HSK 4 Grammar
103 points, in the reference book’s original order.
Your HSK 4 learning path
103 points
- 1
Indicating the Whole with “quán”
全
全 (quán) means “whole,” “entire,” or “all.” It is used when you want to describe something in its complete form, with no part left out.
- 2
Negative Adjectives with “-sǐ le”
死了
When 死了 (sǐ le) is placed after an adjective, it usually does not mean literal death. Instead, it works as a strong intensifier, meaning “extremely,” “terribly,” or “so... that I can’t stand it.”
- 3
Approximations with “chàbùduō”
差不多
差不多 (chàbùduō) is used to express approximation. It usually means:
- 4
Assessing Situations with “kànlái”
看来 / 在……看来
看来 (kànlái) is used when the speaker makes a judgment based on what they see, know, or understand from the situation. In English, it often means:
- 5
Coincidence with “zhènghǎo”
正好
正好 (zhènghǎo) means “just right,” “exactly,” or “it so happens that.” It is used when time, number, situation, or condition matches perfectly.
- 6
Declaring the Only Option with “zhǐhǎo”
只好
只好 (zhǐhǎo) is used when someone has no better choice and must do something because the situation leaves only one possible option.
- 7
Emphasizing Negation with “yòu”
又不 / 又没
又不 (yòu bù) and 又没 (yòu méi) are used to strengthen a negative statement. They often sound emotional, defensive, or slightly impatient in spoken Chinese.
- 8
Emphatic Adverb “kě”
可
可 (kě) can be used as an emphatic adverb in spoken Chinese. It often means:
- 9
Discovery and an Earlier Situation with “yuánlái”
原来
原来 (yuánlái) has two main common meanings.
- 10
Expressing “Almost” with “chàdiǎn”
差点（儿）
差点（儿） means that an event nearly happened. With an undesirable result, it normally means that the event did not occur.
- 11
Expressing “As a Result” with “jiéguǒ”
结果
结果 (jiéguǒ) is used to introduce the final result of a situation, especially when that result is different from what someone expected. In English, it is often close to:
- 12
Expressing Concern with “kǒngpà”
恐怕
恐怕 (kǒngpà) is used when the speaker expresses worry, concern, or a cautious guess. In English, it is often close to:
- 13
Expressing “Enough” with “gòu”
够
够 (gòu) means “enough” or “sufficient.” It is used when talking about quantity, degree, time, money, space, or ability.
- 14
Expressing “Even” with “shènzhì”
甚至
甚至 (shènzhì) means “even.” It is used before an extreme or surprising example, usually to strengthen the sentence.
- 15
Expressing “Had Better” with “háishì”
还是
In this use, 还是 (háishi) means “had better.” It is used to give advice, especially when the speaker believes one option is safer, wiser, or more suitable.
- 16
Expressing “Had Better” with “zuìhǎo”
最好
最好 (zuìhǎo) means “had better” or “it is best to.” It is used to give suggestions, advice, or recommendations.
- 17
Expressing “In the End” with “dàodǐ”
到底
到底 (dàodǐ) is often used in questions to add emphasis. It can mean:
- 18
Expressing “In the End” with “jiūjìng”
究竟
究竟 (jiūjìng) is similar to 到底 (dàodǐ) and often means:
- 19
Expressing “Just” with “gāng”
刚
刚 (gāng) means “just.” It is used when something happened a short time ago.
- 20
Expressing “One by One” with “yī...yī...”
一……一……
This pattern is used to show that actions or items happen one by one, one after another, or piece by piece.
- 21
Expressing “Originally” with “běnlái”
本来
本来 (běnlái) means “originally,” “at first,” or “in the first place.” It is used when the speaker talks about an earlier plan, earlier expectation, or original situation.
- 22
Emphasizing a Small Amount with “jiù”
就
In this use, 就 (jiù) emphasizes that a number, amount, or quantity is small, limited, or less than expected.
- 23
Expressing “To Make Certain” with “qiānwàn”
千万
千万 (qiānwàn) in this grammar point does not mean the number “ten million.” Instead, it is used in spoken and written Chinese to mean:
- 24
Rhetorical Questions with “nándào”
难道
难道 (nándào) is used to introduce a rhetorical question. It often shows:
- 25
Sequencing with “xiān” and “zài”
先……再……
先……再…… means “first... then...” It is used to show the order of actions.
