Category: Chinese Grammar

"什么…都/也" (shénme…dōu/yě) is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything". This pattern also works with other question words, such as 哪儿　and 什么时候 in Chinese grammar.

Chinese phrase translation: 眉目 (méimù) signs of a positive outcome

眉目 (méimù) signs of a positive outcome Usage: “眉目”本来指五官中的眉毛和眼睛，现在一般是指事情的头绪。“眉目” originally meant the eyebrows and eyes, and now generally refers to signs of a positive outcome.

Chinese grammar: Expressing as one likes with 就jiu

When we want to express "to do something as one pleases", we can use the "想 + verb +就 + verb" form in Chinese grammar.

Chinese phrase translation: 门槛 (ménkǎn) threshold

门槛 (ménkǎn) threshold, doorsill Usage: “门槛”本是指门框下端的横木条，古代建筑的“门槛”有重要的意义，古人认为门槛可以阻挡不利因素进入家里。后来“门槛”比喻进入某范围的标准或条件。“门槛” is the wood at the bottom of a door. An ancient building’s “门槛” had great significance, as people then believed that they prevented bad things from entering the home. Later, “门槛” came to be a metaphor for criteria or conditions to enter something.

Chinese grammar: Expressing even with 连lian and 都dou

"连… 都/也…" (lián… dōu/yě…) is a pattern that can be used to emphasize certain unexpected or surprising events or information. It is used the same way even is in English in Chinese grammar.

Chinese phrase translation: 别扭 (bièniu) awkward

别扭 (bièniu) awkward, uncomfortable; to bicker Usage: “别扭”指气氛不融洽，让人感到尴尬、拘谨、不自在或指意见不统一。“别扭” means when the atmosphere is not friendly, which makes people feel embarrassed, stiff, and uncomfortable. It also refers to disagreement.

Chinese grammar: Expressing every with 没mei and 都dou

"每…都…" (měi…dōu…) is a pattern used to express "every" when talking about a quantitative amount. This is similar to how we say "every day I eat cereal" or "every student passed the exam" in Chinese grammar.

Chinese phrase translation: 独木桥 (dúmùqiáo) single-log bridge

独木桥 (dúmùqiáo) single-log bridge; difficult path Usage: “独木桥”指由一根木头搭成的桥，意为艰难、危险、有竞争力的途径。“独木桥” means a bridge made of one log, which represents a difficult, dangerous, and competitive path.

Chinese grammar: Expressing everyone with 谁shei

"谁也/都" (shéi yě/dōu) is a pattern used to express "everyone" in Chinese. The placement of the question word 谁 is very similar to the way 什么 can be used to express "every", along with other question words like 哪儿 and 多少 in Chinese grammar.