Adults should not be afraid of the dark.
大 人 不 应 怕 黑 。
Da4 ren2 bu4 ying1 pa4 hei1.
The cat isn't afraid of the dog.
猫 不 怕 狗 。
Mao1 bu2 pa4 gou3.
to be ambitious; ambitious
有 志
you3zhi4
ambivalence
矛 盾 的 情 绪
mao2dun4 de qing2xu4
ambivalent, contrary, paradoxical, inconsistent, contradictory
矛 盾 的
mao2dun4 de
After he lost this game, he got angry.
他 输 了 这 场 比 赛 ， 为 此 他 很 生 气 。
Ta1 shu1 le zhe4 chang3 bi3sai4, wei4ci3 ta1 hen3 sheng1qi4.
to cease to be angry, to calm one's anger
息 怒
xi1nu4
exasperation, aggravation; to be indignant, to be angry, to be exasperated (In China, they will sometimes use the tch sound when exasperated just like we do.)
恼 怒
nao3nu4
irritable, angry; to take offense, to get angry
生 气
sheng1qi4
You make me so angry!
你 太 可 气 了 。
Ni3 tai4 ke3 qi4 le.
angry, upset, indignant; rage
愤 怒
fen4nu4
I wanted to go to the picnic. Dad wouldn't let me go. This made me angry.
我 想 去 野 餐 。 爸 爸 不 让 我 去 。 这 让 我 很 生 气 。
Wo3 xiang3 qu4 ye3can1. Ba4ba bu2 rang4 wo3 qu4. Zhe4 rang4 wo3 hen3 sheng1qi4.
to get someone angry, to get someone annoyed
气 人
qi4 ren2
What an annoying person!
烦 死 人 了 ！
Fan2 si3 ren2 le!
She's crying now. (literally -- She is wiping tears.)
她 在 抹 眼 泪 呢 。
Ta1 zai4 mo3 yan3lei4 ne.
ashamed, bashful
害 臊
hai4sao4
considerate, attentive (adjective combines -- think, consider, ponder / thoughtful, all)
考 虑 周 到
kao3lu~4zhou1dao4
to improve attitude, to change attitude, to improve outlook (this is the state of mind or general long lasting mood of the person)
改 善 心 态
gai3shan4 xin1tai4
All he needs is a little backbone.
他 需 要 的 ， 只 是 一 些 勇 气 。
Ta1 xu1yao4 de, zhi3 shi4 yi4xie1 yong3qi4.
uncivilized, barbarous, uncouth, brutal, savage
野 蛮
ye3man2
I would date a gorilla before I would date him.
我 宁 可 同 大 猩 猩 约 会 也 不 愿 意 同 他 约 会 。
Wo3 ning4ke3 tong2 da4xing1xing yue1hui4 ye3 bu2 yuan4yi4 tong2 ta1 yue1hui4.
She was beside herself with worry when the mail didn't come.
信 还 没 到 ， 她 急 疯 了 。
Xin4 hai2 mei2 dao4, ta1 ji2 feng1 le.
He was beside himself with anger after he lost the game.
比 赛 输 了 后 ， 他 气 疯 了 。
Bi3sai4 shu1 le hou4, ta1 qi4 feng1 le.
bewildered, helter-skelter
慌 慌 张 张
huang1huang1zhang1zhang1
I'm getting bored with waiting.
我 快 等 烦 了 。
Wo3 kuai4 deng3 fan2 le.
brave
勇
yong3
brave, courageous, valiant, daring, fearless
勇 敢
yong3gan3
calm, quiet, serene
平 静 的
ping2jing4 de
calm demeanor, calm temperament
心 平 气
xin1ping2qi4
Calm down. It's not worth getting excited about.
安 静 ， 这 事 不 值 得 这 么 激 动 。
An1jing4, zhe4 shi4 bu4 zhi2de zhe4me ji1dong4.
He impressed me as being an excellent father. He is so calm and attentive with his kids.
他 给 我 的 印 象 是 他 是 一 个 好 父 亲 他 对 他 的 孩 子 们 总 是 心 平 气 和 考 虑 周 到 。
Ta1 gei3 wo3 de yin4xiang4 shi4 ta1 shi4 yi2ge hao3 fu4qin4. Ta1 dui4 ta1 de hai2zimen zong3shi4 xin1ping2qi4 he2 kao3lu~4zhou1 dao4.
to calm down, to cool off, to cool it, to settle down; composed, calm
镇 定 下 来
zhen4ding4xia4lai
composure, calmness
镇 静
zhen4jing4
The doctor calmly explained the operation to my mother. It made her feel much more confident.
