The nouns an essay or a discussion is built on: causes, principles, limits, aims and points of view.
These are the nouns that carry an argument, and most of them live in fixed frames worth learning whole: 在…的前提下, on condition that; 在很大程度上, to a large extent; 从…角度看, seen from the angle of; 本质上, essentially. English often uses a verb or an adverb where Chinese prefers one of these nouns, so a sentence that sounds heavy when translated word for word is quite normal in written Chinese.
The words
View
Noun (40)
本质essence; true natureNoun5
这两个办法表面上不同，本质上是一样的。These two methods look different on the surface but are essentially the same.
因素factorNoun4
影响健康的因素很多，饮食只是其中之一。Many factors affect health; diet is only one of them.
规律regular pattern; law (of nature)Noun5
只要掌握了规律，这类题就不难了。Once you have grasped the pattern, this kind of question is no longer hard.
生活很有规律: to lead a regular, well-ordered life.
前提precondition; premiseNoun5
在不影响工作的前提下，可以在家办公。Working from home is allowed, provided it does not affect the work.
Usually in 在…的前提下, on condition that.
原则principleNoun4
我做事有一个原则：不随便答应别人。I have one principle: I never make promises lightly.
原则上: in principle.
范围scope; rangeNoun4
这次考试的范围是前五课。This exam covers the first five lessons.
程度degree; extent; levelNoun4
他的中文已经到了能看报纸的程度。His Chinese has reached the point where he can read a newspaper.
在很大程度上: to a large extent.
角度angle; point of viewNoun4
换个角度想，这件事也不全是坏事。Seen from another angle, this is not an entirely bad thing.
层次level; structure (of a text)Noun5
这篇文章层次清楚，很好懂。This article is clearly structured and easy to follow.
Also a level of quality or education: 高层次的人才.
根源root (cause); sourceNoun5
我们要找到问题的根源，而不是只看表面。We need to find the root of the problem, not just look at the surface.
实质substance; what something really amounts toNoun5
他说了半天，实质上就是不同意。He talked for ages, but what it came down to was that he disagreed.
本质 is the nature of a thing; 实质 what it actually amounts to.
内涵connotation; depth of meaningNoun5
这个词的内涵比字面意思丰富得多。The connotations of this word are far richer than its literal meaning.
Of a person: 有内涵, having depth, cultivated.
要素key element; essential factorNoun5
时间、地点和人物是一个故事的基本要素。Time, place and characters are the basic elements of a story.
机制mechanism; system (of rules)Noun5
公司建立了新的奖励机制。The company has set up a new system of rewards.
模式model; pattern; modeNoun5
很多人开始接受在家上班的工作模式。Many people are coming round to the model of working from home.
Also a setting on a device: 飞行模式, flight mode.
体系system (as a whole structure)Noun5
这个国家的教育体系和我们的很不一样。This country's education system is very different from ours.
A structure of parts; 制度 is a set of rules, 系统 a technical system.
环节link; stage (in a process)Noun5
做这道菜，每个环节都不能马虎。When making this dish you cannot be careless at any stage.
依据basis; groundsNoun5
你这么说有什么依据？What grounds do you have for saying that?
途径way; channel; routeNoun5
学外语的途径很多，看电影也是一种。There are many ways to learn a foreign language, and watching films is one of them.
出发点starting point; intentionNoun5
他的出发点是好的，只是方法不对。He meant well; it was only his method that was wrong.
处境(difficult) situation one is in; plightNoun5
他现在的处境很困难，我们应该理解他。He is in a difficult position at the moment, and we should be understanding.
处 is chǔ here, as in 相处; chù means a place.
代价price; cost (of doing something)Noun5
为了这次成功，她付出了很大的代价。She paid a high price for this success.
倾向tendency; inclinationNoun5
他有把事情想得太坏的倾向。He has a tendency to imagine the worst.
Also a verb: 倾向于, to lean towards.
界限boundary; dividing lineNoun5
工作和生活之间要有清楚的界限。There should be a clear line between work and private life.
极限limit; the utmostNoun5
跑完最后一公里，我觉得已经到了极限。After running the last kilometre I felt I had reached my limit.
前景prospects; outlookNoun5
大家都说这个行业前景很好。Everyone says this industry has good prospects.
分寸sense of propriety; knowing how far to goNoun5
开玩笑要有分寸，别让人不舒服。When you joke, know where to stop; don't make people uncomfortable.
No single English word: the sense of the right measure in what one says or does.
逻辑logicNoun4
你的说法前后矛盾，不合逻辑。What you say contradicts itself; it isn't logical.
宗旨aim; guiding purpose (of an organisation)Noun5
我们的宗旨是让每个孩子都有书读。Our aim is for every child to have books to read.
意图intention; intentNoun5
我一时没明白他的意图。For a moment I did not grasp what he was getting at.
共性common feature; what things shareNoun5
这几家成功的小店有一个共性：服务好。These successful little shops have one thing in common: good service.
The opposite is 个性, individuality.
侧面side; aspectNoun5
从这件小事可以看出他性格的另一个侧面。This small incident shows another side of his character.
Literally the side of an object; 从侧面了解, to find out indirectly.
格局layout; overall patternNoun5
这套房子的格局很好，每个房间都有窗户。The layout of this flat is good: every room has a window.
Also the overall shape of a situation, a market or the world.
走向direction; trend; courseNoun5
大家都在关注房价的走向。Everyone is watching which way house prices will go.
弊端drawback; flaw (of a system)Noun5
这个制度的弊端越来越明显。The flaws in this system are becoming more and more obvious.
利弊pros and cons; advantages and disadvantagesNoun5
做决定以前，先考虑一下利弊。Weigh up the pros and cons before you decide.
契机turning point; opportunityNoun5
这次失败反而成了他改变的契机。This failure actually became the turning point that made him change.
准则norm; standard (of conduct)Noun5
诚实是做人的基本准则。Honesty is a basic rule for how to conduct yourself.
底线bottom line; limit one will not go beyondNoun5
什么都可以商量，但我有我的底线。We can discuss anything, but I have my limits.
现状current situation; status quoNoun5
他对现状不满意，想换个工作。He is not happy with the way things are and wants a different job.
This list belongs to Opinions and abstract words — eight lists and 320 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.
