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HSK 6 · Fluent

HSK 6 Grammar 精通语法

69 patterns, each with the reading it came from.
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A……，B 则……

Formal 则 marks a contrast between two subjects: 'A does X, while B does Y'. 例：有的孩子马上吃了糖，有的则熬过了等待。

南方多雨，北方则干燥。— The south gets plenty of rain, while the north is dry.
Seen in 延迟满足中庸之道

Literary 者

Classical 者 turns a verb or phrase into 'one who…', common in proverbs and formal writing. 例：知足者富 = 知足的人富有。

仁者爱人。— The benevolent one loves others.
Seen in 知足常乐

…之所以…，除了…之外，更在于…

A layered explanation pattern: states a result, dismisses an obvious cause as merely partial ('besides... '), then points to the deeper reason ('lies even more in...'). 例：这部作品之所以成功，除了制作精良之外，更在于它触动了观众的共鸣。

这类小说之所以能吸引外国读者，除了情节紧凑之外，更在于它提供了一套完全陌生的世界观。 — What draws foreign readers is not just the compact plots, but even more the entirely unfamiliar worldview it offers.
Seen in 网络文学出海

…从来不只是…，而是…

Rejects a narrow, single-cause explanation in favor of a broader one: 'has never been merely A, but rather B'. Common in essays making a deeper, reflective point. 例：真正的成功从来不只是运气，而是长期积累的结果。

决定人类能否延续下去的，从来不只是技术本身，而是我们运用技术的智慧。 — What determines whether humanity can carry on has never been technology itself alone, but the wisdom with which we wield it.
Seen in 人类的未来

…而…，却…

Sets up a contrast between two clauses ('whereas... yet...'), often pairing a formal register with an unexpected turn. 例：白天他沉默寡言，而深夜，却常常提笔写信。

正史记录的往往是帝王将相的功过，而普通人的日常生活常常被一笔带过。 — Official history tends to record the achievements and faults of emperors and ministers, while ordinary people's daily lives are often mentioned only in passing.
Seen in 历史的温度

…，以 + verb

In formal writing, 以 before a verb means 'in order to; so as to', linking an action to its purpose. 例：公司降低价格，以吸引更多顾客。

盟军想给轰炸机加装装甲，以减少损失。 — The Allies wanted to add armor to their bombers in order to reduce losses.
Seen in 幸存者偏差

…，即…

In formal writing, 即 means 'that is; namely', introducing a definition or restatement of the term just mentioned, much like 'i.e.' in English.

心理学家把答案归结为“内驱力”，即发自内心、无须外部奖励的动机。 — Psychologists boil the answer down to "intrinsic drive," that is, motivation that comes from within and needs no external reward.
Seen in 内驱力

一旦……便……

'once... then...' — a formal conditional often signaling serious or irreversible consequences.

数据一旦泄露便覆水难收。
Seen in 科技伦理

一旦……，便/就……

'Once/the moment A happens, then B' — 便 is the literary equivalent of 就. 一旦回报来得太慢，我们便半途而废。

一旦下定决心，便不要轻易放弃。— Once you have made up your mind, do not give up lightly.
Seen in 愚公移山与现代人

一旦…，意味着… — 'once X happens, it means Y'

A formal conditional pattern: 一旦 introduces a hypothetical trigger, and the clause that follows spells out its significant consequence.

这个结果一旦成立，意味着人类在该地区的活动历史，需要被重新书写。 — If this result holds up, it would mean that the history of human activity in the region needs to be rewritten.
Seen in 考古新发现

不在……,而在……

'lies not in..., but in...' — rejects a false cause and points to the true one.

问题不在工具,而在使用工具的人。
Seen in 科技伦理

不在于…，而在于… — 'does not lie in A, but in B'

Rejects one explanation in favor of another, both introduced by 在于 ('lies in'): 'it doesn't lie in A, but in B'. Common for making a distinction between surface and essence. 例：成功的关键不在于起点，而在于坚持。

两者的根本区别不在于失败的次数多寡，而在于是否建立起系统的复盘机制。 — The fundamental difference between the two lies not in how many times one fails, but in whether one has built a systematic habit of review.
Seen in 数字货币基因编辑之争仪式感的意义《三体》现象 +1

不失为…… — may still be counted as

A concessive judgment: the thing is not perfect, yet it still qualifies as something worthwhile. Almost always followed by 一 + measure word + noun.