- 26
Using “yě” and “dōu” Together
也……都……
也 (yě) and 都 (dōu) can appear in the same sentence when the speaker wants to show inclusion and emphasis at the same time.
- 27
Expressing “Quite” with “tǐng”
挺
挺 (tǐng) means “quite,” “rather,” or “pretty.” It is very common in spoken Chinese and often sounds natural and conversational.
- 28
Ending a Non-Exhaustive List with “shénme de”
什么的
什么的 (shénme de) is used after a few examples to mean:
- 29
Non-Exhaustive Lists with “děngděng”
等等
等等 (děngděng) means “etc.” or “and so on.” It is used after examples to show that there are more items not listed.
- 30
A Softer “But” with “bùguò”
不过
不过 (bùguò) means “but,” “however,” or “only that.” It is used to add a mild contrast.
- 31
Expressing “And Then” with “yúshì”
于是
于是 (yúshì) means “so,” “thereupon,” or “and then.” It is used to introduce the next action or result after a previous situation.
- 32
Expressing “In Addition” with “háiyǒu”
还有
还有 (háiyǒu) means “in addition,” “also,” or “there is still / there are still.” It can be used in several related ways:
- 33
Expressing “In Addition” with “lìngwài”
另外
另外 (lìngwài) means “besides,” “in addition,” or “another.” It is often used when the speaker wants to add a separate point or mention another item.
- 34
Expressing “In Addition” with “zàishuō”
再说
再说 (zàishuō) means “besides,” “what’s more,” or “in addition.” It is often used when the speaker wants to add another reason to support what they just said.
- 35
Two Words for “But”
可是 / 但是
Both 可是 (kěshì) and 但是 (dànshì) mean “but.” They introduce contrast between two parts of a sentence.
- 36
Using “ér” to Explain Contrasting Ideas
而
而 (ér) is a formal linking word. It often connects two related parts of a sentence and can express:
- 37
Expressing “within (it / them)” with “qízhōng”
其中
其中 (qízhōng) means “among them,” “within it,” or “among these.” It is used when the speaker first mentions a group, and then wants to focus on one part of that group.
- 38
Expressing Fractions with “fēnzhī”
分之
Fractions in Chinese are formed with the structure:
- 39
Reviewing Options with “ba”
吧
In this grammar point, 吧 (ba) is used when the speaker is making a suggestion, giving a softer decision, or showing that one option seems reasonable.
- 40
Using “de” (Modal Particle)
的
Sentence-final 的 (de) can be used as a modal particle. In this use, it does not modify a noun. Instead, it adds tone to the sentence.
- 41
Expressing “Along with...” with “suízhe”
随着
随着 (suízhe) means “along with” or “as... changes.” It is used when one change happens together with another development.
- 42
Idiomatic Phrases with “zài”
在
At HSK4 level, students begin to meet more fixed expressions using 在 (zài). In these expressions, 在 (zài) is not just the basic location word “at / in.”
- 43
Using “yǐ...wéi...”
以……为……
以……为…… (yǐ...wéi...) means “to take... as...” or “to regard... as...” It is often used in more formal Chinese.
- 44
Emphasizing a Negation with “bìng”
并
When 并 (bìng) appears before 不 (bù) or 没 (méi), it strengthens the negative meaning. It often means:
- 45
Causative Verbs
让 / 叫 / 请 / 使
These verbs are used when one person causes, asks, allows, or makes another person do something.
- 46
Expressing “It Seems” with “hǎoxiàng”
好像
好像 (hǎoxiàng) means “it seems,” “it looks like,” or “as if.” It is used when the speaker is not completely certain, but has an impression or guess.
- 47
Expressing “Lies In” with “zàiyú”
在于
在于 (zàiyú) means “to lie in.” It is used to explain the key reason, main point, or essential cause of something.
- 48
Expressing “Mistakenly Think That” with “yǐwéi”
以为
以为 (yǐwéi) means “to think” or “to assume,” but in many cases it suggests that the assumption is later shown to be wrong.
