A1 · Débutant Chapitre 19

Adding Detail with Adverbs

5 Règles totales
52 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Transform basic statements into expressive thoughts using five essential Chinese power-up words.

  • Express shared experiences using 也 (yě) and 都 (dōu).
  • Add additional information or ongoing actions with 还 (hái).
  • Use 几乎 (jīhū) and 简直 (jiǎnzhí) to add nuance and strong emotion.
Small words, big impact: Level up your Chinese descriptions.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey there! Ready to take a huge leap in your Chinese journey and make your conversations sound incredibly engaging? In this chapter, you're about to meet some magical little words called 'adverbs.' These tiny power-ups have the ability to add significant depth and meaning to your sentences, transforming your speech from simple statements into natural, expressive dialogues! We'll start with 也 (yě), which means 'also' or 'too.' For instance, when you're out with friends at a Chinese restaurant and want to say 'I *also* want that dish!', 也 is your go-to word. Next, we’ll tackle 都 (dōu), meaning 'all' or 'both.' If you want to say, 'We *all* like to drink tea,' 都 will come to your rescue. Then, you'll learn 还 (hái), meaning 'still' or 'additionally,' perfect for adding items to a list or indicating an action is ongoing. And it doesn't stop there! We also have 几乎 (jīhū), meaning 'almost' or 'nearly,' so you can say 'I *almost* finished my work' or 'I *nearly* forgot.' Finally, you'll discover the awesome word 简直 (jiǎnzhí), used for strong emphasis, like saying something is 'simply' or 'literally' incredible. See how easily you can add nuance to your words? After completing this chapter, you won't just be speaking Chinese; you'll be expressing yourself with more precision, completeness, and charm. Your conversations will flow more smoothly, and you'll convey your intentions much more effectively. Get ready to sound like a natural Chinese speaker, even at A1 level! Don't worry, these concepts are easier than you think and incredibly useful.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 也 (yě) to agree with others in social settings.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Summarize group preferences using 都 (dōu).
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Emphasize extreme situations using 简直 (jiǎnzhí).

Guide du chapitre

Overview

This chapter is a game-changer for your A1 Chinese grammar journey! You're about to unlock the power of adverbs – those fantastic little words that add immense detail and flair to your sentences. Mastering these adverbs will elevate your communication, making your Chinese sound much more natural and expressive.
Instead of just saying I eat, you'll be able to say I *also* eat or
I *almost* finished eating.
This is crucial for moving beyond basic sentence structures and truly engaging in meaningful conversations.
We'll introduce you to five incredibly useful adverbs: 也 (yě), 都 (dōu), 还 (hái), 几乎 (jīhū), and 简直 (jiǎnzhí). By the end of this guide, you'll see how these simple additions can transform your speech, allowing you to convey nuances and express yourself with greater precision and confidence, even at this early stage of learning. Get ready to add some serious sparkle to your Chinese!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into how these powerful adverbs function in Chinese grammar. First up, we have 也 (yě), meaning 'also' or 'too.' It typically comes after the subject and before the verb. For example, to say
I also like coffee,
you'd say 我 也 喜欢 咖啡 (Wǒ yě xǐhuān kāfēi).
If you want to say
He is also a student,
it's 他 也 是 学生 (Tā yě shì xuéshēng).
Next, we tackle the all-inclusive word, 都 (dōu), meaning 'all' or 'both.' This adverb usually appears after the subject (or the noun phrase it refers to) and before the verb to encompass everyone or everything in a group. For instance,
They all like Chinese food
becomes 他们 都 喜欢 中国菜 (Tāmen dōu xǐhuān Zhōngguócài). Or,
We are all very busy
is 我们 都 很 忙 (Wǒmen dōu hěn máng).
The 'one more thing' word, 还 (hái), serves a dual purpose: 'still' or 'additionally.' When indicating an ongoing action, it means 'still,' like in 他 还 在 工作 (Tā hái zài gōngzuò) (He is still working). When adding an item, it means 'also' or 'additionally,' as in 我 还 想 买 一 本 书 (Wǒ hái xiǎng mǎi yī běn shū) (I also want to buy a book).
For expressing 'almost' or 'nearly,' we use 几乎 (jīhū). This adverb goes before the verb or adjective it modifies, like 我 几乎 忘记 了 (Wǒ jīhū wàngjì le) (I almost forgot). Another example: 他 几乎 每天 都 学习 (Tā jīhū měitiān dōu xuéxí) (He almost studies every day).
Finally, for strong emphasis, there's 简直 (jiǎnzhí), meaning 'simply' or 'literally.' It's often used to exaggerate or stress a point, as in 这 简直 太棒了 (Zhè jiǎnzhí tài bàng le) (This is simply/literally great!). Or, 他 简直 是 个 天才 (Tā jiǎnzhí shì ge tiāncái) (He is simply/literally a genius). These adverbs are key to making your A1 Chinese more dynamic and expressive!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我喜欢咖啡，也你喜欢。(Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi, yě nǐ xǐhuān.)
✓ Correct: 我喜欢咖啡，你 也 喜欢。(Wǒ xǐhuān kāfēi, nǐ yě xǐhuān.)
*Explanation:* 也 (yě) should come after the subject it modifies, not before. It connects the subject to the action or state.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 都我们是学生。(Dōu wǒmen shì xuéshēng.)
✓ Correct: 我们 都 是 学生。(Wǒmen dōu shì xuéshēng.)
*Explanation:* 都 (dōu) always follows the subject (or the noun phrase it refers to) and precedes the verb. It indicates that all of the subject perform the action or share the state.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我工作还。(Wǒ gōngzuò hái.)
✓ Correct: 我 还 在 工作。(Wǒ hái zài gōngzuò.)
*Explanation:* 还 (hái), when meaning still, usually precedes the verb phrase, often with 在 (zài) for ongoing actions. Its placement is crucial for conveying the correct meaning.

