16 Essential Chinese Adverbs Every Beginner Should Know（HSK 1–2 常用副词 Chángyòng Fùcí）
初学者常用的十六个汉语副词
Learn sixteen common adverbs, where they belong in a sentence, and how they change the meaning of everyday Chinese.
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THE SENMANDARIN NOTEBOOK
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85 articles
Made for real understanding.
20 Chinese Hand-Action Verbs You’ll Actually Use
二十个常用手部动作词
Learn Chinese verbs for pressing, twisting, grabbing, stirring and other hand movements, with useful phrases and examples.
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Stop Saying 很好 (hěn hǎo) All the Time!
“很好”以外的自然表达
Choose more specific Chinese expressions for praise, agreement, encouragement and descriptions of how things are going.
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把 (bǎ) vs 被 (bèi): One Action, Two Different Focuses
把与被：动作的不同焦点
Compare 把 and 被 constructions to see how the same event can focus on an affected object or what happens to a person or thing.
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How to Use 白 (bái): Expressing Wasted Effort in Chinese
白：徒劳与免费
Learn how 白 before a verb can express wasted effort or getting something for free, and distinguish these uses in context.
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保存 vs 保留: How to Say “Keep” Naturally in Chinese
保存与保留
Compare keeping something safe or storing it with retaining something instead of removing or changing it.
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包含 (bāohán) vs 包括 (bāokuò): Both Mean “Include”—What’s the Difference?
包含与包括
Compare 包含 for what something contains with 包括 for members of a group, and recognize contexts where both work.
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本来 (běnlái) vs 原来 (yuánlái): Both Mean “Originally”—But They’re Not the Same
本来与原来
Compare an original plan or situation with a newly discovered fact, and learn where 本来 and 原来 overlap.
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并且 (bìngqiě) vs. 并 (bìng): Both Mean “And”—But Not Always!
并且与并
Learn how 并且 and 并 link information, why they do not replace every English and, and how 并 works in negative sentences.
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不怎么 (bù zěnme) vs 不怎么样 (bù zěnmeyàng): What’s the Difference?
不怎么与不怎么样
Distinguish 不怎么 before a verb or adjective from 不怎么样 as an evaluation meaning not very good.
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不好意思 (Bù hǎoyìsi)、不客气 (Bú kèqi)、没关系 (Méi guānxi): Why Chinese Politeness Doesn’t Map One-to-One onto English
不好意思、不客气与没关系
Choose polite Chinese responses according to the situation instead of translating sorry, thanks and you're welcome word for word.
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不见得 (bú jiàn de) vs. 不一定 (bù yídìng): Both Mean “Not Necessarily”—But What’s the Difference?
不见得与不一定
Compare 不见得 and 不一定 for uncertainty and disagreement, including differences in emphasis and tone.
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朝 (cháo), 向 (xiàng), or 往 (wǎng)? Three Ways to Say “Toward” in Chinese
朝、向与往
Compare 朝、向 and 往 for direction and movement, and learn why they are not interchangeable in every context.
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超过 (chāoguò) vs 超越 (chāoyuè): Both Mean “Surpass”—But What Is the Difference?
超过与超越
Compare exceeding a number, limit or person with going beyond an achievement, restriction or established boundary.
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Chinese Word Order Made Easy
汉语基本语序
Build basic Chinese sentences with subjects, verbs and objects, then add time, location and destinations in natural order.
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Stop Mixing Up Chinese Connectors! HSK4 汉语关联词
汉语关联词与复句
Connect ideas with common Chinese conjunctions for addition, contrast, cause, conditions and concession.
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Why Do Chinese Verbs Repeat? 看看 (kànkan), 想想 (xiǎngxiang), 试试 (shìshi) Made Easy
动词重叠：看看、想想与试试
Use verb reduplication for brief, light or tentative actions, and learn when 看看 and 看一看 are natural.
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Chinese Word Order: Time First, Place Next!
汉语语序：时间与地点
Practice placing time and location before the action in Chinese, while distinguishing an action's location from its destination.
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重新 vs 再: How to Say “Again” Naturally in Chinese
重新与再
Distinguish doing something again from doing it afresh, with examples for requests, revised plans and repeated actions.
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HSK 2.0 or HSK 3.0? Your Complete Study Guide for Vocabulary, Grammar, Mock Tests & Speaking
怎样选择适合自己的HSK备考资料
Choose HSK preparation materials that match your test version, target level and learning needs, and build a balanced study plan.
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创立 (chuànglì) vs 创办 (chuàngbàn) vs 创建 (chuàngjiàn): Which One Should You Use?
创立、创办与创建
Choose natural Chinese verbs for founding an organization, starting an institution or creating a project and structure.
