Expression
B2
Make rapid progress
Imagine someone traveling a thousand miles in just one day. It describes making incredibly fast progress or experiencing a sudden, massive leap in development.
Usage: This idiom is very versatile and sits in the 'sweet spot' of being sophisticated but common enough for daily use. It is grammatically flexible and can act as a predicate or a modifier.
Expression
B2
Without prior consultation
It's that magical moment when you and someone else do or say the exact same thing at the same time, without ever planning it. It's like being on the same wavelength by total accident.
Usage: This phrase is extremely versatile and fits into almost any social register. Just remember it functions as an adverbial modifier, so it almost always sits right before the action it describes.
Expression
B2
World-famous
This phrase describes something or someone so famous that practically everyone on the planet knows about them. It is like saying something is a 'household name' but on a global scale.
Usage: This is a formal idiom (Chengyu). It is best used in writing or serious discussions, though it can be used in speech to show high praise. Avoid using it for trivial matters unless you are being intentionally funny.
Expression
C1
Calm and unhurried
This phrase describes someone who stays cool, calm, and collected under pressure. It is that 'main character energy' where you handle a stressful situation without breaking a sweat or rushing.
Usage: This is a Chengyu (four-character idiom). It sits in the 'formal to neutral' register. It is perfect for writing, storytelling, or giving high-level praise in professional settings.
Expression
B2
Gratifying; comforting
This phrase describes that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when something turns out well after a period of worry. It is like a deep exhale of relief mixed with genuine pride.
Usage: The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. Just remember that it requires a context of previous concern or effort to make sense.
Collocation
A1
Can/will
Think of this as your 'superpower' word. It describes skills you've learned through effort and also predicts things that will definitely happen in the future.
Usage: Extremely common in all registers. The main 'gotcha' is confusing it with `能` (physical ability). Remember: `会` = Knowledge/Future.
Collocation
A1
First...then
This phrase is the ultimate way to set an order for your actions. It tells people you want to finish one thing before moving on to the next.
Usage: This is a neutral, high-frequency collocation. It is safe to use in any social or professional setting to describe intended sequences.
Collocation
A1
First...then
This is your go-to way to explain a sequence of events. It is like saying 'First I do this, and then I do that' to keep your story or instructions organized.
Usage: This is a neutral-register collocation. It works in 95% of life situations. The main 'gotcha' is word order: always ensure '先' and '然后' come before the verbs they modify.
Expression
B2
Wholeheartedly
It means giving your absolute 100% to something or someone. It is like putting your entire heart and every single thought into an action without holding anything back.
Usage: This is a high-register idiom that carries significant emotional weight. While it is grammatically simple to use, its social impact is strong—only use it when you truly mean to convey 100% commitment.
Collocation
A2
To work overtime
This phrase literally means 'adding shifts' and is used whenever you stay late at work or work during your personal time.
Usage: The phrase is very versatile and safe for all levels of formality. Just remember it's a separable verb when adding durations.
Expression
B2
Benefit greatly
It means you've gained a lot of value, wisdom, or insight from an experience. It's like saying you walked away with a full brain and a happy heart.
Usage: This is a high-register expression. While it's not 'king and queen' formal, it's definitely more elegant than everyday slang. Use it to show you've truly reflected on an experience.
Collocation
A1
Can/may
This is your go-to word for saying 'yes' to a request or asking if something is okay. It covers everything from 'I can do that' to 'Is it alright if I sit here?'
Usage: Extremely versatile across all levels of formality. Be mindful that '不可以' can sound like a command when used by someone in a position of power.
Collocation
A1
To eat (a meal)
While it literally means 'eating rice,' it's the universal way to say you're having a meal, whether it's pizza, noodles, or a five-course feast.
Usage: Very versatile and safe for almost all daily interactions. Use `用餐` (yòngcān) only if you are in a very high-end restaurant or writing a formal invitation.
Expression
B2
Based on data analysis
It's a way of saying your opinion or decision isn't just a hunch. You've actually looked at the hard facts and numbers before speaking.
Usage: This phrase is primarily used in formal or professional contexts. In casual settings, it is often used with a touch of irony or to emphasize that one has done thorough research before making a recommendation.
Expression
B2
Strengthen pillar industries
This phrase describes the process of growing and reinforcing the most important sectors of an economy or business. It's like making sure the main legs of a table are thick and sturdy so the whole thing stays stable.
Usage: This is a formal expression best suited for business or government contexts. Avoid using it for small personal matters unless you are being intentionally funny.
Collocation
A1
To hope
This is how you express your wishes or desires for the future. It works as both 'I hope' and 'my hope,' making it your go-to word for optimism.
