HSK 6Lesson 2 of 9 · 7 grammar points

Subtle stance and frequency

These adverbs distinguish majority from totality, recurrence from continuity, involuntary reaction from deliberate effort and doubt from denial. Prior expectations give 明明、倒是 and 总算 much of their force.

Learning goals (7)

Formal and colloquial degree.
Restrictive and collective scope.
Continuity and intermittent time.
Repeated insistence.
Manner and intention.
Not necessarily.
Speaker evaluations.

特、异常、较为

Formal and colloquial degree

特 is colloquially very; 异常 means exceptionally; 较为 gives a measured, relatively formal degree.

今天的空气异常清新。

Jīn tiān de kōng qì yì cháng qīng xīn.

The air is exceptionally fresh today.

Pitfall: Register matters: 特好 and 较为理想 fit different settings.

净、一同、大都

Restrictive and collective scope

净 can mean nothing but, often evaluatively; 一同 together; 大都 most members rather than all.

这些书我大都看过。

Zhè xiē shū wǒ dà dōu kàn guò.

I have read most of these books.

Pitfall: 大都 allows exceptions; 都 does not express the same quantity.

一时、不时、仍旧、依旧、一向

Continuity and intermittent time

一时 a brief period, 不时 occasional recurrence, 仍旧/依旧 continuity, and 一向 a long-standing pattern.

他依旧每天步行上班。

Tā yī jiù měi tiān bù xíng shàng bān.

He still walks to work every day.

一时想不起来 cannot recall for the moment; 不时回头 look back from time to time; 仍旧/依旧如此 still like this; 一向认真 consistently conscientious. Frequency and persistent state are different dimensions.

Pitfall: 一时 is not a universal replacement for 一直.

一再、再三

Repeated insistence

一再 and 再三 emphasize repeated actions such as requests or consideration; 再三 is not a literal count of three.

我再三考虑后才答应。

Wǒ zài sān kǎo lǜ hòu cái dā ying.

I agreed only after repeated consideration.

Pitfall: Do not interpret 再三 as exactly three additional occurrences.

不禁、赶忙、特地、特意、偷偷

Manner and intention

不禁 describes an involuntary reaction; 赶忙 prompt response; 特地/特意 purposeful effort; 偷偷 concealment.

听到这里，她不禁笑了。

Tīng dào zhè lǐ, tā bù jīn xiào le.

At this point, she couldn't help smiling.

不禁笑了 couldn't help smiling; 赶忙解释 hurried to explain; 特地/特意来 came specially; 偷偷看 secretly look. An unintentional reaction and a deliberate effort should not share one meaning label.

Pitfall: 不禁 marks lack of restraint, not deliberate intention like 特意.

未必

Not necessarily

未必 denies certainty, not the entire possibility of a proposition.

贵的东西未必好。

Guì de dōng xi wèi bì hǎo.

Expensive things are not necessarily good.

Pitfall: 未必好 does not mean definitely bad.

恰好、倒是、干脆、明明、总算

Speaker evaluations

恰好 marks coincidence, 倒是 contrast or concession, 干脆 decisiveness, 明明 an evident fact and 总算 a finally achieved result.

等了这么久，总算轮到我们了。

Děng le zhè me jiǔ, zǒng suàn lún dào wǒ men le.

After such a long wait, it is finally our turn.

恰好遇见 happen to meet; 倒是不错 actually quite good as a contrast or concession; 干脆不去 simply decide not to go; 明明知道 plainly know, often before a reproach; 总算完成 finally complete after difficulty. The speaker's expectations are part of the meaning.

Pitfall: 明明 often supports a reproach or contrast; it is not neutral evidence by itself.

Source details (official syllabus)

Formal and colloquial degree
Syllabus item
特、异常、较为
Category
程度副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-006
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Restrictive and collective scope
Syllabus item
净、一同、大都
Category
范围副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-007
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Continuity and intermittent time
Syllabus item
一时、不时、仍旧、依旧、一向
Category
时间副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-008
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Repeated insistence
Syllabus item
一再、再三
Category
频率副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-009
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Manner and intention
Syllabus item
不禁、赶忙、特地、特意、偷偷
Category
方式副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-010
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Not necessarily
Syllabus item
未必
Category
否定副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-011
PDF page
401 (printed 398)
Speaker evaluations
Syllabus item
恰好、倒是、干脆、明明、总算
Category
语气副词
Grammar ID
grammar-L6-012
PDF page
401 (printed 398)