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单独 (dāndú) vs 独自 (dúzì): Two Ways to Say “Alone” in Chinese
单独与独自
Compare doing something separately or alone with doing it by oneself, and avoid assuming either word always implies loneliness.
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When Reality Surprises You: How to Use 倒 (dào) for Contrast in Chinese
倒：表达转折与意外
Use the adverb 倒 for unexpected contrasts, corrections and concessions, and distinguish it from other readings of 倒.
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Can You Do It? How to Use 得了 (de liǎo) and 不了 (bu liǎo)
得了与不了：动作能否实现
Learn how 得了 and 不了 express whether an action is manageable, and compare them with other potential complements.
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Stop Confusing 得! How to Use 得 (děi) for “Must” in Chinese
得：表达必须与需要
Learn the děi reading of 得 for necessity, its common spoken uses, and how to choose a natural negative form.
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How to Say “Etc.” in Chinese: Using 等 and 等等 Naturally
等与等等：怎样列举未尽事项
Use 等 and 等等 after examples, distinguish open lists from complete lists, and avoid common word-order mistakes.
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丢 (diū) vs 扔 (rēng): Did You Lose It or Throw It Away?
丢与扔：遗失还是扔掉
Distinguish losing something from throwing it away, and compare the overlapping uses of 丢 and 扔.
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Why Do People Say 多喝热水 (duō hē rèshuǐ)? Learn 多 (duō) and 少 (shǎo)
多与少：动作数量的增减
Use 多 and 少 before verbs to suggest doing more or less, with examples such as 多喝水 and 少吃糖.
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How to Sound More Natural in Chinese: 8 Tiny Words You Need
让表达更自然的八个语气词
Explore eight small words that shape the tone of Chinese conversation, with examples of how context changes their effect.
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Is This Your “美式汉语” (Měishì Hànyǔ)? 7 English Habits Hiding in Your Chinese
英语习惯对汉语表达的影响
Recognize seven English habits that can make Chinese sound unnatural, and practice more natural alternatives.
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Have You Ever…? The Chinese Particle 过 (guo) Made Simple
经历助词“过”
Learn how 过 describes past experience, how to ask experience questions, and how it differs from 了.
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方式 (fāngshì) vs 方法 (fāngfǎ): Stop Translating Both as “Way”!
方式与方法
Distinguish a manner or mode of doing something from a method used to solve a problem or reach a goal.
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到 (dào) Explained: Place, Time, and Results in Chinese
到：地点、时间与结果
Explore 到 for destinations, time limits and achieved results, with clear distinctions between common sentence patterns.
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来 lái Doesn’t Just Mean “Come”: 5 Everyday Uses You’ll Hear All the Time
来的五种日常用法
Explore 来 beyond physical movement, including offers, requests and useful patterns in everyday conversation.
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What Does 没事 (méishì) Really Mean? 5 Everyday Uses You Should Know
没事的五种日常用法
Use 没事 to reassure someone, respond to an apology, describe being fine or say that you have nothing to do.
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随便 (suíbiàn) Doesn’t Just Mean “Whatever”
随便：选择、许可与态度
Understand 随便 in offers, permission, careless actions and firm restrictions instead of translating every use as whatever.
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干脆 vs 直接: Stop Saying “Just” the Wrong Way in Chinese
干脆与直接
Distinguish a decisive choice from acting without an intermediate step when choosing between 干脆 and 直接.
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刚 (gāng) vs 刚刚 (gānggāng) vs 刚才 (gāngcái): When Should You Use Each?
刚、刚刚与刚才
Compare 刚、刚刚 and 刚才 for recent events, and learn which can act as a time expression on its own.
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高兴 (gāoxìng), 开心 (kāixīn), 快乐 (kuàilè) or 幸福 (xìngfú)? 4 Ways to Say “Happy” in Chinese
高兴、开心、快乐与幸福
Choose words for a happy reaction, enjoyment, general happiness or a fulfilling life according to the situation.
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规则 (guīzé) vs. 规矩 (guīju): What’s the Difference?
规则与规矩
Compare formal rules with expected conduct and customs, and learn how 规矩 can also describe behavior.
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How to Say “Is That Okay?” in Chinese
好吗、可以吗、怎么样与行吗
Compare four common ways to ask for agreement, permission or an opinion in everyday Chinese conversations.
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How to Use 差不多 (chàbuduō): “Almost,” “About,” and “More or Less”
差不多的常见用法
Use 差不多 for similarity, approximate amounts and near completion, with examples showing how the meanings connect.
