SLLC Entrance key terms

A word placed between a number and a noun to count it, such as 个 for people or 本 for books. English has few of these, so learners must memorise which one fits each noun.

A short grammatical word attached after other words to mark their role, such as 的 for possession, 了 for completion, or 吗 for questions. Particles carry no stress and never stand alone.

A sentence-final particle that changes tone or attitude rather than grammar, such as 吧 for suggestion, 呢 for a follow-up question, or 啊 for softening. The same sentence sounds rude or friendly depending on it.

A sentence pattern that moves the object in front of the verb with 把 to stress what happens to it, as in 我把书放在桌子上. It requires a verb phrase showing result, direction, or disposal, not a bare verb.

A structure where the receiver of the action becomes the subject, usually marked by 被, as in 杯子被打破了. The agent may be omitted, and the verb normally carries a result element.

An element after a verb that completes its meaning by showing result, direction, duration, or degree, as in 吃完, 走出去, or 说得很好. It is one of the hardest points for learners whose first language lacks it.

A verb or adjective placed directly after an action verb to state its outcome, such as 完 in 吃完 or 错 in 写错. It tells the listener whether the action succeeded.

A complement showing movement toward or away from a reference point, such as 来 and 去 in 进来, 出去, or 站起来. These forms also appear figuratively, as in 想起来 meaning to recall.

A particle signalling that an action is completed or a state has changed, as in 我吃了饭 or 天黑了. It marks aspect, not past tense, so it can co-occur with future time words.

A particle placed after a verb to say that the experience happened at least once at some indefinite time, as in 我去过北京. It contrasts with 了, which presents an action as completed at a specific point.

A word naming a person, thing, place, or abstract idea, such as 老师, 桌子, or 幸福. Chinese nouns do not change for singular or plural; plurality is shown by context or by suffixes like 们.

A word describing quality or state, such as 高, 漂亮, or 冷. In Chinese, adjectives function as predicates without a linking verb, so 她很聪明 means she is smart with no 是.

A word placed before an adjective or verb to show intensity, such as 很, 非常, 太, or 有点儿. Choice matters: 太 often implies excess, while 有点儿 usually carries mild disapproval.

The pitch pattern that distinguishes otherwise identical syllables, with four main tones plus a neutral tone in Mandarin. For example, 妈, 麻, 马, and 骂 differ only by tone.

A regular change in tone when syllables combine, most famously two third tones where the first becomes second, as in 你好. Learners who ignore it sound unnatural even with correct individual tones.

The official romanisation system using Latin letters and tone marks to write Mandarin sounds. It is a pronunciation aid, not a replacement script, and appears on signage and in dictionaries.

A fixed four-character expression with a literary origin and a meaning beyond its literal parts, such as 画蛇添足. Using one correctly signals education, but misuse or wrong context stands out badly.

A common saying expressing folk wisdom in everyday spoken style, such as 三个臭皮匠, 顶个诸葛亮. Unlike chengyu, it is usually a full clause and can vary in wording.

A word close in meaning to another but rarely identical in use, register, or collocation, such as 高兴 and 愉快. Exam questions often test which one fits a given sentence.

A word expressing the opposite of another, such as 大 and 小 or 开始 and 结束. Some pairs are gradable while others are absolute, which affects which adverbs can modify them.

The conventional pairing of words, such as 提高水平 rather than 增加水平. Natural collocation is a common test point because grammatically valid combinations can still sound wrong.

The level of formality suited to a situation, ranging from casual speech to written official style. Word choice signals it, so 您 and 贵姓 fit formal settings while 你 and 叫什么 suit friends.

Words and forms that show respect to the listener or a third party, such as 您, 贵姓, 令尊, or 光临. Overuse sounds stiff, while omission in formal contexts can seem rude.

A word with little concrete meaning that mainly expresses grammatical relations, such as 的, 和, 因为, or 虽然. Function words are limited in number but appear in almost every sentence.

A word carrying independent lexical meaning, such as 桌子, 跑, 美丽, or 三. Content words form an open class, since new ones enter the language constantly.

The central point a passage conveys, which the writer wants the reader to retain. It is broader than any single detail and is often stated in a first or last sentence.

A specific fact, example, or figure in a text that supports the main idea. Detail questions ask what, when, who, or how much, and answers are checked directly against the passage.

A conclusion drawn from clues in a text rather than stated outright. Inference questions use wording like 可以知道 or 说明, and the answer must be supported, not merely plausible.

The surrounding words, sentence, and situation that determine how an expression should be understood. It resolves ambiguity, for example deciding whether 意思 means meaning or interest.

The relationship in which a pronoun or placeholder points back to something already mentioned, such as 这 or 他. Reference questions ask what a given word refers to in its passage.

Reading quickly for the general sense, usually by looking at titles, first sentences, and headings. It is the right strategy for main-idea questions and saves time in timed exams.

Searching a text rapidly for a specific item such as a name, date, or number, without reading every word. It suits detail questions where the answer is stated explicitly.

The words in a listening passage that carry the answer, often names, numbers, times, or negation. Recognising them while ignoring filler is the core listening skill tested.

An answer choice or spoken detail designed to attract attention but not answer the question, often a number or word that sounds similar. Noticing the mismatch is essential.

Words pronounced identically but written differently, such as 是 and 事 or 在 and 再. Listening tests exploit them, so the surrounding sentence, not the sound alone, decides meaning.

The speaker's attitude conveyed by pitch, stress, and speed, such as impatience, surprise, or politeness. It often decides whether a statement is a genuine question or a complaint.

The titles and terms used to name people according to age, rank, or relationship, such as 王老师, 李经理, or 阿姨. Wrong choices offend, and correct ones show cultural awareness.

A person's social dignity in the eyes of others, which communication is expected to protect. Indirect refusals, euphemism, and politeness strategies exist largely to preserve it.

A softened expression used instead of a harsh or embarrassing one, such as 走了 for died or 方便一下 for using the toilet. Recognising them prevents misreading polite speech.

The lunar new year holiday, the most important family occasion in Chinese communities, marked by reunion dinners, red envelopes, and fireworks. Dates shift yearly within late January to mid-February.

A harvest festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, associated with family reunion, mooncakes, and moon viewing. It is second only to Spring Festival in cultural weight.

A packet of money given at festivals, weddings, and celebrations, usually by elders to juniors. Amounts follow conventions, and public giving carries social meaning beyond the cash.