Level 2 Lesson 8.1 – Even Though…, But… .

GRAMMAR

Grammar 1: Preposition 对: Good To / Good For · HSK 2

Preposition 对 can be used to suggest "the relationships of treating" between people, things and behaviors. We will look at two ways to use it in today's lesson.

(1) Person 1 treats Person 2 in a ... way: Person 1 is... to Person 2.

Person 1 对 Person 2 + adj.

For example,

• zhàngfu duì qīzi hěn hǎo
  丈夫对妻子很好。
  (the) husband (is) very good to (the) wife
• jīnglǐ duì wǒmen bù hǎo
  经理对我们不好。
  (the) manager (is) not good to us

(2) Thing/Behavior 1 treats Thing/Behavior 2 in a ... way: Thing/Behavior 1 is... for Thing/Behavior.

• yùndòng duì shēntǐ hěn jiànkāng
  运动对身体很健康。
  exercising (healthy) for (the) body
• kāfēi duì xiǎoháizi bù hǎo
  咖啡对小孩子不好。
  coffee (is) not good for children

Grammar 2: 虽然...但是...structure in Chinese · HSK 2

虽然...但是 structure in Chinese is very commonly used. It suggests "even though...however..."

For example,

• suīrán wǒ xiǎng dǎ lánqiú, dànshì wǒ jīntiān shēngbìng le, bù néng dǎ
  虽然我想打篮球，但是我今天生病了，不能打。
  though I want to play basketball, but I (have) become sick today, (and) cannot play.
• wǒmen suīrán rènshi, dànshì búshì péngyou
  我们虽然认识，但是不是朋友。
  though we know (each other), but (we) are not friends

Although 虽然...但是 as a structure are often used together, but they can used separately as well.

For example,

• wǒ bù dǎsuàn mǎi zhège lánqiú, suīrán liǎngbǎi yuán bùguì
  我不打算买这个篮球，虽然两百元不贵。
  I (do) not plan to buy this "ge" (of) basketball, even though 200 yuan (is) not expensive
• wǒ měitiān hěn máng hěn lèi, dànshì hěn kuàilè
  我每天很忙、很累，但是很快乐。
  I (am) very busy, very tired every day, but (I am) very happy

Also, the 虽然...但是...structure can be changed a little into 虽然...可是..., 虽然...但..., or 虽然...可.... So we can use all of the following four structures:

Grammar 3: Simple Sentence and Complex Sentence in Chinese · HSK 2

We've already learned before that a typical Chinese Sentence is constructed with this structure:

Subject + Predicate (+ Object )

Sentences like this are called 单句, Simple Sentence.

And when we put two or even more 单句 together, usually linked by Conjunctions, we get a 复句, Complex Sentence, and Simple Sentences in a Complex Sentence are called Clauses, 从句. So far we’ve learned two pairs of Conjunctions that are commonly used to link 单句 into 复句: 虽然…但是…, and 因为…所以…

A 复句 Complex Sentence in Chinese can be used to express more complicated meaning and give a more detailed description about the situation. They are very useful and there are a lot of different types of them, we’ll learn more in our future lessons.

Grammar 4: Measure Word 场 · HSK 2

Measure Word 场 can be used to measure the action of watching or having games, matches and other similar events like performances or shows. So it is not a Measure Word for Nouns such as objects, items or people. 场 is a Measure Word for Actions.

Measure Word for Actions can be used in the same way that Measure Word for Nouns are used:

Verb + Number + 场 + Nouns (for the event)

For example,

(1) for the action of watching the event

• wǒmen yào dào xuéxiào qù kàn yìchǎng lánqiú bǐsài
  我们要到学校去看一场篮球比赛。
  we intend to go to (the) school to watch a "chang" (of) game

(2) for the action of having the event

• nǐmen hé nǎge xuéxiào tī jǐchǎng zúqiú bǐsài
  你们和哪个学校踢几场足球比赛？
  you guys play how-many "chang" (of) soccer game (and) with which "ge" (of) school

Sometimes the Verb can be committed as well, following this structure:

Number + 场 + Nouns (for the event)

But the meaning of 场 is still measuring the action of watching or having the event. For example,

• nàr yǒu yì chǎng zúqiú bǐsài
  那儿有一场足球比赛。
  there is a "chang" (of) soccer game
• yígeyuè shíchǎng bǐsài tàiduō le
  一个月十场比赛太多了！
  10 "chang" (of) games (per) one month (is) too much