HSK 5 Grammar — 53 Topics & Common Mistakes

Examples

• 天渐渐黑了。
  天气越来冷。(missing 越)

  Pinyin: Tiān jiànjiàn hēi le. English: The sky gradually got dark.

• 经济正在逐渐恢复。
  他慢慢忘记了。(in formal writing)

  Pinyin: Jīngjì zhèngzài zhújiàn huīfù. English: The economy is gradually recovering.

• 你慢慢说,别着急。
  渐渐越来越冷。(stacked)

  Pinyin: Nǐ mànman shuō, bié zháojí. English: Speak slowly, don't rush.

Examples

• 我已经吃过了。
  我刚到了。

  Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng chī guò le. English: I've already eaten.

• 工作已完成。
  我已经吃。(missing 了)

  Pinyin: Gōngzuò yǐ wánchéng. English: The work has been completed. (formal)

• 我刚到家。
  我才到了。(intended: neutral 'just arrived')

  Pinyin: Wǒ gāng dào jiā. English: I just arrived home.

Examples

• 突然下起雨来了。
  下雨起来 (wrong object placement)

  Pinyin: Tūrán xià qǐ yǔ lái le. English: It suddenly started raining.

• 孩子哭起来了。
  看起来好 (in casual speech)

  Pinyin: Háizi kū qǐlái le. English: The child started crying.

• 这件衣服看起来很漂亮。
  他哭起来了哭。(double verb)

  Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliàng. English: This clothing looks beautiful.

Examples

• 学生应当遵守校规。
  我应当回家了。(in casual)

  Pinyin: Xuéshēng yīngdāng zūnshǒu xiàoguī. English: Students should follow school rules.

• 应予以高度重视。
  须你回复 (intended: please reply)

  Pinyin: Yīng yǔyǐ gāodù zhòngshì. English: Should be given high importance.

• 凡入境者须填写表格。
  我务必想去。(intended: definitely want to)

  Pinyin: Fán rùjìng zhě xū tiánxiě biǎogé. English: All entrants must fill out the form.

Examples

• 他受到了老板的批评。
  他被到批评。

  Pinyin: Tā shòudào le lǎobǎn de pīpíng. English: He was criticized by the boss.

• 这部电影受到了很多人的欢迎。
  他获得反对。

  Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shòudào le hěn duō rén de huānyíng. English: This film was warmly received.

• 他的方案遭到了反对。
  他遭到第一名。

  Pinyin: Tā de fāng'àn zāodào le fǎnduì. English: His proposal was opposed.

Examples

• 请把这本书翻译成英文。
  把书翻译英文。(missing 成)

  Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhè běn shū fānyì chéng Yīngwén. English: Please translate this book into English.

• 把信寄到北京去。
  把信寄北京。

  Pinyin: Bǎ xìn jì dào Běijīng qù. English: Send the letter to Beijing.

• 把孩子抱到沙发上。
  把书还我。(colloquial, but formally missing 给)

  Pinyin: Bǎ háizi bào dào shāfā shàng. English: Carry the kid to the sofa.

Examples

• 他还是不来。
  他依然不来 (in casual chat)

  Pinyin: Tā háishì bù lái. English: He still won't come.

• 我还是想去看看。
  你还是茶咖啡? (intended: still want)

  Pinyin: Wǒ háishì xiǎng qù kàn kan. English: I still want to go check it out.

• 问题仍然存在。
  问题还是仍然存在。(stacked)

  Pinyin: Wèntí réngrán cúnzài. English: The problem still exists.

Examples

• 我们要不断进步。
  她不停哭。(missing 地)

  Pinyin: Wǒmen yào bùduàn jìnbù. English: We must keep improving.

• 她不停地哭。
  持续地高温 (literal)

  Pinyin: Tā bùtíng de kū. English: She cried non-stop.

• 高温持续了一周。
  不止一次 + I told you (right structure, but I wrote 一次 twice)

  Pinyin: Gāowēn chíxù le yī zhōu. English: The high temperature lasted a week.

