3 · 40 words

Opinions and reasons

Thinking, agreeing and disagreeing, giving reasons and examples, and saying how sure you are.

Chinese has two everyday ways of saying “I think”: 我(wǒ)觉得(juéde) for an impression and 我(wǒ)认为(rènwéi) for a considered view. A third, 我(wǒ)以为(yǐwéi), looks the same and usually means the opposite: what you thought, and turned out to be wrong. Reasons and results keep a fixed order — reason first, result second — which is the order 因为(yīnwèi) and 所以(suǒyǐ) keep too.

The words

Verb (9)

认为(rènwéi)to think; to consider; to hold (a view)Verb3

我(wǒ)认为(rènwéi)他(tā)说(shuō)得(de)对(duì)。I think he is right.

A considered view; 觉得(juéde) is lighter. 为(wéi) is read wéi here.

以为(yǐwéi)to think (wrongly); to assumeVerb3

我(wǒ)以为(yǐwéi)今天(jīntiān)是(shì)星期五(xīngqīwǔ)，其实(qíshí)是(shì)星期四(xīngqīsì)。I thought today was Friday, but actually it is Thursday.

Usually a belief that turned out to be mistaken.

同意(tóngyì)to agree; to consentVerb3

爸爸(bàba)不(bù)同意(tóngyì)我(wǒ)一(yí)个(ge)人(rén)去(qù)旅行(lǚxíng)。Dad does not agree to my travelling on my own.

反对(fǎnduì)to oppose; to object toVerb3

很(hěn)多(duō)人(rén)反对(fǎnduì)在(zài)这儿(zhèr)建(jiàn)工厂(gōngchǎng)。Many people are against building a factory here.

支持(zhīchí)to support; to backVerb3

家(jiā)里(lǐ)人(rén)都(dōu)支持(zhīchí)我(wǒ)去(qù)国外(guówài)读书(dúshū)。My family all support my going abroad to study.

赞成(zànchéng)to be in favour of; to approveVerb3

我(wǒ)赞成(zànchéng)你(nǐ)的(de)办法(bànfǎ)，我们(wǒmen)就(jiù)这么(zhème)做(zuò)吧(ba)。I am in favour of your approach; let’s do it that way.

确定(quèdìng)to fix; to make sure; certainVerb3

开会(kāihuì)的(de)时间(shíjiān)还(hái)没有(méiyǒu)确定(quèdìng)。The time of the meeting has not been fixed yet.

表示(biǎoshì)to show; to express; to indicateVerb3

他(tā)点(diǎn)了(le)点(diǎn)头(tóu)，表示(biǎoshì)同意(tóngyì)。He nodded to show he agreed.

值得(zhídé)to be worth (doing)Verb3

这个(zhège)博物馆(bówùguǎn)值得(zhídé)去(qù)看看(kànkan)。This museum is worth a visit.

Adverb (5)

看来(kànlái)it seems; it looks as ifAdverb3

他(tā)还(hái)没(méi)回(huí)消息(xiāoxi)，看来(kànlái)今天(jīntiān)不(bú)会(huì)来(lái)了(le)。He still has not replied; it looks as if he will not come today.

A conclusion drawn from what you can see.

必须(bìxū)must; have toAdverb3

明天(míngtiān)的(de)会(huì)每(měi)个(ge)人(rén)都(dōu)必须(bìxū)参加(cānjiā)。Everyone must attend tomorrow’s meeting.

“Need not” is 不用(búyòng) or 不必(búbì), never 不(bú)必须(bìxū).

可能(kěnéng)maybe; probably; possible; possibilityAdverb3

天(tiān)这么(zhème)黑(hēi)，可能(kěnéng)要(yào)下雨(xiàyǔ)了(le)。It is so dark; it is probably going to rain.

肯定(kěndìng)certainly; definitely; sureAdverb3

他(tā)这么(zhème)晚(wǎn)还(hái)没(méi)来(lái)，肯定(kěndìng)是(shì)忘(wàng)了(le)。He is still not here this late; he must have forgotten.

难怪(nánguài)no wonderAdverb3

他(tā)生病(shēngbìng)了(le)？难怪(nánguài)今天(jīntiān)没(méi)来(lái)上课(shàngkè)。He is ill? No wonder he did not come to class today.

This list belongs to Thinking and arguing — 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.