医 生 平 心 静 气 地 向 我 母 亲 解 释 这 次 手 术 。 母 亲 感 觉 更 自 信 了 。
Yi1sheng1 ping2xin1jing4qi4 de xiang4 wo3 mu3qin1 jie3shi4 zhe4 ci4 shou3shu4. Mu3qin1 gan3jue2 geng4 zi4xin4 le.
calmly, dispassionately; to keep calm
平 心 静 气
ping2xin1jing4qi4
to cherish, to treasure
珍 爱
zhen1ai4
to cherish, to care for, to treasure
爱 护
ai4hu4
He was very cold to us.
他 对 我 们 很 冷 淡 。
Ta1 dui4 wo3men hen3 leng3dan4.
I'm confused, give me a hint.
我 糊 涂 了 ， 给 我 一 个 暗 示 。
Wo3 hu2tu2 le, gei3 wo3 yi2 ge4 an4shi4.
to have an easy conscience
心 安 理 得
xin1an1li3de2
thoughtful, considerate (in combination takes on multiple meanings, singly usually means "week")
周 到
zhou1dao4
considerate, thoughtful, attentive
体 贴
ti3tie1
contented
心 安 的
xin1an1 de
to have peace of mind, to be carefree, to be contented
心 安
xin1an1
I don't want to work with Kevin, because there is friction between us.
我 不 想 和 凯 文 共 事 因 为 我 们 俩 有 点 儿 矛 盾 。
Wo3 bu4 xiang3 he2 Kai3wen2 gong4shi4 yin1wei2 wo3men lia3 you3 dian3r mao2dun4.
to not control oneself, to get carried away, to lose control (can refer to having too good a time at a party or drinking without restraint -- literally -- to forget appearances)
忘 形
wang4xing2
His warm words made everybody at the conference happy.
他 亲 切 的 话 语 使 到 会 的 每 个 人 很 高 兴 。
Ta1 qin1qie4 de hua4yu3 shi3 dao4hui4 de mei3ge4 ren2 hen3 gao1xing4.
courage, nerve
勇 气
yong3qi4
He needs is a little courage. (yong3qi4 has more of a slant toward nerve or courage than the English image of backbone but but seems a better image than either of those -- see gu3qi4)
他 需 要 一 些 勇 气 。
Ta1 xu1yao4 yi4xie1 yong3qi4.
to stress out, to drive crazy, to push to insanity (Most often used with bei 被 in the passive voice - colloquially it means stress has pushed you over the edge.)
逼 疯
bi1 feng1
crooked, off kilter, devious (note that the top part is bu4 (not) and the bottom is zheng4 (straight) so = not straight)
歪
wai1
pushy, crude (of a person)
粗 鲁
cu1lu3
to snivel, to cry
哭 鼻 子
ku1 bi2zi
curious, inquisitive (notice that this 好 is the fourth tone)
好 奇
hao4qi2
Zheng Di is afraid of the water. Zheng Tian said, "I dare you to jump into the lake."
郑 地 怕 水 。 郑 天 说 ： “ 我 估 计 你 没 有 胆 量 跳 进 湖 里 。 ”
Zheng4 Di4 pa4 shui3. Zheng4 Tian1 shuo1: "Wo3 gu1ji4 ni3 mei2you3 dan3liang4 tiao4 jin4 hu2 li3."
glad, happy, delighted, elated (literally -- high + interest, excitement)
高 兴
gao1xing4
Why do you look so unhappy? // Oh, I'm depressed. Portugal lost the finals in swimming.
为 什 么 你 看 起 来 不 太 高 兴 ？ // 啊 ， 真 沮 丧 。 葡 萄 牙 在 游 泳 决 赛 里 输 了 。
Wei4shen2me ni3 kan4qi3lai bu2 tai4 gao1xing4? / / A4, zhen1 ju3sang4. Pu2taoya2 zai4 you2 yong3 jue2sai4 li3 shu1 le.
depression; depressed, gloomy, bummed out
抑 郁
yi4yu4
sad
悲 伤
bei1shang1
burning desire (gives a negative impression of the desire -- literary -- see ke3wang4)
欲 火
yu4huo3
lust, craving, desire (literary -- see ke3wang4 渴 望 )
欲 望
yu4wang4
She was devastated when her dog died.