在没有更好办法的情况下，这不失为一个折中的选择。 — With no better option available, this may still count as a reasonable compromise.
Seen in 博物馆热

不妨

'might as well; there is no harm in' — politely suggests trying something. 不妨学学那位老人。

你不妨换个角度想想。— You might as well look at it from another angle.
Seen in 塞翁失马新解

不妨 + verb

A soft, polite suggestion meaning 'might as well; there is no harm in doing something'. Common in essays when inviting the reader to try an idea.

不妨问问自己：生活中有哪些事，值得你刻意慢下来？ — It is worth asking yourself: what in your life deserves to be deliberately slowed down?
Seen in 道法自然快与慢的辩证

不能因为…就… — 'one must not, just because of X, hastily do Y'

A cautionary pattern warning against jumping to conclusions based on insufficient or single-source evidence.

不能因为一次测年就急于下定论。 — One dating result alone should not lead to a hasty conclusion.
Seen in 考古新发现

与其说……，不如说…… — rather than saying A, say B

'It is not so much A as B' — weighs two descriptions and declares the second more accurate. A staple of essay-style reflection. 例：与其说是运气，不如说是坚持。

与其说我们在学习一门外语，不如说我们在学习另一种打量世界的目光。 — Learning a foreign language is not so much acquiring words as acquiring another way of looking at the world.
Seen in 科幻的黄金时代语言与思维

之所以……，在于/是因为…… — the reason why … is that

Puts the result first and the cause second, giving the explanation extra weight; typical of analytical and argumentative writing.

他之所以坚持下来，是因为看到了别人看不到的意义。 — The reason he kept going is that he saw a meaning others could not see.
Seen in 气候变化与责任

也不是没有…（双重否定）

A double negative that concedes a point mildly: 'it is not that there is no…', i.e. there is some. Softer and more balanced than a flat affirmative. 例：这个计划也不是没有风险，只是风险可以控制。

怀疑者的担忧也不是没有道理。 — The skeptics' worries are not without foundation either.
Seen in 太空探索值得吗

令人 + verb/adj

'makes one (feel)...' — a written pattern forming expressions like 令人振奋 (inspiring) and 令人担忧 (worrying).

前景令人振奋。
Seen in 科技伦理

以……的面目出现

'to appear in the guise of…' — literary 以 here means '用/带着'. 真正的丰盛，往往以极简的面目出现。

机会常常以困难的面目出现。— Opportunity often shows up wearing the face of difficulty.
Seen in 大道至简

使 + sb + verb

'to cause/make somebody do something' — a formal causative common in written argumentation.

使人们不知不觉陷入“信息茧房”。
Seen in 媒介素养

依我看

'in my view' — introduces the writer's own opinion, often before a counter-argument.

依我看,这种说法未免言过其实。
Seen in 全球化的退潮

倘若……，…… — supposing that; if

A formal written equivalent of 如果, used to introduce a hypothetical the author is about to reject or warn against.

倘若没有及时提醒，后果不堪设想。 — Had no timely warning been given, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Seen in 气候变化与责任

值得注意的是，…

A formal opener meaning 'it's worth noting that...', used to introduce a nuance or complication after making a point. 例：值得注意的是，压力并非总是坏事。

值得注意的是，适度的怀旧并非坏事：研究显示，它能增强归属感，缓解孤独情绪。 — Notably, moderate nostalgia is not actually a bad thing: research shows it can strengthen belonging and relieve loneliness.
Seen in 怀旧为何流行

值得警惕的是… — 'what deserves caution is...'

A formal essay opener used to flag a caveat or risk the reader should not overlook, often before criticizing a common misconception.

值得警惕的是，媒体常常把量子计算描绘成“无所不能”的黑科技。 — What deserves caution is that the media often portrays quantum computing as an 'omnipotent' high technology.
Seen in 量子计算浅谈

关键不在于…，而在于… — 'the key lies not in A, but in B'

Used to redirect the reader's attention from a superficial factor to the real determining one.

国潮能否走远，关键不在于图案是否传统，而在于设计本身能不能经得起审美的考验。 — Whether Guochao can last depends not on whether the pattern is traditional, but on whether the design itself can stand up to aesthetic scrutiny.
Seen in 国潮兴起

反之

'Conversely; on the other hand' — a formal connector that introduces the opposite case of what was just said. 例：每天读书使人进步；反之，每天熬夜刷手机透支健康。

多运动有益健康；反之，久坐不动则伤害身体。— Exercise benefits health; conversely, sitting still all day harms the body.
Seen in 习惯的复利

反观……

Literary 'turning to look at… (by contrast)' — introduces a contrasting subject right after an example. 反观我们的生活，却在不断做加法。

他天天锻炼；反观我，连楼都懒得下。— He works out every day; I, by contrast, can't even be bothered to go downstairs.
Seen in 大道至简

可见…

A formal connector meaning 'it is evident that...' or 'this shows that...', used to draw a conclusion from preceding evidence. 例：她连续三次拒绝邀请，可见她并不感兴趣。

可见，类型文学的跨文化接受，靠的往往不是官方推广，而是读者之间最朴素的口耳相传。 — It is evident that the cross-cultural reception of genre literature usually depends on plain word of mouth rather than official promotion.
Seen in 网络文学出海

唯有……才……

'only by... can...' — a formal conditional stating the sole path to a result.

