RealHSK

HSK 4Lesson 5 of 14 · 7 grammar points

Domains, examples and persistence

Set frames let you compare a series, restrict a discussion to one aspect, choose an example, describe repeated failure or commit to never repeating something. These frames change the scope and strength of the claim.

Learning goals (7)
  • Increasing across a series.
  • An aspect with 方面.
  • Evaluative 够…的.
  • Taking an example.
  • Never again.
  • No matter how hard.
  • Purpose followed by action.

一+量词+比+一+量词

Increasing across a series

一+classifier+比+一+classifier expresses successive comparison across members.

这些孩子一个比一个高。

Zhè xiē hái zi yī gè bǐ yī gè gāo.

Each of these children is taller than the last.

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Pitfall: This compares an ordered series, not necessarily change over time in one child.

在…方面

An aspect with 方面

在…方面 narrows an evaluation to a field or aspect.

他在学习方面很认真。

Tā zài xué xí fāng miàn hěn rèn zhēn.

He is conscientious about his studies.

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Pitfall: The frame should identify a domain rather than an arbitrary action object.

够…的

Evaluative 够…的

够+adjective+的 often conveys a strong evaluation, sometimes with irony.

这道题够难的。

Zhè dào tí gòu nán de.

This question is quite difficult.

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Pitfall: This is evaluative degree, not always enough for a practical threshold.

拿…来说

Taking an example

拿…来说 singles out an example to support a broader point.

拿这本书来说，例子就很清楚。

Ná zhè běn shū lái shuō, lì zi jiù hěn qīng chǔ.

Take this book: its examples are very clear.

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Pitfall: 拿 is part of an illustrative frame, not literal picking up.

再也不/没…

Never again

再也不 expresses a future refusal or general reversal; 再也没 reports that something did not happen again afterward.

我再也不迟到了。

Wǒ zài yě bù chí dào le.

I won't be late again.

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Pitfall: Choose 不 or 没 according to intended non-occurrence, not by a single rigid tense rule.

怎么都/也+不/没…

No matter how hard

怎么也/都+不/没 says attempts or circumstances fail to change an outcome.

我怎么也想不起来。

Wǒ zěn me yě xiǎng bù qǐ lái.

No matter how I try, I can't remember.

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Pitfall: This 怎么 is not requesting instructions.

为了…而…

Purpose followed by action

为了…而… explicitly links an action or effort to its goal, often in written language.

他为了学习而努力工作。

Tā wèi le xué xí ér nǔ lì gōng zuò.

He works hard for the sake of his studies.

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Pitfall: 而 is a connector here rather than a comparison marker.

Source details (official syllabus)

  • Increasing across a series

    Syllabus item
    一+量词+比+一+量词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-033
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • An aspect with 方面

    Syllabus item
    在……方面
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-034
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • Evaluative 够…的

    Syllabus item
    够……的
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-035
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • Taking an example

    Syllabus item
    拿……来说
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-036
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • Never again

    Syllabus item
    再也不/没……
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-037
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • No matter how hard

    Syllabus item
    怎么都/也+不/没……
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-038
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)

  • Purpose followed by action

    Syllabus item
    为了……而……
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-039
    PDF page
    396 (printed 393)