A Stubborn Man

Two or more sentences may be joined together by conjunctions. They are commonly used, but the usages often confuse beginners. Below is a dialogue containing a conjunction in each sentence. Check if you can use them correctly, and afterward we give you a list of useful conjunctions.

对话 Dialogue:

zhōu mò de huó dòng nǐ láiba,shěng de lǐng dǎo pī píng nǐ
A:周末的活动你来吧,省得领导批评你。
Come to the party this weekend, lest the boss criticize you.

wǒ nìng kě kòu gōng zī yě bú xiǎng qù
B:我宁可扣工资不想去。
I would rather lose some salary than go there.

nǐruò cān jiā yī lái kě yǐchàng chàng gē còu rè nào èr lái kě yǐ rèn shí xīn péng yǒu
A:你若参加,一来可以唱唱歌凑热闹,二来可以认识新朋友。
If you come, you can sing some songs and add to the fun for one thing, and get a chance to meet new friends for another.

rèn píng nǐ zěn me quàn wǒ yě búhuì qù de
B:任凭你怎么劝,我不会去的!
Persuade me all you want, but I won’t go!

Useful conjunctions:
1)一边……,一边……
他一边走,一边喊。
He shouted as he ran.

2)一会儿……,一会儿……
走一会儿,坐一会儿,他始终懒得张罗买卖。
Walking and resting by turns, he wandered about without the energy to solicit fares.

3) 一方面……, 另一方面……
一方面喝酒很好玩儿,另一方面喝酒对身体不好。
On one hand, drinking is very fun; on the other hand, it’ s bad for your health.

4) 与其……不如……
这与其说是责备,还不如说是句玩笑呢。
It was more of a jest than a reproach.

5)……再说……(口语)
再说,这个事要是吵开,被刘四爷知道了呢。
What’s more, what if word of this spread and reached Fourth Master Liu’s ears?

6)……,何况(更不必说,更不用说)……
我们死都不怕, 何况困难?
We fear no death, let alone difficulties.

7)任凭……,也……
任凭他去拉车,他去要饭,也得永远跟着他。
Even if he pulls a rickshaw or become a beggar, she would stay with him forever.

8)再……,也……
照这样下去,生意再好些也不中用。
At this rate, even if business improved, it still wouldn’t be of any use.

9) 除了……以外……
除了星期三以外,我们每天早上九点上课。
Apart from Wednesdays, we start class at 9am every day.

10)宁可……也不……
我宁可不睡觉,也不愿错过晚上的课。
I would rather give up sleep than miss my evening class.