Real Conversations

A

A

你 喜欢 中国菜 吗？(Nǐ xǐhuān Zhōngguócài ma?)
B

B

是的，我 很 喜欢。你 呢？(Shì de, wǒ hěn xǐhuān. Nǐ ne?)
A

A

我 也 喜欢！(Wǒ yě xǐhuān!)
A

A

你们 都 饿 了 吗？(Nǐmen dōu è le ma?)
B

B

是的，我们 都 饿 了。(Shì de, wǒmen dōu è le.)
A

A

他 走 了 吗？(Tā zǒu le ma?)
B

B

他 还 在 这里。(Tā hái zài zhèlǐ.)
A

A

这 个 电影 怎么样？(Zhè ge diànyǐng zěnmeyàng?)
B

B

简直 太 好看 了！(Jiǎnzhí tài hǎokàn le!)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know where to place 也 (yě) in a sentence for A1 Chinese grammar?

也 (yě) usually comes after the subject and before the verb or adjective it modifies. Think of it as Subject + 也 + Verb/Adjective.

Q

Can 都 (dōu) be used with a single person or item?

No, 都 (dōu) implies 'all' or 'both,' so it's used with plural subjects or multiple items. For a single item, you wouldn't use 都.

Q

What's the difference between 还 (hái) meaning 'also' and 也 (yě) meaning 'also'?

也 (yě) implies 'in addition to others having this,' while 还 (hái) implies 'in addition to what was just mentioned or what is already present.' 还 often adds to a list or indicates something additional.

Q

Is 简直 (jiǎnzhí) always positive?

Not always. While often used for positive emphasis (e.g., simply amazing), it can also be used for negative emphasis, meaning simply awful or literally impossible. Its meaning depends on the context and the adjective/verb it modifies.

Cultural Context

These adverbs are integral to natural Chinese communication, reflecting a desire for precision and emphasis. 都 (dōu) is especially common in group settings, subtly reinforcing collective agreement or action. 还 (hái) frequently pops up in daily

Exemples clés (4)

1

我也是学生。

Je suis aussi étudiant.

Aussi / Également (也 yě)
2

这个也很漂亮。

Celui-ci est aussi très beau.

Aussi / Également (也 yě)
3

Wǒmen dōu shì Zhōngguó rén.

Nous sommes tous chinois.

Le mot tout-inclus : {都|dōu} (Tous/Les deux)
4

Bàba māma dōu bù zàijiā.

Ni papa ni maman ne sont à la maison.

Le mot tout-inclus : {都|dōu} (Tous/Les deux)

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Attention au ton !

Si tu dis «jǐhū» avec le 3ème ton, c'est un peu brouillon. Garde la voix haute et stable avec «jīhū» pour être bien compris.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Presque & Quasi (几乎 jīhū)
🎯

La règle du 'Moi aussi'

Ne dis jamais juste «我也». C'est comme laisser un high-five en l'air ! Ajoute toujours le verbe, souvent «是». Utilise «我也是» (wǒ yě shì) pour un vrai Moi aussi.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Aussi / Également (也 yě)
⚠️

Le piège de la fin de phrase

Ne mets jamais «还» tout seul à la fin d'une phrase. C'est un adverbe, il doit rester devant le verbe ! Dis plutôt : «我还要咖啡。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot « encore une chose » : aussi & encore (还 - hái)
⚠️

Ne commence pas par {都|dōu}

Contrairement au français 'Tous nous...', le chinois demande toujours le sujet en premier : «{我们|Wǒmen} {都|dōu} {去|qù}。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot tout-inclus : {都|dōu} (Tous/Les deux)

Vocabulaire clé (7)

也 (yě) also, too 都 (dōu) all, both 还 (hái) still, additionally 几乎 (jīhū) almost, nearly 简直 (jiǎnzhí) simply, literally 喜欢 (xǐhuan) to like 忘了 (wàng le) forgot

Real-World Preview

coffee

Ordering at a Cafe

Review Summary

  • Subject + 也 + Verb/Adj
  • Plural Subject + 都 + Verb/Adj
  • Subject + 还 + Verb/Adj
  • Subject + 几乎 + Verb/Adj
  • Subject + 简直 + (太) + Adj + (了)

Erreurs courantes

English speakers often put 'too' at the end. In Chinese, 也 (yě) must come before the verb.

