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Phrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
忽A忽B is a four-character frame for alternation, as in 忽冷忽热 and 忽快忽慢. It often makes changes feel abrupt or marked, but does not by itself show that they are unplanned, uncontrollable or unwelcome.
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Discourse markers
In the HSK 7-9 outline, 反过来（说） is categorized as a fixed phrase functioning as a discourse marker. It signals that the speaker is flipping the direction of an argument, examining the converse of a statement, or reversing the roles of the pa…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
无A可B is a four-character frame expressing an absence or lack, as in 无话可说 and 无路可走. Learn the whole expression: the missing element can be content, a destination, a resource or a means, and the meanings range from having nothing to say to ha…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
自A自B is a four-character frame found in expressions such as 自言自语, 自作自受 and 自给自足. It can describe self-directed activity, one’s own consequences or a self-managed arrangement. Learn the whole expression; the subject is not always also the ob…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
The four-character fixed phrase pattern 爱A不A (ài A bù A) expresses blunt indifference toward someone else's choice or describes a cold, unenthusiastic demeanor.
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
The four-character pattern 七A八B uses the numerals 七 (seven) and 八 (eight) figuratively with paired nouns, verbs, or directional words to express disorder, bustling multiplicity, scattered states, or emotional agitation.
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
The four-character pattern 非A非B expresses 'neither A nor B' using paired single-character nouns or adjectives. It belongs to formal or idiomatic Chinese and describes states, relationships, or categories that fall outside two related extrem…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Discourse markers
As a conversational discourse marker, 不是 (bù shì) can introduce a clarification, puzzled response or immediate self-correction. Its function differs from 不是 used within a clause to negate a judgment. Context and delivery help identify the u…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
The four-character pattern 时A时B describes alternating states or actions: sometimes A, sometimes B. Common pairs include 时好时坏 and 时断时续. The alternation need not be rapid, irregular, or undesirable.
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
可A可B is a four-character frame with different meanings in different expressions. 可坐可卧 offers two uses; 可有可无 means non-essential; 可喜可贺 expresses two positive evaluations. Learn the whole expression rather than assuming every example presents…
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Four-character patterns
连A带B combines actions, states, or included items into one description. Familiar four-character examples include 连蹦带跳 and 连本带利; longer 连…带… expressions are also possible.
View detailsPhrases › Fixed phrases › Discourse markers
不瞒你说 means to be honest with you. As a discourse marker, it presents the following information or opinion as a candid disclosure. It can introduce an admission, a preference, a positive assessment, or an ordinary personal fact; secrecy and …
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