Examples

• 问题在于我们没有足够的时间。
  问题是于 (intended: lies in)

  Pinyin: Wèntí zàiyú wǒmen méiyǒu zúgòu de shíjiān. English: The problem is we don't have enough time.

• 关键在于坚持。
  我简直忘了 (intended: almost forgot)

  Pinyin: Guānjiàn zàiyú jiānchí. English: The key lies in perseverance.

• 我几乎忘了今天是星期五。
  几乎是奇迹 (in 'literally a miracle' sense)

  Pinyin: Wǒ jīhū wàng le jīntiān shì xīngqīwǔ. English: I almost forgot today is Friday.

Examples

• 我们将于下周一开会。
  我将吃饭。(intended: I'll eat — casual)

  Pinyin: Wǒmen jiāng yú xià zhōu yī kāihuì. English: We shall meet next Monday.

• 申请已予以批准。
  予以来 (single-syllable V)

  Pinyin: Shēnqǐng yǐ yǔyǐ pīzhǔn. English: The application has been approved.

• 我们将给予他必要的帮助。
  加以做 (single-syllable V)

  Pinyin: Wǒmen jiāng jǐyǔ tā bìyào de bāngzhù. English: We shall give him necessary help.

Examples

• 他八点就到了。
  他八点就到 (in casual context for 'late')

  Pinyin: Tā bā diǎn jiù dào le. English: He arrived as early as 8.

• 他八点才到。
  我才告诉你! (intended: refusal)

  Pinyin: Tā bā diǎn cái dào. English: He didn't arrive until 8.

• 我五分钟就做完了。
  只要…才… (mixed pair)

  Pinyin: Wǒ wǔ fēnzhōng jiù zuò wán le. English: I finished in just 5 minutes.

Examples

• 我累得说不出话来。
  我累说不出话来。(missing 得)

  Pinyin: Wǒ lèi de shuō bù chū huà lái. English: I'm so tired I can't speak.

• 她哭得眼睛都肿了。
  我累得很不能动。(双 intensifier)

  Pinyin: Tā kū de yǎnjīng dōu zhǒng le. English: She cried until her eyes swelled.

• 今天忙得连饭都没吃。
  她哭眼睛都肿了。(missing 得)

  Pinyin: Jīntiān máng de lián fàn dōu méi chī. English: So busy today I didn't even eat.

Examples

• 我是来帮忙的。
  他不会撒谎 (intended: characterization)

  Pinyin: Wǒ shì lái bāngmáng de. English: I'm here to help.

• 他是不会撒谎的。
  我不故意。

  Pinyin: Tā shì bù huì sāhuǎng de. English: He's not the type to lie.

• 没有什么是不可能的。
  没有什么不可能。

  Pinyin: Méiyǒu shénme shì bù kěnéng de. English: Nothing is impossible.

Examples

• 真好吃,这道菜!
  Using right-dislocation in formal writing.

  Pinyin: Zhēn hǎochī, zhè dào cài! English: Really tasty — this dish!

• 我没看过,那部电影。
  Right-dislocation without comma/pause: 真好吃这道菜.

  Pinyin: Wǒ méi kàn guò, nà bù diànyǐng. English: I haven't seen that movie.

• 我已经吃完了,你那份。
  Right-dislocating without shared context: 真好吃,这个 (no antecedent).

  Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng chī wán le, nǐ nà fèn. English: I finished it — your portion.

Examples

• 他把我当作好朋友。
  他当我朋友。(missing 把)

  Pinyin: Tā bǎ wǒ dàng zuò hǎo péngyǒu. English: He regards me as a good friend.

• 别把工作当作负担。
  把他看成 (single verb 看, no 成)

  Pinyin: Bié bǎ gōngzuò dàng zuò fùdān. English: Don't treat work as a burden.

• 把这里当家吧。
  他把我当作了朋友。(extra 了)

  Pinyin: Bǎ zhèlǐ dàng jiā ba. English: Treat this place as your home.

