HSK 4 • Lesson 18复习三 昨天我有个约会
HSK 4 • 提高篇Lesson 18 / 24

复习三 昨天我有个约会

Fùxí sān: Zuótiān wǒ yǒu ge yuēhuì
Review 3: Yesterday I Had a Date
Pattern 1

您能不能通融一下？ (Nín néng bù néng tōngróng yíxià?)

'通融' means to accommodate, make an exception, or bend the rules as a favor in special circumstances.

Examples
我知道宿舍有门禁，但我今晚加班刚回来，师傅您能不能通融一下让我进去？
Wǒ zhīdào sùshè yǒu ménjìn, dàn wǒ jīnwǎn jiābān gāng huílái, shīfu nín néng bù néng tōngróng yíxià ràng wǒ jìnqu?
I know the dorm has a curfew, but I just returned from working overtime; could you please make an exception and let me in?
Pattern 2

除非……，否则/才…… (Chúfēi..., fǒuzé/cái...)

Expresses an exclusive necessary condition: 'Unless A, otherwise B' (without A, B will happen) or 'Only if A will B occur'.

Examples
学生必须在规定时间内参加考试，除非生病或遇到紧急情况。
Xuéshēng bìxū zài guīdìng shíjiān nèi cānjiā kǎoshì, chúfēi shēngbìng huò yù dào jǐnjí qíngkuàng.
Students must take examinations within the scheduled time, unless they fall ill or face an emergency.
Pattern 3

一来……，二来…… (Yī lái..., èr lái...)

Used to enumerate two primary reasons, objectives, or benefits for doing something ('firstly..., secondly...').

Examples
我还早到了二十分钟，一来是表示礼貌，二来是给自己一点儿时间放松一下。
Wǒ hái zǎodào le èrshí fēnzhōng, yī lái shì biǎoshì lǐmào, èr lái shì gěi zìjǐ yìdiǎnr shíjiān fàngsōng yíxià.
I arrived twenty minutes early—firstly out of courtesy, and secondly to give myself some time to unwind.
Pattern 4

明明……，怎么（会）……？ (Míngmíng..., zěnme (huì)...?)

'明明' emphasizes an indisputable fact, followed by a rhetorical question expressing perplexity or disbelief at a contradictory outcome.

Examples
我出门时明明把钱包放在上衣口袋里了，可是怎么就不见了呢？
Wǒ chūmén shí míngmíng bǎ qiánbāo fàng zài shàngyī kǒudai lǐ le, kěshì zěnme jiù bú jiàn le ne?
I clearly remember putting my wallet in my jacket pocket before leaving, so how on earth did it vanish?
Pattern 5

弄得…… (Nòng de...)

Used to denote an accidental action or mishap resulting in an awkward, embarrassing, or messy predicament.

Examples
我站起来和她握手时，不小心碰倒了一把椅子，弄得我很尴尬。
Wǒ zhàn qǐlái hé tā wòshǒu shí, bù xiǎoxīn pèngdǎo le yì bǎ yǐzi, nòng de wǒ hěn gāngà.
When I stood up to shake her hand, I accidentally knocked over a chair, putting me in an immensely awkward spot.
Pattern 6

……临走时，竟/竟然…… (...lín zǒu shí, jìng/jìngrán...)

'临...' indicates the moment right before departure/conclusion; '竟/竟然' highlights an unexpected surprise defying all assumptions.

Examples
我想这第一次约会可算砸了，没想到她临走时竟给了我她的电话号码。
Wǒ xiǎng zhè dì-yī cì yuēhuì kě suàn zá le, méi xiǎngdào tā lín zǒu shí jìng gěi le wǒ tā de diànhuà hàomǎ.
I thought this first date was a total disaster, yet to my astonishment, right as she was leaving she actually gave me her number.