Welcome to today’s lesson, where we’ll cover another set of key Chinese words from the HSK Standard Course 4, Volume 1, Lesson 2 that will elevate your fluency. We’ll go through their meanings, usage, and how to structure them in a sentence, with examples in both pinyin and English to guide you along the way. Let’s get started!
1. 适应 (shìyìng) – To adapt or To get used to
Usage: A verb that means to adapt or adjust to a situation or environment.
Structure:Subject + 适应 + ObjectObject can be a noun or a situation.
Example:我已经适应了这里的气候。Wǒ yǐjīng shìyìng le zhèlǐ de qìhòu.I’ve already adapted to the climate here.
2. 交 (朋友) (jiāo péngyǒu) – To make (friends)
Usage: A verb that means to make friends.
Subject + 交 + 朋友
他很容易交朋友。
Tā hěn róngyì jiāo péngyǒu.
"He makes friends easily."
A 跟 / 和 B 交朋
我跟他交朋友。
Wǒ gēn tā jiāo péngyǒu.
"I made friends with him."
3. 平时 (píngshí) – Normally or Usually
Usage: An adverb that indicates the normal state of affairs or what usually happens.
Structure:平时 + Subject + Verb + Object
Grammar Note: 平时 is used to express habitual actions or conditions.Comparison with 通常 (tōngcháng):
平时 focuses on what usually happens during normal circumstances and is often used when comparing to specific or special occasions.
通常 means usually in a more general sense, implying regularity or common practice. 通常 can be used when there’s no comparison with a special situation.
Example with 平时:我平时喜欢看书。Píngshí wǒ xǐhuān kànshū.I usually like reading. (In normal circumstances)
Example with 通常:我通常早上七点起床。Wǒ tōngcháng zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng.I usually get up at 7 a.m.
4. 正好 (zhènghǎo) – Just right or Exactly
Usage: An adverb that means just right or at the perfect time.
Structure:正好 + Verb/Clause
Grammar Note: Often used to describe perfect timing or coincidence.
Example:我正好在家，你可以来。Wǒ zhènghǎo zài jiā, nǐ kěyǐ lái.I’m just at home, you can come over.
5. 联系 (liánxì) – To contact
Usage: A verb meaning to get in touch or to contact.
Structure 1:Subject + 联系 + Object (a person, organization, etc.)Revised Example:我们很久没有联系对方了。Wǒmen hěnjiǔ méiyǒu liánxì duìfāng le.We haven’t been in contact with each other for a long time.
Structure 2:A 和/跟 B 联系Example:我跟他保持联系。Wǒ gēn tā bǎochí liánxì.I keep in touch with him.
6. 差不多 (chàbùduō) – Almost or Nearly
Usage: An adverb or adjective that means almost or about the same.
Structure 1:Subject + 差不多 + AdjectiveExample:我们差不多高。Wǒmen chàbùduō gāo.We are almost the same height.
Structure 2:Subject + 差不多 + VerbExample:他差不多做完了作业。Tā chàbùduō wánchéng le zuòyè.He has almost finished his homework.
7. 专门 (zhuānmén) – Specially or Specifically
Usage: An adverb used to describe doing something for a specific purpose or specializing in something.
Structure:Subject + 专门 + Verb
Grammar Note: Often used to indicate a special action taken for a specific reason.
Example:我专门为你做了这个蛋糕。Wǒ zhuānmén wèi nǐ zuò le zhège dàngāo.I made this cake especially for you.
Example for Specialization:他专门研究历史。Tā zhuānmén yánjiū lìshǐ.He specializes in studying history.
8. 毕业 (bìyè) – To graduate
Usage: A verb that means to graduate.
Structure:Subject + 从 + 学校 + 毕业
Grammar Note: 毕业 is usually followed by the name of the school or program from which one graduates.
Example:他从北京大学毕业。Tā cóng Běijīng Dàxué bìyè.He graduated from Peking University.
9. 麻烦 (máfan) – Trouble or To bother
Usage: It can be a noun meaning trouble or a verb meaning to bother.
Structure 1 (Verb):Subject + 麻烦 + ObjectExample:对不起，麻烦你帮我一下。Duìbuqǐ, máfan nǐ bāng wǒ yīxià.Sorry, could I trouble you for some help?
Structure 2 (Adjective):Subject + 觉得 + 麻烦Example:我觉得这个问题很麻烦。Wǒ juéde zhège wèntí hěn máfan.I think this problem is very troublesome.
10. 好像 (hǎoxiàng) – It seems or It looks like
Usage: An adverb used to express uncertainty or an impression.
Structure:Subject + 好像 + Verb/Clause
Grammar Note: Often used to describe something that seems or appears to be true but isn’t certain.
Example:他好像不太高兴。Tā hǎoxiàng bù tài gāoxìng.He doesn’t seem very happy.
11. 重新 (chóngxīn) – Again or Anew
Usage: An adverb that means to do something again or start over.
Structure:Subject + 重新 + Verb
Grammar Note: Often used to express the idea of starting something again from the beginning.
Example:我们需要重新开始这个项目。Wǒmen xūyào chóngxīn kāishǐ zhège xiàngmù.We need to start this project again.
12. 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) – Even though or Despite
Usage: A conjunction that introduces a contrast or concession.
Structure 1:尽管 + Clause 1, 但是 + Clause 2Example:尽管天气不好，我们还是去了。Jǐnguǎn tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen háishì qù le.Even though the weather was bad, we still went.
Structure 2:尽管 + Clause 1 + 也 + Clause 2Example:尽管他很忙，他也来参加了会议。Jǐnguǎn tā hěn máng, tā yě lái cānjiā le huìyì.Even though he was very busy, he still came to the meeting.
Explanation of Differences:
Structure 1: More formal and emphasizes contrast using 但是 (but).
Structure 2: Often used in spoken Chinese, with 也 showing "still" without the contrasting "but."
Congratulations! You’ve now mastered some more essential Chinese words. Keep practicing and incorporating these words into your daily conversations, and you’ll notice your fluency improve rapidly. Make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more language lessons. Happy learning, and see you in the next video!
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