Examples

• 这件事让我觉得很难过。
  我感觉难过 (intended: causation)

  Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ juéde hěn nánguò. English: This makes me feel sad.

• 他的话让我感到很失望。
  这件事使我觉得 (in casual)

  Pinyin: Tā de huà ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn shīwàng. English: His words made me feel disappointed.

• 这首歌让我感觉很温暖。
  让我觉得 + N (no Adj)

  Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē ràng wǒ gǎnjué hěn wēnnuǎn. English: This song makes me feel warm.

Examples

• 与去年相比,今年的成绩好多了。
  与去年比起来比,今年好。(double 比)

  Pinyin: Yǔ qùnián xiāng bǐ, jīnnián de chéngjì hǎo duō le. English: Compared to last year, this year's results are much better.

• 与传统方法相比,新方法更有效。
  跟他比 (no 起来 in 'compared with him')

  Pinyin: Yǔ chuántǒng fāngfǎ xiāng bǐ, xīn fāngfǎ gèng yǒuxiào. English: Compared to traditional methods, the new one is more effective.

• 比起电影,我更喜欢看书。
  Casual context with 相较于.

  Pinyin: Bǐqǐ diànyǐng, wǒ gèng xǐhuān kàn shū. English: Compared to movies, I prefer reading.

Examples

• 这不是我的,而是他的。
  不是我,他的 (missing 而是)

  Pinyin: Zhè bù shì wǒ de, ér shì tā de. English: This isn't mine, but his.

• 这不是问题,而是机会。
  不是…就是… (intended: correction)

  Pinyin: Zhè bù shì wèntí, ér shì jīhuì. English: This isn't a problem, but an opportunity.

• 真正的爱不是占有,而是给予。
  没是我的 (wrong negation)

  Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de ài bù shì zhànyǒu, ér shì gěiyǔ. English: True love is not possession, but giving.

Examples

• 我之所以学中文,是因为我喜欢中国文化。
  之所以…所以… (mixed)

  Pinyin: Wǒ zhī suǒyǐ xué Zhōngwén, shì yīnwèi wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó wénhuà. English: The reason I'm learning Chinese is that I love Chinese culture.

• 他之所以成功,是因为他从来不放弃。
  之所以…因为… (missing 是)

  Pinyin: Tā zhī suǒyǐ chénggōng, shì yīnwèi tā cónglái bù fàngqì. English: The reason he succeeded is that he never gave up.

• 之所以失败,是因为没做准备。
  之所以学中文,我喜欢中国文化。

  Pinyin: Zhī suǒyǐ shībài, shì yīnwèi méi zuò zhǔnbèi. English: The reason for failure was lack of preparation.

Examples

• 这本书既有意思又有用。
  这本书既有意思而且有用。(mixing)

  Pinyin: Zhè běn shū jì yǒu yìsi yòu yǒu yòng. English: This book is both interesting and useful.

• 他既聪明又勤奋。
  他既是老师又是聪明。(mixing N + Adj)

  Pinyin: Tā jì cōngmíng yòu qínfèn. English: He's both smart and hardworking.

• 我既不喜欢咖啡,也不喜欢茶。
  既…也…(emphatic positive parallel)

  Pinyin: Wǒ jì bù xǐhuān kāfēi, yě bù xǐhuān chá. English: I like neither coffee nor tea.

Examples

• 我越学越喜欢中文。
  越学好 (missing second 越)

  Pinyin: Wǒ yuè xué yuè xǐhuān Zhōngwén. English: The more I study, the more I like Chinese.

• 越想越生气。
  越来越想 (intended: the more I think)

  Pinyin: Yuè xiǎng yuè shēngqì. English: The more I think, the angrier I get.

• 越简单越好。
  更…更 (literal translation)

  Pinyin: Yuè jiǎndān yuè hǎo. English: The simpler, the better.

