Most foreigners think the Chinese characters are very mysterious because the words they think are so similar are actually so different. During the process of learning Mandarin Chinese, many jokes are produced because of the wrongly used words. Therefore, teachers should pay more attention to the similar words distinguishing when teaching Chinese language.

The differences between the adverbs “曾” and “曾经” are very tiny. Therefore, foreigners often confused when they study Chinese. When we use “曾”, we intend to express someone ever experienced something. We can say “我曾去过一次”.

“曾经” is used to describe certain actions, behaviors or conditions existed or happened in the past time. After the verb, the auxiliary word “过” often attached. For instance, “他曾经做过小学教师”. It seems the same in this degree. But learners who learn Mandarin in China should know that “曾” can be used together with negative adverbs “未” and “不” like “不曾哭过”. Besides, “曾经” is more widely used than “曾”.

When we express things are very close to certain degree, we often use “几乎”and “差点儿”. However, there are some differences learners should notice when they study in China. “几乎” is an adverb carries the meaning of “almost” such as “这事他几乎忘了”. Another meaning is similar with “nearly”. We can say “他几乎有两米高” or “来的人几乎都是韩国留学生”.

However, “差点儿” is a phrase. It indicates some things are close to realization. We often hear people say “这次考试我差点儿不及格”. When foreigners come to school to learn Chinese in China, they should know another meaning is often used. When we say some things are not so good in quality, we can use “差点儿”. For example, “这本书比那本书差点儿”.

The differences between “形成” and “成为” are also often explained by teachers in qualified Mandarin program. “形成” is to form certain things with certain features after a gradual process. Accordingly, we can say “形成对比”. Another point is that it is normally can’t be used to describe person. It also can be used alone without objects.

However, “成为” is similar with “become” but not a gradual process. When we use this word, we can describe both things and people and we must take objects. When you study in Chinese school in China, teachers often tell you that “我希望自己成为一个有理想、品德高尚的人”.

Another group of words learners should master during the process when they learn Chinese language in China is “成长”, “发展” and “生长”. “成长” means to “grow up”. When we use it, we usually stress things grow to maturity stage. The scope is often living beings, collectivity, power or thought. No objects are allowed to follow like “茁壮成长”.

We can explain the meaning of “发展” by “develop”. It means the things change from simple to complex, from lower level to higher level. The range of application is very wide. For examples, “发展生产”, “发展旅游业”. Learners who learn Mandarin Chinese should know another meaning the “expand the scale of organization” like “发展组织”.

For the word “生长”, it indicates “give birth and grow up”. We can use to describe people and animals such as “小鸡生长很快” and “我从小生长在昆明”. But it is mostly used for plants. Foreigners who learn to speak Chinese can see it can takes objects directly according to the examples.

For some words the similarities and differences are obvious, learners can tell them apart easily. If they find it is difficult to distinguish, they should remember more examples.