A1 · Iniciante Capítulo 19

Adding Detail with Adverbs

5 Regras totais
52 exemplos
5 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

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.

O que você vai aprender

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).

Guia do capítulo

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

Exemplos-chave (8)

1

我几乎忘了给手机充电。

Eu quase esqueci de carregar o celular.

Quase e por pouco (几乎 jīhū)
2

电影几乎开始了。

O filme quase começou.

Quase e por pouco (几乎 jīhū)
3

我也是学生。

Eu também sou estudante.

Também (也 yě)
4

这个也很漂亮。

Este também é muito bonito.

Também (也 yě)
5

我要咖啡，还要水。

Eu quero café e também quero água.

A palavra para 'mais uma coisa': também e ainda (还 - hái)
6

他还在睡觉吗？

Ele ainda está dormindo?

A palavra para 'mais uma coisa': também e ainda (还 - hái)
7

Wǒmen dōu shì Zhōngguó rén.

Nós todos somos chineses.

A palavra inclusiva: {都|dōu} (Todos/Ambos)
8

Bàba māma dōu bù zàijiā.

Nem o papai nem a mamãe estão em casa.

A palavra inclusiva: {都|dōu} (Todos/Ambos)

Dicas e truques (4)

⚠️

Cuidado com o Tom!

Se você disser jǐhū (3º tom), soa bagunçado. Use o tom 1, alto e reto jīhū para ser entendido: «jīhū».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quase e por pouco (几乎 jīhū)
🎯

A Regra do 'Eu Também'

Nunca diga apenas «我也». No chinês, isso soa incompleto, como um cumprimento no vácuo. Sempre adicione o verbo, geralmente o 'ser'. Use «我也是» (wǒ yě shì) para um eu também perfeito.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Também (也 yě)
⚠️

A armadilha do final da frase

Nunca coloque o «{还|hái}» no final da frase. Ele sempre vem antes do verbo! Pense nele como um motor que prepara a ação: «我还想吃。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra para 'mais uma coisa': também e ainda (还 - hái)
⚠️

Nunca comece com {都|dōu}

Diferente do português 'Todos nós...', o chinês exige o grupo primeiro: «{我们|Wǒmen} {都|dōu} {去|qù}。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra inclusiva: {都|dōu} (Todos/Ambos)

Vocabulário-chave (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)

Erros comuns

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)。
Correto: 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)。
Correto: 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)。
Correto: 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

Prática rápida (10)

Complete a frase para dizer 'Isso é simplesmente um milagre.'

{这|zhè} {简直|jiǎnzhí} ___ {奇迹|qíjì}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {sì|shì}
Quando comparamos dois substantivos (Isso = Milagre), usamos o verbo {sì|shì} (ser).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usando {简直|jiǎnzhí} para "Simplesmente" ou "Literalmente"

Encontre o erro nesta frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

{今天|jīntiān} {太|tài} {简直|jiǎnzhí} {热|rè} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {今天|jīntiān} {简直|jiǎnzhí} {太|tài} {热|rè} {了|le}。
{简直|jiǎnzhí} deve vir ANTES da estrutura do adjetivo ({太|tài}...{了|le}).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usando {简直|jiǎnzhí} para "Simplesmente" ou "Literalmente"

Encontre a frase correta.

Find and fix the mistake:

Qual destas está certa?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我几乎到了。
Advérbios como 几乎 devem vir antes do verbo, não no final ou antes do sujeito.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quase e por pouco (几乎 jīhū)

Encontre o erro na ordem das palavras.

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} {是|shì} {老师|lǎoshī}。
O {都|Dōu} deve vir DEPOIS do sujeito ({他们|Tāmen}), nunca antes dele.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra inclusiva: {都|dōu} (Todos/Ambos)

Preencha a lacuna para 'Nós dois gostamos de café'.

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {都|dōu}
Usamos {都|dōu} para indicar 'ambos' ou 'todos' em relação ao sujeito.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra inclusiva: {都|dōu} (Todos/Ambos)

Preencha o espaço para dizer 'Hoje ainda está muito frio'.

{今天|jīntiān} ___ {很|hěn}{冷|lěng}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {还|hái}
Use «{还|hái}» para indicar que o estado (estar frio) continua desde antes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra para 'mais uma coisa': também e ainda (还 - hái)

Preencha o espaço com a palavra correta para 'quase'.

这件衣服___一百块。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几乎
几乎 (jīhū) é usado para significar 'quase' uma certa quantia ou estado.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Quase e por pouco (几乎 jīhū)

Encontre e corrija o erro nesta frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

我是老师也。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我也是老师。
No chinês, o «也» não pode ficar no final da frase. Ele deve vir antes do verbo «是».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Também (也 yě)

Preencha o espaço para dizer 'Ele também está muito ocupado.'

他 ___ 很忙。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 也
O «也» é usado para indicar que o sujeito compartilha o estado de estar ocupado com outra pessoa mencionada antes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Também (也 yě)

Encontre o erro na frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

{他在家还在|tā zài jiā hái zài}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他还在家|tā hái zài jiā}。
O «{还|hái}» deve vir antes do verbo ou da expressão de lugar «{在家|zài jiā}».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: A palavra para 'mais uma coisa': também e ainda (还 - hái)

Score: /10

Perguntas comuns (6)

Sim, muito! É usado tanto quanto o 'quase' no português para situações como atrasos ou esquecimentos: «几乎忘了 (jīhū wàngle)».
Não. No chinês, advérbios devem vir antes do verbo. Dizer
wǒ dào le jīhū
está errado.
Se você quer dizer que duas pessoas fazem algo, use «也». Para um grupo todo, usamos «都» (dōu). Exemplo: «我们也去。»
O «也» é para pessoas diferentes fazendo a mesma coisa. O «还» é para a mesma pessoa fazendo coisas extras. Exemplo: «我也喝咖啡。»
Sim! Em quase todas as frases de iniciante, ele segue o sujeito. Por exemplo: «{他还在这里|tā hái zài zhèlǐ}» (Ele ainda está aqui).
Pode, mas significa 'Eu (assim como você) quero café'. Use «{我还想要咖啡|wǒ hái xiǎng yào kāfēi}» para dizer 'Eu quero café (além do que já pedi)'.
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