Examples

• 国家之路充满挑战。
  国家的路 (in formal essay; OK but plainer)

  Pinyin: Guójiā zhī lù chōngmǎn tiǎozhàn. English: The path of the nation is full of challenges.

• 朋友之间应该互相帮助。
  朋友的之间 (mixing)

  Pinyin: Péngyǒu zhī jiān yīnggāi hùxiāng bāngzhù. English: Friends should help each other.

• 考试之前要好好复习。
  所我知道的 (wrong order)

  Pinyin: Kǎoshì zhī qián yào hǎohao fùxí. English: Before the exam, review well.

Examples

• 假如你是我,你会怎么做?
  倘若你来 (in casual chat)

  Pinyin: Jiǎrú nǐ shì wǒ, nǐ huì zěnme zuò? English: If you were me, what would you do?

• 若有问题,请联系客服。
  假如…所以… (mixed)

  Pinyin: Ruò yǒu wèntí, qǐng liánxì kèfú. English: If you have questions, contact customer service.

• 倘若失败,也不必气馁。
  若…就 (mixing register)

  Pinyin: Tǎngruò shībài, yě bù bì qìněi. English: Even if you fail, don't be discouraged.

Examples

• 哪怕下雨,我也要去。
  哪怕下雨我去。(missing 也)

  Pinyin: Nǎpà xià yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù. English: Even if it rains, I'll still go.

• 即使你不来,我也不会生气。
  如果哪怕下雨 (stacked)

  Pinyin: Jíshǐ nǐ bù lái, wǒ yě bù huì shēngqì. English: Even if you don't come, I won't be angry.

• 即便条件再差,我们也能完成任务。
  虽然下雨,我也去。(intended: even if)

  Pinyin: Jíbiàn tiáojiàn zài chà, wǒmen yě néng wánchéng rènwù. English: Even if conditions are bad, we can finish.

Examples

• 与其等他,不如我们先走。
  与其等他,我们就走。(missing 不如)

  Pinyin: Yǔqí děng tā, bùrú wǒmen xiān zǒu. English: Rather than waiting, let's leave first.

• 与其抱怨,不如行动。
  不如…与其…(reversed)

  Pinyin: Yǔqí bàoyuàn, bùrú xíngdòng. English: Rather than complaining, take action.

• 与其让他做,不如自己做。
  与其抱怨,而是行动。(wrong pair)

  Pinyin: Yǔqí ràng tā zuò, bùrú zìjǐ zuò. English: Rather than have him do it, do it myself.

Examples

• 除非你帮我,我才能完成。
  除非你来,我就去。

  Pinyin: Chúfēi nǐ bāng wǒ, wǒ cái néng wánchéng. English: Only if you help can I finish.

• 除非道歉,否则我不原谅。
  除非道歉,我不原谅。(missing 否则)

  Pinyin: Chúfēi dàoqiàn, fǒuzé wǒ bù yuánliàng. English: Unless you apologize, I won't forgive.

• 除非下雨,不然我就去。
  如果除非… (stacked)

  Pinyin: Chúfēi xià yǔ, bùrán wǒ jiù qù. English: Unless it rains, I'll go.

Examples

• 你快走,否则会迟到。
  否则,你迟到了。(sentence start)

  Pinyin: Nǐ kuài zǒu, fǒuzé huì chídào. English: Go quickly, otherwise you'll be late.

• 你快走,不然就迟到了。
  你快走,如果会迟到。(wrong connective)

  Pinyin: Nǐ kuài zǒu, bùrán jiù chídào le. English: Go quickly, or you'll be late.

• 我们应该提前出发,要不然会堵车。
  你快走,否则不然会迟到。(stacked)

  Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi tíqián chūfā, yàoburán huì dǔchē. English: We should leave early, otherwise traffic.

Examples

• 我不去,一来太远,二来没时间。
  一方面太远 (missing 另一方面)

  Pinyin: Wǒ bù qù, yī lái tài yuǎn, èr lái méi shíjiān. English: I'm not going — too far and no time.

