eat Chinese food” and “He and his wife are both doctors”
Learn to express “all” of something with emphasis no exceptions
Vocab: “all (no exceptions), cat, dog, cute, women, elegant/charming, children”
Say “All cats are cute”, “All women are beautiful” and “I like all children”
Learn another way to describe what you are able to/not able to do
Vocab: “cook, to use, bathroom, to treat, spicy, too, smoke, drink”
Say “I can speak a little Chinese" and "Can I treat you to dinner?"
Learn four different uses for a new and very useful verb - dǎ (打)
Vocab: "to hit/attack, not right/wrong, to take/hail a taxi, to type, to play, video game"
Make sentences like “You can’t hit people”, “Let’s take a taxi” and “He types fast”
Learn to use dǎ (打) to describe playing different sports
Learn new vocab: “sports, ping pong, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball”
More new vocab: “tennis, badminton, golf, ice hockey, bowling, soccer”
Learn to say “I have to/don’t have to” do something
Vocab: “restroom, real quick, to help, you’re welcome, to tell”
Say “I have to use the restroom real quick” and “You don’t have to thank me”
Say “You should/shouldn’t do something”, “You should do more/less of something”
Review and learn new vocab: “expensive, bus, a lot, a little, to exercise, to rest”
Say “You should call her”, “Taking a taxi is too expensive, you should take the bus”
Learn to say “I need/don’t need something”
Learn new vocab: “need, help, to carry/bring, gift, to thank”
Say “I don’t need you" and "Do you need to use the restroom?"
Learn to express conditional situations using the phrase “if…then…”
Learn and review new vocab: “to tell, to rain”
Say “If you like her then you should tell her, If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, then I will go”
Form yes/no questions using the “verb not-verb” structure
Review vocab: “student, love”
Say “Are you a student?”, “Do you love me?” and “Can you speak Chinese?”
Learn to use the word “if” in a “whether or not” situation
Learn and review new vocab: “student, to know”
Say “I want to know whether or not you are a student, I don’t know if she will come”
Learn how to make sentences using the words “everything, anything and nothing”
Learn and review new vocab: “music, whatever, to like, today, fine”
Say “I like everything”, “I don’t like any music” and “I’m fine with whatever”
Learn the pattern to make sentences using “everyone” and “anyone”
Learn and review vocab: “who, to know/be familiar with, here”
Say “I know everyone”, “I don’t know anyone here” and “Everyone can come”
Learn the pattern to make sentences using “everywhere” and “anywhere”
Review vocabulary: “to go, fine/okay, to feel like/want”
Make sentences like “You’ve been everywhere” and “I don’t want to go anywhere”
Ask questions like “When are we going to eat?” and “When are you free?”
Learn to answer questions by saying “I’m free any time” and “I’m never free”
Review vocab: “when, fine/okay, to have free time”