Chinese Grammar Intermediate - Expressing Attitude

Introduction

Intermediate Mandarin is less about isolated rules and more about combining patterns to sound precise, natural, and responsive. This chapter focuses on expressing attitude, collecting the structures Chinese speakers rely on when they need to handle that idea naturally.

From 终于 (finally) to 反而 vs 相反 (on the contrary), you'll practise the contrasts, sequencing, and sentence-building choices that make intermediate Chinese feel more flexible and exact.

Themes

All Chinese Grammar Intermediate in This Chapter (11)

1. 终于 (finally) zhōngyú The adverb 终于 expresses that something long-awaited or expected has finally happened. It conveys a sense of relief, satisfaction, or reso...
2. 关于 (about) guānyú The preposition 关于 means 'about,' 'regarding,' or 'concerning.' It introduces the topic of a statement and is typically placed at the beg...
3. 想 + Verb + 就 + Verb (as one likes) jiù The pattern '想 + Verb + 就 + Verb' expresses doing something freely, whenever one feels like it. It conveys a sense of spontaneity, freedo...
4. 又 + 不/没 (emphasizing negation) yòu Placing 又 before 不 or 没 strengthens the negation with an undertone of impatience, justification, or mild complaint. It emphasizes that a ...
5. 结果 (as a result) jiéguǒ The conjunction 结果 means 'as a result' or 'in the end.' It introduces the outcome of a previously described situation, often one that is ...
6. 够 (enough) gòu The word 够 means 'enough' or 'sufficient.' When placed before a verb or adjective, it indicates that a degree or amount is sufficient, an...
7. 最好 (had better) zuìhǎo The adverb 最好 means 'had better' or 'it would be best to.' It is used to give advice or suggest the most desirable course of action, ofte...
8. ……吧，……；……吧，…… (reviewing options) ba The pattern 'Option A 吧 + drawback; Option B 吧 + drawback' is used to weigh two options, both of which have downsides. It expresses a dil...
9. 以为 (mistakenly think that) yǐwéi The verb 以为 means 'to mistakenly think' or 'to assume (incorrectly).' It introduces a belief that the speaker or someone else held but th...
10. 不用 (don't need to) bùyòng The phrase 不用 means 'don't need to' or 'there's no need to.' It negates necessity and is commonly used to tell someone they can skip an a...
11. 反而 vs 相反 (on the contrary) fǎn'ér / xiāngfǎn Both 反而 and 相反 express contrast or opposition, but they function differently. 反而 means 'on the contrary' or 'instead' within a single sen...