• 一方面要工作,另一方面要照顾家庭。
  一来太远,另一方面没时间 (mixed)

  Pinyin: Yī fāngmiàn yào gōngzuò, lìng yī fāngmiàn yào zhàogù jiātíng. English: On one hand work, on the other family.

• 首先要冷静,其次要思考,最后行动。
  Stacked: 一方面一来 (redundant).

  Pinyin: Shǒuxiān yào lěngjìng, qícì yào sīkǎo, zuìhòu xíngdòng. English: First calm down, then think, finally act.

Examples

• 连专家都不会,何况是学生?
  何况 used as supporting reason (instead of 况且).

  Pinyin: Lián zhuānjiā dōu bù huì, hékuàng shì xuéshēng? English: Even experts can't, let alone students?

• 我吃肉都没问题,何况鱼?
  况且…吗? (intended: rhetorical)

  Pinyin: Wǒ chī ròu dōu méi wèntí, hékuàng yú? English: I can eat meat fine, let alone fish.

• 我不去,况且明天还有事。
  连专家都不会,况且学生 (mixed).

  Pinyin: Wǒ bù qù, kuàngqiě míngtiān hái yǒu shì. English: I'm not going; besides, busy tomorrow.

Examples

• 他似乎不太开心。
  他像不开心 (literal 'resembles unhappy')

  Pinyin: Tā sìhū bù tài kāixīn. English: He seems unhappy.

• 好像下雨了。
  仿佛 in casual chat.

  Pinyin: Hǎoxiàng xià yǔ le. English: Looks like it's raining.

• 时间仿佛停止了。
  好像下雨。(missing 了)

  Pinyin: Shíjiān fǎngfú tíngzhǐ le. English: Time seemed to stop.

Examples

• 看来今天要下雨。
  想必 in casual chat with strangers.

  Pinyin: Kànlái jīntiān yào xià yǔ. English: Looks like rain today.

• 想必你已经知道了。
  看来好像下雨 (stacked).

  Pinyin: Xiǎngbì nǐ yǐjīng zhīdào le. English: No doubt you already know.

• 大概八点开始。
  大概在桌子上 (intended: probably on table).

  Pinyin: Dàgài bā diǎn kāishǐ. English: Starts around 8.

Examples

• 不管下不下雨,我都去。
  不管下雨,我都去。(missing A-not-A or 还是)

  Pinyin: Bùguǎn xià bù xià yǔ, wǒ dōu qù. English: Whether rain or not, I'll go.

• 无论结果如何,我都尽力了。
  不管谁来,我欢迎。(missing 都)

  Pinyin: Wúlùn jiéguǒ rúhé, wǒ dōu jìnlì le. English: No matter the result, I tried.

• 任凭你怎么说,我都不答应。
  无论 in casual chat.

  Pinyin: Rènpíng nǐ zěnme shuō, wǒ dōu bù dāyìng. English: No matter how you say, I won't agree.

Examples

• 经讨论决定,会议将于明天上午十点举行。
  Using 啊/吧/呢 in business email.

  Pinyin: Jīng tǎolùn juédìng, huìyì jiāng yú míngtiān shàngwǔ shí diǎn jǔxíng. English: After discussion, the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

• 本合同自签字之日起生效。
  Calling 'I' = 我 in legal/HR contract.

  Pinyin: Běn hétóng zì qiānzì zhī rì qǐ shēngxiào. English: This contract takes effect from the date of signing.

• 甲方应当按时支付报酬。
  Simple V instead of V-noun: 我们处理.

  Pinyin: Jiǎfāng yīngdāng ànshí zhīfù bàochóu. English: Party A shall pay compensation on time.

Examples

• 总统今日访华。
  Using 了 in headlines: 总统访问了中国。

  Pinyin: Zǒngtǒng jīnrì fǎng Huá. English: President visits China today.

• 教育部发布新政策。
  Casual verb in headline: 政府做了新政策.

  Pinyin: Jiàoyùbù fābù xīn zhèngcè. English: Ministry of Education releases new policy.

