Four-character expressions - Can A Can B
四字格 — 可A可B
Four-character expressions (四字格) are frequent in written language and in a formal style. They condense an idea (often quasi-idiomatic).
Elements
How to use it
- Use Can A Can B as a fixed expression, without changing the order of the characters.
- Placement: place Can A Can B at the beginning of a sentence or in an incision, just before the idea you are commenting on.
- Context: use this formula to introduce an opinion, a reaction, or a transition in a conversation.
- Start by memorizing the global sense, then reuse the formula in complete sentences.
- Insert the formula in a complete sentence as a block, without breaking it or rearranging it.
- For 四字格, prefer contexts written/formal or citations.
Notes and exceptions
- Can — Either: With also/both: « either … » (Can him and …).
Common mistakes
- Do not break the expression into isolated words: it functions as a block.
- Avoid literal translation and learn the global sense in context first.
- Reuse the formula in a complete sentence, not as a single word.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Use **Can A Can B** as a fixed expression, without changing the order of the characters.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Placement: place **Can A Can B** at the beginning of a sentence or in an incision, just before the idea you are commenting on.)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Context: use this formula to introduce an opinion, a reaction, or a transition in a conversation.)
4. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Start by memorizing the global sense, then reuse the formula in complete sentences.)