唯有促进区域协调发展,人们才能真正拥有选择的自由。
Seen in 大城市病

固然…，但(也)…

A formal concessive pattern: 'admittedly / it is true that A, but B'. It concedes a point before pivoting to the speaker's real emphasis. 例：这个办法固然省钱，但风险不小。

快固然带来了效率，但也让许多人失去了从容思考的空间。 — Speed has admittedly brought efficiency, but it has also cost many people the room to think calmly.
Seen in 委婉语快与慢的辩证碎片化阅读之弊

固然…，却/但…

'Admittedly A, but B' — 固然 concedes a point that is true before the writer pivots to the more important qualification. Common in argumentative writing. 例：这个办法固然省钱，却太费时间。

这种做法固然有利于维持表面的和谐，却可能让真正的问题被一再拖延。 — Admittedly this practice helps maintain surface harmony, but it may leave the real problems postponed again and again.
Seen in 儒家与现代职场

在……的同时

Indicates that two actions or states occur simultaneously, often to set up a contrast between them, e.g. 他在学习的同时也在打工 (While studying, he also works part-time).

然而，算法在迎合既有偏好的同时，也悄然压缩了偶然存在的空间，使人与陌生领域擦肩而过的机会越来越少。
Seen in 算法与偶然性

姑且不论…… — leaving aside the question of…

A formal way to set one issue aside so the argument can move on, while hinting that the issue is debatable. Usually followed by a clause introduced by 总/也/仍.

姑且不论成本，这个方案在时间上也来不及。 — Leaving cost aside, this plan is also impossible in terms of time.
Seen in 博物馆热

宁可…，也不…

'Would rather A than B' — 宁可 marks the option the speaker accepts (often an unpleasant one), and 也不 marks the option rejected even more strongly. 例：他宁可自己吃亏，也不愿意跟人争。

不少员工在会议上宁可保持沉默，也不愿当众反驳领导。 — Plenty of employees would rather keep silent in a meeting than contradict the boss in public.
Seen in 儒家与现代职场

对…而言

A formal equivalent of 对…来说: 'as far as X is concerned; for X'. It frames the following judgment from a particular person's perspective.

这件事对你而言，究竟为什么值得做？ — Why, for you, is this thing actually worth doing?
Seen in 内驱力

并不在于…，而在于…

A formal way to correct an assumption about where the essence of something lies: 'lies not in A, but in B'. 并不 makes the denial emphatic.

这场运动的意义并不在于反对速度本身，而在于提醒我们：生活的质量不能完全由速度来衡量。 — The point of the movement was not to oppose speed itself, but to remind us that the quality of life cannot be measured by speed alone.
Seen in 快与慢的辩证

并不是…，而是…

'It is by no means A, but rather B' — 并 before 不是 strengthens the denial, correcting an assumption the reader may hold; 而是 supplies the accurate version. 例：他并不是不想去，而是没有时间。

老子所说的“自然”，并不是山川草木，而是事物“本来如此”的那种状态。 — The "nature" Laozi speaks of is by no means mountains and rivers, but the state of things being just as they originally are.
Seen in 认知偏差道法自然

并未…… — has not at all

The literary counterpart of 没有, used to reject an assumption emphatically; 并 adds the force of 'contrary to what you may think'. Often paired with 只是 to state what did happen.

问题并未解决，只是暂时被掩盖了。 — The problem has not been solved; it has merely been covered up for now.
Seen in 科幻的黄金时代

并非

Formal, emphatic negation: 'by no means is / is not at all', typically correcting a likely misreading; 并 reinforces 非 (the literary 不是). 例：成功并非偶然。

这并非意味着语言是一座监狱。 — This by no means implies that language is a prison.
Seen in 语言与思维

并非…，而是… — 'it is by no means A; rather, it is B'

A formal way to negate a common assumption before offering the real explanation: 'is not really A, but rather B'. Stronger and more literary than 不是…而是…. 例：他的沉默并非冷漠，而是深思。

量子计算并非要取代传统电脑，而是为特定领域提供一种全新的计算思路。 — Quantum computing is not meant to replace traditional computers, but rather to offer a brand-new computational approach for specific fields.
Seen in 汉语的模糊之美集体与个人匠人精神大器晚成 +3

应当是…，而不是… — 'it should be A, rather than B'

A formal prescriptive pattern often used at the end of an essay to state what the ideal form of something ought to be.

