唱反调 (chàngfǎndiào) to speak or act contrary to Usage: “唱反调”是指提出相反的主张，采取相反的行动。“唱反调” is when someone takes the contrary opinion or performs an opposing action.
Category: Chinese Grammar
Chinese grammar: How to form a 把 sentence
Basic 把 sentences A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, as in English:
Chinese phrase translation: 面子 (miànzi) face
面子 (miànzi) face Usage: “面子”原本指物体的表面，后来发展出两个意思：一是表面的虚荣；二是情面。中国人向来重视“面子”问题，有时与自尊联系在一起。“面子” means the face or surface of an object. It then developed two meanings: one is superficial vanity; the other is to save face. Chinese people pay close attention to questions regarding face, which sometimes relates to self-esteem.
Chinese grammar: When to use a 把 sentence
The conditions for using a 把 sentence were briefly mentioned above. These are: The object is known. (It's already been mentioned or discussed previously.)
The sentence describes what happened to the object in some detail (it's not just a "bare" verb; there's "more stuff" after the verb).
Chinese phrase translation: 打酱油 (dǎ jiàngyóu) to buy some sauce, to be a bystander
打酱油 (dǎ jiàngyóu) to buy some sauce, to be a bystander Usage： “打酱油”原指孩子大了可以帮家长做一些家务事。网络语境中，表示某人对话题漠不关心，或者在一项活动中没有起到任何作用。“打酱油” originally referred to how kids, when they grow up, can help their parents with housework. When used on the internet, it means that someone is indifferent to a topic or can change nothing during an event.
Chinese grammar: What is a 把 sentence?
The 把 (bǎ) sentence is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers at first.
Chinese phrase translation: 抬举 (táijǔ) to praise or promote someone to show favor
抬举 (táijǔ) to praise or promote someone to show favor Usage: “抬举”的本义是抬高、举高。引申义为看重一个人，称赞或者培养提拔他。当批评一个人不懂得欣赏他人对自己的称赞时，口语中常说：“某人不识抬举”，说这句话时，通常带有不满的情绪。“抬举” originally means to lift. It extendedly means to praise or promote someone to show favor. When criticizing someone who is unappreciative of others’ praise, orally we say: “someone’s ungrateful or unappreciative” with dissatisfactions.
Chinese grammar: Shi… de是……的 construction
The 是… 的 construction is used to draw particular attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasising a particular detail.
Chinese grammar: Except and in addition with 除了……以外chule… yiwai
Using 除了 (chúle)…… 以外 (yǐwài) will help you spruce up your sentences when you want to express "except", "besides", and "in addition".
Chinese grammar: 的”De” (modal particle)
The particle 的 (de) is most often a structural particle, but it can also be a sentence-final particle which indicates that the speaker is certain about what he is saying. When it serves this purpose, it's expressing a type of "mood," and thus is called a "modal particle."
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