HSK 6 Grammar 精通语法

Literary 则 contrasts two parallel clauses ('whereas; then'): 火太猛会烧干，火太小则煮不熟。

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。

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。

A degree complement paints how far the action goes — here the pressure is so heavy one cannot breathe.

'It does not lie in A, but rather in B' — used to redirect the reader's attention from a surface-level factor to the real, deeper factor that actually matters. 例：学习的效果不在于时间的长短，而在于是否用心。

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。

States the result first, then explains the cause: 'the reason A is precious/true is that B'. Common in reflective, analytical writing. 例：这段友情之所以珍贵，是因为它经受住了时间的考验。

A formal cause-explanation structure: 之所以 marks the effect first, and 是因为 supplies the underlying cause.

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。

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。

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。

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。

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

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

'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。

Expresses 'once X happens, then Y follows' — a conditional trigger with a resulting, often serious, consequence. E.g. 一旦下定决心，就不要轻易放弃 (once you've made up your mind, don't give up easily).

'Once/as soon as A happens, B follows' — presents B as the immediate, almost automatic consequence of A. 例：一旦养成习惯，就很难改掉。

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

Adds a second, often more surprising, consequence to the first. In written style 也 may be replaced by 还 or 甚至 for a stronger climb.

An escalating pattern that builds from an already-significant point to an even more significant one, often used in concluding remarks.

'Not only A, but also B' — stacks a second, often weightier consequence on top of the first; the written cousin of 不但…而且…. 例：熬夜不仅伤身体，还影响第二天的效率。

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

'It lies not in A, but in B' — a formal way to redirect the reader from a false focus to the real one, common in argumentative essays. 例：成功不在于速度，而在于方向。

A formal pattern for correcting where the real significance of something lies, often used to conclude an essay's argument.

A formal contrastive pattern used to redirect attention from an obvious feature to the deeper, more essential one.

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

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

'Might as well; there is no harm in doing…' — a gentle suggestion that the action costs little and may help. 例：如果拿不定主意，不妨先问问专业人士。

Corrects an assumption by replacing it: 靠的不是热情,而是积累. 而是 must introduce the true statement.

'not A, but rather B' — corrects a misconception; the literary twin is 并非……而是……。中庸不是不敢走极端，而是选择克制。

Corrects an assumption by negating one option and affirming another: 'it is not A, but rather B'. Common for reframing who or what is really responsible. 例：改变现状的，不是运气，而是坚持。

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

'Rather than A, it is better to B' — weighs two options and prefers the second. 与其为年龄焦虑，不如默默深耕。

Expresses a preference between two options, meaning 'rather than X, it would be better to Y', e.g. 与其抱怨，不如行动 (Rather than complain, it's better to act).

'Rather than A, it would be better to B' — used to weigh two options and argue that the second is the wiser or more worthwhile course of action. 例：与其抱怨环境，不如努力改变自己。

Weighs two options and rejects the first: 'rather than doing A, it is better to do B'. Common in written argument when the author wants to recommend a more active alternative.

Reframes a claim instead of simply denying it: the speaker accepts that something happened but proposes a more accurate description of it.

'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。

'At the same time; meanwhile' — a formal connector that adds a second, parallel statement to the previous sentence.

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

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。

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

A compact literary frame meaning 'take A as B', used for standards, goals and principles: 以质量为标准, 以人为本.

'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。

A formal way to introduce a concrete example supporting the preceding argument, common in essays and reports.

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

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

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

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。

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

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

'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。

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。

'Only if A, then B' — states a necessary condition. The clause after 才 cannot happen unless the 只有 condition is met.

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。

'Even if A (seems minor), B still holds' — used to emphasize that even a small cause has a real, disproportionate effect. 例：哪怕只有一分钟，也值得认真对待。

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

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。

A concessive pivot: 'admittedly A, but B'. It grants the first point genuine validity before asserting that the second matters more. 例：钱固然重要，但健康更重要。

'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。

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).

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.

'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。

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.

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.

An emphatic correction: 'it is by no means A; rather, it is B'. 并 strengthens the negation, often countering what the reader might assume.

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.

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。

'is by no means..., but rather...' — a formal written pattern that rejects one description and asserts another.

'is by no means A, but rather B' — 并非 is the formal, literary version of 不是, often correcting an assumption.

A formal, emphatic correction of a wrong assumption. 并非 is stronger and more literary than 不是, and 而是 introduces the accurate statement.

An emphatic corrective pair: 'is by no means A; rather, it is B'. The literary 非 plus reinforcing 并 makes the correction feel authoritative. 例：沉默并非软弱，而是一种修养。

A formal, emphatic correction pattern common in essays: 并非 negates the assumption before 而是 supplies the real explanation.

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

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

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

'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。

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

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。

'To treat A as B' — 把 fronts the object, 当成 (also 当作) states the identity assigned to it, often a mistaken one. 例：别把客气话当成承诺。

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

'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。

'No matter / regardless of A, B holds.' 无论 is followed by a question word or paired alternatives like 好坏、多少. 例：无论好坏，都要多年以后才会显现。

Introduces a concessive clause: whatever the condition turns out to be, the outcome or lesson in the main clause still holds.

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

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.

'both... and...' — links two parallel requirements or qualities in one sentence.

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

Presents two things that hold true at once, often two opposing sides of one thing: 'both... and also...'. 例：这份工作既能锻炼能力，也能积累人脉。

'Both A and B' — coordinates two merits (or faults) of the same thing, giving the sentence a balanced, essayistic rhythm. 例：这个办法既省钱，又省时间。

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。

'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。

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

'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。

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

'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。

'Not necessarily' — a softer, more literary way to negate certainty than 不一定. 例：物质条件好了，幸福感却未必增长。

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

'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。

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

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

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。

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。

Marks a superlative in written style: of all cases, this one is the most extreme. Typically follows a topic such as 最值得警惕的、最大的遗憾.

'to be regarded as' — a formal passive structure very common in written Chinese.

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.

'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。

'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.

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。

A rhetorical question that expects the answer 'no'; the writer uses it to make an objection feel obvious rather than to ask for information.