- 49
Expressing “Through” with “tōngguò”
通过
通过 (tōngguò) can mean:
- 50
Expressing “To Come From” with “láizì”
来自
来自 (láizì) means “to come from.” It is often used to talk about origin, source, or background.
- 51
Using “lái” as a Dummy Verb
来
In this grammar point, 来 (lái) does not mean physical movement. Instead, it works like a light or dummy verb, meaning something like:
- 52
Expressing “Don’t Need To” with “bùyòng”
不用
不用 (búyòng) means “do not need to.” It is used when something is unnecessary.
- 53
Expressing “Must” with “děi”
得
得 (děi) means “must,” “have to,” or “need to.” It is used when something is necessary.
- 54
Combining Verbs with “bìng”
并
并 (bìng) can connect actions or clauses, especially in more formal Chinese. It often means:
- 55
Doing Something Less with “shǎo”
少
少 (shǎo) before a verb means “do less.” It is often used in advice or suggestion.
- 56
Doing Something More with “duō”
多
多 (duō) before a verb means “do more.” It is also very common in advice, encouragement, and suggestions.
- 57
Emphasizing the Doer of an Action with “yóu”
由
由 (yóu) means “by” and is used to emphasize who is responsible for an action or who carries it out.
- 58
Expressing “Moreover” with “bìngqiě”
并且
并且 (bìngqiě) means “moreover,” “and also,” or “furthermore.” It is used to add another related point.
- 59
Expressing “To Be Worth Doing” with “zhídé”
值得
值得 (zhídé) means “to be worth doing.” It is used when something has enough value, importance, or meaning for someone to spend time, energy, or attention on it.
- 60
Expressing “Until” with “dào”
到
到 (dào) can be used with time to mean “until.” It marks the end point of an action or situation.
- 61
Indicating Negative Impact with “hàidé”
害得
害得 (hàide) is used when one thing causes a negative or troublesome result for someone else. It often means:
- 62
Separable Verb
离合词
A 离合词 (líhécí) is a verb-object type word that can either stay together or be separated in a sentence.
- 63
Using “zhe” for an Accompanying Action
着（伴随动作）
Verb + 着 can present a continuing posture, manner, or accompanying action while the main action occurs. It does not require the two actions to carry equal focus.
- 64
Expressing “Although” with “jǐnguǎn”
尽管
尽管 (jǐnguǎn) means “although” or “even though.” It introduces a fact, but the result goes in another direction.
- 65
Expressing Contrariness with “dào”
倒
倒 (dào) is used when the actual situation is different from expectation, or when the speaker wants to point out a contrast in a softer way.
- 66
The “However” Adverb “què”
却
却 (què) means “however,” “yet,” or “but.” It often introduces a result that is different from expectation.
- 67
Expressing “Due to...” with “yóuyú”
由于
由于 (yóuyú) means “due to” or “because of.” It introduces the cause of a result.
- 68
Expressing “Since” with “jìrán”
既然
既然 (jìrán) means “since.” It introduces something already known or accepted, and then gives a logical result or suggestion.
- 69
Expressing “Therefore” with “yīncǐ”
因此
因此 (yīncǐ) means “therefore,” “thus,” or “for this reason.” It introduces the result based on the previous cause.
- 70
Advanced Uses of Direction Complement “-qǐlái”
起来
At HSK4, 起来 (qǐlái) is no longer only a physical direction complement. It can also show:
- 71
Direction Complement
趋向补语 / 方向补语
Direction complements show the direction of an action after the verb.
- 72
Direction Complement “-qǐlái”
起来
Another important use of 起来 (qǐlái) is to show collecting, gathering, or combining something, or forming a general judgment from something.
- 73
Potential Complement
可能补语
Potential complements show whether the result of an action can or cannot be achieved.
- 74
Expressing “As Long As” with “zhǐyào”
只要……就……
只要……就…… (zhǐyào...jiù...) means “as long as... then...” It introduces a condition that is enough for the result to happen.
- 75
Expressing “Unless” with “chúfēi”
除非
除非 (chúfēi) means “unless.” It introduces the only condition under which something different will happen.
- 76
Expressing “Even If” with “jíshǐ”
即使
即使 (jíshǐ) means “even if.” It introduces a condition, but the main result still remains true.
