B Chinese Grammar Basic

Pinyin B

1. 不太 (not very) bù tài The structure 不太 (bù tài) means 'not very' or 'not too' and is used to mildly negate an adjective. It softens the negation compared to us...
2. Verb + 不 + Verb (A-not-A question) bù Placing a verb followed by 不 and the same verb again creates an alternative question, asking the listener to choose between the positive ...
3. 不 + Verb (standard negation) bù The adverb 不 (bù) is placed before a verb or adjective to express negation. It is the most common way to say 'not' in Mandarin and is use...
4. 不 vs 没 (negation comparison) bù / méi Both 不 (bù) and 没 (méi) express negation, but they are used in different contexts. 不 negates habitual actions, states, and future intenti...
5. 点半 (half past) bàn In Chinese time expressions, 半 (bàn) is placed directly after 点 to indicate thirty minutes past the hour. It is the standard way to expre...
6. 吧 (softening speech) ba The particle 吧 (ba) is added to the end of a statement or suggestion to soften the tone, making it sound less direct or commanding. It tu...
7. 吧 (conceding) ba The particle 吧 (ba) at the end of a statement can express reluctant agreement, resignation, or acceptance of a less-than-ideal situation....
8. 吧 (suggestions with 'ba') ba The particle 吧 (ba) is placed at the end of a sentence to make a suggestion, express a mild command, or seek agreement. It softens the to...
9. 别 (negative command) bié Use 别 (bié) before a verb to tell someone not to do something. It functions as a direct negative imperative, similar to 'don't' in Englis...
10. 不要 (negative command) bùyào Use 不要 (bùyào) before a verb to express a stronger or more emphatic negative command meaning 'do not.' It is slightly more formal or forc...
11. 别…了 (stop doing) bié…le Use the pattern 别…了 (bié…le) to tell someone to stop doing something they are currently doing, or to express that something has gone on l...
12. 比 (basic comparison) bǐ Use 比 (bǐ) to make direct comparisons between two nouns, stating that one has a greater degree of a quality than the other. The structure...
13. Verb + 不懂 (not understanding) bùdǒng Attach 不懂 (bù dǒng) after a verb to indicate that the action cannot lead to understanding. This potential complement expresses inability ...