自 从 小 狗 死 了 以 后 ， 她 就 痛 不 欲 生 。
Zi4cong2 xiao3 gou3 si3 le yi3hou4, ta1 jiu4 tong4bu2yu4sheng1.
to devote oneself, to dedicate oneself, to be dedicated to (literally - to donate body)
献 身
xian4shen1
She devoted herself to her cause.
她 献 身 事 业 。
Ta1 xian4shen1 shi4ye4.
The cat died, and the boy was very sad. (nan2hai2r is written with the 儿 when the child is younger -- this seems to be an informal convention)
猫 死 了 ， 小 男 孩 儿 很 伤 心 。
Mao1 si3 le, xiao3 nan2hai2r hen3 shang1xin1.
discouraged
气 馁 的
qi4'nei3 de
to feel discouraged, to be bummed out
丧 气
sang4qi4
I loathe drilling in formation.
我 讨 厌 练 队 。
Wo3 tao3yan4 lian4dui4.
I'm such a dunderhead! Why didn't I see that before? (you use ben4 to talk about yourself, ben4dan4 to talk about someone else!)
我 真 笨 ！ 为 什 么 我 以 前 没 看 见 那 个 ？
Wo3 zhen1 ben4! Wei4shen2me wo3 yi3qian2 mei2 kan4jian4 na4ge?
embarrassment
窘 相
jiong3xiang4
enthusiasm, ardor, zeal; enthusiastic
热 心
re4xin1
envious, jealous, to be green with envy
眼 热
yan3re4
especially, particularly
尤 指
you2zhi3
to express one's feelings, to let it all hang out
传 情
chuan2 qing2
a happy expression (refers to facial expression, or emotional expression)
一 副 高 兴 的 表 情
yi2 fu4 gao1xing4 de biao3qing2
I flunked my exam. I'm sad.
我 考 试 没 过 ， 非 常 难 过 。
Wo3 kao3shi4 mei2 guo4, fei1chang2 nan2guo4.
I just feel bad about it.
我 只 是 为 此 感 到 不 安 。
Wo3 zhi3shi4 wei4ci3 gan3dao4 bu4'an1.
feel very happy
心 里 感 到 很 高 兴
xin1li3 gan3dao4 hen3 gao1xing4
to feel unwell, to feel unhappy, to feel pained, to feel sad
难 受
nan2shou4
festive, joyous; jubilation
喜 庆
xi3qing4
fluster, flurry
慌 乱 的
huang1luan4 de
Forget it, don't be angry.
算 了 ， 别 生 气 了 。
Suan4le, bie2 sheng1qi4 le.
close friend
友 好
you3hao3
friendly
stage fright
怯 场
qie4chang3
Along came a spider and sat down beside her, and frightened Miss Muffet away. (literally -- a spider climbed toward her and stopped beside her, Miss Muffet was frightened into running. Note the use of bei4. Guo4lai2 indicates the direction of pa2 - toward; if away it would be guo4qu4. )
一 只 蜘 蛛 爬 过 来 停 在 她 旁 边 ， Muffet 小 姐 被 吓 跑 了 。
Yi4 zhi1 zhi1zhu1 pa2 guo4lai2 ting2 zai4 ta1 pang2bian1, Muffet xiao3jie3 bei4 xia4 pao3 le.
to frighten, to scare, fright, fear
吓
xia4
How long will it take you to get over this relationship?
你 还 得 多 久 才 能 走 出 这 段 感 情 呢 ？
Ni3 hai2 dei3 duo1jiu3 cai2neng2 zou3chu1 zhe4 duan4 gan3qing2 ne?
It's nothing to gloat about.
没 必 要 幸 灾 乐 祸 。
Mei2 mo4 bi4yao4 xing4zai1le4huo4.
gluttonous, greedy
饕
tao1
greedy, corrupt; to covet, to have a voracious desire for
贪
tan1
greedy, pigish; glutton
馋 鬼
chan2gui3
grouchy, grumpy, crabby (this can be applied to adults -- you are in a bad mood but then will get over it and act normally -- a passing mood of grouchiness, not a constant trait)
耍 脾 气
shua3pi2qi
grouchy, unhappy, out of sorts
不 高 兴 的
bu4 gao1xing4de
grouchy, grumpy (to suffer from sleep -- this is applied to children who are quarrelsome and out of sorts (grouchy) in the morning -- not used to refer to adults -- they are
闹 觉
nao4jiao4
to be unwilling to part with, to grudge
舍 不 得
she3bude
This guy's unbearable.
