HSK 5
语气副词：毕竟、不免、差（一）点儿、倒是、干脆、就、居然、可、明明、总算
yǔ qì fù cí ： bì jìng 、 bù miǎn 、 chà （ yī ） diǎnr 、 dǎo shì 、 gān cuì 、 jiù 、 jū rán 、 kě 、 míng míng 、 zǒng suàn
Adverbs expressing mood: 毕竟、不免、差点儿、倒是、干脆、就、居然、可、明明、总算
Explanation
This is a group of mood adverbs (function words/adverbs expressing the attitude and nuance of the sentence — words that modify a verb or adjective but do not translate into a meaning of their own), added to convey the speaker's attitude and emotion rather than adding real meaning.
Usually placed before a verb or adjective (within the predicate — the part stating the subject's action or quality). Meaning of each word: 毕竟 (bìjìng) = after all, emphasizing an obvious reason; 不免 (bùmiǎn) = unavoidably; 差点儿 (chàdiǎnr) = almost (something nearly happened but did not); 倒是 (dàoshì) = actually/as it turns out, a mild shift in meaning; 干脆 (gāncuì) = decisively, bluntly; 就 (jiù) = simply, definitely (emphasizing resolve); 居然 (jūrán) = unexpectedly, to one's surprise; 可 (kě) = really, truly (emphasis); 明明 (míngmíng) = clearly, obviously; 总算 (zǒngsuàn) = finally (after a long wait).
When you want to add attitude to a sentence — surprise, resolve, emphasis, or affirming something obvious. Many of these words (毕竟, 不免) lean toward written/formal usage (used in books, seldom in casual speech).
居然 and 竟然 both mean "unexpectedly," but 居然 emphasizes surprise more strongly. 差点儿 (almost) is different from 差不多 (nearly, approximately) — don't confuse them.
Vietnamese learners often translate 就 as "then" and place it in the wrong position; remember 就 goes right before the verb. It's also easy to confuse 差点儿 with the sense of "nearly enough": 差点儿迟到 means almost late (actually NOT late), not "a little late."
Examples
Don't blame him, after all he's still young.
Taking the exam for the first time, it's unavoidable to feel a bit nervous.
I was almost late for school today.
This approach is actually rather novel, I've never seen it before.
This person is unreasonable, we might as well just stop working with him.
Don't try to talk me out of it, I'm simply determined to go.
I never expected it — this was actually done by her.
I really can't memorize this many new words.
It was clearly you who did it, so why say someone else did it?
I've finally finished studying this book.
Practice
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Learn “语气副词：毕竟、不免、差（一）点儿、倒是、干脆、就、居然、可、明明、总算” effectively
The grammar point “语气副词：毕竟、不免、差（一）点儿、倒是、干脆、就、居然、可、明明、总算” (Adverbs expressing mood: 毕竟、不免、差点儿、倒是、干脆、就、居然、可、明明、总算) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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