永远的家

Yǒngyuǎn de jiā

Forever Home

Pattern 1

反而…… (Fǎn'ér...)

Indicates that instead of following normal logic or expectations, a completely contrary or unexpected outcome occurred ('on the contrary', 'instead').

Examples

可是一旦你的妻子发现你是在撒谎，不是反而更伤害她吗？

Kěshì yídàn nǐ de qīzi fāxiàn nǐ shì zài sāhuǎng, bú shì fǎn'ér gèng shānghài tā ma?

Yet once your wife discovers that you lied to her, wouldn't that hurt her even more instead?

Pattern 2

想开点儿 / 想得开 / 想不开 (Xiǎngkāi diǎnr / Xiǎng de kāi / Xiǎng bù kāi)

'想开' means adopting an open-minded, optimistic mindset and moving past grievances; conversely, '想不开' means brooding obsessively and being unable to let go.

Examples

但是我劝人们想开一点儿，生活中有许多事情不必斤斤计较。

Dànshì wǒ quàn rénmen xiǎngkāi yìdiǎnr, shēnghuó zhōng yǒu xǔduō shìqing búbì jīnjīn-jìjiào.

However, I advise people to take things in stride; there are so many trifles in life that simply aren't worth squabbling over.

Pattern 3

连……也懒得…… (Lián... yě lǎnde...)

'懒得' signifies lack of interest or total apathy toward doing something. '连...也懒得...' emphasizes reaching the apex of indifference, where one doesn't even bother to take minimal action.

Examples

如果他连谎也懒得撒了，说明他就真的不爱你了。这不是更可怕吗？

Rúguǒ tā lián huǎng yě lǎnde sā le, shuōmíng tā jiù zhēnde bú ài nǐ le. Zhè bú shì gèng kěpà ma?

If he can't even be bothered to lie to you anymore, it proves that he truly no longer loves you. Isn't that infinitely more terrifying?

Pattern 4

就拿……来说（吧） (Jiù ná... lái shuō (ba))

Used after stating a general argument or phenomenon to introduce a prime concrete example to substantiate it ('Take... for instance').

Examples

就拿我的老板来说，他是一个三十出头的男人，因为工作太忙、应酬太多，几乎每天都是十一二点回家。

Jiù ná wǒ de lǎobǎn lái shuō, tā shì yí ge sānshí chūtóu de nánrén, yīnwèi gōngzuò tài máng, yīngchou tài duō, jīhū měitiān dōu shì shí-yī èr diǎn huíjiā.

Take my boss for instance: a man in his early thirties who, swamped with work and endless social engagements, returns home around eleven or twelve almost every night.

Pattern 5

甚至…… (Shènzhì...)

Used to introduce an extreme, climactic, or surprising example, underscoring exceptional severity, intensity, or extent ('even', 'so much as').

Examples

他每天都是十一二点回家，有时甚至更晚，甚至整夜都不回来。

Tā měitiān dōu shì shí-yī èr diǎn huíjiā, yǒushí shènzhì gèng wǎn, shènzhì zhěng yè dōu bù huílái.

He returns home around 11 or 12 every day, sometimes even later, and sometimes doesn't even return all night.

Pattern 6

难免（不）…… (Nánmiǎn (bù)...)

Signifies that a negative outcome is almost impossible to avert. Notably, whether followed by a negative particle '不' or not, the meaning remains identical: it is bound to happen.

Examples

长期分居两地，时间长了，难免不会有外遇，也难免缺乏感情上的交流。

Chángqī fēnjū liǎngdì, shíjiān cháng le, nánmiǎn bú huì yǒu wàiyù, yě nánmiǎn quēfá gǎnqíng shang de jiāoliú.

Living apart long-term, over time it is almost inevitable that extramarital affairs will arise, just as a lack of emotional communication is inescapable.

Pattern 7

随着……，…… (Suízhe..., ...)

Indicates that the subsequent change or phenomenon unfolds in direct correspondence with the development of the primary condition ('along with', 'as').

Examples

随着社会的发展，现代人的婚姻和家庭生活将面临越来越多的困难与考验。

Suízhe shèhuì de fāzhǎn, xiàndàirén de hūnyīn hé jiātíng shēnghuó jiāng miànlín yuèláiyuè duō de kùnnan yǔ kǎoyàn.

Along with societal development, the marriage and domestic life of modern people will confront ever-increasing challenges and tribulations.