真正的国潮，应当是传统美学与当代生活方式的自然融合，而不是一场短暂的营销秀。 — True Guochao should be a natural fusion of traditional aesthetics and contemporary lifestyle, not a short-lived marketing show.
Seen in 国潮兴起

建立在…之上 — 'to be built upon...'

A formal pattern describing the foundation something rests on, often used for abstract things like trust, systems, or theories.

传统货币的信任建立在国家信用之上。 — Trust in traditional currency is built on national credit.
Seen in 数字货币

归根结底……

'in the final analysis; at bottom' — introduces the essential underlying point after weighing complicating factors, often used to deliver a concluding judgment.

归根结底，独处与孤独之别，不在形式而在心境。
Seen in 孤独与独处之辨

恰恰在于

'lies precisely in' — pinpoints the essence of something, often after words like 可贵、问题、区别. 愚公的可贵，恰恰在于他不问结果。

两者的区别恰恰在于态度。— The difference between the two lies precisely in attitude.
Seen in 愚公移山与现代人

愈发

'increasingly; all the more' — a written synonym of 越来越.

社会共识愈发难以形成。
Seen in 媒介素养

所谓…，是指…

A formal defining pattern: 'what is called A refers to B'. Essays use it to introduce and then define a technical term. 例：所谓内卷，是指无意义的过度竞争。

所谓认知偏差，是指思维在处理信息时出现的系统性偏离。 — A cognitive bias is a systematic deviation that occurs when the mind processes information.
Seen in 认知偏差

换言之 — 'in other words'

A formal connective used to restate the previous point more plainly or from a different angle; more literary than 也就是说.

换言之，信任的对象从“某个权威机构”变成了“一套公开透明、人人可查的算法规则”。 — In other words, the object of trust shifts from 'some authoritative institution' to 'a set of open, transparent algorithmic rules.'
Seen in 数字货币

无异于

'To be no different from; tantamount to' — a formal comparison used to condemn or dramatize: doing A is effectively doing B. 例：以碎片化阅读取代读书，无异于用零食代替正餐。

明知有错却不改，无异于自欺欺人。— Knowing you are wrong yet refusing to change is tantamount to deceiving yourself.
Seen in 碎片化阅读之弊

无论是…，还是…

'No matter whether it is A or B' — lists alternative cases and asserts that the statement that follows holds for all of them.

无论是学习一门语言，还是坚持一项运动，凡由兴趣驱动的，反而细水长流。 — Whether it is learning a language or keeping up a sport, whatever is driven by interest tends to flow on steadily.
Seen in 内驱力

无非是…… — nothing more than

Downplays something as being merely one simple thing; often used to set up a rebuttal, as when the text says people assume guarding is 无非是 locking things away.

他们争论的无非是先后顺序。 — What they are arguing about is nothing more than the order of things.
Seen in 敦煌的守护者

既……，也…… — both … and

Joins two qualities or requirements that hold at the same time. Unlike 又……又……, it is more formal and often summarizes an argument.

核能既能点亮万家灯火，也曾带来毁灭性的灾难。 — Nuclear energy can both light up the homes of ten thousand families and has once brought devastating disaster.
Seen in 气候变化与责任集体与个人人类的未来

既可以…，也可以…

Presents two equally valid options: 'you can either A or B'. 既…也… coordinates the alternatives without ranking them. 例：周末既可以在家休息，也可以出去走走。

你既可以谦虚地回答“还差得远呢”，也可以微笑着说声“谢谢”。 — You can either reply modestly, "I still have a long way to go," or smile and say "thank you."
Seen in 谦虚的文化根源

既没有…，也没有…

'Neither A nor B' — the negative use of the 既…也… pair, listing two things that equally failed to happen. 例：那次会议既没有解决问题，也没有安排下一步。

他们既没有真正吃饭，也没有真正睡觉。 — They neither truly ate nor truly slept.
Seen in 禅与生活

是……,还是……?

'is it A, or is it B?' — an alternative question, here used rhetorically to close the essay.