• 北京气温骤降。
  Spelled out percentages: 百分之十五.

  Pinyin: Běijīng qìwēn zhòujiàng. English: Beijing temperatures plummet.

Examples

• 我认为这个方案最合理。
  Using 我觉得 in formal essay opening.

  Pinyin: Wǒ rènwéi zhège fāng'àn zuì hélǐ. English: I think this plan is most reasonable.

• 笔者认为,教育的本质是培养人。
  Comma-splice multi-thesis.

  Pinyin: Bǐzhě rènwéi, jiàoyù de běnzhì shì péiyǎng rén. English: The author believes education's essence is to cultivate people.

• 首先,我们要明确目标。
  Skipping enumeration: 我觉得X,我觉得Y,我觉得Z.

  Pinyin: Shǒuxiān, wǒmen yào míngquè mùbiāo. English: Firstly, we must clarify the goal.

Examples

• 我们全力以赴完成任务。
  Breaking the chengyu: 一 + 举 + 两 + 得 (analyzed).

  Pinyin: Wǒmen quán lì yǐ fù wánchéng rènwù. English: We give all out to finish the task.

• 他千方百计地解决问题。
  Negating inside: 一不举两得.

  Pinyin: Tā qiān fāng bǎi jì de jiějué wèntí. English: He tries every possible way.

• 这张表格一目了然。
  Stacking 3+ chengyu in one sentence.

  Pinyin: Zhè zhāng biǎogé yī mù liǎo rán. English: This table is clear at a glance.

Examples

• 他的水平令我望尘莫及。
  Using 锦上添花 (bonus) when meaning 雪中送炭 (timely help).

  Pinyin: Tā de shuǐpíng lìng wǒ wàng chén mò jí. English: His level — I can't catch up.

• 这是锦上添花。
  Saying 滥竽充数 to praise.

  Pinyin: Zhè shì jǐn shàng tiān huā. English: This is icing on the cake.

• 你这是雪中送炭,太感谢了。
  Forgetting the story behind 塞翁失马.

  Pinyin: Nǐ zhè shì xuě zhōng sòng tàn, tài gǎnxiè le. English: Help when needed — thank you so much.

Examples

• 朋友之间应该互相帮助。
  之 as productive 'of' in casual: 我的之电脑.

  Pinyin: Péngyǒu zhī jiān yīnggāi hùxiāng bāngzhù. English: Friends should help each other.

• 我所知道的不多。
  所 used loosely: 所我 (incorrect).

  Pinyin: Wǒ suǒ zhīdào de bù duō. English: What I know is little.

• 学者们一致认为如此。
  也罢 in formal write-up.

  Pinyin: Xuézhě men yīzhì rènwéi rúcǐ. English: Scholars unanimously believe so.

Examples

• 敢问您贵姓?
  Using 鄙人 in casual chat.

  Pinyin: Gǎnwèn nín guìxìng? English: May I ask your honorable surname?

• 恳请您批准我的申请。
  恳请 + Imperative without 您.

  Pinyin: Kěnqǐng nín pīzhǔn wǒ de shēnqǐng. English: Earnestly request your approval.

• 恕我直言,这个方案有问题。
  Using 不胜感激 to say thanks in chat.

  Pinyin: Shù wǒ zhíyán, zhège fāng'àn yǒu wèntí. English: Forgive my bluntness — there's an issue.

Examples

• 他这是哑巴吃黄连—有苦说不出。
  Translating 歇后语 literally.

  Pinyin: Tā zhè shì yǎba chī huánglián — yǒu kǔ shuō bù chū. English: He's like a mute eating coptis — bitter but can't speak.

• 他半路出家,经验不足。
  Using 歇后语 in formal essays.

  Pinyin: Tā bàn lù chū jiā, jīngyàn bùzú. English: He's a late starter, not experienced.

• 别打肿脸充胖子。
  Mixing first part of one with second part of another.

