Upper-Intermediate Chinese
HSK 4 (HSK 3.0): even if, no matter what, since and otherwise, surprise and strong feelings, formal written Chinese, debate, trends and statistics, everyday 成语, and topics from family, health and the environment to work, money, research, cities, the arts, history and nature -- the 1,000-word HSK 4 list.
0 of 555 required lessons completed · 26 units
- speakingI can say what holds even if, no matter what, since, once or in case something happens -- and warn what happens otherwise or unless.
- interactionI can talk about the seasons and wild weather, and handle flight delays, bookings and guided tours.
- writingI can admit a point and still argue against it, and correct a claim with "not this, but that".
- writingI can explain causes, purposes and results, in everyday and formal style.
- interactionI can talk about dating, weddings and bringing up children, and about treatment and check-ups at the hospital.
- interactionI can show surprise, doubt, impatience, relief and polite regret, and say how likely I think something is.
- speakingI can describe someone's character and talk about strong feelings: excitement, calm, annoyance and missing someone.
- readingI can follow notices, news and essays that use formal written words, including texts about government and the law.
- interactionI can take part in a debate: give my point of view with an example, say where the key point lies and argue the opposite.
- readingI can understand and describe trends and statistics: percentages, fractions, and gradual or steady change.
- speakingI can understand and use common four-character idioms, and talk about how I learn a language.
- interactionI can discuss the environment, life online and Chinese festivals and customs.
- interactionI can deal with housework and home repairs, cooking and eating out, and shopping, deals and complaints.
- interactionI can apply for a job, talk about projects and contracts, and discuss pay, investments and budgets.
- speakingI can talk about university life and research, and compare cities and how people get around them.
- speakingI can talk about films, stories and the arts, sport and hobbies, and fashion and how people look.
- speakingI can talk about history, nature and wildlife, and about my dreams, challenges and plans for the future.
Upper-Intermediate Chinese short stories · graded reading practice with audio and English
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Even If: 即使…也
即使 + a supposed condition, 也 + a result that holds anyway -- and 哪怕, its stronger spoken twin.
Pattern Practice: Even If
即使/哪怕 + a supposed condition, subject + 也 + a result that holds anyway -- with weather, money, time and effort.
Drill: Even If: 即使…也
Say what will happen 'even if' with 即使…也 (and its twins 哪怕 and written 即便), from single gaps to full sentences with 把 and 已经.
Spaced review
Back again, just as you might be forgetting: Goals, Perseverance, Seizing chances, Success and congratulations and more.
No Matter What: 不管/无论…都
不管 + every possibility (a question word, A-not-A or 还是), 都 + a result that never changes -- and 无论, the formal twin.
Contrast: 不管 or 即使?
One supposed condition takes 即使; every possibility -- a question word, A-not-A or 还是 -- takes 不管 or 无论.
Drill: No Matter What: 不管/无论…都
Say that a result never changes with 不管/无论 + a question word, an A-not-A or 还是, and 都, from single gaps to full sentences.
Even If It Means…: 哪怕…也
Use 哪怕…也 to say you'll do something even in the most extreme case, ask for 'even just a little' with 哪怕…也好, and choose between 哪怕, 即使 and 不管.
Circuit: 即使, 哪怕 or 不管?
Choose the right concessive for each situation, one supposition or every possibility, neutral or determined, then produce them yourself.
Drill: Even If It Means…: 哪怕…也
Show determination with 哪怕…也, settle for 'even just a little' with 哪怕…也好, and pick 哪怕, 即使 or 不管 without hesitating.
However Hard: 再…也
Say 'however busy, however expensive' with 再 + adjective + 也, use 再怎么 + verb + 也 for 'however hard you try', and keep it apart from 越…越 and 即使…也.
Pattern Practice: 再…也
Build 'however …' sentences from prompts: 再 + adjective + 也, a noun + 再 + adjective, and 再怎么 + verb + 也, from short to long.
Drill: However Hard: 再…也
Say 'however busy, however hard I try' with 再 + adjective + 也 and 再怎么 + verb + 也, and keep them apart from 越…越.
The Four Seasons: 季节, 春季, 寒冷
Talk about the seasons and the climate: 季节, the written season words 春季 / 夏季 / 秋季 / 冬季 next to everyday 春天, the formal 寒冷, 格外 + adjective for 'unusually', and the solar terms (节气) that still shape Chinese life.
Drill: The Four Seasons: 季节, 春季, 寒冷
Talk about seasons and climate in the right register: 春天 in conversation, 春季 on notices, 雨季, 旺季 and 淡季, 寒冷, 格外 and the solar terms.
Thunder and Lightning: 打雷, 闪电, 一阵
Describe storms and sudden changes: a burst of rain or wind with 一阵, 打雷 and 闪电, rain that suddenly starts with 下起雨来, and cold snaps with 降温 and 降到.
Reading: Typhoon Warning
Read a city weather warning for an approaching typhoon, the kind posted by every Chinese weather bureau, and answer detail questions on times, temperatures and what to do.
Drill: Thunder and Lightning: 打雷, 闪电, 一阵
Describe storms and cold snaps fluently: 一阵 vs 一场, 打雷 and 闪电, 下起雨来 and 刮起风来, 降了 + amount and 降到 + level.
Soaked: 湿透, 晒, 潮湿
Say you're soaked through with the result complement 透, talk about sun (晒太阳, 晒黑, 晒衣服), damp (潮湿, 潮), darkness and shadows (暗, 黑暗, 影子), and ice (冰, 结冰).
Drill: Soaked: 湿透, 晒, 潮湿
Talk about getting soaked, sun, damp, dimness, shadows and ice: 湿透, 晒太阳 / 晒黑, 潮, 暗, 影子, 结冰 and 加冰.
Unit 1 review
A quiz, listening and speaking on 即使…也…, 不管/无论…都…, 哪怕…也, 再 + adjective + 也 and more.
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