B Chinese Grammar Advanced

Pinyin B

1. 白 + Verb + 了 (wasted effort) bái Indicates that an action was performed in vain or that the effort was completely wasted. The adverb 白 is placed before the verb, and 了 fo...
2. 不得不 (have to) bùdébù The structure 不得不 literally means 'cannot not' and expresses being forced or compelled to do something. It conveys reluctant necessity — ...
3. 毕竟 (after all) bìjìng 毕竟 (bìjìng) means 'after all' or 'when all is said and done.' It introduces a reason or fact that should be considered as a mitigating fa...
4. 彼此 vs 对方 (each other vs the other party) bǐcǐ / duìfāng Both 彼此 (bǐcǐ) and 对方 (duìfāng) refer to the relationship between two parties, but they differ in perspective. 彼此 means 'each other' and ...
5. 彼此 (each other) bǐcǐ 彼此 (bǐcǐ) means 'each other' or 'one another,' expressing mutual and reciprocal relationships between two or more parties. It can appear ...
6. 本 (this / our side) běn 本 (běn) is used as a prefix meaning 'this' or 'our' when referring to one's own organization, group, or entity. It creates a formal, inst...
7. 不屑 (not worth doing) bùxiè 不屑 (bùxiè) means 'to disdain,' 'to consider beneath oneself,' or 'not worth doing.' It expresses that the subject regards something as to...
8. 比起 (compared to) bǐqǐ 比起 (bǐqǐ) means 'compared to' or 'in comparison with.' It is used to set up a comparison where the speaker then states a preference, judg...
9. 不仅...而且 (not only... but also) bùjǐn...érqiě The paired conjunction 不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě...) expresses a progressive or additive relationship, meaning 'not only... but also.' It...
10. 不如 (not as good as) bùrú The structure A + 不如 + B is used to express that A is inferior to B, meaning 'not as good as.' It can also be used to suggest an alternat...
11. 不比 (not necessarily better than) bù bǐ The structure Noun 1 + 不比 + Noun 2 + Adjective asserts that the first noun is not superior to the second in some quality. Unlike 没有, whic...
12. 不是⋯⋯就是⋯⋯ (only two possibilities) bùshì...jiùshì The pattern 不是⋯⋯就是⋯⋯ (bùshì...jiùshì...) presents two and only two possibilities, meaning 'if it's not A, then it's B.' It implies that t...
13. 别说 (let alone) biéshuō The pattern 别说...连/就是...也/都 is used to express 'let alone' or 'not to mention.' It emphasizes that if even an easier or more expected thi...
14. 不断 vs 不停 (continuously) bùduàn / bùtíng Both 不断 and 不停 mean 'continuously' or 'ceaselessly,' but they differ in nuance. 不断 emphasizes that something happens repeatedly or withou...
15. 呗 (suggesting the obvious) bei The sentence-final particle 呗 is added at the end of a statement to suggest that something is obvious, simple, or not worth overthinking....
16. 不愧是 (worthy of the name) búkuìshì The expression 不愧是 is used to praise someone or something as truly deserving of a certain title, reputation, or status. It conveys admira...
17. 不得不 / 只好 (have no choice but to) bùdébù / zhǐhǎo Both 不得不 and 只好 express that someone has no choice but to do something. 不得不 emphasizes inevitability through double negation, while 只好 em...