春夏秋冬

Chūn xià qiū dōng

The Four Seasons

Pattern 1

再……就……

zài... jiù...

Indicates that if a certain situation continues or repeats, a specific consequence will follow. Often used with '要是/如果...的话'.

Examples

再不下雨就受不了了。

Zài bù xiàyǔ jiù shòubuliǎo le.

If it doesn't rain soon, I won't be able to bear it any longer.

大雨再不停就要闹水灾了。

Dàyǔ zài bù tíng jiù yào nào shuǐzāi le.

If the heavy rain doesn't stop, there will be a flood.

Pattern 2

才 (强调 / 语气)

cái

Used for emphasis: '才是' stresses 'only this one is, others are not'; '才+Adj/Verb+呢' stresses an emphatic reaction (e.g. 'I definitely won't!').

Examples

学习才是学生应该做的。

Xuéxí cái shì xuésheng yīnggāi zuò de.

Studying is what a student really should be doing.

那个地方一点儿也不好玩儿，我才不去呢。

Nàge dìfang yìdiǎnr yě bù hǎowánr, wǒ cái bù qù ne.

That place isn't fun at all; there's no way I'm going!

Pattern 3

一来……，二来……

yīlái..., èrlái...

Used in compound coordinate sentences to list two or more reasons, causes, or purposes for an action.

Examples

一来那儿有不少名胜古迹，二来那儿也不太热。

Yīlái nàr yǒu bù shǎo míngshèng gǔjì, èrlái nàr yě bù tài rè.

Firstly there are many scenic spots and historical sites there, and secondly it's not too hot.

Pattern 4

不得不……

bùdébù...

An idiomatic expression meaning 'have to / be forced to'. Stronger tone than '只好'; indicates that one does something not out of free will, but compelled by circumstances.

Examples

有时一两个星期都不得不打着伞出门儿。

Yǒushí yì-liǎng ge xīngqī dōu bùdébù dǎzhe sǎn chūménr.

Sometimes for a week or two, one has no choice but to carry an umbrella when going out.

Pattern 5

至于……

zhìyú...

Preposition used at the beginning of a clause to introduce a new topic related to the previous discussion ('as for...', 'concerning...').

Examples

至于冬天和夏天，有人说在北京过好，有人说在上海过好。

Zhìyú dōngtiān hé xiàtiān, yǒurén shuō zài Běijīng guò hǎo, yǒurén shuō zài Shànghǎi guò hǎo.

As for winter and summer, some say it's better to spend them in Beijing, while others say Shanghai is better.