这 家 伙 真 够 呛 ！
Zhe4 jia1huo zhen1 gou4qiang4!
How come you look so happy! What's up?
看 把 你 高 兴 的 ！ 什 么 事 儿 ？
Kan4 ba3 ni3 gao1xing4 de! Shen2me shi4r?
I am happy you are coming.
我 高 兴 你 来 。
Wo3 gao1xing4 ni3 lai2.
Are you happy? (normally would say Ni3 gao1xing4 ma? -- kuai4le is a little formal)
你 快 乐 吗 ？
Ni3 kuai4le4 ma?
honest; honesty
诚 实
cheng2shi2
hyperactive, always into things, can't sit still
多 动
duo1dong4
I'm very happy.
我 很 高 兴 。
Wo3 hen3 gao1xing4.
ignoramus (oral, slang)
怯 勺
qie4shao2
impassive, detached, emotionless, unconcerned; indifference, detachment
冷 漠
leng3mo4
He was waiting impatiently in the car while his wife did her shopping.
他 很 不 耐 烦 的 在 车 上 等 他 妻 子 买 东 西 。
Ta1 hen3 bu2 nai4fan2 de zai4 che1shang deng3 ta1 qi1zi mai3 dong1xi.
individuality, personality
个 性
ge4xing4
mad, insane
疯
feng1
a torrent of insults
一 连 串 侮 辱
yi4lian2chuan4 wu3ru3
insult; to insult, to humiliate, to dishonor
侮 辱
wu3ru3
fit of jealousy
突 生 妒 忌 之 心
tu1sheng1 du4ji4 zhi4 xin1
I just have to let off my anger somehow, so I play tennis.
我 只 是 需 要 设 法 发 泄 我 的 愤 怒 ， 因 此 我 打 网 球 。
Wo3 zhi3shi4 xu1yao4 she4fa3 fa1xie4 wo3 de fen4nu4, yin1ci3 wo3 da3 wang3qiu2.
Do you like him? (do you like him - used the way Americans often use the word love in dating - xi3huan means like a lot in this case - but the word is used casually about things)
你 喜 欢 他 吗 ？
Ni3 xi3huan ta1 ma?
I'm alone but I really don't feel lonely.
我 单 独 一 人 ， 但 我 并 不 感 到 孤 单 。
Wo3 dan1du2 yi4 ren2, dan4 wo3 bing4 bu4 gan3dao4 gu1dan1.
She doesn't look happy.
她 看 起 来 不 高 兴 。
Ta1 kan4qi3lai bu4 gao1xing4.
I'm at a loss, give me a hint.
我 蒙 了 ， 给 我 一 个 暗 示 。
Wo3 meng1 le, gei3 wo3 yi2 ge4 an4shi4.
We're in love. (said easily and informally by young people who intend to get married.)
我 们 有 感 情 。
Wo3men you3 gan3qing2.
He and I are in love. (formal -- more literary -- means you are falling in love but still at the confused stage -- not committed -- also see you3 gan3qing2)
我 和 他 发 生 了 感 情 。
Wo3 he2 ta1 fa1sheng1 le gan3qing2.
to be in love (literally -- emotion happens with someone-- more literary -- see you3 gan3qing2)
发 生 了 感 情
fa1sheng1 le gan3qing2
to be in love (literally -- to produce emotion with someone -- not as strong as ai4 - to love)
产 生 了 感 情
chan3sheng1 le gan3qing2
Are you in love? (a parent might ask this or a friend -- very common expression - implies a deep lasting relationship but not as strong as ai4)
你 们 有 感 情 吗 ？
Ni3men you3 gan3qing2 ma?
Are you and he in love? (this would be the less common English expression -- would normally say plural "you" or "you guys")
你 和 他 有 感 情 吗 ？
Ni3 he2 ta1 you3 gan3qing2 ma?
Mama loves you. (in China, when a parent tells a child they love them, they will often use the third person -- Da4da or Ma1ma loves or likes you.)
妈 妈 爱 你 。
Ma1ma ai4 ni3.
I love you. (not said lightly in either culture -- but in America adults and parents often say this to children -- but only in a serious love relationship to one another - in China see Ma1ma ai4 ni3)
我 爱 你 。
Wo3 ai4 ni3.
