A Chinese Teacher Tell You How to Use Associated Words

As a Chinese teacher, recently I have noticed a very interesting saying on the internet, which is about the usage of Chinese associated words.

You can read it just for fun or as least learn something about the Chinese language.

Fill the following blanks with some associated words.

The previous sentence is “他（）牺牲生命，（）出卖组织(ta1 xi1 sheng1 sheng1 ming4, chu1 mai4 zu3 zhi1)”. A mandarin teacher asked the primary students to finish it. And then he got the answer “宁可，也不(ning4 ke3 ye3 bu4)”.

Obviously, it is the best answer to this question. “宁可，也不(ning4 ke3 ye3 bu4)” means “would rather than” in English. So the sentence can be interpreted as “He would rather sacrifice his life than betray his organization.” From this sentence, we can get to know this person is really patriotic and loyal to his organization.

However, there are some other explanations for this. “他与其牺牲性命，不如出卖组织(ta1 yu3 qi2 xi1 sheng1 xing4 ming4, bu4 ru2 chu1 mai4 zu3 zhi1)”. “与其，不如(yu3 qi2 bu4 ru2)” means “instead”. In this way, the sentence means “he wanted to betray his organization instead of sacrificing his own life.” what a coward it is, who is extremely timid. Tom’ Chinese tutor give this sentence to him. And he put forward a more interesting answer that is “即使，也要(ji2 shi3 ye3 yao4)”, which means “He still wanted to betray his organization even if he sacrificed his own life”. “It was what a hateful person that may do such a terrible thing”, His tutor said.

Associated words are an important part emphasized by many Chinese teachers. You have to figure out the right usages of each associated words so that you may understand the real meaning of sentences correctly. 

source:  http://smile1xia.jigsy.com/entries/education/a-chinese-teacher-tell-you-how-to-use-associated-words