Class Notes: Chinese Words with Similar Definitions but Different Usage (HSK 1-6)

Objective

• Clarify confusing Chinese words that share similar English definitions but are used differently in practice, organized by HSK level (1-6).

HSK 1 Confusing Pairs

1. 不 (bù) vs. 没有 (méiyǒu)

• 不: Negates in the present/future or habitual actions (e.g., "I don't like curry").
• 没有: Negates in the past/past experience (e.g., "I didn't go yesterday", "I have never been there").

2. 哪里 (nǎlǐ) vs. 哪儿 (nǎr)

• Both mean "where"; 哪儿 is more northern/casual, 哪里 more formal.

3. 看 (kàn) vs. 看见 (kànjiàn)

• 看: To look at/watch (the action).
• 看见: To see (result—having seen something).

HSK 2 Confusing Pairs

1. 二 (èr) vs. 两 (liǎng)

• 二: Used when counting or numerals (e.g., "2nd February", "20").
• 两: Used with measure words (e.g., "two apples", "two books").

2. 知道 (zhīdào) vs. 认识 (rènshi)

• 知道: To know (facts/information).
• 认识: To know/recognize (people, to have met).

3. 东西 (dōngxi) vs. 事情 (shìqing)

• 东西: Physical object ("thing").
• 事情: Abstract event, matter, or problem.

4. 时间 (shíjiān) vs. 时候 (shíhou)

• 时间: Time in general, duration.
• 时候: Specific moment or occasion ("when").

5. 能 (néng) vs. 会 (huì) vs. 可以 (kěyǐ)

• 能: Physically/mentally able to do.
• 会: Know how to do (skill-based).
• 可以: May/is allowed to.

HSK 3 Confusing Pairs

1. 和 (hé) vs. 跟 (gēn)

• Both can mean "with", 跟 is more casual/personal, 和 more formal.
• 和 can also mean "and".

2. 或者 (huòzhě) vs. 还是 (háishi)

• 或者: "Or" in statements.
• 还是: "Or" in questions.

3. 觉得 (juéde) vs. 认为 (rènwéi)

• 觉得: Opinion based on feelings.
• 认为: Opinion based on logic, analysis.

4. 周 (zhōu), 星期 (xīngqī), 礼拜 (lǐbài)

• All mean "week"; usage varies (周 more formal, 礼拜 casual).

5. 帮 (bāng) vs. 帮忙 (bāngmáng)

• 帮: To help (used with verb).
• 帮忙: To do a favor, more general.

HSK 4 Confusing Pairs

1. 再 (zài) vs. 又 (yòu)

• 再: Again (future/ongoing action).
• 又: Again (past/present, often with a sense of repetition).

2. 其他 (qítā) vs. 别的 (biéde)

• 其他: More formal, can refer to people or things.
• 别的: More casual, only things.

3. 懂 (dǒng) vs. 明白 (míngbái)

• 懂: Deep, instinctive understanding (often languages/skills).
• 明白: Clarity/comprehension (often explanation/instructions).

4. 了解 (liǎojiě) vs. 理解 (lǐjiě)

• 了解: To know/familiar with (person/topic).
• 理解: To understand (logic/concept).

5. 办法 (bànfǎ) vs. 方法 (fāngfǎ)

• 办法: Solution, what to do to solve a problem.
• 方法: Method/approach (way of doing).

6. 合适 (héshì) vs. 适合 (shìhé)

• 合适: Adjective ("suitable").
• 适合: Verb ("to suit/be suitable for").

7. 全部 (quánbù), 所有 (suǒyǒu), 都 (dōu)

• 都: All (most used, often with a noun).
• 全部/所有: Emphasize all parts/totality.

8. 以前 (yǐqián) vs. 之前 (zhīqián)

• 以前: Broadly "before/in the past."
• 之前: Specifically "before" a particular event.

9. 经历 (jīnglì), 通过 (tōngguò), 穿过 (chuānguò)

• 经历: Emphasizes process ("experience" something).
• 通过: Emphasizes passing through via means/method.
• 穿过: Physical/concrete passage.

HSK 5 Confusing Pairs

1. 高兴 (gāoxìng), 开心 (kāixīn), 快乐 (kuàilè)

• 高兴: Momentary happiness.
• 开心: Medium/short-term, open-hearted happiness.
• 快乐: General/contented happiness (used for "Happy Birthday").

2. 必须 (bìxū) vs. 必需 (bìxū)

• Both mean "must," but 必须 is "must (do)", 必需 is "essential/necessary (thing)".

3. 最后 (zuìhòu) vs. 终于 (zhōngyú)

• 最后: Final (chronological).
• 终于: Finally (after difficulty/release).

4. 看来 (kànlái), 看上去 (kànshàngqù), 显得 (xiǎnde)

• 看上去: Appears/looks like (surface impression).
• 看来: It seems/appears that (prediction/assessment).
• 显得: To appear (to others, external perspective).

5. 关于 (guānyú), 针对 (zhēnduì), 对于 (duìyú)

• 关于: "Regarding/about" (topic/subject).
• 针对: Facing/addressing (specific).
• 对于: As for, concerning (often used for contrast or when discussing specifics).

6. 一直 (yīzhí), 不断 (búduàn), 连续 (liánxù)

• 一直: Continuously (up to now, uninterrupted).
• 不断: Consistently (no break, often abstract).
• 连续: Non-stop, often for concrete actions (e.g., non-stop movement).

7. 反而 (fǎn'ér), 竟然 (jìngrán), 却 (què), 居然 (jūrán)

• All express contrary to expectations; each has nuances of degree/formality.

8. 平时 (píngshí), 通常 (tōngcháng), 一般 (yìbān)

• 平时: Usual/typically (can be sentence-initial).
• 通常: Normally, more formal.
• 一般: Generally/usually.

9. 也许 (yěxǔ), 可能 (kěnéng)

• Both mean "maybe/perhaps."
• 可能: "Possible," more optimistic.
• 也许: "Perhaps," more neutral or less committed.

10. 区别 (qūbié), 差别 (chābié), 分别 (fēnbié), 差异 (chāyì), distinct usages:

• 区别: Standard "difference/distinction."
• 差别: Discrepancy (often between data, numbers).
• 差异: Formal word for difference/discrimination.
• 分别: To distinguish/separately.

HSK 6 Highlight

1. 总是 (zǒngshì), 老 (lǎo), 一直 (yīzhí)

• 总是: Standard "always" (habitual).
• 一直: Always (as in "from past till now," ongoing action).
• 老: Always (habitual, sometimes with frustration, more spoken/informal).

Other Notable Points

• Always learn Chinese characters for real understanding and long-term retention.
• Contextual usage is crucial; many words are only interchangeable in some contexts.
• Example sentences and immersion are essential for mastering these nuanced differences.

Action Items

• Download the supplemental PDF and audio resources linked in the original material for more examples and practice.
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