Mandarin Sprout
HSK learning path
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HSK 1–9 learning path

HSK 4 · Connecting ideas

Full presentation, linking ideas about life, learning, and work.

Key grammar in this learning path

The grouping below is a teaching proposal by Mandarin Sprout, not the full CTI grammar syllabus.

即使…也… for a hypothetical concessionjí shǐ… yě…

即使 introduces a hypothetical concession; 也 shows that the result remains unchanged.

即使下雨,我们也会参加活动。jí shǐ xià yǔ, wǒ men yě huì cān jiā huó dòng。
不仅…而且… to add emphasisbù jǐn… ér qiě…

The two clauses add information or increase emphasis, usually in the same evaluative direction.

这家店不仅价格合理,而且服务周到。zhè jiā diàn bù jǐn jià gé hé lǐ, ér qiě fú wù zhōu dào。
虽然…但是… for contrastsuī rán… dàn shì…

The second clause contrasts with the expectation created by the first. Here, 还是 emphasizes that the result occurred anyway.

虽然他很忙,但是还是按时来了。suī rán tā hěn máng, dàn shì hái shi àn shí lái le。
无论…都… for an unchanged resultwú lùn… dōu…

无论 combines with a question word or alternatives. 都 shows that the result does not depend on the choice.

无论你选择哪种方法,都需要坚持。wú lùn nǐ xuǎn zé nǎ zhǒng fāng fǎ, dōu xū yào jiān chí。
与其…不如… to prefer an alternativeyǔ qí… bù rú…

Compare two approaches and recommend the second. Keep the two clauses parallel.

与其一直担心,不如先试一试。yǔ qí yī zhí dān xīn, bù rú xiān shì yī shì。
The result complement 好hǎo

准备好 means that preparation has reached its intended result. Result complements are not simply past-tense markers.

我已经准备好了,可以出发。wǒ yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi hǎo le, kě yǐ chū fā。
Practice these patterns

Suggested review cycle

  1. Read the method and practice a few questions before working on speed.
  2. Read explanations and retry missed questions. Only attempts without hints count as independent success.
  3. Write or speak, save a draft, then revise using the checklist.
  4. Check official sample papers before timed practice. The correct-answer rate here is not an exam score.
Review HSK 3View HSK goals 5