HSK 4 • Lesson 14我们生活在人群里
HSK 4 • 提高篇Lesson 14 / 24

我们生活在人群里

Wǒmen shēnghuó zài rénqún lǐ
We Live Among People
Pattern 1

免不了 (miǎnbuliǎo)

Indicates that something is unavoidable or bound to happen as a natural consequence. Often used as a predicate or adverbial before verb phrases.

Examples
刚到国外，免不了会想家。
Gāng dào guówài, miǎnbuliǎo huì xiǎngjiā.
When you first arrive abroad, it's inevitable that you will get homesick.
男人碰到漂亮的女人总免不了多看几眼。
Nánrén pèngdào piàoliang de nǚrén zǒng miǎnbuliǎo duō kàn jǐ yǎn.
Men can rarely help taking a few extra glances when they meet a beautiful woman.
这种事情是免不了的，大家放宽心就好。
Zhè zhǒng shìqing shì miǎnbuliǎo de, dàjiā fàngkuān xīn jiù hǎo.
This kind of thing is inevitable; everyone just need to relax and take it easy.
Pattern 2

闹 (nào)

A versatile spoken verb meaning to suffer from, give rise to, or stir up negative occurrences like disasters, illnesses, disputes, or emotional tantrums. Collocations: 闹水灾/旱灾, 闹病, 闹矛盾, 闹情绪, 闹离婚.

Examples
南方正在闹水灾，北方却在闹旱灾。
Nánfāng zhèngzài nào shuǐzāi, běifāng què zài nào hànzāi.
The south is suffering from floods, while the north is plagued by drought.
这个孩子身体底子弱，冬天老闹病。
Zhè ge háizi shēntǐ dǐzi ruò, dōngtiān lǎo nào bìng.
This child has a weak constitution and is constantly falling ill in winter.
他们俩性格不合，三天两头闹离婚呢。
Tāmen liǎ xìnggé bùhé, sān tiān liǎng tóu nào líhūn ne.
The two of them are incompatible, and they threaten to get divorced every few days.
Pattern 3

不妨 (bùfáng)

Adverb meaning 'might as well', 'there is no harm in', or 'feel free to'. Used to propose a positive, mild, constructive suggestion or encourage trying something without negative consequences.

Examples
这是个难得的机会，你不妨当面试试看。
Zhè shì ge nándé de jīhuì, nǐ bùfáng dāngmiàn shìshikàn.
This is a rare opportunity; you might as well give it a try in person.
这个难题我怎么也解决不了。——你不妨先把它放在一边，过一段时间再说。
Zhè ge nántí wǒ zěnme yě jiějué bù liǎo. —— Nǐ bùfáng xiān bǎ tā fàng zài yībiān, guò yí duàn shíjiān zàishuō.
I simply can't solve this difficult problem. — You might as well set it aside for now and revisit it later.
Pattern 4

竟然 (jìngrán)

Adverb expressing unexpectedness or surprise ('to one's astonishment', 'actually', 'unexpectedly'). Equivalent to 居然.

Examples
他才学了三个月汉语，竟然能说得这么流利！
Tā cái xué le sān ge yuè Hànyǔ, jìngrán néng shuō de zhème liúlì!
He has only studied Chinese for three months, yet to my amazement he speaks so fluently!
你竟然连他都不认识？他可是咱们学校的校长啊！
Nǐ jìngrán lián tā dōu bù rènshi? Tā kěshì zánmen xuéxiào de xiàozhǎng a!
You unexpectedly don't even recognize him? He is our school's principal!
Pattern 5

真不像话 / 像话吗 (zhēn bù xiànghuà / xiànghuà ma)

Colloquial expression used in the negative (不像话 - outrageous, improper) or rhetorical question (像话吗 - does that make any sense?). Criticizes unreasonable or inappropriate behavior.

Examples
公共场合随地乱扔垃圾，大声喧哗，真不像话！
Gōnggòng chǎnghé suídì luàn rēng lājī, dà shēng xuānhuá, zhēn bù xiànghuà!
Littering and shouting loudly in public places is truly outrageous!
大家都在排队，你凭什么加塞儿？像话吗？！
Dàjiā dōu zài páiduì, nǐ píng shénme jiāsāir? Xiànghuà ma?!
Everyone is queuing up, what gives you the right to cut in line? Does that make any sense?!
Pattern 6

惹 (rě)

Verb meaning to provoke, offend, or invite trouble (e.g. 惹他生气, 惹麻烦). Also used in set idioms meaning to attract positive or neutral reactions (惹人喜爱 - endearing; 惹人注目 - eye-catching).

Examples
他现在火气正大，你千万别去惹他。
Tā xiànzài huǒqì zhèng dà, nǐ qiānwàn bié qù rě tā.
He is in a terrible temper right now; whatever you do, don't provoke him.
那只刚出生的小猫圆头圆脑的，特别惹人喜爱。
Nà zhī gāng chūshēng de xiǎomāo yuántóu-yuánnǎo de, tèbié rě rén xǐ'ài.
That newborn kitten with its chubby round head is exceptionally endearing.