HSK 6 Grammar Reference

Why Bother / Why Must

hébì

何必 (hébì) is a rhetorical question meaning "why bother?" or "why must you?" It implies the action is unnecessary or not worth the trouble. More literary than 干吗 (gànmá). Often used to give advice or persuade someone not to do something.

As Expected / Sure Enough

guǒrán

果然 (guǒrán) means "as expected" or "sure enough." It confirms that a prediction, suspicion, or expectation turned out to be correct. It carries a tone of vindication or confirmation. Contrast with 居然 (jūrán, "unexpectedly").

Rather / Somewhat (Excessive)

wèimiǎn

未免 (wèimiǎn) means "rather" or "somewhat" — it politely suggests that something is excessive or inappropriate. It's a diplomatic way to criticize or express mild disagreement. Literally means "hasn't avoided being..."

Spare No Effort / At All Costs

bùxī

不惜 (bùxī) literally means "not sparing" — it expresses willingness to pay any price or make any sacrifice to achieve a goal. Shows extreme determination. The thing after 不惜 is what the person is willing to sacrifice.

Hard To Avoid / Inevitable

nánmiǎn

难免 (nánmiǎn) means "hard to avoid" or "bound to happen." It acknowledges that something negative is understandable or expected given the circumstances. Similar to 不免 but slightly stronger — 难免 implies the outcome is almost impossible to prevent. ### Difference from 不免: * **不免:** naturally/inevitably (softer, more empathetic) * **难免:** hard to avoid / bound to (stronger, more factual)

Might as Well / There is No Harm In

bùfáng

不妨 (bùfáng) literally means "no harm." As an adverb, it is used to gently suggest or encourage someone to try doing something, implying that there are no negative consequences to attempting it. It translates well to "might as well" or "there is no harm in trying." ### Usage Notes: * It is a very polite and soft way to give advice or make a suggestion. * It is often used with 试 (try) or 看 (see) at the end of the verb phrase (e.g., 不妨试试 - might as well try it).

Unexpectedly / To One's Surprise

búliào

不料 is a written/literary connector that introduces an outcome the speaker did not anticipate — usually contrasting against the prior clause. It carries a stronger sense of narrative reversal than 没想到. Common in essays, novels, news reports.

Let Alone / Much Less

hékuàng

何况 (hékuàng) means "let alone" or "much less / much more so." If even the easier case A is true, then the harder case B is obviously also true. It's used in a fortiori arguments — reasoning from the lesser to the greater (or vice versa).

To the Point / So Much That

yǐzhìyú

以至于 (yǐzhìyú) means "to the point that" or "so much so that." It introduces an extreme or unexpected consequence of the preceding situation, often negative. It emphasizes that things went further than expected.

No Matter How / Regardless

rènpíng

任凭 (rènpíng) is a literary way to say "no matter how" or "regardless of," emphasizing that the result doesn't change despite any effort. More formal than 无论. It can also mean "to let / to allow" freely.

Admittedly / It Is True That...But

gùrán...dàn

固然...但 (gùrán...dàn) means "admittedly...but" or "it is true that...however." It concedes a point while pivoting to a more important counterargument. More refined and balanced than 虽然...但是. ### Nuance vs 虽然...但是: * **虽然:** simply contrasts two facts * **固然:** acknowledges the first point has merit before countering it

Even...Let Alone (Stronger)

shàngqiě...hékuàng

尚且...何况 (shàngqiě...hékuàng) is a literary intensification of 何况. It means "even A still/already [does X], let alone B." The 尚且 makes the first clause more emphatic — if even A (the easier/stronger case) struggles, then B (the harder/weaker case) obviously will too.

In Case / What If

wànyī

万一 (wànyī) literally means "one in ten thousand" — it introduces an unlikely but possible scenario, meaning "in case" or "what if." It expresses worry about a low-probability event and often prompts precautionary action.

To Such an Extent That

yǐzhì / yǐzhìyú

以至于 (yǐzhìyú) or 以至 (yǐzhì) connects a cause and an extreme result. It shows that a situation progressed or escalated to such a high degree that it resulted in a specific, often surprisingly extreme, outcome. It translates to "so much so that" or "to the extent that." ### Usage Notes: * It often connects two clauses. The first clause describes the situation, and the clause starting with 以至于 describes the resulting extreme consequence. * It is mostly used in formal or written Chinese.

Even If... Still

nǎpà...yě

哪怕 (nǎpà) is an extreme hypothetical concession. It means "even if" or "no matter how." It introduces a worst-case scenario or extreme condition, and is followed by 也 (yě) or 还 (hái) in the second clause to show that the result or determination will NOT change despite that extreme condition. ### Usage Notes: * It is similar to 即使...也 (jíshǐ...yě) but often carries a stronger, more emotional, or more colloquial tone of determination.

As For / When It Comes To

zhìyú

至于 is a topic-shifting conjunction used to introduce a new but related topic for separate treatment. Distinctly literary — appears in essays, news reporting, and formal speech. Marks a deliberate move from one discussion to another, often to qualify or set aside.

Any / All / Without Exception

fánshì…dōu…

凡是 introduces a category and asserts that EVERY member of that category satisfies the predicate — universal quantification. The result clause typically contains 都, 一律, or 必须. More categorical than 所有的 — 凡是 emphasises "without exception".

In View Of / Considering

jiànyú

鉴于 is a highly formal connector used in legal, governmental, business, and academic writing to introduce a recognised condition that motivates a decision or action. Roughly "given that…" or "in light of…". Inappropriate in casual conversation — sounds bureaucratic.

By Means Of / On The Strength Of

píngjiè

凭借 introduces the resource, skill, or quality that enabled an achievement. Distinctly formal — appears in essays, biographies, and speeches praising someone's effort. The colloquial equivalent is 靠 (kào). 凭借 carries an admiring, often laudatory tone.

Wouldn't That Be / Isn't That

qǐbúshì

岂不是 (qǐbúshì) is a literary rhetorical question meaning "wouldn't that be...?" or "isn't that...?" It points out an obvious (usually absurd or undesirable) conclusion. 岂 is a classical Chinese rhetorical marker never used alone in modern speech.

To Be Eager To / To Wish Anxiously

bābude

巴不得 (bābude) expresses a very strong, anxious, or urgent desire for something to happen. It translates to "to be eager to," "to itch to," or "would like nothing better than." It is much stronger and more emotional than 想要 (xiǎng yào) or 希望 (xīwàng). ### Usage Notes: * It is highly colloquial and expressive. * It implies that the fulfillment of the wish is out of the speaker's direct control, or that the speaker has been waiting a long time. * It is often followed by a short, punchy phrase (e.g., 马上离开 - leave immediately).