He and I are in love. (lian4qing2 is always between a man and woman, while gan3qing2 can be used in other situations, such as between a parent and child)
我 和 他 发 生 了 恋 情 。
Wo3 he2 ta1 fa1sheng1 le lian4qing2.
We're in love. (this would be a serious statement of love -- when talking about the person you are to marry -- we "love each other" -- much more commitment than the affection of "gan3qing2" or "lian4qing2")
我 们 在 相 爱 。
Wo3men zai4 xiang1 ai4.
in love, head over heels in love
痴 爱
chi1'ai4
love, affection (between a man and a woman, not appropriate for objects or friends)
爱 情
ai4qing2
to be in love with, to be deeply attached to
爱 恋
ai4lian4
Do you love her? (only asked after a long relationship -- with the assumption of lasting love - it has a more direct sound than Ni3men you3 gan3qing2 ma? Ai4 can be used informally with things)
你 爱 她 吗 ？
Ni3 ai4 ta1 ma?
loyal, devoted
忠 诚
zhong1cheng2
to be loyal to
忠 于
zhong1yu2
My mother's a manic depressive, you never know when she'll be extremely happy or extremely sad. (In Chinese you use the noun form (has an illness) to say that people have a disease - don't say "my manic-depressive mother".)
我 妈 患 有 躁 狂 抑 郁 症 ， 你 从 来 都 不 知 道 她 什 么 时 候 特 别 高 兴 或 悲 伤 。
Wo3 ma1 huan4 you3 zao4kuang2yi4yu4 zheng4, ni3 cong2lai2 dou1 bu4 zhi1dao4 ta1 shen2me shi2hou te4bie2 gao1xing4 huo4 bei1shang1.
behavior, attitude, manner, bearing
举 止
ju3zhi3
mischievous, naughty; be active, be mischievous; noisy fun (oral usage -- see wan2pi2)
淘 气
tao2qi4
naughty, mischievous (written or formal usage -- see tao2qi4)
顽 皮
wan2pi2
I miss you.
我 想 你 。
Wo3 xiang3 ni3.
He is so modest that sometimes he is underestimated by people, but he is quite brilliant. (meaning extremely intelligent)
他 太 谦 虚 了 ， 以 至 于 有 时 人 们 低 估 了 他 ， 但 他 实 际 上 是 非 常 出 色 的 。
Ta1 tai4 qian1xu1 le, yi3zhi4yu2 you3shi1 ren2men di1gu1 le ta1, dan4 ta1 shi1ji4shang shi4 fei1chang2 chu1se4de.
You cannot predict her mood, sometimes she is happy and sometimes sad.
你 不 可 能 知 道 她 的 心 情 ， 她 时 而 欢 喜 时 而 伤 悲 。
Ni3 bu4 ke3neng2 zhi1dao4 ta1 de xin1qing2, ta1 shi2'er2 huan1xi3 shi2'er2 shang1bei1.
mood, state of mind (this is a passing mood)
心 情
xin1qing2
I'm in a muddle, give me a hint.
我 被 蒙 住 了 ， 给 我 一 个 暗 示 。
Wo3 bei4 meng1 zhu4 le, gei3 wo3 yi2 ge4 an4shi4.
He dumped the fish from the fish bowl into the sink, he's so naughty.
他 把 鱼 缸 里 的 鱼 倒 进 洗 碗 池 ， 太 淘 气 了 。
Ta1 ba3 yu2gang1 li3 de yu2 dao4jin4 xi3wan3chi2, tai4 tao2qi4 le.
This naughty boy likes to make trouble.
这 个 淘 气 的 男 孩 儿 爱 捣 乱 。
Zhe4 ge tao2qi4 de nan2hai2r ai4 dao3luan4.
He needs nerve.
他 需 要 勇 气 。
Ta1 xu1yao4 yong3qi4.
numb, insensitive, apathetic, dead
麻 木
ma2mu4
to feel oppressed, to feel rotten
憋 坏 了
Bie1huai4 le
optimism
乐 观
le4guan1
optimism; optimistic
optimist
乐 天 派
le4tian1pai4
particular; to be particular, to nitpick, to be fussy
挑 剔
tiao1ti
I'm very particular about my friends, they have to be nice. (The English preposition about is not necessary because the verb object 交 友 to make friends with, to associate with and the adjective 谨 慎, careful, prudent, creates the meaning "I am prudent when making friends.")