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Stop Overthinking It: How to Use 干脆 (gāncuì) in Chinese
干脆：索性与爽快
Learn how 干脆 introduces a decisive choice, how it describes directness, and why it does not always mean simply or directly.
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Now It Makes Sense! How to Use 怪不得 (guài bù de)
怪不得：发现原因后的恍然大悟
Use 怪不得 when a newly discovered reason explains something you noticed, and compare it with 难怪.
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蛮 (mán): The Little Word for “Pretty” and “Quite”
蛮：口语中的“挺”与“很”
Use 蛮 to express a conversational degree such as pretty or quite, and recognize common regional and stylistic differences.
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How to Use 全 (quán): Talking About “The Whole” or “All” in Chinese
全：整体与全部
Learn how 全 expresses the whole of something or all members of a group, and compare its placement with 都.
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HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0: What Changes for Your Study Plan?
新版与旧版 HSK：考试变化与备考安排
Compare old and new HSK vocabulary, levels, handwriting and speaking. Understand the 2026 transition and choose materials for your actual test.
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坏了 (huài le), 死了 (sǐ le), or 极了 (jí le)? They All Sound Like “Very” — But They’re Not the Same
坏了、死了与极了：程度补语
Compare strong degree expressions with 坏了、死了 and 极了, including their tone, restrictions and literal meanings.
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计划 (jìhuà) vs 打算 (dǎsuàn): Two Ways to Say “Plan” in Chinese
计划与打算
Compare a structured plan with a personal intention, and practice the noun and verb uses of 计划 and 打算.
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进来 (jìnlái) or 进去 (jìnqù)? How 来 (lái) and 去 (qù) Show Direction in Chinese
进来与进去：以谁为参照
Use 来 and 去 to describe direction relative to a reference point, including movement and bringing objects somewhere.
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继续 (jìxù), 连续 (liánxù), 持续 (chíxù): Which “Continue” Do You Need?
继续、连续与持续
Compare continuing an action, doing things consecutively and a situation lasting over time.
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看 (kàn), 看见 (kànjiàn), or 看到 (kàndào)? What’s the Difference?
看、看见与看到
Distinguish looking from successfully seeing, and compare the overlapping result expressions 看见 and 看到.
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靠 (kào) vs. 凭 (píng): Both Mean “Rely On”—But They’re Not the Same
靠与凭
Compare relying on support with acting on a basis such as evidence or qualifications, and learn the physical uses of 靠.
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恐怕 (kǒngpà) vs 害怕 (hàipà): Both Mean “Afraid”?
恐怕与害怕
Separate expressing fear with 害怕 from making a cautious prediction or delivering unwelcome news with 恐怕.
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了解 (liǎojiě) vs 理解 (lǐjiě): Both Mean “Understand”—So What’s the Difference?
了解与理解
Compare knowing facts about someone or something with understanding meaning, reasons and feelings.
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Can You Really Do That? Understanding 能……吗？(néng...ma?) as a Rhetorical Question
能……吗：真正的提问与反问
Distinguish genuine questions from rhetorical uses of 能……吗 and 能不……吗 through context and everyday examples.
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Ordering Food in Chinese: What Will the Server Ask Next?
点餐时常见的中文问答
Prepare for questions about portions, spice, dining in and taking food away when ordering in Chinese.
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确定 (quèdìng) vs 决定 (juédìng): Are You Sure, or Have You Decided?
确定与决定
Distinguish being sure or confirming a fact from making a decision about what to do.
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缺乏 vs 缺少: How to Say “Lack” in Chinese Naturally
缺乏与缺少
Compare 缺乏 and 缺少 for lack or shortage, with examples showing their common objects and sentence patterns.
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When 什么 Doesn’t Mean “What”: How 什么的 (shénme de) Really Works
什么的：口语中的举例表达
Learn how 什么的 follows examples to mean things like that, and why it is different from a question with 什么.
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是 (shì), 有 (yǒu), or 在 (zài)? Stop Saying “我不有”!
是、有与在
Choose 是 for identification, 有 for possession or existence, and 在 for location, with their natural negative forms.
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Clean, Tidy, or Organize? 收拾 (shōushi) vs 整理 (zhěnglǐ) vs 打扫 (dǎsǎo)
收拾、整理与打扫
Choose between putting things away, organizing them and cleaning a space with 收拾、整理 and 打扫.
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睡眠 vs 睡觉 vs 睡着: Stop Mixing Up These Chinese “Sleep” Words!
睡眠、睡觉与睡着
Compare sleep as a noun, sleeping as an activity and falling asleep as a result, with common patterns and pronunciation.
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了 (le) Finally Explained: It’s Not Just Past Tense!
了：完成、变化与当前情况
Understand 了 through completed events and changed situations instead of treating it as a simple past-tense marker.
