Welcome to Learn to Speak Chinese! Today, we’ll go over some essential vocabulary, giving you all the details to use them correctly in real-life situations. Let’s get started!
大概 & 也许 (dàgài & yěxǔ)
Both mean "maybe" or "probably," but with slight differences.
大概 (dàgài) is more versatile. It can be used to estimate quantities, time, degree, or possibility, often suggesting a rough estimate or a general idea. For example:
大概三点钟 (dàgài sān diǎn zhōng) (About three o'clock) → This means you’re guessing, but not with complete certainty.
也许 (yěxǔ) expresses more uncertainty. It’s used when you're not entirely sure about something. For example:
他也许会来 (tā yěxǔ huì lái) (He might come) → You’re unsure whether he will actually come or not.
So, 大概 (dàgài) is better for rough estimates, while 也许 (yěxǔ) is better for expressing uncertainty.
大概 & 大约 (dàgài & dàyuē)
Both mean "approximately," but there are some key differences:
大概 (dàgài) is more flexible and used for rough estimates across different contexts.
大概有十个人 (dàgài yǒu shí gè rén) (There are roughly ten people) → A general idea, but not necessarily precise.
大约 (dàyuē) is more specific and used mainly for numbers and time when you are more confident in your estimate.
大约下午三点 (dàyuē xiàwǔ sān diǎn) (Around 3 PM) → A more precise estimate.
So, use 大概 (dàgài) for general estimates and 大约 (dàyuē) for more precise numbers or time.
来自 (láizì)
来自 (láizì) means "come from" and is used to indicate the origin or source of someone or something.
我来自美国 (wǒ láizì měiguó) (I come from the United States).
这本书来自中国 (zhè běn shū láizì zhōngguó) (This book is from China).
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse 来自 (láizì) with 从 (cóng), which also means "from" but is used for direction or movement.
从学校回家 (cóng xuéxiào huí jiā) (From school back home) → Here, 从 (cóng) is about where you're coming from, not origin.
遍 (biàn)
遍 (biàn) refers to the number of times an action happens, but only when it is completed from beginning to end.
我看了这本书三遍 (wǒ kàn le zhè běn shū sān biàn) (I’ve read this book three times) → You finished reading the book three complete times.
❌ A common mistake is using 遍 (biàn) for actions that are continuous or ongoing.
我去过五遍 (wǒ qù guò wǔ biàn) ❌ (I went five times) → Wrong! Use 次 (cì) instead:
我去了五次 (wǒ qù le wǔ cì) ✅ (I went five times) → 次 (cì) is used for counting occurrences.
吃惊 (chī jīng)
吃惊 (chī jīng) means "shocked" or "surprised." It expresses a strong, emotional reaction when something unexpected happens.
她听到这个消息感到吃惊 (tā tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī gǎn dào chī jīng) (She was shocked when she heard the news).
⚠️ This is stronger than 惊讶 (jīng yà), which simply means "surprised" without a strong emotional reaction.
我很惊讶 (wǒ hěn jīng yà) (I’m very surprised) → 惊讶 (jīng yà) is more neutral.
吃惊 (chī jīng) focuses on the intensity of the surprise.
继续 (jì xù)
继续 (jì xù) means "to continue", referring to carrying on with an activity that has already started.
我们继续学习中文 (wǒ men jì xù xué xí zhōng wén) (Let’s continue learning Chinese) → The learning is ongoing.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with 持续 (chí xù)!
继续 (jì xù) → A deliberate choice to keep doing something.
持续 (chí xù) → An action that happens continuously over time.
这场雨持续了整个下午 (zhè chǎng yǔ chí xù le zhěng gè xià wǔ) (The rain continued the entire afternoon).
由 (yóu)
由 (yóu) means "by" or "from," often used in passive sentences to indicate who or what is responsible for an action.
这是由他做的 (zhè shì yóu tā zuò de) (This was done by him) → 由 (yóu) highlights the agent of the action.
⚠️ Don't confuse 由 (yóu) with 从 (cóng)!
由 (yóu) is about who performed the action.
从 (cóng) is about direction or movement.
从学校回家 (cóng xué xiào huí jiā) (From school back home) → 从 (cóng) describes where the movement starts.
进行 (jìn xíng)
进行 (jìn xíng) means "to carry out" or "to proceed." It’s used in formal contexts to describe tasks or actions in progress.
会议正在进行 (huì yì zhèng zài jìn xíng) (The meeting is in progress) → A formal way to say the meeting is happening.
⚠️ Don't confuse 进行 (jìn xíng) with 做 (zuò)!
做 (zuò) → More casual, meaning "to do."
我做了这个报告 (wǒ zuò le zhè ge bào gào) (I did this report) → A simple statement.
进行 (jìn xíng) sounds more official and is used for formal actions like:
进行调查 (jìn xíng diào chá) (To carry out an investigation).
错误 (cuò wù)
错误 (cuò wù) means "mistake" or "error." It can refer to any wrong action, decision, or judgment.
我犯了一个错误 (wǒ fàn le yí gè cuò wù) (I made a mistake) → A general mistake.
这是一个错误的选择 (zhè shì yí gè cuò wù de xuǎn zé) (This is a wrong choice) → Referring to a bad decision.
⚠️ 错误 (cuò wù) is neutral—it doesn’t mean someone is bad, just that something went wrong.
随着 (suí zhe)
随着 (suí zhe) means "with" or "along with." It describes how one thing changes together with another.
随着科技的发展 (suí zhe kē jì de fā zhǎn) (With the development of technology) → As technology advances, something else happens.
⚠️ Don't confuse 随着 (suí zhe) with 和 (hé)!
随着 (suí zhe) shows progression or change.
和 (hé) simply means "and" or "with":
我和他一起去 (wǒ hé tā yī qǐ qù) (I’m going with him) → No change or progression.
稍微 (shāo wēi)
稍微 (shāo wēi) means "a little" or "slightly." It softens the intensity of an action or feeling.
稍微有点冷 (shāo wēi yǒu diǎn lěng) (It’s slightly cold) → It’s not too cold, just a little.
⚠️ Be careful when using 稍微 (shāo wēi)!❌ 稍微很累 (shāo wēi hěn lèi) (Slightly very tired) is incorrect.✅ 有点累 (yǒu diǎn lèi) (A little tired) or 非常累 (fēi cháng lèi) (Very tired) are better choices.
By understanding these words deeply, you’ll use them more naturally in conversations. Keep practicing, and soon they’ll feel effortless!Speak Chinese Fluently! 11 Key Mandarin Words from HSK 4 Lesson 13
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