我 交 友 很 谨 慎 ， 人 一 定 要 好 。
Wo3 jiao1 you3 hen3 jin3shen4, ren2 yi2 ding4 yao4 hao3.
He is very particular about the clothes he wears.
他 在 穿 着 上 总 是 很 挑 剔 。
Ta1 zai4 chuan1zhuo2 shang zong3shi4 hen3 tiao1ti.
desire, passion (replaces yu4wang4 which is literary -- both give a negative impression of the desire -- not romantic at all, but something disapproved and destructive)
渴 望
ke3wang4
He waited patiently while his daughter tried to decide which dress to buy.
他 很 有 耐 心 的 等 他 女 儿 决 定 买 哪 一 件 连 衣 裙 。
Ta1 hen3 you3 nai4xin1 de deng3 ta1 nu~3'er2 jue2ding4 mai3 na3 yi2 jian4 lian2yi1qun2.
I would be perfectly happy if I could just find my glasses.
如 果 我 找 到 我 的 眼 镜 ， 我 肯 定 非 常 高 兴 。
Ru2guo3 wo3 zhao3dao4 wo3 de yan3jing4, wo3 ken3ding4 fei1chang2 gao1xing4.
pessimism; pessimistic
悲 观
bei1guan1
I'm not picky.
我 不 是 挑 剔 。
Wo3 bu2 shi4 tiao1ti.
to be picky, to nitpick, to be fussy, to find fault, to carp at; picky, fussy
I'm proud of you.
我 为 你 骄 傲 。
Wo3 wei4 ni3 jiao1ao4.
to be proud, to have pride, to take pride in; arrogant, conceited; pride
骄 傲
jiao1ao4
rambunctious, difficult to control
难 控 制 的
nan2kong4zhi4 de
rambunctious, chaotic
骚 乱 的
sao1luan4 de
I'm really tired.
我 实 在 是 太 累 了 。
Wo3 shi2zai4 shi4 tai4 lei4 le.
restless, impatient, anxious (when you are waiting for something and can't concentrate - can be something good like children waiting for Christmas or something frightening like your grades)
急 躁
ji2zao4
I had a rotten time. It rained all day. (dou1 kuai4 are used to emphasize in this case - translate as "very")
雨 下 了 一 整 天 ， 我 都 快 憋 坏 了 。
Yu3 xia4 le yi4 zheng3 tian1, wo3 dou1 kuai4 bie1huai4 le.
Rude behavior is likely to get you a scolding. (literally -- rude behavior likely get scolding -- the you is left out to express a general principle)
举 止 粗 野 会 挨 骂 的 。
Ju3zhi3 cu1ye3 hui4 ai2 ma4 de.
rude, boorish, uncouth
粗 野
cu1ye3
sorrow; sad
伤 悲
shang1bei1
to be sad, to be grieved; sad, grieved
伤 心
shang1xin1
I feel sad.
我 心 里 难 受 。
Wo3 xin1li3 nan2shou4.
sad, depressed; to be worried
忧 愁
you1chou2
sad, sorry; to feel miserable, to feel sorry, to be uncomfortable, to have a hard time
难 过
nan2guo4
sad, worried
忧 伤
you1shang1
sad, grieved
悲 痛
bei1tong4
The dog was already dead. I'm very sad.
狗 已 经 死 了 ， 我 很 伤 心 。
Gou3 yi3jing1 si3 le, wo3 hen3 shang1xin1.
to frighten, to scare, to threaten (oral usage)
吓 唬
xia4hu
politically sensitive (to be censored), sensitive, touchy issue
敏 感
min3'gan3
He's a sentimentalist.
他 是 一 位 伤 感 主 义 者 。
Ta1 shi4 yi2 wei4 shang1gan3zhu3yi4zhe3.
He looked so serious that no one dared make jokes when he was around. (zai4 shi2 -- when near him)
他 看 起 来 太 严 肃 ， 他 在 时 没 人 敢 开 玩 笑 。
Ta1 kan4qi3lai tai4 yan2su4, ta1 zai4 shi2 mei2ren2 gan3 kai1wan2xiao4.
conscientious, serious, in earnest; to be serious, to be conscientious
认 真
ren4zhen1
serious, solemn
严 肃
yan2su4
to be shocked
大 吃 一 惊
da4chi1yi4jing1
He is very shy around strangers, but not with his friends. (熟 is often pronounced shou2 in conversation)
他 在 生 人 面 前 很 害 羞 ， 但 和 朋 友 们 却 很 熟 。
Ta1 zai4 sheng1ren2 mian4qian2 hen3 hai4xiu1, dan4 he2 peng2youmen que4 hen3 shu2.