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Why Chinese Speakers Say 嘛 (ma): The Tiny Particle That Changes Your Tone
语气词“嘛”的用法
Explore how 嘛 presents a reason as obvious, softens persuasion or emphasizes an attitude in everyday conversation.
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What Does 哦 (ó / ò / o) Really Mean? Listen to the Tone!
哦：语调如何改变意思
Explore how 哦 signals understanding, surprise or a reminder, and why its conversational meaning depends on intonation.
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应该 (yīnggāi) Doesn’t Just Mean “Should” — Here’s What Learners Miss
应该：建议与推测
Distinguish 应该 for advice or obligation from 应该 for an expectation or reasonable guess.
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Why Are You Doing It? Use 为了 (Wèile) to Express Purpose in Chinese
为了：表达目的
Learn where 为了 belongs in a sentence, what can follow it, and how it differs from explaining a cause.
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What Does 差不多 (chàbuduō) Really Mean?
差不多：相近、大约与快要
Understand the different everyday meanings of 差不多 through context, examples and common misunderstandings.
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What Does 慢走 (màn zǒu) Really Mean When You’re Leaving?
慢走：告别时的客气话
Learn when 慢走 is a polite farewell, when it literally means to walk slowly, and how to respond naturally.
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啥 (shá): The Casual Chinese “What?” You’ll Hear in Everyday Conversation
啥：口语中的“什么”
Recognize 啥 in casual questions and expressions, and learn when 什么 is a better choice for the situation.
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我们 (wǒmen) vs 咱们 (zánmen): Does “We” Include You?
我们与咱们
Learn how 咱们 usually includes the listener and how the meaning of 我们 depends on who is speaking to whom.
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想念 (xiǎngniàn) vs 怀念 (huáiniàn): Which “Miss” Do You Need?
想念与怀念
Compare missing a person or place with remembering the past with affection or nostalgia.
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要 yào vs 想 xiǎng: What’s the Difference in Chinese?
要与想：愿望、决定与需要
Compare 想 for wishes and intentions with 要 for a decision, need or request, while paying attention to context.
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If It Weren’t for…: How to Use 要不是 (yàobúshì) in Chinese
要不是：反事实假设
Use 要不是 to imagine how things would be different without an actual circumstance, and compare it with 如果不是.
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一……就…… (yī... jiù...): How to Say “As Soon As” and “Whenever” in Chinese
一……就……：紧接与条件关系
Learn how 一……就…… connects closely following actions or regular reactions, with past, future and habitual examples.
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以后 (yǐhòu), 然后 (ránhòu), or 后来 (hòulái)? Stop Mixing Up These Three Time Words!
以后、然后与后来
Use 以后 for a later time, 然后 for the next step and 后来 for a later development in a past story.
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应该 (yīnggāi) vs 得 (děi) vs 必须 (bìxū) vs 要 (yào): Which One Should You Use?
应该、得、必须与要
Compare advice, practical necessity, firm requirements and contextual obligation with 应该、得、必须 and 要.
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找不到 (zhǎo bu dào) vs 找不着 (zhǎo bu zháo): What’s the Difference?
找不到与找不着
Compare two everyday ways to say that you cannot find something, with attention to result complements and pronunciation.
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正在 (zhèngzài)、正 (zhèng) or 在 (zài)? Stop Mixing Up “Be Doing” in Chinese
正在、正与在
Compare three ways to describe an action in progress, including their emphasis, combinations and restrictions.
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珍惜 zhēnxī vs 爱惜 àixī: Do They Both Mean “Cherish”?
珍惜与爱惜
Choose between valuing a precious opportunity or relationship and taking good care of something you value.
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About or Around? How to Use 左右 (zuǒyòu) and 大约 (dàyuē)
左右与大约：怎样表达概数
Compare 左右 and 大约 for approximate numbers, times and quantities, and learn where each expression belongs.
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送 (sòng) vs 寄 (jì) vs 发 (fā): 3 Ways to Say “Send” in Chinese!
“送”“寄”“发”的用法比较
Compare 送, 寄 and 发 for gifts, postal delivery and messages. Learn common patterns through Chinese examples, pinyin and English.
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Stop Saying “你好吗” (Nǐ hǎo ma) Every Time!
中文日常问候：不只用“你好吗”
Learn when 你好, 最近怎么样 and 你还好吗 fit a conversation, with Chinese examples, pinyin and natural English translations.
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Why Chinese People Say “一下 (yíxià)” So Much
“一下”的用法与发音
See how 一下 makes actions brief and requests softer. Compare it with 一会儿 and verb reduplication, with Chinese examples and pinyin.
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