Review

Please filling the blanks by using 虽然...但是...， 尽管...但是...，or 即使...也...

1. _______他感冒了，_______他还在工作。
2. 她_______不是北方人，_______能说一口标准的普通话。
3. _______我们很久没有见到你，_______能常常听到你的消息。
4. _______我们取得冠军，我们_______要坚持练习。
5. _______大家觉得路比较远，_______还是都去了。
6. _______明天下雨，_______我们也要去度假。

"Although" with 尽管 (jǐnguǎn)

尽管 (jǐnguǎn) means "although", and is a little stronger than 虽然, perhaps more like "even though". The structure is 尽管 A，还是/仍然 B. For example, 

• 尽管已经到了下班的时间，他还是坚持工作。Even though it is already the time to get off work, he is still working. 
• 尽管他每天工作很紧张，可他的生活仍然很有规律。Even though he has a very busy schedule working every day, he still leads his life in routine. （note that 可 or 却 can be added before 还是 or 仍然 to further emphasize the shift in meaning in the second phrase.)

Please say the following sentences in Chinese:

1. Even though the building is burning, and very dangerous, the firefighters are still bravely running in to fight it.
2. Even though he's failed many times, he still wants to start a business.

"Although" with 虽然...但是... (suīrán ... dànshì ... )

The grammar pattern "虽然...但是..." (suīrán ... dànshì ... ) is one of the most common used patterns in Chinese, especially in written Chinese.It is used often to bring up a certain point, then to show that there is a contrary reaction. "虽然 ... 但是 ... " expresses that while the former part of the sentence is true, there is an adverse reaction in the latter part. The pattern is 虽然 + Subject + 但是 + Contrary Reaction. Simply put, the pattern means Although...but.... in English, and is generally used in the same manner. Be aware that "可是" can be used interchangeably with "但是". For example, 

• 虽然这台电脑质量很好，但是价格太贵了。
• 虽然这种手机性能很好，可是外观不太好看。

Please say the following sentences in Chinese:

1. Although he's American, he still hasn't been to Washington D.C.
2. Even though she said she isn't hungry, she ordered a lot of food.
3. Even though he‘s got a rich family, he never wastes money.

Expressing "even if…" with 即使...也 (jíshǐ... yě)

即使...也 (jíshǐ... yě) means "even if...still...". In this construction, the first clause (after 即使) is a supposition, which is then struck down as impossible by the second clause (after 也) of the statement. The structure is 即使 + hypothetical statement + 也 + action. For example, 
即使明天下雨，我们也要去爬山 。 Even if it's raining tomorrow, we're still going to go out hiking.

Note that the clause used after 即使 must be hypothetical, otherwise 虽然 should be used. For example, 
虽然现在是交通高峰期，我也要去。Although it is the rush hour, I still want to go. 
即使现在是交通高峰期，我也要去。(wrong!)

Please say the following sentences in Chinese:

1. Even if it should rain tomorrow, we will continue our work.
2. Even if we achieve great success in our work, we should not be conceited.
3. Even if  he failed , he would try again .
4. Even if he were my own son, I would still say he is wrong. 

...的时候, 以后, and 一边...一边...

When talking about when something happens, "以后" (yǐhòu) and "的时候" (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as "when", but their meanings are different, so they can't be used in situations you might expect them to be used in. "以后" and "的时候" both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb. The structure is Subject + Verb + 以后/的时候, Comment.  "以后" technically means after, so it is used after the action is completed. This can be seen as a way of saying "When you are done (verb)ing". For example, 

• 下飞机以后给我打一个电话。Give me a call after you get off the plane.

"的时候" means "when" in the sense of during an action. For example, "when you play ball" can be seen as "when you are playing ball." It is this sort of difference that can make "以后" and "的时候" slightly confusing at times.

• 公司规定工作的时候不能用qq聊天。Company rules say that you can't chat on QQ when you're at work.

"的时候" is also similar to using the 一边 structure. However, "一边" uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候" can use sub-conscious or unexpected actions. The structure is Subject + 一边 + Verb， + 一边 + Verb.  For example, 

• 我一边看电视，一边吃东西。I watch TV while I eat something. （Note that you must be actively doing both actions. That is, they have to be intentional. If you want to say something happened while another thing was happening, it would be better to use "的时候" (de shíhou).

Please write the following sentences in Chinese

1. After ten o'clock, I will not be at home.
2. After I met him, I found out about a lot of things.
3. After you arrive home you will see my e-mail.
4. After going to China, she met her husband.
5. After drinking, I am really happy.
6. What can you do when you're bored?
7. You sweat a lot when you play basketball.
8. Watching TV while you eat can make you gaining weight easily.
9. Do you like to eat while you drive?
10. They dance while they sing.
11. Do you like talking while walking?
12. Let's eat while we talk.
13. I listen to music while working
14. Children like to eat while they play.
15. That guy laughs while he talks.

Reference 

http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22

http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22

http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Simultaneous_tasks_with_%22yibian%22

Ocean Heaven -- Part. 12

Please watch the movie: Ocean Heaven.

LANGUAGE  POINTS

1. 怎么
2. ...的时候
3. 帮助

PRACTICE: please say the following sentences in Chinese.

1. Lao Wang taught Dafu how to take the bus. 
2. Lao Wang and Dafu have fun while they practice frying eggs.
3. When Dafu rides the bus alone for the first time, he doesn't know how to get off. 
4. Lao Wang dressed up as a bus driver to help Dafu practice. 
5. Lao Wang loses his temper and yells at Dafu, when Dafu has trouble learning how to mop well. 

CULTURE NOTES

1. A lots of Chinese people tend to favor numbers _____ and _____, because _____ sounds similar to the word 发， and _____  implies "smooth". 
2. Seven and four are on the unfavorable list, as their pronunciations are similar to "__________" and "_____" respectively. While not everyone is superstitious, don't be surprised if you see people trying to avoid 7's and 4's on their license plate, house, and phone numbers. 

How to do something：怎么 (zěnme)

怎么 (zěnme) means "how" in Chinese, and it's not hard to use at all. The question word 怎么 (zěnme) is used to ask how in Chinese. It is inserted in front of the verb that's being asked about: Subject + 怎么 + Verb + Object. For example, 

• 你怎么学中文？How do you learn Chinese? 
• 你怎么上班？坐地铁吗？How do you get to work? By metro?
• 图书馆怎么去？How do you go to the library?
• 用中文“苹果”怎么说？How do you say "apple" in Chinese?

Note that the subject can often be omitted from general "how to" questions, and there doesn't always have to be an object. 
Please say the following sentences in Chinese:

1. Do you know how to use a cell phone to go online?
2. How do you use chopsticks to eat?
3. How do you read this word?
4. He taught me how to write this character. 
5. He told me how to take the bus.