A good understanding of Chinese words is the basic condition of acquiring Chinese language. Therefore, when the learners study in intensive Mandarin courses in China, they should pay more attention to understand the Chinese words, especially the meanings and applications of the similar words. The group of words觉醒and觉悟are typical. The former carries the meaning of awaken. It usually used to indicate the national consciousness just like awaken from the dream to the reality. You may often hear people say人民已经觉醒.

However, 觉悟can be functioned as verb and noun. When functioning as verb, it emphasizes from the confusing to the understanding like一些人到现在还没觉悟. It usually applied to individual in the aspects of class consciousness and political consciousness. When it acts as the noun, it is a state with clear mind and consciousness. What we often say are 思想觉悟and很高的觉悟.

据说、听说and传说are also important in daily conversation. 据说has the similar meaning of “it is said that” in English like据说未来两天将大幅度降温. It is not allowed to use after the subject. However, 听说is a phrase meaning hear other people say and can be placed after subject. For example, 听说他出国了. Foreign students who study Mandarin online should know 传说can be used as both noun and verb. As noun, it implies certain popular sayings or description about someone or something like古老的神话传说while the verb indicates to describe one after another. We can say 传说这里埋藏着宝物.

Another group or similar words that the learners will learn in Mandarin learning courses in China are 举办and举行. The former one emphasizes to arrange or conduct with the objects of evening party, lecture and study classes that can be handled. With the similar meaning, 举行attached much importance to put into practice. The objects are usually contest, ceremony, meeting and conference which can be realized. You can make a comparison between the examples of the two words举办展览会and举行结婚典礼.