  Pinyin: Bié dǎ zhǒng liǎn chōng pàngzi. English: Don't pretend you're rich.

Examples

• 失败是成功之母,别灰心。
  Misquoting: 失败是成功之父 (wrong).

  Pinyin: Shībài shì chénggōng zhī mǔ, bié huīxīn. English: Failure is mother of success; don't lose heart.

• 滴水穿石,坚持才会成功。
  Using 滴水穿石 to describe water leak.

  Pinyin: Dī shuǐ chuān shí, jiānchí cái huì chénggōng. English: Persistence breaks stone.

• 早起的鸟儿有虫吃。
  Using cynical 天下没有不散的筵席 in celebration.

  Pinyin: Zǎo qǐ de niǎo'ér yǒu chóng chī. English: Early bird gets worm.

Examples

• 我喜欢吃苹果、香蕉和橘子。
  Using comma , for list items: 苹果,香蕉,橘子.

  Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān chī píngguǒ, xiāngjiāo hé júzi. English: I like apples, bananas, and oranges.

• 他说:"我会准时到。"
  English period . at sentence end of Chinese.

  Pinyin: Tā shuō: 'Wǒ huì zhǔnshí dào.' English: He said: 'I'll arrive on time.'

• 我刚看完《红楼梦》。
  Italics or all-caps for book titles.

  Pinyin: Wǒ gāng kàn wán 'Hónglóu Mèng'. English: I just finished reading 'Dream of the Red Chamber'.

Examples

• 他考上了北大。
  Saying 北京大 (missing 学 not implied).

  Pinyin: Tā kǎo shàng le Běi Dà. English: He got into Peking University.

• 高铁很快,从北京到上海只要四个小时。
  Using regional abbreviations unknown to others.

  Pinyin: Gāotiě hěn kuài, cóng Běijīng dào Shànghǎi zhǐ yào sì gè xiǎoshí. English: High-speed rail is fast; 4 hours BJ–SH.

• 我经常网购,很方便。
  Lengthening abbreviations: 微型信息 to mean WeChat.

  Pinyin: Wǒ jīngcháng wǎnggòu, hěn fāngbiàn. English: I shop online often; convenient.

Examples

• 学生应该好好学习。
  Breaking 学习 into 学 + 习 in production.

  Pinyin: Xuéshēng yīnggāi hǎohao xuéxí. English: Students should study well.

• 我们要解决这个问题。
  Inventing compounds randomly.

  Pinyin: Wǒmen yào jiějué zhège wèntí. English: We must solve this problem.

• 他每天坐火车上班。
  Confusing V-O 吃饭 with disyllabic verb.

  Pinyin: Tā měitiān zuò huǒchē shàngbān. English: He takes the train to work daily.

Examples

• 他慢慢地走过来。
  漂亮漂亮 (intended: AABB).

  Pinyin: Tā mànman de zǒu guòlái. English: He slowly walked over.

• 孩子们高高兴兴地玩。
  讨论了讨论 (extra 了).

  Pinyin: Háizimen gāogāo-xìngxìng de wán. English: Kids play happily.

• 我们讨论讨论这个问题。
  高兴高兴 (intended: happy AABB).

  Pinyin: Wǒmen tǎolùn tǎolùn zhège wèntí. English: Let's discuss this a bit.

Examples

• 我不知道这件衣服的大小。
  Reversing order: 小大 / 少多 / 坏好.

  Pinyin: Wǒ bù zhīdào zhè jiàn yīfu de dàxiǎo. English: I don't know this clothing's size.

• 这件多少钱?
  Treating 东西 literally: 东方西方.

  Pinyin: Zhè jiàn duōshǎo qián? English: How much is this?

• 他不分好坏。
  Using individual chars when compound exists: 大或小.

  Pinyin: Tā bù fēn hǎohuài. English: He doesn't distinguish good/bad.

Examples

• 我们要提高效率。
  Using 提 (lift) when 提高 (raise) is meant.

  Pinyin: Wǒmen yào tígāo xiàolǜ. English: We must raise efficiency.

