HSK 2Lesson 5 of 13 · 9 grammar points
Sources, routes, recipients and connectors
A short phrase can introduce a start point, path, recipient, comparison standard or cause. The same form may instead coordinate nouns or clauses. Track which phrase belongs to which predicate before deciding how to translate it.
Learning goals (9)
- Starting points with 从.
- Direction with 往.
- Origin and route with 从.
- Beneficiaries with 给.
- Comparison with 比.
- With someone: 跟.
- Reason phrases with 因为.
- Joining nouns with 跟.
- Connecting clauses.
从
Starting points with 从
从 introduces a starting time or place. It often pairs with 到 to set an interval.
我从九点学到十点。
I study from nine to ten.
More
Pitfall: Starting and ending expressions must refer to compatible scales.
往
Direction with 往
往+direction before a movement verb identifies the direction of travel.
请往左走。
Please go left.
More
Pitfall: 往 is directional; 在 normally locates an action.
从
Origin and route with 从
从 can indicate where movement begins or the passage through which it proceeds.
他从门口进来了。
He came in through the doorway.
More
Pitfall: The phrase describes the movement's source or route, not ownership.
给
Beneficiaries with 给
给+person before a verb introduces a recipient or beneficiary. As a main verb, 给 means give.
我给妈妈买了一本书。
I bought a book for Mom.
More
Pitfall: 给妈妈 here says for whom the purchase was made.
比
Comparison with 比
Put the comparison standard after 比, followed by the compared quality.
今天比昨天冷。
Today is colder than yesterday.
More
Pitfall: Do not normally insert 很 before the adjective in this basic comparison.
跟
With someone: 跟
跟 introduces a companion or interaction partner before the action.
我跟朋友去看电影。
I am going to a film with a friend.
More
Pitfall: 跟 can also be a main verb meaning follow; distinguish the construction.
因为
Reason phrases with 因为
因为 can introduce a reason expressed by a noun phrase, not only a whole clause.
因为天气，我们没去。
Because of the weather, we did not go.
More
Pitfall: A reason noun phrase does not need an invented verb to become usable.
跟
Joining nouns with 跟
跟 can connect nouns in conversational Chinese. As a preposition it instead introduces a companion; the wider predicate distinguishes the roles.
爸爸跟妈妈都是老师。
Dad and Mom are both teachers.
More
Pitfall: Here 都 supports a coordinated-subject reading rather than one person accompanying another.
所以
Connecting clauses
但是 marks contrast; 虽然 introduces concession; 因为 and 所以 express cause and consequence. 那 can introduce a conversational response, and 还是 offers a question alternative.
因为下雨，所以我们不去了。
Because it is raining, we are not going.
More
Pitfall: Do not treat all connectors as interchangeable English and.
Source details (official syllabus)
Starting points with 从
- Syllabus item
- 从1
- Category
- 引出时间、处所
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-021
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Direction with 往
- Syllabus item
- 往
- Category
- 引出方向、路径
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-022
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Origin and route with 从
- Syllabus item
- 从2
- Category
- 引出方向、路径
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-023
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Beneficiaries with 给
- Syllabus item
- 给
- Category
- 引出对象
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-024
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Comparison with 比
- Syllabus item
- 比
- Category
- 引出对象
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-025
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
With someone: 跟
- Syllabus item
- 跟1
- Category
- 引出对象
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-026
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Reason phrases with 因为
- Syllabus item
- 因为1
- Category
- 引出原因
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-027
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Joining nouns with 跟
- Syllabus item
- 跟2
- Category
- 连接词或短语
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-028
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
Connecting clauses
- Syllabus item
- 但、但是、那、虽然、还是2、因为2、所以
- Category
- 连接分句或者句子
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L2-029
- PDF page
- 389 (printed 386)
- 1FILL BLANK
我九点学到十点。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“I study from nine to ten.”
- 2FILL BLANK
因为下雨，我们不去了。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“Because it is raining, we are not going.”
- 3MATCH
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
- 4CHOOSE
Which gives a comparison standard?
- 5CHOOSE
A：这封信给谁？ B：给老师。Who is the intended recipient?
- 6ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“I study from nine to ten.”
Tap the chunks in order. - 7ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“Please go left.”
Tap the chunks in order.
0 of 7 tasks answered.
Next lesson: Manner, experience and maintained states →从Starting points with 从
- 我从学校图书馆借了一本中文书。 The Borrowed Book · HSK 3
- 水一直从水龙头里出来，声音很小。 A Leaking Tap at Home · HSK 3
- 这时候，邻居阿姨从楼上下来，对我说：“别给太多，猫吃太多会生病。” Feeding Two Stray Cats Downstairs · HSK 3
往Direction with 往
- 大的做了半天，小的总想往上面坐。 The Park After Snow · HSK 3
给Beneficiaries with 给
- 我和同学给小树浇水。 Watering the Small Trees at School · HSK 2
- 这回我说清楚了：学校南门出来，向右走，到第二家小店给我打电话，我下去接他。 Where Is Your Home · HSK 3
- 我给她十块，她找我五块。 Breakfast at a Small Shop: Soy Milk and Bread · HSK 3
比Comparison with 比
- 晚上，我在新床上睡觉，觉得三楼的新房间比旧房间更安静、更亮。 A New Room on the Third Floor · HSK 3
跟With someone: 跟
- 后来我打得好一点儿了，也有几次能跟哥哥打很长时间。 Learning to Play Table Tennis with My Older Brother · HSK 3
- 放假前，我跟同学说要回家。 Where Is Your Home · HSK 3
- 两只猫吃完以后，没有进楼，也没有跟我回家，只是慢慢地走了。 Feeding Two Stray Cats Downstairs · HSK 3
所以Connecting clauses
- 他又问：“那你每天怎么来上课？” Where Is Your Home · HSK 3
- 姐姐喜欢做饭，我会做的菜不多，所以常常是我洗。 Who Does the Dishes Today · HSK 3