20 Chinese Composition Expressions Every Student Must Know
Everyone knows the importance of vocabulary. And almost everyone has heard some well-meaning advice to memorise 好词好句 in order to score. But the real issue is this: most students do not truly understand what they are memorising or how to use it in their Chinese compositions.
But before you go on reading… You might want to download a pdf copy of this article as it is quite long!
Click the blue download button, enter your email, and the pdf file will be delivered to your inbox! (Remember to check spam!)
Why Good Phrases Matter in Chinese Composition
In order for a story to come to life, students need to learn how to describe the key scenes vividly, so a reader can be immersed in the story.
Examiners will not give you a higher composition score simply for writing more pages or more flowery phrases. Instead, they are looking out for appropriately used descriptive phrases. Rather than focus on learning more “advanced phrases” not found in the Chinese textbook or primary school syllabus, it is important to understand how to use good phrases appropriately.
A well-placed good phrase can:
- lift marks instantly
- make writing more vivid
- and show maturity in expression.
Misused “good phrases” have the opposite effect.
How Examiners Grade Composition Writing
For PSLE, Chinese composition takes up 40 marks and they have always been graded equally on two key areas: content (20 marks) and language (20 marks).
What falls under content? First and foremost, the relevance of a story with respect to the question demands. This alone is critical in deciding whether a student passes or fails. A coherent, unique and well-crafted story that deviates from the question demands will not do well. A key tip: think of themes which allow you to bring out positive values.
Next, we also need to pay attention to story structure and proportion, whether there are any logical gaps or illogical jumps in sequencing. Only when all these are met should students work on writing more original or creative stories. Remember, a story idea is only as good as its fit with the question requirements.
As for language, examiners will penalise any linguistic errors. To score in the highest band, students must not merely throw a string of good phrases together. Instead, examiners are looking for effective and apt use of descriptive phrases that evokes a strong mental image in the examiners’ mind.
Bear in mind that linguistic marks are not awarded simply because a student used an abundance of “good phrases”, such as idioms or figurative language. These need to be used at appropriate junctures to highlight key aspects of the story, not just the weather as many Singaporean students are fond of doing. Hoping to achieve the highest scores for the language component? Examiners also look for variation in sentence structure and length.
Top Descriptive Phrases for Emotions
Given that primary school compositions focus on narrative writing, the ability to describe emotions vividly is key to scoring well. Students should aim to build up a solid vocabulary bank comprising phrases to describe feelings, particularly nuanced ones.
Here are eight useful phrases to start you off. Notice how they do not just merely describe the feeling but integrate the key descriptive techniques TEASE (thoughts, expression, action, speech and emotion) to highlight complex feelings.
#Phrase 1 (Disappointed)
Both “心猛地一沉”and “挤不出一丝笑容” are effective and impactful phrases for describing a sudden sense of disappointment.
#Phrase 2 (Nervous)
“呼吸急促”，“心跳加速”and “脑袋空白” all describe the physical effect of nervousness. They can be used individually or combined to show the tension of a heightened, jittery state.
#Phrase 3 (Stunned)
“脑袋‘嗡’的一声” uses sound to convey a moment of complete shock, when one is unable to react.
#Phrase 4 (Wronged)
“涌上心头” and “不听使唤” convey a strong sense of overwhelming emotion, especially the helplessness one feels when wronged.
#Phrase 5 (Ashamed)
“一阵火辣” describes the physical sensation of embarrassment while “恨不得找个地洞钻进去” highlights the strong urge to hide in shame.
#Phrase 6 (Touched)
“一股暖流涌遍全身” describes a wave-like sensation of a warm current spreading through the body while “眼眶一热” highlights the physical response when one is deeply moved.
#Phrase 7 (Jealous)
“不服气地‘哼’了一声” uses onomatopoeia to show one’s discontent, while “酸溜溜的” highlights how one feels sour about others’ achievements when one is jealous.
Lastly, “很不是滋味” describes a mixed, uncomfortable feeling that is hard to put into words.
#Phrase 8 (Sudden, Strong Emotional Blow)
“心仿佛被什么狠狠击中” describes a sudden, intense emotional blow—something unexpected (e.g. guilt/shock/ hurt/betrayed).
“久久无法平静” highlights how that uncomfortable sensation lingers.
Phrases for Storytelling and Sequencing
Apart from emotions, it is also important to learn useful phrases to sequence and connect events in your story. Here are 6 handpicked ones that can be used across various compositions and themes.
