Praxis Chinese (Mandarin): World Language flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Tone sandhi 3+3

When two third tones occur in sequence, the first is pronounced as a second tone: nǐ hǎo sounds like ní hǎo. The underlying written tone remains third.

不 tone change

The negative 不 is fourth tone normally, but becomes second tone before another fourth tone: bú shì, bú qù, bú yào. Before other tones it stays bù.

一 tone change

一 is first tone alone or in counting, but yì before first, second, and third tones, and yí before fourth tone: yìtiān, yìqǐ, yíjiàn.

Neutral tone

A syllable with no full tone contour, short and weak, often on reduplicated kinship terms and second syllables: māma, péngyou, dōngxi, xièxie.

Erhua

A retroflex suffix common in northern Mandarin, written -r, that can mark smallness or familiarity: 一点儿 yìdiǎnr, 那儿 nàr, 玩儿 wánr.

了 as aspect particle

Placed after a verb, 了 marks a completed action or a new state: 我吃了饭 (I ate). It does not by itself mean past tense.

过 as experiential marker

Verb + 过 indicates that an experience has occurred at some point: 我去过中国 (I have been to China). It does not specify when.

着 as durative marker

Verb + 着 describes an ongoing state or accompanying circumstance rather than an action in progress: 门开着, 他笑着说.

的 地 得 split

的 links a modifier to a noun (红色的车); 地 links an adverbial to a verb (慢慢地走); 得 follows a verb to introduce degree (跑得快).

把 construction

把 fronts a definite object before the verb to show disposal or a result: 我把书放在桌子上. The verb must carry a complement or particle.

被 passive

被 marks passive voice with an optional agent: 书被他拿走了 (The book was taken by him). It often implies an adverse outcome.

比 comparison

A 比 B + adjective compares two things: 他比我高. Degree words like 一点儿, 得多, 多了 can follow the adjective.

因为 所以 pattern

A cause-result connector pair: 因为 introduces the reason and 所以 introduces the result. English-style use of only one half is also acceptable.

Measure word 张

Classifier for flat objects: 一张纸, 两张票, 三张桌子, 一张床. It pairs with surfaces and sheet-like items.

Stroke order basics

Write top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside, and close an enclosing box with its bottom stroke last.

Formal letter opening

A formal Chinese letter opens with 尊敬的 + title/name + 您好, then states purpose. It closes with 此致 and 敬礼 on separate lines.

Written connectives

Formal writing uses 因此 (therefore), 然而 (however), 此外 (moreover), 总之 (in conclusion), 换句话说 (in other words) to signal logical relations.

Common character confusions

已 (already), 己 (self), and 巳 (sixth branch) differ by stroke opening; 未 (not yet) and 末 (end) differ in relative stroke length.

Presentational writing structure

State a thesis, develop two or three supporting points with 例如 or 比如 examples, then close with 总之 or 因此 to restate the position.

Interpersonal writing rule

Every prompt bullet must be answered explicitly. Content coverage is scored separately from grammar, so omitting a point loses points regardless of accuracy.

Resultative complements

A verb plus a result particle shows outcome: 看见 (see), 听懂 (understand by hearing), 找到 (find), 做完 (finish doing).

Circumlocution strategy

When a word is unknown while speaking, describe it in Chinese (那个用来…的东西) instead of switching to English, which loses language points.

Interpersonal role-play moves

React, ask a follow-up, and negotiate: 真的吗? 那太好了. 你觉得呢? 能不能…? A one-way monologue misses the interactive scoring criterion.

Pronunciation traps

Watch r- initials (人 rén), ü after j/q/x (去 qù, 学 xué), and -n versus -ng finals (身 shēn versus 生 shēng).

A-not-A questions

Form a yes/no question by repeating the verb in negative and affirmative: 你去不去? 他是不是老师? The answer uses the verb, not 是 alone.

Negation 不 versus 没

不 negates present, habitual, or future states; 没(有) negates 有 and completed past actions: 我不去 (won't go) versus 我没去 (didn't go).

Time and place position

Time expressions precede the verb (我明天去), and location phrases with 在 also precede the verb (我在家吃饭). Mandarin has no tense inflection.

Pinyin y and w rules

When i or u begins a syllable, it is written with y or w: i becomes yi, u becomes wu, and ü becomes yu (雨 yǔ, 月 yuè).

Sentence-final particles

吧 suggests or softens (走吧); 呢 asks a follow-up (我呢?); 啊 softens tone; 嘛 marks something as obvious. They carry stance, not tense.

Number symbolism

Eight (bā) suggests prosperity via 发, four (sì) suggests death via 死, six suggests smoothness, and nine suggests long-lasting fortune.

Major Chinese festivals

春节 features red envelopes and dumplings; 中秋节 features mooncakes and reunion; 端午节 features dragon boats and zongzi; 清明节 features tomb sweeping.

Table etiquette

Pour tea for others before yourself; tap two fingers to thank the pourer; never stand chopsticks upright in rice, which resembles funeral incense.