Wrong: 我(wǒ)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)也(yě)猫(māo)。
Correct: 我(wǒ)也(yě)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)猫(māo)。

都 (dōu) refers back to a group. Using it with just 'I' (我) makes no sense unless you are referring to 'all of me' or multiple items you are doing.

Wrong: 我(wǒ)都(dōu)去(qù)。
Correct: 我(wǒ)们(men)都(dōu)去(qù)。

Don't end sentences with 也 (yě). It is not a particle like 吗 (ma) or 呢 (ne).

Wrong: 我(wǒ)还(hái)是(shì)学(xué)生(sheng)也(yě)。
Correct: 我(wǒ)也(yě)是(shì)学(xué)生(sheng)。

Next Steps

You're doing amazing! Adding these adverbs makes your Chinese sound much more natural and less like a textbook. Keep practicing these 'power-ups'!

Look at a group photo and describe what 'everyone' (都) is doing.

Write three things you 'also' like that your best friend likes.

Continue to: Timing and Sequence

Pratique rapide (7)

Trouve l'erreur dans l'ordre des mots.

Find and fix the mistake:

{都|Dōu} {他们|Tāmen} {是|shì} {老师|lǎoshī}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他们|Tāmen} {都|dōu} { personnel | shì } {老师|lǎoshī}。
{都|Dōu} doit toujours se placer APRÈS le sujet, jamais avant.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot tout-inclus : {都|dōu} (Tous/Les deux)

Trouve l'erreur dans la phrase.

{他在家还在|tā zài jiā hái zài}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他还在家|tā hái zài jiā}。
«还» doit se placer avant le verbe ou le groupe prépositionnel «在家».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot « encore une chose » : aussi & encore (还 - hái)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

我是老师也。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我也是老师。
En chinois, 也 ne peut pas être placé à la fin d'une phrase. Il doit se placer avant le verbe 是.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Aussi / Également (也 yě)

Remplis le vide pour dire 'Il est aussi très occupé.'

他 ___ 很忙。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 也
也 est utilisé pour indiquer que le sujet partage l'état d'être occupé avec quelqu'un d'autre mentionné précédemment.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Aussi / Également (也 yě)

Complète pour dire 'Il fait encore très froid aujourd'hui'.

{今天|jīntiān} ___ {很|hěn}{冷|lěng}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {还|hái}
Utilise «还» pour indiquer que l'état (le froid) continue par rapport à avant.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot « encore une chose » : aussi & encore (还 - hái)

Complète la phrase pour dire 'Nous aimons tous les deux le café'.

{我们|Wǒmen} ___ {喜欢|xǐhuan} {咖啡|kāfēi}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {都|dōu}
On utilise {都|dōu} pour indiquer 'tous les deux' ou 'tous' par rapport au sujet.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot tout-inclus : {都|dōu} (Tous/Les deux)

Mets les mots dans l'ordre pour dire 'Je veux encore manger'.

Ordonne ces mots :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ}{还|hái}{想|xiǎng}{吃|chī}
Le sujet «我» vient en premier, suivi de l'adverbe «还», puis des verbes «想» et «吃».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le mot « encore une chose » : aussi & encore (还 - hái)

Score: /7

Questions fréquentes (6)

Oui, énormément ! C'est comme 'presque' en français pour toutes les situations de la vie, comme : «我几乎忘了。»
Non. En chinois, l'adverbe doit toujours précéder le verbe. On ne dit pas «我到了几乎。»
Si tu parles de deux personnes faisant la même chose, on utilise souvent 也. Si c'est tout un groupe, on utilise 都 (dōu).
也 s'utilise pour différents sujets faisant la même chose. 还 s'utilise quand le même sujet fait des choses en plus.
Oui, dans 99% des cas au niveau A1, il suit le sujet. Par exemple : «他还在这里» (Il est encore ici).
Oui, mais ça veut dire 'Moi aussi (comme toi) je veux un café'. Utilise «我还想要咖啡» pour dire 'Je veux un café (en plus d'autre chose)'.
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The Golden Rule of Word Order
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Timing and Sequence
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