- 77
Expressing “If... Then...” with “yàoshi”
要是……就……
要是……就…… (yàoshi...jiù...) means “if... then...” It is similar to 如果……就…… (rúguǒ...jiù...), but usually sounds more spoken and conversational.
- 78
Expressing “No Matter” with “wúlùn”
无论
无论 (wúlùn) means “no matter.” It is used when the result stays the same under all conditions.
- 79
Expressing “All” with “suǒyǒu”
所有
所有 (suǒyǒu) means “all.” It refers to the entire group or total set.
- 80
Expressing “One of” with “zhīyī”
之一
之一 (zhīyī) means “one of.” It is used after a noun phrase that names a group.
- 81
Expressing “The Other” with “lìngwài”
另外
In this use, 另外 (lìngwài) means “another” or “the other.” It introduces a different item from the one already mentioned.
- 82
Explaining Purpose with “wèi...ér...”
为……而……
为……而…… (wèi...ér...) means “for the sake of...” or “in order to...” It is a formal pattern often used in written or formal spoken Chinese.
- 83
Expressing “Any” with “rènhé”
任何
任何 (rènhé) means “any.” It is used before nouns and often appears in general, negative, or formal statements.
- 84
Expressing “Both...and...” with “jì...yòu...”
既……又……
既……又…… (jì...yòu...) means “both... and...” It links two qualities or situations.
- 85
Expressing Location with “zài...shàng / xià / lǐ”
在……上 / 下 / 里
These patterns express location in relation to another object or place.
- 86
Expressing “Even” with “lián...dōu...”
连……都……
连……都…… (lián...dōu...) means “even...” It introduces an extreme or surprising case.
- 87
Expressing “Every” with Question Words
疑问词 + 都
Question words plus 都 (dōu) can express broad meaning such as:
- 88
Expressing “Multiples” with “bèi”
倍
倍 (bèi) is used to express multiples, such as two times, three times, and so on.
- 89
Expressing “Not at All” with “yīdiǎnr yě bù”
一点儿也不
一点儿也不 (yìdiǎnr yě bù) means “not at all.” It strongly emphasizes negation.
- 90
Expressing Not Knowing How to Do Something Using “hǎo”
好
In this pattern, 好 (hǎo) appears in expressions like:
- 91
Phrases Using “láishuō”
来说
来说 (láishuō) often appears in phrases such as:
- 92
Conceding a Point with “shì”
是
In this pattern, 是 (shì) is used to admit one point before introducing a contrasting idea. It is similar to saying:
- 93
Events in Quick Succession with “yī...jiù...”
一……就……
一……就…… (yī...jiù...) means “as soon as... then...” It is used when one event happens immediately after another.
- 94
Expressing Various Aspects with “yī fāngmiàn”
一方面……
一方面……另一方面…… (yì fāngmiàn...lìng yì fāngmiàn...) means “on the one hand... on the other hand...”
- 95
Many Types of “Not Only...But Also...”
不但……而且…… / 不仅……还……
These structures mean “not only... but also...” They are used to connect two related positive statements.
- 96
Comparing “běnlái” and “yuánlái”
本来 vs 原来
Both words can refer to an earlier situation, but their meanings are different.
- 97
Comparing “chángcháng” and “wǎngwǎng”
常常 vs 往往
Both words can be translated as “often,” but they are used differently.
- 98
Comparing “guānyú” and “duìyú”
关于 vs 对于
Both are formal words, but they serve different functions.
- 99
Comparing “lí” and “cóng”
离 vs 从
These two words are very different.
- 100
Comparing “fǎn’ér” and “xiāngfǎn”
反而 vs 相反
Both words relate to contrast, but they are not used in the same way.
- 101
Comparing “kěndìng”, “quèdìng”, and “yídìng”
肯定 / 确定 / 一定
These three words all relate to certainty, but they are different.
- 102
Comparing “shìhé” and “héshì”
适合 vs 合适
These two words are related, but they are not exactly the same.
- 103
Comparing “yǐhòu” and “de shíhou”
以后 vs 的时候
Both words relate to time, but they describe different relationships.
No matching grammar points. Try another word.
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