Study, Exams and Classroom

Studying Chinese and Homework

This section covers words and sentence patterns that often come up when talking about studying Chinese and doing homework. Understanding their meaning and usage correctly helps you choose the right answer when others ask about or comment on your studying.

• 语法 (yǔfǎ: grammar) is a common object of study. When you say 搞不清楚 (gǎo bu qīngchu: cannot figure out clearly, do not understand clearly) about a sentence, teachers often explain it again and name the structure being used, such as 把字句 (bǎzìjù: the 把 sentence), which has the form Subject + 把 + object + verb + complement, as in 我把房间打扫干净了.

• 读错 (dú cuò: read incorrectly) is a verb with the resultative complement 错, which shows that the result is wrong. When learners often read incorrectly, teachers remind them to pay attention to the 声调 (shēngdiào: tone), because pronunciation errors often lie in the tone.

• 口语 (kǒuyǔ: spoken language) improves through regular listening and speaking. A practice method often mentioned is to use a 录音 (lùyīn: audio recording) and 跟着念 (gēnzhe niàn: read along), or to chat a lot with native speakers, such as 多跟中国朋友聊天 (duō gēn Zhōngguó péngyou liáotiān: chat more with Chinese friends). The pattern 跟着……读 (read along with ...) shows the action of following an existing source.

• 多听多说 (duō tīng duō shuō: listen a lot, speak a lot) is a common piece of advice, used with 应该 (yīnggāi: should). For example: 学口语应该多听多说。

• 生词 (shēngcí: new word) and 背 (bèi: memorize by heart). Memorizing by heart is only the first step of remembering. The pattern 把……背下来就算了 (bǎ … bèi xiàlai jiù suàn le: memorizing it is considered done) describes a passive way of studying, which is often quickly forgotten.

• 造句 (zàojù: make sentences) and 用 (yòng: use) help you remember words more durably. The structure 不能只靠……，要……才能…… (cannot rely only on ..., must ... in order to ...) expresses this idea, for example: 学汉字不能只靠看，要多写才能记住。

• 只看不写 (zhǐ kàn bù xiě: only look, do not write) is the pattern 只……不…… (only ... not ...), describing a way of studying that only receives information without reproducing it, which is easy to forget. This pattern contrasts with reading and writing at the same time.

• 除了……以外，还…… (in addition to ..., also ...) is used to add one more action to those already mentioned. For example: 除了听以外，我还要多看书。

• 只…… combines with a small quantity, as in 每天只学一点儿 (mỗi ngày chỉ học một chút → every day, study just a little), showing study that matches one's capacity. This differs from the idea of finishing learning within one day, as in 想一天就学会 (thinking one can learn it in a single day).

• 坚持 (jiānchí: persevere). The pattern 最重要的是…… (the most important thing is ...) is used to state a viewpoint, for example: 学外语最重要的是坚持。

• 关键是 (guānjiàn shì: the key is) and 不是……而是…… (not ... but ...) are used to state what is correct while negating another approach, for example: 学习语言不是靠运气，而是靠每天练习。 For learning a foreign language, one can say that speed is less important than frequent review, as in 常常复习 (chángcháng fùxí: review often).

• 流利 (liúlì: fluent) and 自然 (zìrán: natural) describe speaking ability after practice, and often go with 说话 (shuōhuà: speak).

• 作业 (zuòyè: homework) is a noun that goes with verbs such as 写完 (xiě wán: finish writing) and 交 (jiāo: hand in). When talking about the deadline, use 之前 (zhīqián: before), for example: 作业要在周五之前交。

Review and Exams

This section includes vocabulary and sentence patterns about review, exams, and learning results.

• 复习 (fùxí: to review) means to go over knowledge already learned. It differs from 预习 (yùxí: to preview lessons before class). The pattern 得 (děi: must) + verb expresses necessity, for example: 明天有考试，我得多复习一下。

• 好好……一下 (hǎohǎo … yíxià: do ... thoroughly for a bit) places the verb in the middle, for example: 我们好好想一下这个问题。 This pattern is used to talk about doing something thoroughly, so the verb must be an action.

• 考试 (kǎoshì: to take an exam, exam) is both a verb and a noun. 期末考试 (qīmò kǎoshì: final exam) is a fixed phrase that refers to the end-of-term exam. The pattern 要开始……了 (is about to begin ... now) often takes 考试 as its object.

• 复习得怎么样 (how is the review going) is a question about the state of preparation. The answer usually begins with 还行 (háixíng: not bad, fairly good), then names the weak part with 就是……有点儿…… (the only issue is ... a bit ...). Example: 还行，就是数学还有点儿难。 重点 (zhòngdiǎn: key point) is the part that most needs careful review.

• 这次 (zhè cì: this time) + a noun such as 考试 or 成绩 refers to a specific exam or result. Example: 这次考试比上次难。

• 成绩 (chéngjì: score, result) is the outcome after an exam. It goes with 出来 (chūlái: come out, be announced) and 查 (chá: look up). Example: 成绩出来以后，我在网上查一下。

• Distinguish 考试 (the exam event) from 成绩 (the exam result). The correct word depends on whether the sentence is about an event taking place or a result that has been announced.

• 及格 (jígé: to pass, meet the standard). The negative 没及格 (did not pass) is often used in questions about what to do next: 别着急 (bié zháojí: don't worry) and 补课 (bǔkè: make up a class). Example: 没及格可以补课。

• 考上 (kǎoshàng: to pass the exam and get in, be admitted) indicates the result of being admitted to a school or passing an exam. This form differs from 考, which refers to the act of taking an exam.

• 努力 (nǔlì: to work hard) and 紧张 (jǐnzhāng: nervous, tense) describe attitude and mood before an exam. These two words cannot replace a noun that refers to an exam event.