HSK 5 • Lesson 2父母与子女
HSK 5 • 中级篇Lesson 2 / 14

父母与子女

Fùmǔ yǔ zǐnǚ
Parents and Children
Pattern 1

什么 + 名词 + 都……

shénme + míngcí + dōu...

Arbitrary reference pattern emphasizing universality, equivalent to 'all / every single...'.

Examples
他生了一种怪病，什么药都吃了，什么大夫都找了，也治不好。
Tā shēng le yì zhǒng guàibìng, shénme yào dōu chī le, shénme dàifu dōu zhǎo le, yě zhì bù hǎo.
He contracted a strange illness; he took all kinds of medicine and consulted every doctor, but none could cure him.
我什么话都说了，可他什么都听不进去。
Wǒ shénme huà dōu shuō le, kě tā shénme dōu tīng bu jìnqù.
I've said everything that could be said, but he won't listen to a single word.
Pattern 2

二话不说 / 二话没说

èr huà bù shuō / èr huà méi shuō

Without a second word; without hesitation; immediately doing something without questioning.

Examples
他妈妈二话没说，立刻就把自己的心掏了出来，给了自己的孩子。
Tā māma èr huà méi shuō, lìkè jiù bǎ zìjǐ de xīn tāo le chūlai, gěi le zìjǐ de háizi.
Without a second thought, his mother immediately took out her own heart and gave it to her child.
听朋友有急难，他二话不说就拿出了所有的积蓄。
Tīng péngyou yǒu jínàn, tā èr huà bù shuō jiù ná chū le suǒyǒu de jīxù.
Hearing that his friend was in desperate need, he took out all his savings without hesitation.
Pattern 3

尤其

yóuqí

Adverb meaning 'especially', 'particularly', used to highlight a specific element within a broader whole.

Examples
人与人之间，尤其是父母与子女之间，沟通是很重要的。
Rén yǔ rén zhījiān, yóuqí shì fùmǔ yǔ zǐnǚ zhījiān, gōutōng shì hěn zhòngyào de.
Communication between people, especially between parents and children, is of vital importance.
大家的建议都不错，尤其是老张的办法更加可行。
Dàjiā de jiànyì dōu búcuò, yóuqí shì Lǎo Zhāng de bànfǎ gèngjiā kěxíng.
Everyone's suggestions are good, especially Lao Zhang's approach, which is far more feasible.
Pattern 4

说来说去都是（就是）……

shuō lái shuō qù dōu shì (jiù shì)...

Expresses that after repeated discussion or consideration, the ultimate point or conclusion remains unchanged.

Examples
他开始说事情的经过，说来说去都是老师不对。
Tā kāishǐ shuō shìqing de jīngguò, shuō lái shuō qù dōu shì lǎoshī bú duì.
He began explaining what had happened, and when all was said and done, he kept insisting the teacher was in the wrong.
昨晚我翻来覆去，怎么也睡不着。
Zuówǎn wǒ fān lái fù qù, zěnme yě shuì bu zháo.
Last night I tossed and turned over and over, completely unable to fall asleep.
Pattern 5

毕竟

bìjìng

Adverb meaning 'after all' or 'in the final analysis', used to affirm a fundamental reality (cannot be used in interrogatives).

Examples
但他毕竟当过强者，所以心里还留恋那种“强”。
Dàn tā bìjìng dāng guo qiángzhě, suǒyǐ xīnlǐ hái liúliàn nà zhǒng 'qiáng'.
Yet he was once a strong provider after all, so in his heart he still yearns for that sense of strength.
乌云毕竟遮不住太阳，正义终将战胜邪恶。
Wūyún bìjìng zhē bu zhù tàiyáng, zhèngyì zhōng jiāng zhànshèng xié'è.
Dark clouds, after all, cannot blot out the sun; justice will ultimately prevail over evil.
Pattern 6

一……一……

yī... yī...

Four-character idiomatic pattern denoting comprehensive details of behavior (every word and deed) or coordinated reciprocal actions.

Examples
如果你的一言一行都表现出对长辈的孝敬，你的子女也会孝敬你。
Rúguǒ nǐ de yì yán yì xíng dōu biǎoxiàn chū duì zhǎngbèi de xiàojìng, nǐ de zǐnǚ yě huì xiàojìng nǐ.
If your every word and deed reflects filial respect toward elders, your own children will also treat you with respect.
Pattern 7

说也说不得，管也管不得

shuō yě shuō bu dé, guǎn yě guǎn bu dé

Can neither scold nor discipline; expresses utter helplessness when someone is beyond words and standard parental control.

Examples
时间长了，这样的孩子说也说不得，管也管不得，听不进父母的话了。
Shíjiān cháng le, zhèyàng de háizi shuō yě shuō bu dé, guǎn yě guǎn bu dé, tīng bu jìn fùmǔ de huà le.
Over time, such spoiled children can neither be admonished nor disciplined, turning a deaf ear to their parents.
Pattern 8

要是……，看你怎么……？

yàoshi..., kàn nǐ zěnme...?

Spoken rhetorical conditional pattern: 'If [X happens], let's see how you manage!' used to warn or admonish.

Examples
他们总说：“要是有一天我们不在了，看你怎么力？”烦死了！
Tāmen zǒng shuō: 'Yàoshi yǒu yì tiān wǒmen bú zài le, kàn nǐ zěnme bàn?' Fán sǐ le!
They're always nagging: 'If one day we're no longer around, let's see how you manage!' It drives me crazy!