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LEARN + CHINESE / 251 of 300 HSK 7–9

Here and There, Off and On例 · 东风很大

The team scattered 东找西找 through the office; the lights 忽明忽暗 as the storm passed. 东A西B can spread activity across places, while 忽A忽B marks a back-and-forth change. 非A非B says something fits neither category neatly.

东风很大。
dōngfēng hěn dà。
The east wind is strong.
西风很大。
xī fēng hěn dà。
The west wind is strong.
虽然正在下雪，但是我也非去不可。
suīrán zhèngzài xiàxuě， dànshì wǒ yě fēi qù bùkě。
Although it is snowing, I must go.

Vocabulary

ChineseEnglish
dōng
east
xī
west
fēi
non-; not; wrong
xiàxuě
to snow
dànshì
but; however
zhèngzài
in the process of
suīrán
although
liánxù
continuous; in a row
dàfang
generous; tasteful
xuǎnjǔ
to elect; election
àilǐbùlǐ
to look cold and indifferent
bànxìnbànyí
half believing, half doubting
shānlǐng
mountain ridge; mountain range
yīliánchuàn
a series of; a chain of
zhànlì
to stand
zhìwèn
to question; to interrogate
zìyǎn
wording; diction
zōng
batches; cases; items
zìsī-zìlì
selfish; self-centered
bùyīhuìr
in a moment

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