是我们在使用媒介,还是媒介在塑造我们?
Seen in 媒介素养

更何况

'What is more; let alone' — adds a further, stronger reason after an argument has already been made, pushing the conclusion harder. 例：他连简单的句子都听不懂，更何况这样的长篇报告。

更何况，许多今天离不开的东西，都来自航天技术的意外收获。 — What is more, many things we cannot do without today came from the unexpected spin-offs of aerospace technology.
Seen in 太空探索值得吗

未免

'rather; a bit too' — politely signals that a statement or judgment goes too far.

这种说法未免言过其实。
Seen in 全球化的退潮

未免 + 太/过于 + adj.

'That is rather too…' — 未免 softens a criticism, marking a judgment as somewhat excessive. It comments on a situation, never on a request. 例：这样批评一个孩子，未免太严厉了。

把“道法自然”理解成什么都不做，未免过于消极。 — Reading 道法自然 as doing nothing at all is rather too passive.
Seen in 道法自然

殊不知

A literary connector meaning 'little do they know; what they fail to realize is'. It introduces a truth that contradicts the belief just stated.

有人得出“读书无用”的结论，殊不知这恰恰是被幸存者蒙蔽了双眼。 — Some conclude that education is useless, little knowing that this is precisely a case of being blinded by the survivors.
Seen in 幸存者偏差

每当…，总…

'Whenever A, B always happens' — 每当 marks a recurring occasion (more formal than 每次), and 总(会/是) states the regular outcome. 例：每当想起那段日子，他总是笑着摇头。

每当有火箭升空，社交媒体上总会出现同一个质疑。 — Whenever a rocket lifts off, the same challenge always appears on social media.
Seen in 太空探索值得吗

用……来 + verb

'to (verb) by means of...' — names the standard or tool used for an action.

城市的价值,究竟应该用高度来衡量,还是用居民的幸福感来衡量?
Seen in 大城市病

稍有…，就… — 'the slightest X will immediately Y'

Conveys extreme sensitivity or fragility: even a minimal trigger (稍有) is enough to bring about the consequence (就).

量子比特极易受到外界干扰，稍有风吹草动就会发生“退相干”。 — Qubits are extremely susceptible to outside interference; the slightest disturbance can cause 'decoherence.'
Seen in 量子计算浅谈

若…，难免…

A formal conditional with an unavoidable outcome: 'if A, then B can hardly be avoided'. 若 is the written equivalent of 如果; 难免 marks the result as natural and predictable. 例：若准备不足，难免出错。

初学者若把这些话全都当真，难免闹出误会。 — If beginners take all these phrases at face value, misunderstandings are inevitable.
Seen in 汉语的模糊之美

莫过于…… — nothing is more … than

A formal superlative: 'nothing surpasses…; the greatest/most typical is none other than…'. Often follows 最…的 to crown one example above all others. 例：人生最大的幸福莫过于家人平安。

人生最大的遗憾，莫过于明知该做却迟迟不做。 — Life's greatest regret is nothing other than knowing what you ought to do and endlessly putting it off.
Seen in 委婉语博物馆热

被视为…… — to be regarded as

A written-style passive used for judgments and reputations; 视为 is more formal than 看作 and is common in commentary and academic prose.

他一直被视为这个领域最有希望的年轻人。 — He has long been regarded as the most promising young person in the field.
Seen in 科幻的黄金时代全球化的退潮

越 A，就越 B

'The more A, the more B' — links two variables that rise together. Each 越 attaches directly to a verb or adjective. 例：他越解释，大家就越糊涂。

技术跑得越快，社会就越需要停下来。 — The faster technology runs, the more society needs to stop.
Seen in 基因编辑之争

越是…，(反而)越…

'The more A, the more B' — 越是 fronts the condition for emphasis, and 反而 adds a note of paradox when the result is the opposite of what one would expect.

越是无知的人，反而越自信。 — Paradoxically, the more ignorant a person is, the more confident they tend to be.
Seen in 认知偏差

越是…，越是…

An emphatic version of 越…越… : 'the more (it is) A, the more (it is) B', often used for general truths. 例：越是容易得到的快乐，越是转瞬即逝。

越是紧张，越是容易出错。— The more nervous you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes.
Seen in 延迟满足

How to use this page

Every pattern below was pulled out of an HSK 6 reading on this site. The example is the actual sentence it appeared in, and the links under it go to the readings where you can see it in context.

Grammar sticks through reading, not through lists. Skim this page to see what C2-level Chinese asks of you, then go read the HSK 6 texts and come back when a sentence confuses you.