It's enough to make one sick!
够 令 人 作 呕 了 ！
Gou4 ling4ren2 zuo4ou3 le!
sleepy, tired, fatigued
困 乏 的
kun4fa2 de
sad, sorrowful, grieved (see nan2guo4 for more common usage)
悲 哀
bei1'ai1
I can't stand him!
我 实 在 受 不 了 他 !
Wo3 shi2zai4 shou4bu4liao3 ta1.
stubborn, persistent
固 执
gu4zhi2
to try hard, to strive, to apply oneself, to endeavor; hard-working, studious
努 力
nu3li4
He's so childish. (He is such a child.)
他 那 么 孩 子 气 ！
Ta1 na4me hai2ziqi4.
You're so childish. (You are such a child.)
你 这 么 孩 子 气 ！
Ni3 zhe4me hai2ziqi4.
to blanch, to turn pale; sullen, shocked (Someone's face changes color, when he/she hears something bad. It also shows someone's anger, but he/she doesn't lose their temper!! Silence and an angry facial expression.)
阴 沉
yin1chen2
When he heard the bad news, his face lost color. (The bad news could have made him angry or shocked him.)
当 他 听 到 这 个 坏 消 息 后 ， 脸 马 上 阴 沉 了 下 来 。
Dang1 ta1 ting1dao4 zhe4ge huai4 xiao1xi hou4, lian3 ma3shang4 yin1chen2 le xia4lai.
surprise; to be surprised, to be taken by surprise; surprised
奇 袭
qi2xi2
surprised; to stand in wonder, to be surprised
惊 奇
jing1qi2
suspicious, dubious, shady, questionable
可 疑
ke3yi2
to lose one's temper (refers to a child losing their temper, or having a temper tantrum -- not applied to adults except insultingly -- girlfriend to boyfriend)
使 性 子
shi3xing4zi
From then on he was very happy. (often used in a story to tell what happened next.)
从 此 他 很 高 兴 。
Cong2ci3 ta1 hen3 gao1xing4.
timid, cowardly
胆 小
dan3xiao3
tolerant, understanding, lenient; to forgive, to pardon, to excuse, to tolerate
宽 容
kuan1rong2
His class is so boring. It's like I'm being tortured. (shou4xing2 expresses more suffering so would be a better simile, but zuo4lao2 can also be used in the same sentence)
他 的 课 无 聊 极 了 ， 每 次 上 他 的 课 都 跟 受 刑 似 的 。
Ta1 de ke4 wu2liao2 ji2le, mei3ci4 shang4 ta1 de ke4 dou1 gen1 shou4xing2 shi4de.
He really isn't trustworthy.
他 实 在 是 不 可 靠 。
Ta1 shi2zai4 shi4 bu4 ke3kao4.
He isn't reliable
他 不 可 靠 。
Ta1 bu4 ke3kao4.
He's very reliable!
他 很 可 靠 !
Ta1 hen3 ke3kao4.
to try to, to hope to
欲 求
yu4qiu2
unconsciously (more common than wu2zhi1jue2 de 无 知 觉 地)
不 醒 人 事 地
bu4xing3ren2shi4 de
He has a violent temper.
他 的 脾 气 非 常 暴 。
Ta1 de pi2qi fei1chang2 bao4.
The erhu sounds sadder than the violin.
二 胡 比 小 提 琴 听 起 来 更 忧 伤 。
Er4hu2 bi3 xiao3ti2qin2 ting1 qi3lai2 geng4 you1shang1.
to be willing, to be ready to; pleased, happy (often used in the help, lend a hand context)
乐 意
le4yi4
Why are you so worried?
你 怎 么 这 么 着 急 啊 ？
Ni3 zen3me zhe4me zhao2ji2 a?
Don't worry! I'll be ready in a second.
别 着 急 ！ 马 上 就 好 ！
Bie2 zhao2ji2! Ma3shang4 jiu4 hao3!
http://hua.umf.maine.edu/Chinese/topics/topics.html Last Update: July 2012 © Marilyn Shea 1999, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012