Usage: It is a neutral-register word suitable for almost any situation. Just remember it always points toward future possibilities.
Expression
C1
Equally matched
Imagine two rivals are so perfectly matched that neither can outshine the other. It describes a situation where power, beauty, or skill is split exactly 50/50 between two sides.
Usage: This is a neutral-to-formal idiom. It is highly versatile and safe for both professional writing and casual praise, provided the context is positive or neutral.
Collocation
A1
To be happy
It means you are feeling happy, joyful, or in a great mood. It is the most common way to say you are having a good time.
Usage: It is a neutral-to-informal word. It is the safest, most natural choice for daily conversation when you want to express that you are in a good mood.
Expression
C1
Be of noble character and high prestige
This phrase describes someone who is deeply respected not just for their skills, but for their incredible character and long-standing reputation. Think of that one person in a community or industry who everyone looks up to as a moral compass.
Usage: This is a high-register formal idiom. It carries a sense of gravity and should be used with sincerity. Avoid using it in very casual slang-filled conversations unless you are being intentionally ironic.
Expression
C1
Outstanding achievements
This phrase describes someone who has reached the top of their game and achieved something truly remarkable. It’s the kind of praise you save for a career milestone or a legendary contribution to a field.
Usage: This is a high-register idiom. It is best suited for written Chinese or formal speeches. Using it in casual slang-heavy conversation will likely be perceived as sarcasm or extreme exaggeration.
Collocation
A1
Or
This is your go-to word for 'or' when you are making a statement or describing possibilities. It's the way you tell someone your plans aren't set in stone yet.
Usage: The primary rule is the statement vs. question distinction. Use `或者` for options in a declarative context and `还是` for choices in an interrogative context.
Collocation
A1
To wear glasses
This phrase simply means putting on or wearing a pair of glasses. It is the standard way to describe someone with spectacles on their face.
Usage: This is a neutral, everyday phrase suitable for all settings. The most important thing for beginners is to master the specific verb `戴` (dài) and distinguish it from `穿` (chuān).
Collocation
A2
To scan
In modern China, this is the magic word for everything from paying for street food to adding a new friend on WeChat. It literally means to scan a code with your phone camera to connect with the digital world.
Usage: Very versatile. Use the full 'sǎomiáo' in formal instructions or tech settings, and the shortened 'sǎo' or 'sǎomǎ' for everything else in daily life.
Collocation
A2
To improve/raise
This phrase is your go-to way to say you're leveling up. It means to lift something up or make it better, like improving your skills or raising your grades.
Usage: Perfectly neutral and safe for all situations. Just ensure the object is abstract (skills, levels, quality) rather than physical.
Expression
C1
Flawless; impeccable
It describes something so perfect and solid that nobody can find a single flaw or weak point to attack. It is like a shield with no cracks or a logic puzzle with no missing pieces.
Usage: This is a high-register idiom that works best in professional or evaluative contexts. While it is formal, it's very common in daily conversation when discussing quality or logic.
Collocation
A1
To take a bath/shower
This is the go-to way to say you're getting clean. Whether you're soaking in a tub or standing under a shower head, this covers it all.
Usage: This is a neutral, everyday term suitable for all ages. Just remember it is a separable verb, so modifiers like 'a' or 'duration' go between '洗' and '澡'.
Expression
C1
Constant dripping wears away stone
This phrase describes how small, persistent efforts can eventually overcome even the most impossible obstacles. It is a beautiful way to say that consistency is more powerful than raw strength.
Usage: The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. When using it, ensure the context involves a long duration of time; using it for short-term tasks sounds unnatural.
Expression
B2
Speak one's mind freely
It means to let your thoughts flow without holding anything back. It's that feeling of total freedom when you can say exactly what's on your mind.
Usage: This phrase sits in the 'Goldilocks' zone of formality—it's sophisticated enough for a speech but natural enough for a coffee date. Just remember it's a 'group' oriented phrase; it's about creating an atmosphere of openness.
Expression
C1
Flawless white jade
It describes something or someone that is absolutely perfect and without a single flaw. Think of it as the ultimate compliment for a masterpiece, a person's character, or a flawless performance.
Usage: This is a high-register idiom. It is most at home in written Chinese, formal speeches, or when giving high-level compliments. Avoid using it in very casual slang-heavy conversations unless you are being intentionally dramatic.
Expression
C1
Fight a hundred battles and win them all
This phrase describes someone who is invincible or consistently successful. It literally means winning every single battle you fight without a single loss.
Usage: The phrase is highly versatile and fits most registers. Be careful not to sound too boastful if applying it to yourself; it is most naturally used as a high-level compliment for others or a description of a proven method.