#Phrase 9 (The Passage of Time)
Note how “时间一分一秒地过去了” can be used in various contexts to indicate that time as passed, be it quickly or slowly.
#Phrase 10 (Unexpected Twist)
“正当” is used to spotlight an event which happens when another event is already unfolding. It is often used to set up an unexpected twist, with the second event being the surprise.
#Phrase 11 (At a Precise Moment)
“就在这时” indicates a precise moment when an event happens. It often marks a key or sudden development in the story.
#Phrase 12(Time Flew By)
“一眨眼” can be used to describe how time seems to flow by. Often, this is used in relation to an upcoming event or something coming to an end.
#Phrase 13 (Upon Seeing a Particular Scene)
“看到这一幕” is a simple yet effective phrase to show one’s reaction to a particular scene. It is often used at key moments, especially at the turning point of a story.
#Phrase 14 (A Duration of Time Spent Doing a Particular Action)
“足足” can be paired with a duration of time to emphasise how long or intense the moment feels, especially at key moments, such as when one is expecting a response or reaction.
Phrases for Conclusions and Reflections
#Phrase 15 (Learnt a Lesson)
“深刻的教训” can be used in any story in which the character learns a painful lesson.
#Phrase 16 (Determined to Act as Such in Future)
“暗暗下定决心” is used to show one’s determination for the future. It is best used after stating a lesson learnt, helping the conclusion flow naturally by highlighting the character’s decision to change.
#Phrase 17 (Forever Etched in My Heart)
“永远刻在心底” can be used in conclusions to emphasise how unforgettable an experience is, whether it highlights a meaningful act or a painful lesson.
#Phrase 18 (Glancing at Someone’s Back View)
“望着……的背影” is a simple yet powerful way to highlight one’s emotions and reflections in the conclusion. Glancing at another’s back view provides a natural point to reflect and muse over the incident.
#Phrase 19 (Use Contrast)
“不是……而是……” is a useful sentence structure to highlight contrast, in particular, the lesson learnt.
#Phrase 20 (If Not For…How Would…)
“要不是……又怎么会……” is a versatile sentence structure for writing rhetorical questions, to highlight the lesson one has learnt.
How to Memorise and Apply These Phrases
Knowing these phrases is just the first step. Here are some useful tips for students to better memorise and apply them in the compositions:
1. Make Your Own Personalised 好词好句 List
Go through your school notes and textbooks to gather the writing gems. Make sure you group these phrases by emotion, function or scenes. Chunking them will help you; your list can be a handy reference when you are practising composition writing.
2. Use in Different Contexts
For example, after learning phrases pertaining to being ashamed, use them to construct sentences for different contexts in which you would feel ashamed, for example, being criticised in front of your classmates or realising you should not have lied.
3. Learn When Not to Use Them
As you go through your lists, ask yourself if certain phrases are interchangeable. If not, why? If you are unsure, do check with a qualified teacher.
Let’s look at how these sample paragraphs illustrate effective usage of the top phrases we have compiled.
First, this describes a scene in which the narrator performed badly in a test, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. Unexpectedly, his teacher did not scold him, but instead consoled and encouraged him. This made the narrator deeply touched. Notice how the nuances in emotions and how emotions typically change over time, integrating the phrases in blue we discussed earlier.
The second example describes the narrator being nervous during an exam. Notice how #Phrase 2 “呼吸急促，心跳加速，脑袋一片空白” is adapted, with 心跳加速omitted. When applying good phrases, students should be flexible, adjusting them to suit the context so the description flows naturally.
The last example here shows a sample conclusion, highlighting not just the narrator’s emotions, reflections but also how he plans to move forward.
Practising These Phrases with Chinese Tuition
As you can see from the examples above, knowing the phrases is only a starting point. Many students can recognise good phrases, but struggle to apply them naturally in the right context. This is where guided practice and feedback come in.
With regular, detailed and personalised feedback, students learn when and how to adapt phrases so their writing flows instead of sounding forced. Over time, they move from the “inserting phrases” mode to writing with intent, using these phrases flexibly, creatively and effectively.
With the right guidance, good phrases become effective writing tools—not mere templates.
You might want to download a pdf copy of this article for future reference!
Click the blue download button, enter your email, and the pdf file will be delivered to your inbox! (Remember to check spam!)
See more related articles and information on Writing Samurai:
Follow Writing Samurai on Telegram for the latest tips and strategies for English, Chinese, and Creative Writing! Pssst... We will also share the latest compo topics during test or exam season!
Click this link to follow our channel >>> https://t.me/writingsamurai