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HSK 4 Other Particles: 等, 者, 之, and 就是
Beyond common aspect and structural particles, the HSK 4 outline groups 等 (the listing particle), 者, 之, and 就是 under the category of other particles (其他助词). Understanding their register and structural limits helps learners transition smoothly between formal written expressions and natural spoken Mandarin.
我喜欢吃苹果、香蕉、橘子等水果。
Here 等 follows three examples to signal an open-ended list before the category noun 水果.
Read the full explanation and examples
What Are the HSK 4 Other Particles?
In the HSK 4 grammar syllabus, the category of other particles (其他助词) brings together four high-frequency items that perform specialized grammatical tasks: 等 (the listing particle), 者, 之, and 就是. Rather than sharing a single meaning, these particles serve distinct discourse functions: organizing lists, turning actions or qualities into people categories, linking modifiers in formal expressions, and softening or resolving a speaker's tone.
Using 等 to Mark Lists and Totals
The outline labels this item 等2; here we cover 等 as a listing or summary particle, rather than 等 “wait”. A short list is normally written 苹果、香蕉等水果, with enumeration commas between items and no extra comma before 等.
等 can leave a list open or summarize a list with a total. In 北京、上海、广州等三个城市, all three cities are named. In 北京、上海等三个城市, one of the three is not named. A total count alone does not guarantee an exhaustive list. 等等 also marks an open list; 等 + category is a concise model, but 等等 before a noun is not universally ungrammatical.
我喜欢吃苹果、香蕉、橘子等水果。
Here 等 follows three examples to signal an open-ended list before the category noun 水果.
北京、上海、广州等三个城市都有分公司。
Here 等 is followed by the exact count (三个城市), summarizing a closed list of three items.
Using 者 to Denote People or Roles
The particle 者 attaches to the end of a verb, adjective, or formal verb phrase to mean 'one who does' or 'people who fit this description.' It is a productive word-building element in occupational titles (such as 记者 for journalist, 作者 for author, or 志愿者 for volunteer) and in written notices or rules.
记者和志愿者都已经到了现场。
Fixed occupational and role nouns formed with 者 are standard in both speech and writing.
符合条件者可以马上报名。
Attaching 者 to a verb phrase (符合条件) creates a formal, general category suitable for notices.
Productive 者 phrases often sound formal, but they can refer either to a general group or to a specific person. For a casual description, 穿红衣服的人 is usually a natural choice; 身穿红衣者 is a possible more written-style description. This is a register contrast, not a ban on specific reference.
那位身穿红衣者是我的姐姐。
者 creates a more formal written description here and still refers to a specific person. The next example gives a more conversational version with 的人.
那位穿红衣服的人是我的姐姐。
的人 is a natural conversational choice for this description. Both versions identify the same sister in red; they differ in register.
Using 之 in Formal Modification and Fixed Patterns
之 links a modifier to a following element in many formal expressions, such as 发展之路. Some uses are fixed, while others are productive in written style. For everyday “my book”, 我的书 is the natural modern choice; 我之书 would sound deliberately classical, rather than being structurally impossible in every context.
- Fractions and percentages: Denominator + 分之 + Numerator (for example, 百分之五十 for 50 percent).
- Group membership: Category + 之一, meaning 'one of...' (for example, 最喜欢的电影之一).
- Time and location bounds: Time/Place + 之前, 之后, 之内, or 之间, where 之 links the reference point to the boundary word.
三分之二的学生通过了这次测试。
In fractions, the denominator comes before 分之 and the numerator comes after it.
三天之内必须交报告。
Here 之 connects a time duration (三天) to the boundary word 内.
Using 就是 as a Sentence-Final Particle and Contrast
Learners first meet 就是 as an emphatic copula ('is precisely') or adverb ('simply'). As a particle at the end of a statement—very often paired with 了 as 就是了—it expresses a speaker's resolution, reassurance, or casual downplaying of difficulty. It translates naturally to 'will just do X (and that settles it)' or 'just do X, don't worry.'
这件事交给我办就是了，你不用担心。
Sentence-final 就是了 reassures the listener and makes the task sound simple and settled.
In the coat example, 就是 at the start of the second clause introduces a reservation, “the only thing is…”. In other contexts it can have other functions. Compare its role here with sentence-final 就是了, rather than identifying the use by position alone.
大衣很好看，就是有点儿贵。
Contrastive usage: at the start of the second clause, 就是 introduces a minor reservation rather than acting as a sentence-final particle.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put a comma before 等 at the end of a list?
In an ordinary short list such as 苹果、香蕉等水果, do not add an extra comma before 等. Complex or quoted lists may be punctuated for their own structure; the simple list is the model taught here.
Can I replace 的 with 之 to make my essays sound more advanced?
Use 之 where the expression and register fit, such as 发展之路, 三分之二 or 之一. It is not an automatic upgrade for every 的. Ordinary 的 phrases are usually the clearest choice in conversational writing; formal 之 phrases need not all be fixed four-character idioms.
Does sentence-final 就是 always require 了?
In everyday speech, 就是了 is the most natural and common form at the end of a sentence, though standalone sentence-final 就是 also occurs with the same reassuring tone.
