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东施效颦

intermediate1 min read
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Translation

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Grammar Points

有 + NP + 名叫 + NameExistential introductionHSK 3

Use 有 + noun phrase + 名叫 to introduce a person or thing that exists at a certain place or context; it’s common in storytelling and descriptions.

"越国的若耶溪西岸,有个女子名叫西施。"

"若耶溪的东岸也有一个女子,名叫东施。"

Subject + 长得 + adjectiveDescribing appearanceHSK 2

Use 长得 followed by an adjective to describe what someone looks like; it’s a fixed structure for talking about physical appearance.

"她长得非常漂亮,人们都很喜欢她。"

"名叫东施,长得很丑。"

突然 + verb/complement + 起来Sudden changeHSK 3

突然 introduces an unexpected action or change, and 起来 often follows to show something beginning; it’s typical for describing sudden feelings or events.

"有一天,西施走在路上,突然胸部疼痛起来。"

被 + agent + verbPassive voiceHSK 4

被 marks a passive construction where the subject experiences an action done by someone else; it’s useful for focusing on the subject’s experience.

"这时候正好被东施看见了。"

比 ... 更 / 更加 + adjectiveComparison/intensifierHSK 3

Use 比 + reference + 更/更加 + adjective to show that someone or something has a higher degree of a quality; 更加 alone also intensifies an adjective.

"她觉得西施这副姿态比平日更美了。"

"人们看到她那装模作样的姿态,觉得她更加难看了。"

Key Vocabulary

deHSK1

really and truly

HSK1

she

西施xī shī
leHSK1

unofficial variant of 瞭[liao4]

模仿mó fǎngHSK6

to copy

HSK1
长得zhǎng dé
名叫míng jiào
人们rén men
觉得jué déHSK1

to think that ...; to feel that ...

jiùHSK2

(of food) to go with

shìHSK1

(adverb for emphatic assertion)

胸口xiōng kǒu
若耶溪ruò yé xī
东施dōng shī
女子nǚ ziHSK5

woman

皱着眉头zhòu zhe méi tóu
人家rén jiāHSK6

household business

双手shuāng shǒu
láiHSK1

to come

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