Adverbs Study Guide
Discover the role of adverbs in Chinese language. Learn their categories, formation, position in sentences, and comparison.
横过 (héng guò)
across
The Chinese word '横过' is often used to communicate the concept of moving or looking from one side to another, particularly in a sideways or diagonal way. It can refer to physically crossing over a space such as a room or street, as well as more metaphorical uses, representing moving across a range or spread of something.
Example sentences with 横过 →正常地 (zhèng cháng de)
normally
The Chinese word '正常地' is used in a similar way to the use of 'normally' in English. It refers to something that is compliant with the standard, usual, regular, or customary. Can be used to refer to actions, conditions, or states performed or existing under normal circumstances.
正式 (zhèngshì)
formal
The word '正式' in Chinese is used similarly to the English word 'formal'. It is used to describe something that is done in accordance with rules or standards, such as in formal language, formal dress, formal occasion. It is also used in context of official matters. Example: 正式的服装 means formal attire.
Example sentences with 正式 →每个 (měi gè)
each
The Chinese word '每个' stands for 'each'. It is used in equivalent contexts in Chinese language as 'each' in English, indicating every individual in a group or series without exception. For example, '每个人' means 'each person'.
Example sentences with 每个 →每周 (měi zhōu)
weekly
The Chinese word '每周' translates to 'weekly' in English. It is used to describe an event or action that takes place every week. It can be used in a similar context as in English, for example: '每周會議' which means 'weekly meeting'.
Example sentences with 每周 →每日 (měi rì)
daily
The Chinese word '每日' is used similarly to the English word 'daily'. It is an adjective that describes something that happens or is done every day. For instance, '每日的工作' means 'daily work' or '每日的活动' refers to 'daily activities'. It can also be used as a standalone noun to refer to a daily newspaper, such as '每日新闻'.
Example sentences with 每日 →永远 (yǒng yuǎn)
ever
The Chinese word '永远' translates to 'ever' in English. It is often used when expressing the concept of 'always' or 'forever' in Chinese, similar to its usage in English. It is a somewhat formal, often used in literature, philosophical discussions and romantic contexts.
Example sentences with 永远 →沒有 (méi yǒu)
no
'没有' is used in the Chinese language to express denial or negation. It can be used in the same way as the English word 'no', but it can also be used to indicate absence or the lack of something. For example, if someone asks whether you have eaten, you can reply with '没有' to indicate you have not eaten yet.
Example sentences with 沒有 →没有 (méi yǒu)
without
The Chinese word '没有' is used to express a lack of something, or the absence of something or someone. It is analogous to the English word 'without'. '没有' can also be used to deny the existence of something or to give a negative response.
沿着 (yán zhe)
along
In Chinese context, '沿着' is used to describe something following or moving in a constant direction on (a path or any more or less horizontal surface). It is often used in sentences to describe going through a path, like driving 'along' the road.
深 (shēn)
deep
In Chinese, '深' is used to describe something profound or having great depth, similar to how 'deep' is used in English. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing physical depth (of a hole, water, etc.), emotional depth, or even the complexity of a subject matter.
Example sentences with 深 →深深地 (shēn shēn de)
deeply
In Chinese, '深深地' means deeply and can be used in various contexts and sentences. Commonly used in adjective phrases or adverbial contexts, it serves to emphasize the depth or intensity of a state or action.
温柔地 (wēn róu de)
gently
The Chinese word '温柔地' is an adverb, often used to describe something done with kindness or tenderness. Similar to the English meaning, it can be used to describe people, actions, or characteristics that are soft, gentle, or tender. For instance, one might speak, act, or touch '温柔地'.
Example sentences with 温柔地 →游客 (yóu kè)
tourist
The Chinese word '游客' is used to refer to tourists or visitors, much like its English equivalent. It is commonly used in travel-related contexts and is used to refer to people traveling to different locations for leisure or sightseeing.