• 新政策有助于改进教育。
  把效率高 (missing verb).

  Pinyin: Xīn zhèngcè yǒu zhù yú gǎijìn jiàoyù. English: New policy helps improve education.

• 公司加强了员工培训。
  Lexicalized compounds with literal concrete objects: 提高桌子 (intended: lift table).

  Pinyin: Gōngsī jiāqiáng le yuángōng péixùn. English: The company strengthened employee training.

Examples

• 他戴着一顶红色的帽子。
  一个帽子.

  Pinyin: Tā dài zhe yī dǐng hóngsè de màozi. English: He's wearing a red hat.

• 请给我一把雨伞。
  一个眼镜.

  Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bǎ yǔsǎn. English: Give me an umbrella.

• 一群孩子在公园玩。
  一个牛.

  Pinyin: Yī qún háizi zài gōngyuán wán. English: A group of kids play in the park.

Examples

• 他每天996,真的太累了。
  Using 996 in formal report.

  Pinyin: Tā měitiān 996, zhēn de tài lèi le. English: He works 996 — really exhausted.

• 我决定躺平,不再卷。
  Misusing 躺平 to mean 'lying down literally'.

  Pinyin: Wǒ juédìng tǎngpíng, bù zài juǎn. English: I decided to lie flat, no more involution.

• 她是一个百万粉丝的网红。
  Inventing your own neologism.

  Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè bǎi wàn fěnsī de wǎnghóng. English: She's an internet celeb with a million followers.

Examples

• 你太牛了!666!
  Using 666 in business email.

  Pinyin: Nǐ tài niú le! Liù-liù-liù! English: You're so cool! Awesome!

• 他说不吃,后来真香了。
  Misunderstanding 真香 literally.

  Pinyin: Tā shuō bù chī, hòulái zhēn xiāng le. English: He said he wouldn't eat, then loved it (irony).

• 哈哈,真好笑。
  Reading 233 aloud.

  Pinyin: Hāha, zhēn hǎo xiào. English: Haha, really funny.

Examples

• 请坐沙发上喝杯咖啡。
  Translating brand names literally: McDonald's = 'Mac唐纳德的'.

  Pinyin: Qǐng zuò shāfā shàng hē bēi kāfēi. English: Please sit on the sofa and drink coffee.

• 我喜欢吃巧克力和三明治。
  Using English brand names in Mandarin sentence (instead of Chinese version).

  Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān chī qiǎokèlì hé sānmíngzhì. English: I like chocolate and sandwiches.

• 我用电脑工作。
  Mispronouncing phonetic loans by going to English roots.

  Pinyin: Wǒ yòng diànnǎo gōngzuò. English: I work on a computer.

Examples

• 我的堂哥比我大三岁。
  Calling all cousins 表 or 堂 indiscriminately.

  Pinyin: Wǒ de tánggē bǐ wǒ dà sān suì. English: My (paternal cousin) elder bro is 3 years older.

• 我表妹很可爱。
  外 omitted for maternal grandparents.

  Pinyin: Wǒ biǎomèi hěn kě'ài. English: My (maternal) cousin sis is cute.

• 周末去看姨妈。
  Using 阿姨 for mother's sister vs unrelated woman.

  Pinyin: Zhōumò qù kàn yímā. English: Visit auntie (mother's sister) this weekend.

Examples

• 我打了一辆出租车。(Mainland)
  Using Taiwan term in Mainland context (or vice versa).

  Pinyin: Wǒ dǎ le yī liàng chūzūchē. English: I called a taxi.

• 我搭计程车去机场。(Taiwan)
  Saying 出租车 in HK casual chat.

  Pinyin: Wǒ dā jìchéngchē qù jīchǎng. English: I take a taxi to the airport.

• 请下载这个软件 / 軟體。
  Mainland software 软件 in Taiwan tech context.

  Pinyin: Qǐng xiàzài zhège ruǎnjiàn / ruǎntǐ. English: Please download this software.