Chinese grammar · Upper intermediate (B2)
Spoken and written Chinese
Spoken and written pairs such as 因为 / 由于 and 马上 / 即将, the written words 之, 其, 将, 已, 于 and 予以, and the language of news and letters.
Two registers
Chinese has a clear gap between everyday speech and formal writing. News, official notices, contracts, formal letters and speeches use shorter, older words, many of them from Classical Chinese. You don't need them in conversation (you would sound like a newsreader), but you need to recognise them to read signs, news and work emails.
Most formal words have an everyday partner with the same meaning, so it's easiest to learn them in pairs.
Spoken and written pairs
The written word is often one syllable where speech has two ( (yǐjīng) and (yǐ)), or a more precise word where speech is general ( (mǎi) and (gòumǎi)).
| Everyday | Formal or written | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| (yīnwèi) | (yóuyú) | because |
| (suǒyǐ) | (yīncǐ) | so, therefore |
| (dànshì) | (rán'ér) | but, however |
| (háiyǒu) | (cǐwài) | also, in addition |
| (zài) | (yú) | at, in, on |
| (mǎshàng) | (jíjiāng) | soon, about to |
| (yào), (huì) | (jiāng) | will |
| (yǐjīng) | (yǐ) | already |
| (hái méi) | (shàngwèi) | not yet |
| (de) | (zhī) | of, 's |
| (tā de), (tā de) | (qí) | his, her, its, their |
| (zhège) | (gāi), (cǐ) | this, the said |
| (gēn), (hé) | (yǔ) | and, with |
| (mǎi) | (gòumǎi) | buy |
| (shuō) | (biǎoshì) | say, state |
| (gěi) | (yǔyǐ) | give (formally) |
| (wèile) | (yǐbiàn) | so that |
| (kǎolǜ dào) | (jiànyú) | in view of |
News language
News reports use precise reporting verbs rather than : (biǎoshì), state; (qiángdiào), stress; (zhǐchū), point out; (xuānbù), announce; (chēng), claim. 据…报道 means “according to reports from …”, and (jù bàodào) alone means “according to reports”.
Times and places are given with (yú) and the future with (jiāng): (jiāng yú míngtiān jǔxíng), will be held tomorrow.
- 市政府宣布，从下个月起，老年人乘坐公交车免费。Shìzhèngfǔ xuānbù, cóng xià ge yuè qǐ, lǎoniánrén chéngzuò gōngjiāochē miǎnfèi.The city government has announced that buses will be free for older people from next month.
- 据报道，该措施已于上周开始实施。Jù bàodào, gāi cuòshī yǐ yú shàng zhōu kāishǐ shíshī.According to reports, the measure came into effect last week.
- 他强调，安全是最重要的。Tā qiángdiào, ānquán shì zuì zhòngyào de.He stressed that safety comes first.
- 会议将于明天上午九点举行。Huìyì jiāng yú míngtiān shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn jǔxíng.The meeting will be held at 9 am tomorrow.
Formal letters and emails
A formal letter opens with (zūnjìng de) + name or title and a colon, and often (Nín hǎo!) on the next line. It closes with (cǐzhì) on one line and (Jìnglǐ!) at the start of the next, then the name and date.
Useful set phrases: (tècǐ), hereby; (pànfù), I look forward to your reply; (qǐng yǔyǐ jiějué), please resolve this; (jǐnkuài), as soon as possible; (guì gōngsī), your company. Emails between colleagues are less formal and often end with (Xièxie!) or (Zhù hǎo!), best wishes.
- 尊敬的物业管理处：Zūnjìng de wùyè guǎnlǐchù:Dear Property Management Office,
- 鉴于电梯至今仍未修好，请贵公司尽快予以解决。Jiànyú diàntī zhìjīn réng wèi xiūhǎo, qǐng guì gōngsī jǐnkuài yǔyǐ jiějué.As the lift has still not been repaired, we ask your company to resolve this as soon as possible.
- 此外，希望贵公司定期检查电梯，以便及早发现问题。Cǐwài, xīwàng guì gōngsī dìngqī jiǎnchá diàntī, yǐbiàn jízǎo fāxiàn wèntí.In addition, we hope your company will inspect the lift regularly so that problems are found early.
- 特此投诉，盼复。Tècǐ tóusù, pànfù.We hereby make this complaint and look forward to your reply.