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3

Intermediate

The grammar after the verb grows here: result and direction complements, the potential form with 得(de) and 不(bù), and the sentence patterns with 把(bǎ) and 被(bèi).

Conversations about plans, experiences and opinions carry themselves, and everyday texts — notices, short articles, messages from friends — can be read given a little time.

Nouns, measure words and comparison5

Nouns, numbers and measure words

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3Roughly: approximate numbersDuō, jǐ, zuǒyòu, shàngxià and two neighbouring numbers make a number vague, each in its own place.

The particle de and modification

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3Clauses before the noun: the book I bought yesterdayA whole clause can describe a noun: it stands before the noun, ends in de, and needs no who, which or that.3Three characters for one sound: de, de and deOne neutral-tone de is written three ways: before a noun, before a verb, and after a verb.

Comparison

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3How much more: amounts after the adjectiveThe size of a difference comes after the adjective: a little, much, or an exact amount.3More and more: yuèláiyuè and yuè … yuèYuèláiyuè describes a change that keeps growing; yuè … yuè ties one change to another.

Time, aspect and the verb9

Time and place

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3Towards: wǎng, xiàng and cháoWǎng points a movement somewhere, xiàng can also aim at a person, and cháo says which way something faces.

Aspect: le, guo, zhe and zai

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3Two le in one sentence, and when to leave le outVerb-le plus sentence-le says that something has gone on up to now — and many past sentences need no le at all.3Zhe: a lasting state, and doing while doingZhe after a verb describes the state an action leaves behind — and, before a second verb, the way something is done.

Modal verbs

2
3Must and need not: děi, bìxū and búyòngDěi is the everyday “have to”, bìxū the firm “must” of rules — and the negative of both is búyòng.3Willing, daring, agreeing: yuànyì, gǎn and kěnYuànyì is being willing, gǎn having the nerve, and kěn agreeing to do what you were asked.

Complements after the verb

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3Compound direction complementsA verb of movement, a direction word and lái or qù: zǒu jìnlai, ná chūlai, pǎo huíqu.3Can or cannot: potential complementsDe or bu between a verb and its complement says whether the result is possible: kàndedǒng, kànbudǒng.3How long, with an objectA length of time goes after the verb; with an object as well, say the verb twice or put the time before the object.3Extremely: jíle, de hěn, sǐle and huàileAfter an adjective, jíle, de hěn, sǐle or huàile push it to an extreme.

Sentence patterns and linking clauses12

Sentence patterns

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3The bǎ sentenceBǎ brings a definite object in front of the verb to say what was done to it, and the verb cannot stand bare at the end.3The passive with bèiBèi puts the one who undergoes an action first and the doer after bèi, and it usually reports something unwelcome.3Two verbs in a rowOne subject, two verb phrases one after the other: the first says where or how, the second says what for.3Making and asking somebody: ràng, jiào, qǐngThe person after ràng, jiào or qǐng is the object of the first verb and the subject of the second.3Even: lián … dōu and lián … yěLián picks out the most extreme case, and dōu or yě after it says that the statement holds even there.

Adverbs that carry the grammar

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3Sooner or later: jiù and cáiJiù says it happened earlier or more easily than expected; cái says it happened later or with more trouble.3Just now: gāng and gāngcáiGāng is an adverb glued to the verb; gāngcái is a time word for a few minutes ago.

Linking clauses

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3As soon as: yī … jiùYī before the first verb and jiù before the second: the second thing follows straight on from the first.3Not only … but also: búdàn … érqiěBúdàn sets up a first point and érqiě adds a second, usually a stronger one.3As long as and only if: zhǐyào and zhǐyǒuZhǐyào … jiù names a condition that is enough; zhǐyǒu … cái names the one condition without which nothing happens.3Except and besides: chúle … yǐwàiChúle sets something aside; the adverb that follows decides whether it is left out or added in.3Two at once: yìbiān … yìbiān and yòu … yòuYìbiān … yìbiān puts two actions side by side; yòu … yòu puts two qualities side by side.

Tone, politeness and set expressions3

Sentence-final particles

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3Ne in depth: what about, still, and a gentle pointNe asks “and what about …?”, keeps a situation going, makes a question thoughtful, and quietly points something out.

Politeness and social language

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3Modesty and complimentsA compliment is turned aside rather than simply accepted, and what is your own is played down.

Expressions (level 4)

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3In order to: wèileWèile puts the purpose first: in order to do this, somebody does that.

Practise level 3 only