Expressing future with 将 (jiāng)

将 (jiāng) can be used to denote something is about to happen in the near future, a bit like "about to" in English. It is generally used in formal contexts. The structure is 将 + [imminent event].


For example,
他 将 去 中国 学习。(Tā jiāng qù zhōngguó xuéxí.)
He is about to go to China to study.
我们 公司 将 要 推出 一 个 新 产品。(Wǒmen gōngsī jiāngyào tuīchū yīgè xīn chǎnpǐn.)
Our company is about to release a new product.


将 (jiāng) is often combined with other verbs like 会 (Huì) and 要 (yào) and has a similar meaning but 将要 (jiāng yào) is used to express something is going to happen very soon.

For example,

火车将要进站了。
Huǒchē jiāngyào jìn zhànle.
The train is coming into the station soon.

他 将会 去 中国 出差。(Tā jiānghuì qù zhōngguó chūchāi.)
He is about be on a business trip to China .


In addition, 要Yào and 会huì can also be used to talk about the future plan or something is about to happen. You can visit this blog to read more about their differences.


Please read the following sentences and tell the functions of the 将 (jiāng) 要 (yào), or 会(huì) in them and see whether they can be changed:

1. 已经十点了，他还会来吗？[yǐjīng shí diǎn le, tā hái huì lái ma?]
2. 明天会不会下雨？[míngtiān huì bu huì xiàyǔ?]
3. 你周末要做什么？[nǐ zhōumò yào zuò shénme?]
   我要去北京。[wǒ yào qù běijīng.]
4. 圣诞节我要去旅行。[shèngdànjié wǒ yào qù lǚxíng.]
5. 这个周末我要去美容院。[zhè gè zhōumò wǒ yào qù měiróngyuàn.]
6. 今晚我要看比赛。[jīnwǎn wǒ yào kàn bǐsài.]
7. 世界杯将在南非举行。[shìjièbēi jiāng zài nánfēi jǔxing.]
8. 你的信用卡将于六月二十号到期。[nǐ de xìnyòngkǎ jiāng yú liù yuè èrshí hào dàoqī]
9. 电影将要开始了。[diànyǐng jiāng yào kāishǐ le.]
10. 火车将要进站了。[huǒchē jiāng yào jìnzhàn le.]

Reference:
http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_future_with_%22jiang%22

同义词辨析: 特X words: 特色、特点、特征、特质、＆ 特性

If you look up the meanings of these five words in Chinese-English dictionaries, you may find out the results almost identical and the explanations, like a characteristic, a distinguishing feature, and a distinctive mark. You may ask questions like:

• What's the difference between these words?
• Can some of them be used interchangeably?
• All these are very common, but can someone perhaps comment on the difference between them?
• Are there situations where you have to use a specific word (or where it's extremely common at least)?
• Are there any other rules or patterns to how these words are used?

 
The Chinese-Chinese dictionaries give definitions like:
 
【特点】tèdiǎn 人或事物所具有的独特的地方。如：他的外貌平凡，没有什么特点。

• seems to indicate a specific feature which marks something as different from something else (or what makes it stand out)
• more neutral than 特色
• doesn't have the feeling of "style" mentioned above (compare 色/點）

【特征】 tèzhēng 可作为事物特点的征象、标志等。如：这个人的特征，在于他有一头卷发。

• a general word that can be used to describe features and characteristics of all kinds

【特色】tèsè  事物所表现的独特的色彩、风格等。如：一二三一二三的节拍是华尔兹舞曲的特色。A rhythm of One Two Three One Two Three is characteristic of waltz.

• a positive defining characteristic and is used more about objects than people
• can perhaps also be translated to "style" in certain contexts.

【特性】 tèxìng 人、事物所特有的性质。常指物品的性能、性质，如：石棉的特性是不易燃烧。Characteristics of asbestos is difficult to burn.

• the word "property" appears in dictionaries for this word but not the others.

【特质】tèzhì 异于其他众物的性质。如： 她有天才的特质。 She bears the stamp of genius. 

•  relate to the inner quality or nature of something (性質) 

To sum up, these words can be differentiated as follows:

• 特色 - style (abstract)
• 特: special, good
• 色: color, but not here.
• 特点 - unique point (general)
• 点: point, a small hole or circle
• 特征 - feature (of a person or a product)
• 征: sign
• 特质 - quality (of a product or a person)
• 质: quality
• 特性 - property (abstract)
• 性: nature, function

 

There are some collocations (搭配Dāpèi), e.g.,

1. 历史特点 - historical features
2. 时代特点 - unique point or feature about an era, epoch or period of time
3. 学校特色 - characteristics of school
4. 文化特色 - cultural style
5. 身体​​特征 - characteristics of school
6. 容貌特征 - appearance characteristics
7. 时间特性 - time characteristics
8. 语言特性 - language property
9. 女性特质 - femininity
10. 遗传特质 - a hereditary characteristic

These words are usually non-interchangeable if you are specific about what you are saying or writing. An example statement combining all the above would be:

• 这台相机有许多1)_________：它具有防水功能的2)_________，优良4)_________的防刮镜头，最主要的4)_________是它无需对焦就能让你拍出据有专业5)_________的照片。
  This camera has numerous features: it has a water-resistant property, excellent quality scratch resistant lens. The most important (unique) point is that it doesn't require focusing and can let you shoot photos with a professional style.
• key: 1) 特征  2) 特性   3)特质   4)特点    5)特色

这台相机有许多特征：它具有防水功能的特性，优良特质的防刮镜头，最主要的特点是它无需对焦就能让你拍出据有专业特色的照片。

Please fill in the blanks by using the five words above. 

1. 土壤的物理_________决定于土粒的性质和排列。 Physical properties depend on the nature and arrangement of the soil particles.  
2. 您不用将这些_________特别地编到您的应用程序中去。 You do not have to specifically program these features into your application.
3. “相同货物”指在所有方面都相同的货物，包括物理_________、质量和声誉。 "identical goods" means goods which are the same in all respects, including physical characteristics, quality and reputation.  
4. 他买的领带很有中国_________。 The tie he bought is Chinese style.
5. 所有女孩都有她们所不满意的外貌________。All girls have some features about themselves they do not like.
6. 人的_________不是一眼看得出的。There's more in somebody than meets the eye.
7. 同情、灵感、渴望和巨大的创造力，这些是我们共有的_________。 These are our shared traits of compassion, inspiration, aspiration, and great ingenuity.