然后 (rán hòu)
then
The Chinese word '然后' is used in a similar way to the English word 'then'. It is often used to indicate a sequence of actions or to discuss a course of events in a chronological manner. For instance, '我吃了早饭，然后去了学校。' would translate to 'I had breakfast, then went to school.'
然而 (rán ér)
however
The Chinese word '然而' is used similarly to 'however' in English. It is often used at the beginning of a sentence or after a comma to introduce a contrast or contradiction with the previous statement.
特别 (tè bié)
especially
The Chinese word '特别' is used similar to 'especially' in English. It can be used to highlight something out of the ordinary, or to place emphasis on a particular matter. It could be used in a sentence like '我特别喜欢吃中国菜', which translates to 'I especially like eating Chinese food'.
由 (yóu)
by
The Chinese character '由' has similar uses to the English word 'by'. It can be used to represent the action performed by the subject, similar to how 'by' is used in passive sentences. Note that '由' can also have other interpretations depending on the context in which it is used.
Example sentences with 由 →瘦 (shòu)
thin
The Chinese word '瘦' is used to describe someone or something that has little fat or flesh, similar to the way the word 'thin' is used in English. It can be used to describe people, animals, or even inanimate objects like paper or cloth.
Example sentences with 瘦 →的 (de)
the
In Mandarin Chinese, 'the' is generally implied and it does not have a direct equivalent. However, '的' is often used in a similar way to 'the', showing possession or modification. For example, to specify 'my cat', one would say '我的猫'. It can mean 'the', but it is also used in many other contexts that do not directly translate to 'the'. It's one of the most common characters in Chinese.
直 (zhí)
straight
In Chinese, '直' means straight. It is often used when describing a straight line or path. It can also be used in more abstract terms, such as a character trait when speaking about someone who is straightforward or direct in their speech or actions.
Example sentences with 直 →相同 (xiāng tóng)
same
The Chinese word '相同' is used to express equality or uniformity between two or more objects or situations. It could be used in various contexts, just like how 'same' is used in English. The character '相' means 'mutually' and '同' means 'same', which together translates to 'same'.
相对地 (xiāng duì de)
relatively
The Chinese word '相对地' is often used to compare the degree of something with another thing in discussions and academic papers. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is not as common as '比较' in daily conversations when comparing things.
相当 (xiāng dāng)
quite
The English word 'quite' can be translated into Chinese as '相当'. It is an adverb that's used similar to English to intensify adjectives, or to indicate agreement. It can variably mean 'very', 'really', or 'quite' in different contexts. For instance, '我相当喜欢它' would translate to 'I quite like it.'
真 (zhēn)
TRUE
The Chinese word '真' is analogous to the English word 'TRUE'. It is often used to express agreement, to confirm something as correct, or to comment on the authenticity or truth of a situation. Like in English, it has both literal and metaphorical uses.
真实 (Zhēnshí)
real
The Chinese word '真实' is used to describe something genuine, true, or not false - basically the state of something being real. This word can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing objects, feelings, or situations.
真正地 (zhēn zhèng de)
truly
The Chinese word '真正地' is an adverb equivalent to 'truly' in English. It is used to emphasize that something is the case in every way or respect, often in contexts where there may be doubt or disbelief. You can use it in sentences just like you would use 'truly' in English.
Example sentences with 真正地 →真的 (zhēn de)
really
The Chinese word '真的' is often used to emphasize or confirm truth or reality of something, similar to how 'really' is used in English. It can be used in both affirmative and interrogative sentences. It can be placed before an adjective or after a verb for emphasis. For instance, '你真的喜欢这个吗?', meaning 'Do you really like this?'
短 (duǎn)
short
The Chinese word '短' is used to describe the physical length, duration or measure of something that is not long or not as long as usual. It can be used similarly to the English word 'short', both in literal and metaphorical contexts such as 'short hair' (短发) or 'short video' (短视频).
确切地 (què qiè de)
exactly
The Chinese word '确切地' is similar to 'exactly' in English. It is often used for emphasis in a sentence, to show that something is accurate or correct. For example, some common uses of '确切地' include to mean precisely, exactly or accurately.